SWINDON-born former model Melinda Messenger has revealed how she feared she would have to use a wheelchair when chronic back pain caused her to be immobile and unable to work.

At one point Melinda, 45, who went to Dorcan Technology College, collapsed while alone at home and dragged herself across her kitchen floor while attempting to stand up.

She said: "I was sobbing because of the pain and shock and couldn't stand or walk. I really wondered, 'Am I going to end up in a wheelchair and never walk properly again?' I was terrified of what the future might hold and how I would cope."

Melinda found fame in 1997 as a Page Three girl and has worked on shows including Channel Five's Cowboy Builders and Live On Five.

"I've always been fit, healthy and active and enjoy cycling, yoga, gardening and, of course, rushing around looking after the family and working," says Melinda, who in 2009 took part in the physically demanding TV series, Dancing On Ice.

She lives with her partner, skiing coach, Warren Smith - the couple met and fell in love when she competed on Channel 4's winter sports show, The Jump in 2014 - as well as her children Morgan, 16, Flynn, 15, and Evie, 13, from her marriage to Wayne Roberts that ended in 2012, and Warren's son, Callum, 13.

Melinda had to withdraw from The Jump, after suffering concussion while practising for a bobsleigh event.

Her first of six traumatic collapses following a ruptured disc in her back came in September 2015.

She was completely baffled when she woke up with such agonising back pain that she couldn't get out of bed.

"I couldn't walk, had this horrible pain in my lower back and a shooting pain down my right leg. Warren carried me to the car and into the doctor's surgery where I was given pain-relieving medication and sent home," she says.

"A few hours later an excruciating pain exploded in my back. I literally felt as though I'd been cut in half.

"Warren called an ambulance and I screamed all the way to hospital until I actually passed out from the pain. I was passing blood, thought I was going to die, and actually wanted to because I couldn't bear the agony. I'm not someone to make a fuss.

After having three children, and no pain relief for my third delivery, I know about coping with serious pain, but this was far worse than anything I've ever felt in my life."

An MRI scan revealed a prolapsed or slipped disc which occurs when one of the discs sitting between the spinal bones is damaged and presses on nerves.

Although it's one of the most common causes of lower back and leg pain for adults in the UK nothing had prepared Melinda for the impact on her life as she spent weeks totally incapacitated and six months in constant pain.

"I had dark days when I totally despaired as it felt like there was no end in sight," she said.

"The condition decimated my quality of life. The pain made me feel constantly nauseated, was so bad it took my breath away at times, and kept me awake at night.

"Often I couldn't move at all and simple things like walking the children to school, getting dressed, making a coffee or seeing friends, were impossible."

She was so fearful when her legs, without warning, began giving way beneath her a few months after her initial diagnosis that she underwent a second MRI scan.

"I was exhausted and down and convinced myself there was something else even more serious going on, but to my relief, the scan confirmed the original diagnosis. I think my legs seized up because the muscles can spasm around the injury, but that hasn't happened since June," she says.

Melinda benefitted from a pain management service offered free by LloydsPharmacy.

"It was wonderful to offload my feelings of frustration by talking to experts who advised me on a specific pain relief programme and helped me pinpoint and avoid triggers which could aggravate my condition," she said.

Bed rest, medical treatment and physiotherapy, as well as herbal remedies have helped put her on the road to recovery. She's working again and hopes to be fully fit within six months.

Without the support of her partner though, Melinda believes the last year could have been even bleaker.

"I don't know what I would have done without Warren. He took over running the family and the house and was amazing," she says of the man she calls her 'soul mate'.

"Although this could have put a strain on our relationship, I think it's bonded us more. He's suffered this problem himself, recovered, and developed therapy techniques to aid recovery, so I felt in totally safe hands," she said.

"Most importantly, he completely understood what I was going through emotionally and constantly boosted me by telling me I'd get through it.

"Ironically, despite what I've gone through, and thanks in part to him, I feel I've got the highest level of peace I've experienced in a long time. I feel in a really good place."

She describes the whole experience as "life changing" because it made her re-evaluate her life and lifestyle. "I suspect I was born with a weakness in my back - my brother's had the same problem - but this made me realise I'd taken my health for granted and hadn't given myself enough care," she says.

"I've learnt for the first time in my life how to ask for help when I need it and to relinquish my fierce independent streak. At times I've driven myself too hard trying to do everything for me and the kids, but now I take life at a slower pace. The whole thing totally knocked my confidence and I've also had to work on building that back up.

"I still have to be careful with my back, but now there are many more good days than bad. While the pain can still sometimes bring me to tears, I'm not frightened of it any more and can handle it. I'm just looking forward to a time when this is behind me, but I also appreciate what I've learnt from it."

LloydsPharmacy free pain management service involves a private, one-to-one consultation with a pharmacist, who may advise on adjustments to current medication and lifestyle which could help you manage pain. Visit www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/info/pain-management-service