Spoons! Support for those with chronic pain & fatiguing illnesses

[Grockle]

Spoon Theory here

Aww grockle not a chesty cough too! I can also always feel it coming. Starts in the same way each time, nasty tickly/scratchy throat but with a sicky taste that isn't present with regular throat infections. That'll be the mucus. I tell you if there was a chest equivalent of a tonsillectomy I would sooo take it.

This weekend - well, I got through today thanks to lovely DSDs, DH is taking an age to get home though - we agreed he will have to turn down shifts at that store as it is just not worth it. He is working at another nearer store tomorrow so another boring day. On Monday he is taking DSD to the Harry Potter tour (I am but I know I am not up to it, and also they are waaaaay more obsessed with into HP than me!) and my parents are coming up for the day - we are planning to go to a nearby Llama park! They (my parents, not the llamas) know I am struggling so I might just sit down while they walk round with the DCs. At least it'll mean some fresh air - even if it does smell a little... llama-y.

Grockle the trip sounds like hard work. Do you think you could opt out in future as a 'reasonable adjustment'? You could swap with another class teacher maybe?

My chest felt sore inside on Thursday - like I had a chesty cough but I didn't. I think they thought I was bonkers.

I'm glad you survived the day. Hooray for DSD's.

Shame about the HP tour, we loved it. And, amazingly, they were really helpful when they saw me with my stick. But it is a lot of walking & standing around in a busy place. I took DS out of school to go so it was less busy.

I hadn't thought of not going on the trip... I'd miss it though. Much as my group are challenging, I do love them & it's nice to do 'normal' stuff with them. I have to drive the bus too... Wednesday will be fun!

Enjoy the Llamas!

I googled Modafinil & found this It sounds amazing. Then I saw the cost

I have looked at buying prescription meds online in the past but was too scared to do it.

It's not something I'd risk TBH. I don't even like caffeine and alcohol in the sense that I can't control their effect on me. A tad hypocritical as I take amitryptiline

I am just generally paranoid about changing things I suppose. Never taken the pill etc.

Anxiety really does control my life doesn't it :( to think I only realised that I have severe anxiety a few months ago... Before that it was so much a part of every waking moment that I didn't even realise it wasn't normal.

Hi can I join?

I'm 34 next week and have had Hashimoto's thyroiditis for 24 years. I never realised that others felt like I did until recently!

I'm 14 weeks pregnant and struggling an awful lot at work with brain fog and complete exhaustion. But you just gotta keep going!

Welcome, Fairydogmother. And congratulations. I would have loved another baby but I just could not manage pregnancy now. I am so glad DS is older! Make sure you get plenty of rest

Fuzz, it's totally not worth the risk. But sometimes, I feel so desperate to be ok...

I resist change but more because of my ASD/ OCD tendencies than anxiety. Although I do get anxious when things change. Have you found anything that helps your anxiety?

Omg, my throat. And my chest. Ouch. My voice has gone which made talking to nhs direct was fun! I now have an OOH appointment. Cross.

Welcome fairy and congratulations on your pregnancy! Is it your first baby?

Grockle for me the possible aspergers/OCD (the latter is what a psychiatrist is convinced I have) and anxiety are very much wrapped up in each other (after all OCD is an anxiety disorder) but as I only really accepted the anxiety recently, I haven't particularly dealt with it.

My problems were always labelled as depression before - but ADs never worked, because they didn't change the fact that I worried about everything (and still have heaps of social problems), and also I found out that people on the autistic spectrum often find newer types of AD (eg SSRIs like sertraline) useless, and older types (eg tricyclics like amitryptiline!) more helpful.

One thing I have recently found slightly helpful is the mindfulness approach - when I notice myself worrying about something I knows irrational (such as when I am sitting in a disabled seat on the bus and worry that people will challenge me and I instantly run through retorts in my head even though nobody has ever challenged me! ) rather than struggling to distract myself, which is what I've been doing my whole life, I actually try to just accept the fear. Just sort of 'observe' my feelings and stop berating myself for feeling them. Because it isn't my fault I feel like that. I also just try and remember that the feeling, no matter how intense it is at the time (and it usually is very intense and all-consuming) it WILL pass.

Must actually get up now as DH is off to work. I've written a shopping list as there were a few things DH forgot to order (I can forgive that seeing as he does virtually everything :o) and it'd be good to get out of the house but I'm not sure I can be arsed.

Thanks!

Yep this is my first so just taking things as they come. Considering asking my Gp to write work or something as I'm struggling massively to get through work tasks and even my normal day.

How exciting, Fairy.

Fuzz, did you get out?

OOHs clinic diagnosed tonsillitis. I'm annoyed because I knew I had that on Thursday. Why couldn't they have given me ABs then rather than letting it get worse? And now it's moved to my chest which is not helping my racing heart etc. Anyway, it's been beautiful sunshine today. We went to a Spring Show this morning, which was gorgeous. Sun, woodland crafts, nice food stalls etc, all in the forest. Then we fell asleep in mooched around the garden.

Hey everyone, just checking in before bed...work tomorrow .

Lots of spoons to you all...xx

Hiya solo how annoying you have to work on BH. Hope it goes ok.

