This disease needs a sense of humour?

Medwaylady
Medwaylady Member Posts: 7
edited 3. Aug 2015, 14:19 in Say Hello Archive
Hi All,
I'm 61 but in my head about 16 and am generally a positive person; diagnosed a couple of years ago my pain is well controlled but the fatigue gets to me at times. The times I could scream as the packaging of crisps is impossible to open, and why did the medication not mean that side effects requiring that chocolate and fudge be consumed be put on prescription ?

Instead I believed that the hair loss was I had was down to MTX as put on a Facebook page and then asked to come off it, Dr Google was wrong though as it was later found that to add to the RA I had Pernicious Anaemia and Celiac so life changed in months added to that mix I then acquired a DVT and PE's and low Vit D. So the NHS must think I'm worth it as from Thryroxine for years I now take handfulls of medications. Just have to laugh though my
friend said "why do you take all that stuff?" reply "er don't want to die and hurt"
So last Saturday I dusted wardrobe and slipped did a disk and now the Osteopath will probably go on holiday on :bouncing-ball: the fee's to sort it out. My husband( a great chap really) has volunteered to go on a golfing holiday next year to save me the worry of flying; well last laugh to me booked a cruise........
I hope my post has not gone on too long and must say thank you for accepting me as well.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 3,635
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Medwaylady

    Welcome to the forums where I'm sure you will get a lot of help and good advice from all the lovely people on here.

    It is a little quiet being the weekend, but I'm sure that someone will be along shortly to help.

    We are here if you need any support to do with using the forums. Many of the mods have some of the many varieties of arthritis and we all know about the feelings that go along with having it.

    Do read and post across the different topics that you will find here.
    All best wishes
    Mod B
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Medwaylady and welcome to the club we'd all prefer to be ineligible for.

    You seem to have managed to dodge the autoimmune diseases for most of your life and then copped for a fair few at once which I imagine has been a steep learning curve. As for the slipped disc, I'd take it as nature's way of telling me that dusting wardrobes was my husband's job. You might present it to him as a useful warm-up exercise before golf.

    According to the NHS website most people over 60 (65?) in UK should take a small Vit D supplement as we just don't get enough sunshine.

    Crisp packets? I rarely eat them as I have osteoporosis (salt is a nono) but, for years, I've just stabbed or snipped packets of anything. It saves on time and swearing.

    Please join us on the other forums. Living With Arthritis ad Chit Chat are the most popular. I'll look forward to seeing you around.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Medwaylady
    Medwaylady Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you both and thats what the GP said you've been lucky to avoid the RA and as you've been so healthy your body is able to better able to deal with it. I was floored but know he's right and I am able to see the RA consultant privately so never been pushed around or rushed. I think he helped so much and to be honest my mum had Osteoporosis and I was glad it wasn't that. A dreadful condition with morphine patches and so many broken bones it was such an awful time.
    The RA does not define me but I see so many people where it affects every aspect of life that I feel so grateful that I have really trivial issues. My way of coping is humour and as my old mum would say "you can't change it, so you just have to get on with it! so stop moaning and have a cup of tea".
    :D
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Blimey! Are you my sister? We seem to have had the same mother :lol:

    Your issues are not at all trivial but being able to see them in that way may well help as will the former(?) fitness. The latter will also help you to avoid the dreaded osteoporosis though, to be honest, I only know I have it because my GP ordered a DXA scan owing to my many years of RA. (That's the added bonus – it can lead to osteoporosis :roll: but I do have other pre-disposing factors too.) No pain (Though I'm not in the habit of analysing which pain came from where) and no broken bones unless you count the hip, years ago, and the docs didn't.

    I'm glad you have a good relationship with your consultant as that's important. I've now seen two into retirement but they, and my current one, have always given me all the time I needed which usually isn't much. ("How's things?" "OK." "Good, come back in 6 months.") As for her registrar – I hold him responsible for my high BP. Very easy on the eye :D
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Medwaylady
    Medwaylady Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ha Ha Sticky Wicket. I loved the reply and I had a broken elbow a year or so ago, the lovely and sympathetic A&E dr said you'll need a scan etc. I said no I need new glasses as did not see the 8 foot drop down the path being busy watching a Marsh Harrier sky dance. I was taken to the A&E by a very young good looking tanned and fit RSPB warden who then waited as he is a friend. Left alone for ages then a nurse came in and out and then the question "do you your want your "friend/partner" to stay while we do the ecg? . Err no he's just the local nature reserve warden..... I'm waiting for my husband....They never left me alone after that. LOL
    My RA consultant rides a motor bike but likes golf so its a hi and see you in 6 months to me then a long discussion with the hubby about handicaps and clubs.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Don't get me started on golfers. I have one too. Talk about OCD :roll:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, it's nice to meet you but I am sorry you have had to find us. Arthritis has its own, very dark sense of humour which isn't appreciated by its hosts, it has the uncanny knack of knowing when it will be least welcome and cheerfully springs into action. Occasionally we fool it but only occasionally.

    The trouble for us is that other things happen even though we're already occupied with our unwelcome lodger / s. I was born with auto-immune trouble and went on to develop more so for me it's just the habit of a lifetime but for someone like you it is utterly unreasonable. Arthritis has no respect for age, gender or circumstances, and as for our 'life' plans? :lol: It is better, though, to be arthritic in this day and age than even just a few years ago: diagnosis is happening earlier, the meds are begun earlier and the outcomes are better: I've witnessed that happening over my nineteen years of dealing with this malarkey. You sound as though you have the right life skills to deal with this - humour is the best coping mechanism ever! I wish you well and look forward to seeing your name here and there around the boards. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • theresak
    theresak Member Posts: 1,998
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Medway lady, and welcome to our happy band - I think you'll fit in perfectly.

    I'm sorry you now have all the 'qualifications' to join us, and I appreciate that you have been hit with lots of things with which you now have to deal, but I believe a good sense of humour goes a long way, and there's no doubt we all need a laugh now and again.

    I had a hospital appointment today, and while my Specialist Nurse is tall, dark, but not quite handsome, he does have a good sense of humour, so I never come out feeling miserable.

    Do keep posting.