The mum-of-two, from Ashford, Kent, found she might not urinate by herself following the delivery of her daughter, Isla, in October 2012.

"The doctors did not know what was improper with me they hadn't seen it earlier than," the educating assistant mentioned.

"I could not empty my bladder," Rachel revealed. "I couldn't pass any urine at all."

Doctors discovered Rachel was holding two litres of urine in her bladder when the utmost capability is supposed to be 500ml for ladies.

"The nurse ended up catheterising me and left it in so I could wee," Rachel remembered.

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During the subsequent three years, Rachel was instructed her incapability to urinate may very well be all the way down to a number of well being situations.

"I used to be instructed I may need MS - I used to be instructed it is perhaps issues with my backbone - I used to be given all types of exams."

One morning, Rachel recalled being in "absolute agony" and searching as if she was "six months pregnant".

Fed up, Rachel booked a personal session and broke down and cried when she "finally felt listened to".

Diagnosed with Fowler's syndrome (urinary retention) in April 2015, Rachel lastly felt a way of reduction.

"To finally have an answer was such a relief that I could move forward with my life," Rachel mentioned.

Rachel had a four-hour operation to have a everlasting catheter fitted in March 2019.

"Initially after the operation, the first six months were hell," Rachel confessed.

"I used to be so poorly, I ended up with a blood clot in my leg, and a number of totally different chest infections; my physique was so weak and run down - I did not suppose I might get higher."

Now, nonetheless, since therapeutic from the operation, Rachel feels as if she has her life again.

Rachel thanks the charity Fowler's Syndrome UK for all of the assist they've offered.

For extra info on Fowlers Syndrome, you'll be able to go to fowlerssyndrome.co.uk.