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October 01, 2004

Much the same

Well, I'm back! I've been feeling much the same. The lip biopsy site is healed and just feels a bit bumpy. My chin and lip are still slightly numb, but that's normal. My lips are quite sore - I mean the bits you put lipstick on, not inside. It almost like they're burnt, as they sting and keeping peeling, despite loads of lip salve. The IBS woke me up last night with stomach ache and diarrhoea, so I'm back on the loperamide. I'm less stressed now all the computer stuff is sorted, but still not quite right mood-wise. The pain is about the same as any non-flaring day. I'm very tired, but I've done a lot more than usual this week.

Posted by anniebee at 10:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 02, 2004

Lovely sleep!

I slept like a log last night - I was so tired! I don't even remember getting up for a wee, but that's no guarantee that I didn't! I'm still feeling tired, and achey. Eczema is playing up. Tummy is ok thanks to loperamide. Lips still sore. Mood is good today. Noticed the other day that I'm losing a lot of hair. Great, that will look good with the tinted glasses and hospital shoes - lol! I don't have any bald patches but I'm greying rapidly as I lose the dark hairs.

Posted by anniebee at 11:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Same again

I'm feeling much the same as this morning. A bit more tired and achey and my lips are more sore, but everything else is about the same.

Posted by anniebee at 10:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 03, 2004

Tired and achey

Pretty tired and achey today. It's cold and wet, which I'm sure isn't helping. I've stayed indoors all day. Tummy has been fine, eczema playing up a bit. I have new pain and discomfort in my shoulders and upper back. I have had it before & I was told by one of the doctors that it was spondylosis, but then they all have different opinions! I may need to raise my monitor up a bit. Lower back ache too, no idea why. Mood has been ok.

Posted by anniebee at 08:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 04, 2004

Wide awake!

I'm feeling much the same as when I posted last night. The only new thing is that I've been awake since 4am. Hopefully I'll be able to go back to bed in a little while and catch up on some sleep.

Posted by anniebee at 05:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Backache?!

Getting up at 4am probably hasn't done me a lot of good. I also rushed around to get some errands done in town, and it left me feeling a bit odd. The worst thing today is back pain. It's weird. My lower back aches as if I've been lifting something heavy (I haven't). The middle of my back aches as if my asthma was bad or I had a chest infection. My upper back aches as it did when I was told I had spondylosis (cervical osteoarthritis). It's probably giving me pain because my new computer monitor is lower down, although it's about the level 'they' say you should have it at. I'm not prone to back pain at all, so to have three different pains in three different places is so weird.
Apart from that, my tummy is threatening to misbehave, but I'm popping loperamide regularly so it shouldn't get too bad. The eczema is still bad. I can't put cream on during the day because I don't want to get it all over my keyboard. I have no clue why it's flaring. It doesn't usually at this time of the year, and I don't think I'm using anything different in terms of toiletries. The asthma is a little worse than usual, but we've had a lot of rain and then a sunny day so there are probably mould and leaf spores everywhere outside. Mood wise I'm feeling a little bit 'spaced out', due to the lack of sleep. I need to get some good sleep tonight.

Posted by anniebee at 05:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 05, 2004

Painful start

Another bad night, but at least I wasn't up so early. I'm finding it very difficult to focus if I don't have my glasses on. I also feel as if I'm not walking in a straight line. Neuro. stuff again. Painwise, I already have sore ankles and I've only just got up. Backache is about the same. Quite a lot of other aches and pains too. Eczema is about the same. Tummy is ok so far, but I'm taking loperamide regularly again so it should be. As far as my mood goes I'm not feeling great, but I'm not feeling seriously depressed either. The OCD is bothering me a bit.
In case anyone wonders why I haven't mentioned sarcoidosis, well the doctors don't agree on that one. My GP is fairly certain that it is/was sarcoidosis. The chest specialist is hedging his bets. He isn't sure, and says if he had to bet on it he would say it wasn't, but after saying that he wants to see me every four months and for me to have a chest xray then too. The doctor in the oral surgery unit thinks I have Sjogren's syndrome. Hopefully the lip biopsy will at least prove him right or wrong. It's a shame it won't show anything regarding sarcoidosis. So basically the jury is out on that one!

Posted by anniebee at 08:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Backache, heartburn and the shakes!

My Mum has a nasty cold, and I'm a bit concerned that I may have caught it as my chest is feeling tight, along with some weird backache. I seem to have three different aches in three different places, as I said in last night's post. It's almost at the point where I need extra painkillers, but hopefully I won't have to take them. I'm going to try and spend some time in my recliner tonight. I also feel a bit as if I have heartburn, and quite shakey too. Weird. Otherwise things are much the same as this morning.

