Forgot my ABC's

I went to the immunologist after about 2 years and when he asked me what medicines I was taking I could remember the names but not the amounts! I felt like I had let myself and him down. I use to carry this information in my bag at all times, then I suppose the tablets changed and I have just not updated this information.

So remember your A, B,C's ...

Are you taking any tablets and medicines?

Bring them with you to the hospital and all appointments - even follow ups.

Carry a current list in your wallet.

The reason I started carrying the list at all times was after I was suddenly admitted to hospital and the same thing happened - I could remember what I took but not some of the names or amounts. This delays treatment and makes it harder for the patient to get the proper treatment. Also I was kept in overnight and the hospital kindly made up a script for my essential medications - very professional treatment, don't you think?

PHOTO THANKS TO jgibson3825

Well you got me on a bad day

"Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself." Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the French medical missionary, 1931
Pain is called The Universal Disorder as we all get it at sometime or other I suppose - even babies. It is just part of being human and I suppose I would not like being one of those rare people that feel no pain as that could cause all kinds of complications. Living in constant pain, as I and many do, is not fun though.
The pain I feel (I refuse to call it "My Pain") is caused by muscle inflammation due to autoimmune dysfunction. I know what causes it but that does not really help - stopping the pain helps and that means using drugs prescribed by the specialist. Acupuncture and homeopathy have not helped with the pain as much as I had hoped. Today I have a lot of break through pain and need to take extra tramal. I do not know why this is, why I have extra pain, as there never seems to be any rhyme or reason.
They have started me on a new drug to dampen down the immune system and hopefully prevent future muscle wasting. Did you know that exercise will not bring back the wasted muscles but it will help prevent further wasting. This I found a bit depressing!
I am going to go and take another pain killer as I cannot sit here any longer - tomorrow will be a better day.

THANKS lilcougerchic10

What I've learnt lately

Listen to my body and don't let others convince me otherwise. This is some thing I have learnt lately.
It was a simple beginning - the physio said "Do not let your pain go higher than a 5 out of 10". Seems simple, it is simple but it has had far reaching affects for me.

Firstly I realized I always push through the pain. How does this help me? It doesn't.
Secondly I allow other high acheivers around me convince me I should keep going. This also does not help me.
So listening to my body has had a profound effect - I feel in control. Yeah! I am not my disease. It is not controlling me. I am only taking pain killers as I need them instead of like clockwork. I am doing positive things to help myself :

• resting or changing activities when the pain gets to a 5


• walking - even for just 10 minutes a day


• going regularly to physiotherapy


• going to sleep at a regular time 'cause it does matter


• not pushing through the pain


• asking for help (to bring in the groceries or cook or whatever) when I need it.


• reading others inspiring blogs ... Living-with-MS ... help autoimmune ... fibro files ... Girl, Interrupted by Polymyositis

I am NOT my disease and neither are you.

A new phase begins

Finally I have begun physiotherapy at my local hospital. The physiotherapist seems good and understands my condition. Today is the first day after my first treatment and I am in so much pain just in 1 leg. I know this is good pain to help the muscle tightness and lateral hip pain in the long run - that is what I am hoping anyway. She did very specific massage in just 3 sore points in my right buttock, laser light treatment and taping. This is all to treat the lateral hip pain. Very early days but I am happy that this treatment has begun. 好