Friday

07-02-2025 Vol 19

Overcoming Chronic Pain: Eileen Filliben’s Journey and Her Mission to End This Hidden Epidemic

Chronic pain is often called the invisible epidemic—an experience shared by over 51 million Americans but rarely discussed openly. For Eileen, this epidemic is deeply personal. Having endured years of high-impact chronic pain that sidelined her career and profoundly affected her mental health, she is now on a mission to shed light on this silent crisis. “Chronic pain isn’t just a physical experience—it consumes your life,” she explains. In this article, Eileen shares her journey, highlights the widespread consequences of untreated pain, and advocates for systemic changes to address this pervasive issue.

Living with Chronic Pain: A Personal Journey

Eileen’s story begins with a series of medical challenges that would test her resilience. Diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time at just 42 years old, she faced a string of surgeries, complications, and setbacks that left her in constant pain. Over the next decade, she underwent 10 major surgeries, including multiple failed back procedures and a double fusion, all of which contributed to her debilitating condition. “For years, pain dictated every aspect of my life,” she recalls. She also suffered from chronic migraines, one of which mimicked a stroke and paralyzed the left side of her body, compounding her struggle. At times, daily tasks became insurmountable, and the relentless discomfort pushed her to the brink of despair. “I lost all hope of ever being pain free again,” she says. Through sheer determination and innovative therapies, Eileen found a path toward healing. Her journey wasn’t just about recovery—it became the catalyst for her mission to advocate for others enduring similar struggles.

The Hidden Costs of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain doesn’t just affect individuals—it places a massive burden on society as a whole. In the United States, the economic costs of chronic pain are staggering, exceeding $560 billion annually in lost productivity, medical expenses, and disability benefits. Despite these numbers, chronic pain remains one of the most misunderstood and underfunded areas in healthcare.
Eileen emphasizes the human toll of chronic pain, which goes far beyond physical discomfort. It affects mental health, relationships, and quality of life. Many patients, like Eileen, find themselves navigating a fragmented healthcare system that often dismisses or misdiagnoses their symptoms. “It’s exhausting to constantly justify your pain to people who can’t see it,” she explains. This lack of validation leaves many sufferers feeling isolated and hopeless.
The stigma surrounding chronic pain further exacerbates the problem. Patients are often perceived as exaggerating their symptoms or even seeking drugs. This dismissive attitude may even worsen to the point of medical gaslighting which refers to psychological manipulation that occurs in a healthcare setting in order to make a patient doubt the reality of their symptoms. “Chronic pain is real, and it’s debilitating,” she says. “It’s time we start treating it with the urgency it deserves.”

A Call for Change: Treating Pain Holistically

Eileen’s healing journey has been guided by a combination of groundbreaking therapies including Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and a holistic approach to wellness. By retraining her brain through neuroplasticity techniques, she has managed to reframe how her body interprets stimuli. She also learned to calm her nervous system, moving out of the fight–flight-or-freeze response that perpetuates pain and anxiety. These therapies, though life-changing, are not yet widely taught or adopted in U.S. medical schools. “The healthcare system needs to shift its focus from merely managing pain to truly addressing its root causes,” Eileen asserts. She advocates for a more integrative approach, combining traditional medical interventions with emerging therapies such as PRT, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral techniques.

Moreover, Eileen stresses the importance of empowering patients to take an active role in their care. “Chronic pain isn’t something you can fix overnight,” she says. “It requires commitment, education, and the right support.” Her work now focuses on equipping patients with the tools they need to navigate their healthcare journey and advocating for better research and resources to tackle this epidemic head-on.

Conclusion

Eileen’s story is one of resilience and hope, but it also serves as a wake-up call. Chronic pain is not just a personal struggle—it is a public health crisis that demands attention. By sharing her journey, she aims to destigmatize pain, inspire others to seek help, and push for systemic changes that prioritize holistic and compassionate care.

“While chronic pain is invisible to those who don’t suffer from it, it’s damaging careers, breaking up relationships, and ruining lives,” Eileen concludes. Her advocacy calls on healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to work together to end this costly and debilitating epidemic. 

Author