Posted by anniebee at 04:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Good press

I've just watched a surprisingly sympathetic portrayal of mental illness on British television. Yes, you did read that right! It was a programme about a guy of about thirty who is schizophrenic, and how it had affected him, and particularly his family. It touched me for two reasons. Firstly because being bipolar (manic depressive), I also suffer from a severe mental illness and I know other people who do, and my heart went out to the guy. Also, because I also have a very supportive family, and I could understand a little of how his parents must feel.
Mental illness, and particularly schizophrenia and manic depression, gets very little attention from the media in this country. The attention it does get usually relates to violent crimes or murders committed by people who have mental illnesses. Come on Britain - wake up! We're not all axe murderers you know!
Turning to physical ailments, the aches and pains seem to be spreading across my back, neck, shoulders, ankles, etc. I hope this isn't a flare up on the way. Disturbed sleep and more pain isn't a good sign. The eczema is flaring good and proper, on both hands now. My eyes don't seem to be very good today. My distance vision even with my glasses is slightly blurred. I hope it's just due to too much close work. Mood wise I'm ok, although watching that tv programme brought back some memories. It's been a good day and that's perked me up a bit.

Posted by anniebee at 10:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 06, 2004

Feeling yucky

I woke up earlier feeling lousy, so I went back to bed for a while. The back pain is more widespread and I'm aching in other places too. I'm just generally feeling yucky too. I don't know if I'm sickening for something or if the fibromyalgia is flaring up. Everything else is about the same as yesterday.

Posted by anniebee at 10:56 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Aching a lot

I'm still not feeling well. As well as my back aching, most of the rest of me is aching too. I've also noticed that my neck glands are up. I think it's probably a flare up of fibromyalgia, but I'm not sure. I may need to resort to extra painkillers later, but I need to eat something first. So far today I've eaten a packet of crisps. The eczema is just as bad, but my tummy's been ok - probably because it's empty! Mood is ok. A little low.

Posted by anniebee at 04:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 07, 2004

So-so

I slept better than I thought I would, and I think I was only up once in the night. I'm very achey today, the eczema is worse, & my tummy is playing up because I stopped the loperamide. I'm also very tired, and quite twitchy. I'm feeling ok-ish mentally, probably a little the low side of normal, but then I don't think there is a normal if you're bipolar.

Posted by anniebee at 08:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Tummy trouble

I'm not a well girl today. I'm still very achey, and the IBS has been really bad today. More painful than usual too. It makes me feel tired and drained. I didn't get a nap this afternoon, and I'm so tired. The eczema is bad too. Miserable!

Posted by anniebee at 03:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Tired, achey and fed up!

I think today has been one of my worst days health wise for a good while (leaving the lip biopsy out of it). I still have the back ache and various other aches & the eczema is still flaring. People are noticing it, and I'm not surprised because it looks as sore as it is. I'm loath to use the steroid ointment because it tends to thin my skin, but I'm going to have to do something about it other than applying hand cream.
The IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) has been worse today than it has been since before my hysterectomy (in November 2001). I've taken four loperamide tablets, and I'm tempted to take more as my tummy is still feeling unsettled. As with the eczema, I have no idea what is making it flare. The only fruit or veg I had yesterday was an apple. I have the sort of IBS that is made worse by fibre, unfortunately. I only have to look at a vegetable and I have to rush to the loo, which is a shame because I love most fruits, and raw vegetables. I suppose I ought to talk to the doctor about my stomach problems, but as I've had them for twenty years I don't think he's going to be particularly bothered!
I think the fibromyalgia is starting to flare too. I've got that general 'toothache all over' feeling and more severe pain in lots of my muscles. I also noticed pain in my achilles tendon when I was out this morning. The fact that I wasn't sleeping well earlier in the week is probably due to the FMS too. Hopefully it won't be a very severe flare this time.
I got nausea from the lithium this evening. Fortunately I don't get it very often, but it's not very nice and I could have done without it tonight. I think the lithium might be the cause of the increased hair shedding too. My mood isn't too bad, but I'm making a concerted effort not to think about the future too much. Over the last few months my health has got steadily worse, in lots of ways. No, I don't want to think about my future. It scares me. I'm not afraid of being ill, and I know I don't have anything life-threatening, but I'm not 40 yet, and my quality of life probably compares to someone thirty years older.