Yes I did get out in the end - am quite proud actually (sad isn't it, that a trip to asda is a fucking achievement? And I wouldn't have even attempted it if it weren't for DSD being here to help with childwrangling!)

Actually am ok today, a bit sore but had a dead sea salt bath. And I just realised I may not have taken my amitriptyline. First time in over 7 months on these that I really feel unsure if I remembered (I take them at 5 usually). Hmm, I don't think I did. And even a double dose is only 80mg which is low. 7 hours late though, bugger :( good thing I don't have to get up early tomorrow. Wide awake as I succumbed to pepsi max and I'm just MNing and watching Green Wing.

Grockle so sorry about the tonsillitis, so bloody frustrating

Right, off downstairs to get my tablets. Assuming DH fell asleep downstairs watching Harry Potter in preparation for tomorrow! They are really excited bless them.

Forgot to say, Asda was pretty pain free, took our time and got some cute clothes particularly for DD. She asked for a haircut the other week, "shoulder short" so I reluctantly did it, so with that and some new clothes she looks so grown up, where did my baby go?

Really must go now!

hi solo, hope work is ok.

I'm achey today, like i was liftig heavy things yesterday except I wasnt. Hope DH & co enjoy Harry Potter.

My DS has suddenly grown up - he is almost shoulder height now & when I do laundry, I have to check which trousers are his because they look like my black leggings. I didn't expect that at 7! He's not a baby any more It's weird when you sudden;y realise they are all grown up, isn't it?

Have a lovely BH Monday, everybody

Argh I am not really looking forward to llama park today. I think I will just sit somewhere while my parents take them round.

And I forgot to ask mum in time to bring her sewing stuff so I can't get my bridesmaid dress adjusted yet, it's only about 3 weeks til the wedding argh!!!

hi everyone hope you are all feeling good on this lovely bank holiday

Have been to a farm park today which was great the kids loved it. I had a little walk round with them but mil and dh did most of the running round lol
Then came home bent down to pick the washing basket up and totally pulled my back out I am in agony and was bent over for ages before I could straighten up. Have taken some ibuprofen and cocodamol and luckily am hoibg to the chiropractor tomorrow anyway.

Oh no gallifrey! How horrible :( it is an awful symptom of these illnesses that it takes longer to recover from what should be very short term strains etc. I once carried too-heavy shopping home on the bus and my upper arm was agony for over a week here's hoping it gets better soon.

I had a good day, I managed to go round the fields with plenty of rest stops. There was also a lovely obstacle course so we just say down while the DCs played for ages.

I'm also pleased because the shop had lots of lovely handmade gifts and I found a Guatemalan worry doll which I am explaining to DD as she gets really anxious at bedtime sometimes.

Fuzz, I got DS a set of worry dolls too - his anxiety levels are ridiculous. I'm glad you had a good day.

Gallifrey, hope your back recovers quickly. What does your name mean?

I'm a bit of a dr who fan and Gallifrey is the planet where he comes from x

oh here we go again....i was cocky at the weekend, managed a lovely family walk (with a pub either end for refreshments!!) felt ok ish yesterday, and bam, crash wollop!! 2 am in now in pain, can sleep despite a cocktail of meds that should kill a rhino!! i have work tomorrow big clinic first thing, and im not sat withthe dog eating rich tea biscuits and drinking coffee!! i only hope to god its not the start of something bad and its just a blip!!

Grockle how was the school trip?

Fuzz called in the library with daughter after scool.it alsways makes me think of you , the women where running around like blue arse flies...( i love books but a day on my feet like that would kill me,)

right the dog is snoring in my ear..........she sits on back of settee so she can rest head on my shoulder!!! might try bed.

just before i go as anyone been watching eastenders and emmerdale, with the addiction to prescribed medication.it scares me!! am i addicted?? im not sure if i am, are arent? i panic if im low on zopiclone because i wouldnt get any sleep what so ever, i take co/codamol after work and again at bedtime sometimes, and i have jst taken more too, if im at work i "manage" with brufen.

Oh and the other thing if i do anything after taking my amitriptyline i cant remember...especially if i have had a glass of wine , the other night i cant even remember going to bed, and when i got up id been having a text conversation with my DP and i cant remember any of it......that really really scares me!!! is anyone else the same??

I take amitriptyline too and that's never happened to me! xx

that doesn't sound right, belle. Speak to a doctor!

Grockle, are you preparing for tribunal?

My box of amitryptiline says "avoid alcohol" although doesn't say why - could just be the combination of the two?

My hours are a bit different this week due to bank holiday. So I'm doing my late shift today and due to different staff I may get a lift home which is great. And I really don't feel up to work right now so at least I can have a relaxing day.

DH is really suffering for his busy weekend (2 days at work, then HP studio). He is getting more tired and sore every week. Caring for me is making him ill. I was so stressed out and run down working and looking after him when he was injured that the specialist says it triggered the huge spate of illnesses and my first big ME flare up last year. But it also meant that DH never really got the chance to fully rest and recover from his surgery because he had to look after me and the DCs. I know it's not my fault (or his obviously!) but I feel so guilty. And it feels like we are one relapse (either of us) away from complete disaster.