‘I thought I’d die’ — Chigul opens up on spinal infection battle

Chioma Omeruah, the comedian fondly called Chigul, has opened up on her battle with a herniated disk, a spine-related condition.

A herniated disc in the spine is a condition during which a nucleus pulposus is displaced from intervertebral space, usually caused by excessive strain or trauma to the spine.

 It can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm or leg.

In a chat with Chude Jideonwo on the WithChude podcast, Chigul recalled how she could not bathe or clean herself during the period. 

The actress and comedian also revealed that she was also asked to use antibiotics for six months and injections for weeks after her spine became infected.

She added that she endured so much pain that at some point, “I thought of dying. I am like let me not exist. Why am I still alive? 

“I have battled a slipped disc situation. In America, they call them herniated discs. I had that for a long time. For years. When I was in America, I was going to have surgery or thought about it, my mother was like ‘there’s no need now. Just do physio.’ So I left it alone,” she said.  

“So fast forward we are back here in Nigeria. I was going through the same problem now and then. And of course, my weight maybe was not helping. But I know slim people who have the same thing.

“Later I had to do a procedure. And then I got an infection in my spine from the procedure. 

“I didn’t know I had an infection. I had to travel right after the procedure. I was still in so much pain that I had to be in a wheelchair. A couple of months later, I got diagnosed with an infection. 

“So I ended up being on antibiotics for six months, one month was an injection every day because it was an intravenous (IV). 

“And because it was a ‘nerve’ situation, everything was hurting me. Breathing, coughing, sneezing, and moving were hurting. I had my assistant who lived with me in Abuja move back here because I needed someone to bathe me. I couldn’t wipe myself after bathing. I couldn’t wear clothes. Slept in a chair for six months.

“I started sleeping back on my bed in February of last year. 

“Literally, I was just in absolute agony. Going to the doctor always required my mental preparedness and it made me have anxiety.

“I couldn’t explain it. I thought of dying. I am like let me not exist. Why am I still alive? 

The 46-year-old comedienne said although she may not have fully recovered “we are not where we were.” 

Chigul, who got married in 2013 but is now divorced, recently disclosed that she is not interested in a relationship with any man below 40.

She also recalled how she was urged to have a child to save her union from crashing.