Posted by anniebee at 10:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 08, 2004

Washed out

I got a better night's sleep than I expected, and had a short lie-in. I'm very achey and tired, but my tummy seems to have settled down for the moment. The eczema is still much the same. I'm generally feeling quite washed out after yesterday's IBS flare up. My mood is ok. I'm just trying not to think about things too much. Easier said than done!

Posted by anniebee at 10:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Bad day

I'm feeling pretty rotten today. I've got lithium nausea at the moment because I haven't eaten enough today. I'm also feeling very tired and achey. I've also had stomach ache. Not the sharp abdominal pain I had yesterday, but that horrible gnawing pain in my stomach itself. I'm a bit off my food, partly because I'm too tired to eat anything sensible. I've felt cold most of the day too. I'm sitting here in my pyjamas and baggy cardigan with thick socks on and the electric fire burning in the background. The eczema is actually less itchy, probably because my hands have been really cold.
Mood wise I've been ok. Could be a lot worse. I did think it was a bit sad today when I figured out that apart from my immediate family (parents and kids), the only person who comes here regularly is my landlord. How sad am I! I actually get on well with most people, and had no problem making friends at church, but I don't feel that I have the physical or emotional resources to socialize at the moment. I've been reading the news online over the past couple of days. I really mustn't, as it upsets me too much, except when I'm in the best of health. That's why I don't read newspapers.

Posted by anniebee at 06:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 09, 2004

Fed up

I feel lousy again. I'm tired and very achey. The eczema has got to the sore rather than itchy stage. As well as the usual tummy troubles I have a horrible gnawing pain in my stomach. I have no idea what to do about it as I'm already regularly taking Zantac twice a day, and have been for months. That should deal with it, but it obviously isn't. I'm fed up. Tired, achey and fed up. My mood is definitely low today.

Posted by anniebee at 12:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Stomach pain

This stomach ache is beginning to get to me. It's not agonizing but it's nasty. Even water seems to set it off at the moment. I shouldn't be getting this since I'm taking Zantac. I'm beginning to wonder if I have an ulcer to add to my other ailments. I'm not keen to take painkillers as they'll probably irritate my stomach even more. Everything else is much the same as it was earlier.

Posted by anniebee at 04:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 10, 2004

Sleepy Sunday

I had a really long lie-in, apart from wee stops. When I woke up the first time this morning, I was amazed that I'd turned my duvet over totally, so that the reverse side was upwards. Restless sleeper or what! Good old FMS - not! I'm feeling much the same as yesterday, apart from the fact that my tummy isn't aching yet, but then I haven't eaten anything yet either! I'm trying to manage without the loperamide as I'm staying in all day, so what's the betting that I'll be running to the loo by this evening? I'm very tired and my mood is a bit low.

Posted by anniebee at 02:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Ouch!

Despite not eating much today I've had both sorts of stomach pain. The pain in my actual stomach hasn't been quite as bad, probably because I haven't eaten a lot. I've had 'doubled up' pain in my lower abdomen though, and as I've had a hysterectomy I know it has to be my digestive system that's playing up. I don't want to take any extra tablets, painkillers or loperamide, as I'm afraid they'll make things worse. The eczema hasn't been too bad today. The muscle pain has been less too, but then, I have spent three-quarters of the day asleep! Mood wise, I'm a bit fed up.

Posted by anniebee at 08:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 11, 2004

More tummy trouble

I've just got up after a lie-in and I have diarrhoea already, so I'm back on the loperamide. No major pain so far though. Otherwise I'm tired, achey and the eczema is sore rather than itchy. Mood is slightly low.

Posted by anniebee at 11:22 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Not well at all

I'm not feeling very good at all today. Very tired, which is no surprise after all the tummy troubles. I also have a pain in my groin, and I have no idea what's causing that. I still have stomach pains off and on. I'm going to eat something very bland for tea and then put my feet up this evening. I'm going to have to take more loperamide too. The eczema is really bothering me as it's formed a 'cut' between two of my fingers. It's very sore, and it's on my left hand and I'm left-handed. I'm going to have to put some ointment on it, but I'm sure it's a vicious circle with these steroid ointments.

Posted by anniebee at 05:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Tummy problems

The loperamide seems to be helping with the diarrhoea, but I still have the stomach pains. I had a very bland tea, but my digestive system doesn't seem to have liked it much. I'm fed up with this. I've already cut so many things out of my diet. It wouldn't be so bad if I was losing weight, but I don't think I am! I'm feeling very bloated, but I'm drinking a lot less 'fizzies' than I was, and I'm mainly drinking water. It's probably only irritable bowel syndrome & I've had that for most of the last twenty years off and on. It hasn't been this bad since before I had the hysterectomy (November 2001) though.
I suppose I should probably go to the doctor about my stomach problems, but I don't really want to. I'm a bit shy about having to show the doctor my stomach. I've had my chest listened to lots of times over the past few years, but I haven't had to show my stomach. I'm so fat and I'm not proud of it. I also don't fancy any more medical investigations right now. That lip biopsy has put me right off that sort of stuff, and what if the stomach doctor turned out to be like the horrible rheumatologist?!

