Former Teen Mom star Jenelle Evans has revealed in an emotional video that she can barely walk and fears potential paralysis following a rare chronic pain diagnosis.
The 34-year-old reality television personality broke down in tears while documenting her health struggles on Instagram on Monday, sharing details of her condition after undergoing knee surgery earlier this year.
Evans explained that she underwent surgery in April following a knee injury, but the procedure triggered pain that became significantly more intense. She was later diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a rare chronic pain condition that usually causes severe burning pain in an arm or a leg long after an initial injury or surgery.
Posting the video update to social media, Evans requested compassion from her followers as she opened up about the ordeal. "Life Update Part 1 ❤️ Please have grace with me and keep negative comments to yourself. It's hard for me to even have the courage to post this. #syringomyelia #CRPS," she captioned the post.
Worsening Pain and Spinal Complications
Evans told her followers that after visiting a pain management clinic and receiving a steroid shot, her symptoms became even worse. The treatment left her dealing with excruciating pain throughout her back.
"My neck's hurting. I am literally in pain from the base of my skull to my tailbone," the mother of three said in the video. "And it is every single day, every day, on top of my leg pain."
Evans added that she is also dealing with the growth of a syrinx filled with cerebrospinal fluid on her spine. The fluid-filled cyst has expanded from two millimeters to four millimeters in size, increasing her physical discomfort.
The physical issues leave her in constant pain regardless of whether she sits or lies down. "I'm in pain if I sit up, lie down. If I lie down, I have an extreme headache in the back of my skull," Evans said, adding: "I still cannot walk on my leg and it keeps flaring up."
Impact on Mental Health and Daily Life
The severe limitations have taken a heavy toll on her mental health. Evans revealed that she has been seeing a psychotherapist after "feeling so hopeless lately," though she assured fans that she will not "do anything" to harm herself.
The reality star cried as she described feeling isolated while watching others enjoy outdoor activities. "I am literally watching everyone's lives go past," she said. "And I am watching everybody having a great summer, great holidays, Labor Day weekend, and I am stuck in the house, and if I try to leave, I am in too much pain."
Evans revealed her plight as she filmed herself styling her hair, clarifying that while she spends most of her time indoors, she was determined to look good for an upcoming pain management appointment.
To make matters worse, her condition has caused severe skin sensitivity. "If I take a shower, the droplets of the shower hitting my legs make it inflamed, and I'm literally crying, and it hurts my back," she explained, describing the situation as "probably the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life."
Background and Reality Television Career
Evans first gained public attention on MTV after appearing on 16 and Pregnant and later joining Teen Mom 2, a reality television series following young mothers as they navigate parenthood, relationships, and personal struggles.
She welcomed her eldest son, Jace, with ex-boyfriend Andrew Lewis in August 2009 before appearing on Teen Mom 2. She is also a mother to 12-year-old son Kaiser Orion Griffith, whom she shares with ex-boyfriend Nathan Griffith, and nine-year-old daughter Ensley Jolie Eason, shared with ex-husband David Eason.
As she works through her complex medical issues, Evans continues to undergo care through her pain management clinic and psychotherapy to manage both the physical symptoms and emotional toll of her diagnosis.
