A GREEN MSP is looking forward to returning to Holyrood after successful surgery to help treat a “debilitating and painful” medical condition.
Cara McKee, who was elected to represent the West of Scotland region in May’s Scottish Parliament election, suffers from trigeminal neuralgia – which causes sudden and severe facial pain.
McKee had previously relied on medication to help her cope with the rare and chronic condition, but has now undergone surgery.
The MSP said: “I am so looking forward to heading back to Holyrood after my operation.
“Recovery from surgery is challenging at the best of times alongside juggling political life, and I am lucky to have a great team and family who have supported me through it all.”
She added the prior to her operation she a number of people contacted her to discuss their experiences of trigeminal neuralgia.
McKee added: “I hope that by raising awareness through my own experience I can help others feel less alone with such a debilitating and painful condition.”
Attacks can present as a sharp shooting pain, with some sufferers describing them as being like having an electric shock in the jaw, teeth or gums.
While these last from a few seconds to about two minutes, in severe cases sufferers can experience hundreds of attacks a day.
McKee said: “It is really hard to live your life in pain or to see your loved ones suffering daily. For anyone who is struggling with symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia, I urge you to get checked and ask for support and treatment.”
Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer said he was “delighted that Cara has made a great recovery” adding that he and others “can’t wait to welcome her back to Parliament next week”.
Greer stated: “Cara’s openness about her condition is admirable. Chronic pain conditions are often invisible, with many people feeling like they need to keep it to themselves or simply put up with it.
“By using her platform to publicly discuss what it’s like to live with this condition, and the treatment options available, Cara will have helped others feel less isolated in their own experiences.
“I hope that Cara sharing her story will give others living with chronic pain the confidence to seek the answers and support they need.”