Posted by anniebee at 09:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 12, 2004

Bad night

I didn't sleep terribly well. Apart from the usual problems I had a headache last night. It seemed to be muscular as it only hurt if I moved my head in a certain way, but it kept waking me up. My tummy is ok so far, but I've been taking the loperamide regularly since yesterday. My left hand is still very sore. I put ointment on it last night but it doesn't seem to have helped much. I'm feeling very tired and quite down today. All I really want to do is go back to bed, but I can't because I've got quite a busy day today.

Posted by anniebee at 09:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Head hurts

It's not even 5pm and I'm already in my nightie and cosy socks. I'm feeling grotty. Apart from everything else, I have a weird pain in the back of my head that hurts when I move my head. It doesn't feel like a headache exactly, more like a muscle/joint pain. I want to take some painkillers, but I daren't until I've eaten something. My tummy is still pretty sensitive. A glass of diet coke set off the gnawing pain this morning. I'm tired, achey and fed up with feeling ill.

Posted by anniebee at 04:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Weird head pain, and other stuff...

I've had a pain in my head all day. It's not really a headache. The pain starts in the bottom of my head/top of my neck, just on the left side, and travels up. If I touch it the pain radiates over to the front of my head. It hurts to turn my head either way, or move my head up or down. It seems to be getting worse, so I've just taken a couple of painkillers to help me sleep, because it kept waking me up last night. I expect it's nothing, but it's an odd sort of pain. More of a muscular thing maybe? Can you get arthritis in the back of your head? It doesn't feel like a trapped nerve, or like I've 'slept funny'.
Otherwise, things are ok. I've been quite careful about what I've eaten, and taken 4 loperamide and my tummy has been ok-ish. Not great, but not much pain so it's been bearable. The eczema is slightly better. The ointment has helped, but I'm only putting it on the worst places. My mood has been pretty much ok today really. I've been watching a tv programme with a woman in the last stages of cancer trying to keep going for her son to recover from leukaemia. It puts things into perspective, doesn't it?

Posted by anniebee at 11:16 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

October 13, 2004

Head still hurting

Well, after another disturbed night, I'm off to see the doctor about the pain in my head this morning. I'm also going to mention the tummy trouble, if I remember. I'll post about how I get on later.

Posted by anniebee at 09:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Another trapped nerve!

I have C2 neuralgia caused by a trapped nerve. I can't take anti-inflammatories because I'm on lithium, so I just have to take strong painkillers. Because they contain codeine they'll probably keep the diarrhoea under control too. The optician has written to my doctor and was just concerned about my optic nerve being pale, which my doctor says he already knew, so isn't bothered about. I just hope the painkillers work. Two nights of broken sleep, and pain whenever I move my head isn't nice!

Posted by anniebee at 11:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

A pain in the neck head!

The head pain is getting worse, and the painkillers don't seem to be helping much. Doing almost anything is painful. I feel slightly sick too, but I'm not sure if that's the pain or the painkillers. I found an old neck collar I had a few years back. It helps the pain but makes me feel like I'm choking. I'm very tired, in a lot of pain and fed up! My mood is obviously low. The eczema is still sore. My tummy isn't too bad, so at least the painkillers are good for something!

Posted by anniebee at 05:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Fed up!

I'm really fed up! I'm feeling cross and very down right now. The pain in my head has gone from bad to worse - literally. I can't even eat or drink without it hurting, and moving my head, especially looking to the right is very painful. I'm hoping that the dihydrocodeine will have built up in my system and I'll be able to sleep better tonight. I'm really brassed off with being ill all the time. I also noticed just now that I have a sharp bit of bone sticking out on my right wrist, which definitely hasn't always been there. Is there any part of me that is 'normal'?

Posted by anniebee at 09:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 14, 2004

Slept ok

I slept better last night. I'm in less pain lying down as long as I keep still. I'm taking dihydrocodeine regularly. I'm still in quite a lot of pain though. Everything else is much the same as last night, but my mood has lifted a bit. I'm dreading seeing the occupational therapist tomorrow, in case the horrible rheumatologist has told her that I'm a waste of space, because that's how he made me feel.

