A WOMAN says her life has been transformed after unique surgery for a debilitating condition in her legs.

The pain was so bad that for years Jacquie Miller couldn't sleep properly and was unable to wear trousers or tights.

Mrs Miller, 51, who lives near Coleford, developed arachnoiditis, an incurable condition caused by an inflammation of the membrane surrounding the nerves of the nervous system, following an operation around 20 years ago.

"I started suffering with chronic back and leg pain since having surgery for a bad back," said Mrs Miller, who works as a service manager on an employee assistance programme.

"I could live with the back pain but the leg pain got worse and worse over the last few years.

"It is a pain that does not respond to traditional painkillers, so I have had hyper-sensitivity in both legs.

"I couldn't bear to have a duvet or any covers over my legs in bed and I couldn't wear jeans or tights."

Last summer Mrs Miller went to see leading neurosurgeon Professor Hugh Coakham, at Spire Bristol Hospital, who referred her on to his colleague Nik Patel.

Mr Patel implanted Mrs Miller with a device called a spinal cord stimulator, which sends electrical pulses through the spinal cord and nerves, "distracting" the other source of pain.

Mrs Miller added: "Although the pain is there all the time, I can now sleep properly and have the covers on in bed if I want to.

"Apparently the equipment should last around 25 years so I will be able to see out my working life with it.

"The benefit has been colossal – it has really changed my life."