Carly Mullane, who has the same chronic pain condition as Lady Gaga, says she was so relieved she “cried” after the cream eased her agony
A mum with fibromyalgia has revealed how she “cried” with relief as a £9.95 ‘miracle’ cream eased her pain in just 20 minutes.
Carly Mullane, 36, had become depressed and housebound after being diagnosed with the chronic pain condition four years ago.
In agony every day, she became a ‘prisoner of her own body’ – sometimes unable to move at all due to her “overwhelming” pain.
With no known cure for her condition, she desperately tried various drugs, including epilepsy medication, in a bid to relieve her suffering.
But it was only after discovering a drug-free, natural remedy that she claims she has gradually been able to ‘regain her life back’.
Carly, from Coventry, West Midlands, tried chemical-free Celafen cream for the first time last year on the suggestion of her brother-in-law.
Just 20 minutes later, she claims it had already worked wonders – allowing her to lean forward without her muscles “screaming” at her.
“A simple movement that anyone else would take for granted, but for me, being able to do this without being in any pain was momentous,” the mum, who has a toddler daughter, told The Sun’s Fabulous Magazine .
“I was so relieved I cried.”
Fibromyalgia – which pop star Lady Gaga suffers from – affects the bones and muscles, causing widespread pain throughout the body.
It can also cause sensitivity to pain, muscle stiffness and fatigue.
Also known as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), the condition is said to be one of the most common chronic pain disorders in the world.
Three to six per cent of the globe’s population has fibromyalgia syndrome, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association.
It is estimated around 800,000 people in Britain may suffer from it.
While there is currently no known cure for the condition, Carly claims Celafen cream has been an “enormous help” to her.
She has been using it daily for the past eight months and, although it hasn’t cured her, it has greatly eased her severe pain.
The mum says her movement range has “improved considerably” – with the under-£10 cream giving her a “break” from her agony.
“I no longer anticipate pain as much as I used to which is hugely liberating,” she told the magazine.
Carly was diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a private rheumatologist in April 2014 after doctors initially told her she had arthritis.
She had suffered from stomach issues and difficulty sleeping the previous August, before contracting a virus that “wiped” her out.
But even after the virus was gone, she continued to suffer from pain in her shoulders which ended up spreading to her hands and fingers.
Some days, her fingers would be so swollen she couldn’t grip anything.
She also continued to suffer from stomach troubles and was “absolutely shattered”, occasionally wishing to be left alone away from loved ones.
As it turns out, this was due to fibromyalgia.
Carly says that the condition affected her both physically and mentally, leaving her “irritable”, “snappy” and depressed.
But now, since using Celafen, she claims she feels more liberated and has been able to do “normal day-to-day things”.
The main symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain, with others including increased sensitivity to pain, difficulty sleeping, muscle stiffness, fatigue, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome.
Symptoms may also include problems with mental processes (known as ‘fibro-fog’) – such as issues with memory and concentration.
According to Healthline.com ,both men and women suffering from fibromyalgia report an intense level of pain at some points.
However, it says men tend to report lower pain intensity than women.
Women experience more “all-over hurting” and a longer pain duration.
Lady Gaga announced last year that she was suffering from fibromyalgia, revealing her diagnosis in a Netflix documentary.
In the one-off special, called ‘Gaga:Five Foot Two’, the Bad Romance singer opened up about living with the chronic pain condition.
Shawshank Redemption actor Morgan Freeman was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia, following a car crash in 2008.
Speaking to Esquire Magazine in 2012, he said the pain is so bad he can’t sail, ride horses or pilot jets for as long as he previously did.
Sinead O’Connor has also spoken out about battling the condition.
Fibromyalgia is often treated with medication and lifestyle changes.
Doctors may suggest paracetamol or stronger painkillers to help manage pain – but all painkillers come with side effects.
Some people find that antidepressants can help relieve their pain, while others might use anticonvulsant or anti-seizure medicine.
Celafen – a ‘non-greasy’, chemical-free cream containing Celadrin, Menthol, Vitamin E, anti-oxidants and Arnica – may help some.
However, fibromyalgia sufferers are advised to speak to a doctor for advice before using medication that isn’t regularly prescribed.