Posted by anniebee at 06:53 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

I wish this nerve would get untrapped!

Health wise it's been a funny sort of day. The head pain has gone from bearable to nasty to really bad and back again throughout the day. The worst thing is waking up and feeling like I've been hit over the head with a cricket bat. I think the dihydrocodeine is helping a bit, and it's certainly settled my stomach! I've had a bit of stomach pain though. The eczema is still sore but no worse. My feet have been more sore than usual. Other aches and pains are about the same. Mood wise I've been ok. In 'coping with the pain' mode.

Posted by anniebee at 06:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Horrible pain

I need to talk about this pain. I can't believe that a trapped nerve in my neck can cause so much pain in my head. I'm in pain eating and drinking, the back of my head on the left side is sore to the touch, and it honestly feels like I've been kicked in the head. I can't turn my head very far to either side, or up and down. The dihydrocodeine is helping a bit, but I'm still in quite a lot of pain. I tried wearing a neck collar yesterday evening, but it didn't really help enough to make it worth putting up with the choking feeling.
I've suffered from neuralgia in the past - a form called trigeminal neuralgia, which was horrible, and more painful than this, but it didn't affect my movement. I can sleep, but I sleep in the same position and then waking up and moving my head is horrible - very, very painful. I can't see that the doctor can do much more about it. I'm pretty sure he won't prescribe anything stronger than dihydrocodeine. It's a shame I'm not seeing a physiotherapist tomorrow rather than an occupational therapist!

Posted by anniebee at 09:08 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

October 15, 2004

So-so-ish!

I'm still in pain, despite vast quantities of painkillers! I'm giving the neck collar another go, and it's helping a bit more this time. The painkillers are settling my tummy rather well, so at least that's one less thing to worry about! The eczema is still sore, but not as itchy, and only on one hand. I'm feeling pretty tired, but my mood is ok. I wish I didn't have to go and see the OT this afternoon, but at least my Mum's coming with me for moral support!

Posted by anniebee at 09:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Phew! Not so bad after all!

Well, I needn't have worried. The OT's appointment was to talk about fibromyalgia, as that particular OT specializes in it. I'd forgotten that I was being referred to her. She didn't really say anything I didn't know, as I've read quite a bit about FMS, but I think my Mum found it helpful. The OT was trying to get me to join a fibromyalgia group, but that's just not my cup of tea. I would find it very difficult mentally. Anyhow, it went ok.
I'm still popping major amounts of painkillers for the head pain, and even so I'm still in quite a lot of pain. I don't understand how a trapped nerve in my neck can make my head sore and even make it hurt to eat? The neck support is helping a bit, but it's still very uncomfortable to move my head much. The eczema is worse, and very sore today. The painkillers are still keeping my stomach under control. I'm feeling very, very tired, probably because of the extra medication.

Posted by anniebee at 06:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 16, 2004

More pain

I went to sleep early, but woke up after a couple of hours with really bad head pain. I hesitate to call it agonizing, but not far off. I've taken more painkillers, and I've been distracting myself by surfing the net. I am so fed up with this.

Posted by anniebee at 12:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

A bit less pain?

I woke up early and decided to get up, rather than going back to sleep and having to face the waking up headache again! I'm feeling a little better pain wise than I did in the night, but have a touch of a sore throat to add to my ailments. Everything else is much the same really.

Posted by anniebee at 06:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Pain again

Yucky pain all day today. I'm still taking regular doses of dihydrocodeine, and even with that I still have pain in the left side of my head, front as well as back now. If I keep totally still it's just like a headache, but movement is very painful. I'm finding the neck support helpful now I've figured out how tightly I need to do it up. I've been feeling nauseous, but I think that's probably from not eating enough to line my stomach and taking the extra meds. I'm very tired too. I'm also more twitchy than usual, and the eczema is more sore today. My tummy is ok. These painkillers are a good stopper-upper, due to the codeine bit of course.

Posted by anniebee at 04:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 17, 2004

Long lie-in

I didn't get up until nearly 3pm. I woke earlier but my head was hurting so much that I just took some tablets and went back to sleep. My nose and ears seem quite bunged up, but no pain. General aches and pains from the fibromyalgia. Very twitchy. Very tired. Left knee not working quite right. Eczema much the same as yesterday. Lips peeling and sore. Tummy still ok. I'm wondering how long I can continue taking this much dihydrocodeine, and whether I should go back to the doctor. Trouble is, neuralgia is one thing they can't do much about. I know that from the times I've had trigeminal neuralgia. Nerve pain is something that it's not easy to treat. I'm totally off my food, and haven't eaten yet today. I should eat something before I take more tablets or I'll feel nauseous as well as everything else! Mood wise I'm ok. Just trying not to think about things too much!

