Olympian Rahi Sarnobat Shares Her Struggles with Neuropathic Pain Syndrome
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Synopsis
Rahi Sarnobat, a two-time Olympian pistol shooter, shares her journey through serious health challenges, including neuropathic pain syndrome, and her determination to pursue her Olympic dreams after a triumphant return at the National Games in Dehradun.
Key Takeaways
- Rahi Sarnobat faced significant health challenges, including neuropathic pain syndrome.
- She won a gold medal at the National Games after her comeback.
- Rahi's journey highlights the personal nature of comebacks in sports.
- She emphasizes the importance of support and self-discovery in recovery.
- Her focus now is on achieving her Olympic medal aspirations.
New Delhi, April 4 (NationPress) Rahi Sarnobat, a two-time Olympian and pistol shooter, has made a remarkable return to the sport at the National Games in Dehradun this year, following a significant health challenge. She candidly discussed her recent experience with neuropathic pain syndrome and her renewed focus on achieving her Olympic medal aspirations.
The 34-year-old athlete clinched the gold medal in the women's 25m air pistol event at the National Games.
Rahi's health issues commenced in 2022 as she prepared for the national camp for the World Championships. She experienced hot flashes and nerve pain. After enduring weeks of debilitating sensations throughout her body that left her in excruciating pain, Rahi found herself confined to bed rest, struggling to receive a diagnosis.
"We were unsure about which doctors to consult - we underwent ECGs, cardio assessments, and routine examinations - but everything appeared normal. Yet, I was feeling dreadful. I began to experience neck pain, making it impossible for me to lie down; I had to sit up to sleep for months. My medical team recommended seeing a neurologist," Rahi shared during her appearance on the House of Glory podcast.
After extensive neurological evaluations, Rahi was diagnosed with neuropathic pain. Expounding on her symptoms, she stated, "Neuropathic pain syndrome lacks a consistent pattern and does not have a universal treatment approach. It varies depending on the individual case and medical history, which makes it even more frightening.
"I was sleeping for 17-20 hours daily for months. I was merely gazing at the ceiling for months. I couldn't lead a normal life. I was overwhelmed with fear due to the uncertainty. It was impossible to predict when the incident would occur, lasting for months," she added.
This was not Rahi's first comeback in her career; previously, in 2014, she endured a freak hairline fracture in her shooting arm's elbow, requiring seven months for recovery and many more to resume shooting.
She came back from that setback, going on to secure gold at the 2018 Asian Games and competing in her second Olympics in Tokyo in 2021. This time, after her comeback, she triumphed in a close contest against fellow shooter Simranpreet Kaur to seize the top honor at the National Games.
However, Rahi explained that overcoming these challenges was a different experience: "I believe comebacks are a deeply personal journey. The Rio Olympics cycle was a different path; it involved a common injury and a standard treatment protocol. There was a clear structure. A proven and tested process for athletes over the years.
"This time, the condition was unique. I wasn't even aiming for a comeback. I was merely trying to regain my life. I wanted to lead a normal, healthy existence," she stated.
The path to recovery was also fraught with challenges. "After several months, the neurologist advised me to begin physiotherapy, despite the pain. My first exercise was sitting for 20 minutes while watching a TV show. I struggled to do even that due to overwhelming fatigue. The physiotherapist dedicated hours each day to work with me," she shared.
However, the fight for recovery imparted numerous lessons to Rahi. She believes she has evolved into a different athlete with renewed focus. Now, she competes for herself and her colleagues.
"I am now a changed athlete. I don’t think I could have endured such a mentally destructive phase as I did during this pain. It was the most challenging and demoralizing period. Shooting wasn’t even on my radar. I prayed for this, and now I’m living it," she expressed.
"Now that I have resumed shooting, my objective is to concentrate on myself and my support team, who have stood by me. I recognize that I possess many abilities and potential yet to be discovered. This dream has been ingrained in me for a reason. It deserves another chance. It’s not about proving anything to the world. I have become more courageous as there’s nothing to lose. I aspire to be remembered as someone who made things happen," she concluded.