Posted by anniebee at 03:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Cold on its way

The pain in my head is slightly better. I still get a nasty pain when I move my head, but it's not as bad as it was. Unfortunately I think I've caught a cold. My nose and ears feel bunged up. I'm not too worried about it as long as it doesn't go to my chest. I'm very tired and quite achey, but my tummy has been fine and the eczema is more sore than itchy.

Posted by anniebee at 09:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 18, 2004

Less head pain!

My head is less sore today. If I keep it still it is anyway. I'm not sure that I have a proper cold, but the bunged up nose comes and goes. My voice sounds totally weird, but the dry mouth doesn't help that anyway. I had another long lie-in, just until about 11.30am this time. I'm very tired, and generally quite achey. My tummy is ok-ish. The eczema is much the same. My mood is sort of middling, not particularly low, but not particularly high either.

Posted by anniebee at 01:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Better, I think!

My head is a lot better. It still hurts to turn my head from side to side, but I can do it. I'm incredibly tired. I don't think I have a cold after all. The eczema is getting worse again. My tummy is still ok ..... so far! Mood wise I'm a bit grumpy today, so nobody argue with me, ok?!!

Posted by anniebee at 05:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 19, 2004

Bah! humbug!

I'm feeling ok-ish today. Back to 'normal'. Very tired, tummy trouble (she typed euphemistically!), itchy, nasty eczema, and various joint and muscles pains. Tomorrow I go to the hospital to see about my surgical shoes - wayhey! I'm sure there's a more politically correct name for them these days, but I don't know what it is. Friday I find out whether I have Sjogren's syndrome. That was why I had the incredibly painful lip biopsy. I'm feeling a bit fed up today. Not one of my better days so far.

Posted by anniebee at 10:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 20, 2004

Bad night

Ugh. Not a good night. Between noisy neighbours, a headache and tummy trouble, I was up at least four times last night. I had a lie-in but it's not the same. So, I'm achey, headachey, my tummy is upset and I'm really tired. Great. Off to the hospital to see about the shoes later. What fun. Mood is not good at all today, did you guess?

Posted by anniebee at 11:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Ugly sister shoes (remember Cinderella?)

Hospital shoes haven't improved. I sort of thought that you might get a choice of styles and colours now we're in the 21st Century, but no. The basic choice is between black, brown (dark mud or bright tan), or 'orthopaedic' fawn. Lovely. So my hopes of bright purple or emerald green snazzy boots kind of went out of the window. I'm getting a very basic pair of clumpy black shoes with a low wedge heel and velcro straps. Really yucky, but believe me, that was the best of the lot *shudder*!
In other news, I'm very tired today. When I got home I showered and then had to sit down for ages as I came over quite peculiar. My mood has improved a bit. You just can't stay grumpy for very long with my Mum around! I'm quite achey, and feeling a bit weak and wobbly. The eczema has improved, apart from one bit that is still really sore. I've been slightly headachey off and on today, but I don't want to take extra painkillers until bedtime. I'm going to give the computer a miss this evening and read or watch tv. I'm just so tired, and I've got another trip to the hospital tomorrow morning to find out the results of the lip biopsy.

Posted by anniebee at 05:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 21, 2004

Not Sjogren's Syndrome

It's not Sjogren's syndrome, which begs the question, 'what is it?'. As the doctor said, I still have the symptoms. I've got a prescription for something which should help me produce more saliva, but it may upset my stomach. Ha ha - could it be more upset? The stuff is so unusual the biggest chemist in town hasn't got it and will have to order it. I'm fed up. It's not that I wanted to have SS, but I feel like I'm back to square one with no diagnosis. Otherwise everything is much the same i.e. I feel like crap.

Posted by anniebee at 07:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Eczema and stuff

I've had eczema for years. I'm lucky in that it mainly affects my hands, and although I do get it in other places it's rare. I go through the itchy peeling stage, which isn't nice, but then I develop deep 'cuts' which take ages to heal and are incredibly painful. I have one now between two of my fingers and it is so sore. I hate using prescribed creams as they always contain steroids, which can thin the skin, and definitely thin mine. The only alternatives are things like aqueous cream, E45 & hand cream. I have to be careful because I'm allergic to some perfume so everything has to either be fragrance-free, or tried and trusted. My hand is really hurting me right now. I'm feeling low about the biopsy results too. It's good that it's not that, but if it isn't, then what is it? Time for bed I think - nice brain-numbing sleep.

Posted by anniebee at 11:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 22, 2004

Ok-ish

I'm feeling much the same as yesterday really. I had a lie-in which helped. Tummy is still not right, but then, that's 'normal' for me now. The eczema 'cut' is very sore still. Mouth and throat very dry and sore. Mood is ok. Not too bad.

Posted by anniebee at 01:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 23, 2004

Sore hand

Everything is much the same, apart from a very sore hand. I think I might have to go to the doctor's about it next week if it doesn't improve. Tummy is ok if I keep taking the tablets regularly. Tiredness and aches and pains about the same. Mood so-so.

Posted by anniebee at 12:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Hand hurting!

Everything else is much the same, but my hand is very sore. The 'cut' is looking better actually and I'm pretty sure there's no infection, so I assume it's my overactive nerves again. The pain is in my hand and wrist. I don't usually take painkillers for that sort of thing, but I think I'll give it a go before I go to bed, as I'm bound to knock it when I'm asleep. Fortunately it's my left hand, and although I'm left-handed I use the mouse with my right hand. Having said that, it's very painful typing, so I'm off!

Posted by anniebee at 07:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 24, 2004

Depressed

My hand is feeling better, but as I've just got up I haven't moved it much yet. Everything else is much the same. Very tired, various aches and pains, tummy trouble, sore mouth, etc. I'm feeling quite depressed today. This past week hasn't been my best ever healthwise, and this coming week it's six months to my 40th birthday. Oh joy! It's also a year since I gave up smoking, so I suppose that's something to be pleased about.

Posted by anniebee at 01:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Ups and downs

I think my hand is on the mend. Hope so. Everything is much the same as this morning, apart from the fact that I'm more tired & achey. I nearly choked myself this evening when I was taking my meds. I generally take them all at once, with a big gulp of water, and although I nearly always gag on them, I generally get them down. This evening some of them came back up again and I thought I was going to choke, or puke or both, and I did both a bit. TMI - I know! I'm going to have to go back to taking them one by one, but when you have a lot to take you start gagging after a few anyway. The worst thing at the moment is the depression. I'm feeling pretty low, and that's not going to be helped by chucking up my bipolar meds. I didn't dare take more meds because I couldn't be absolutely sure which tablets came up. Anyhow, time for an early night. I don't feel like surfing, watching tv, or even reading tonight. I just feel like crawling into a big hole really. Well, actually crawling into bed and pulling the covers over my head - you never know what's going to be lurking inside a big hole!

Posted by anniebee at 08:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 25, 2004

Much the same

I'm feeling much the same. Very tired. I think I'm back into hibernate mode. Still a bit depressed too.

Posted by anniebee at 12:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Pity party

The eczema 'cuts' are still sore. Tummy has been ok so far. Feeling achey and very, very tired. Fed up, miserable and depressed. Very depressed.

Posted by anniebee at 05:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Feeling a little better

My mood has picked up quite a bit from how it was earlier on. I don't feel as depressed now. I think I'm cycling. Oh what fun it is being bipolar - not! This part of the year isn't terribly good for me mentally, although it's always been one of my favourite times of the year. I think one of my main problems is restless sleep, which isn't good for the fibromyalgia, and a sort of jumbled sleep pattern which doesn't help the bipolar disorder. Sicking up my tablets yesterday probably hasn't helped much either. I'd forgotten about that! Maybe I should start reading this blog! Anyhow, I'm feeling a bit less depressed, very tired, and otherwise much the same.

Posted by anniebee at 09:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 26, 2004

So tired

Another long lie-in. I'm just so tired at the moment. My hand is sore again - another 'cut' between the same two fingers. Everything else is much the same. Mood is ok today, but a bit wobbly. Tummy is a bit better as I'm taking the loperamide regularly at the moment. Need to discuss that with my doctor. I shouldn't need to take two zantac and four loperamide every day, when 'all' I have is irritable bowel syndrome and heartburn.

Posted by anniebee at 12:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Sooooo tired

I'm very, very tired. This has to be the fibromyalgia, because I just haven't been doing anything out of the ordinary to cause it. I think the aches are getting worse, so that would figure. My hand is so sore from the eczema. I'd forgotten how nasty it could be. Tummy is still ok. Mood is ok. Not great, but better than yesterday.

Posted by anniebee at 09:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 27, 2004

Fibromyalgia again?

I'm very tired. I'm sleeping restlessly. My muscles are aching. Yes, I think it's fibromyalgia. My hand is still very sore. My tummy is still fine. I must try cutting down on the loperamide again. Mood is ok-ish.

Posted by anniebee at 12:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Owww!

The 'cut' between two of the fingers on my left hand hurts soooooo much. The eczema is generally worse on both hands. I just don't understand it. I haven't been using anything different in the way of toiletries, and I'm well aware that I have eczema and sensitive skin generally. I've had these eczema 'cuts' on my fingers before, but not between my fingers and not for some time. It just hurts so much!
I'm using ointment from the doctor and fragrance free hand cream, but it doesn't seem to be healing well. It's very clean and not at all infected, just very, very sore. I think it's taking a long time healing because my general health isn't too good. I've got those splits at the corners of my mouth again, and my lips are peeling.
Anyhow, I'm still very tired. My tummy is as normal as it gets today (on 2 loperamide) - yay! I'm pretty achey, and I do think this is the start of a fibromyalgia flare, but we'll see. Mood is ok, not wonderful, but ok. Being so so so tired and a sore hand are the worse things.

Posted by anniebee at 11:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 28, 2004

Tired and cold!

I'm feeling very tired, cold and quite achey this morning. I went to bed late and slept very restlessly. It's amazing how I'm still getting hot flushes, but otherwise I really feel the cold. Brrrr. My hands are still just as sore. Tummy is a bit undecided so far. Mood wise I just want to hibernate! Well, things aren't that bad, but I do feel the urge to sleep more and stay in and keep warm.

Posted by anniebee at 08:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Sore but happy!

Just typed a long post and Blogger ate it! Here's a quick rundown. Hand is very sore as first split has opened up again. Going to try non-steroidal creams over the weekend and maybe see doctor next week. Eczema on hands is generally bad. Feeling very fibromyalgic i.e. tired, achey, 'fibro fog' etc. Tummy ok so far. Mood is good. Getting a tv in my bedroom has helped!

Posted by anniebee at 04:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 29, 2004

A bad night

I had a very disturbed night last night, which is probably why I had a long lie in. I'm feeling much the same as yesterday, except rather down.

Posted by anniebee at 01:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Hand good, mood bad!

My hand is a bit better today. I've just been leaving it and not putting cream on, but wearing gloves when I'm outside. I'm feeling extremely tired and achey after my bad night's sleep. I found a list of fibromyalgia symptoms on the Fibrohugs website, and I was amazed at how many I have, even down to little things like not liking bright light or loud noises, which you don't think of as being part of an illness. Mentally I'm feeling stressed today, and that isn't helping things at all. My lips are peeling inside which isn't pleasant. My tummy is ok, but I'm still knocking back the loperamide, which reminds me that I have to pick up my prescription tomorrow.

Posted by anniebee at 04:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 30, 2004

Fibromyalgia + bipolar = blah

I had a better night's sleep (but still not great) and a lie-in! Wish I could say I was feeling better though. I'm still very tired and achey (fibromyalgic), and the hot flushes are getting to me again. My hand is still seeming better. My lips are still sore. My tummy is ok, so far. I'm not taking the loperamide today unless I have to. Mood wise I'm feeling ok, not great.

Posted by anniebee at 11:53 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Not a well girl

I'm feeling pretty lousy at the moment. My tummy is playing up, I feel nauseous, I'm very tired and achey. I picked up my prescription earlier and my doctor had forgotten to give me any loperamide (diarrhoea tablets), so I'll have to go and see him on Monday. I'm just hoping I have enough to last for the rest of the weekend. I've got the new tablets which the doctor in the oral surgery unit prescribed at last. I don't like the sound of the side effects, which cover just about everything! It looks like I could get diarrhoea AND constipation! Actually, I don't know which is worse, as I suffer from piles and they're playing up too! The eczema is a bit better, but still itchy. I'm feeling quite low, not sure whether it's going to turn into full-blown depression or not.

Posted by anniebee at 08:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 31, 2004

OK so far

Slept okish, apart from dreaming that I'd lost my short term memory! Feeling quite achey, and still tired. Eczema is ok. Starting to get better I hope. Tummy is ok so far, but I haven't been up long or eaten much yet. Feeling much the same mentally, rather low.

Posted by anniebee at 12:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Feeling yucky

Feeling nauseous, despite having taken my new meds with food as instructed. I don't feel as if I'm actually going to be sick, just really yucky. I'm also extremely tired. Not a good day today healthwise. I'm not sure whether it's side effects from the new meds, or whether I'm sickening for something. I feel lousy anyway. Everything else is still much the same as this morning. I'm planning to have an early night. I need to see my doctor early this week to get some more diarrhoea tablets, so if I still feel bad I can discuss it with him.

Posted by anniebee at 04:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack