December 2006 - Terrible Two's here we come!

[Olihan]

Here we go. I thought the title was apt as ds2 has morhed into a stroppy little horror overnight. His favourite expression at the moment is 'I cwoss with you, I sceam at you AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH' .

Happy Birthday ToddlerJabber and ToddlerEli .

DD is poorly again. I swear every bug in the vicinity has some kind of magnetic attraction to her . She has a bit of a temp, headache and earache today. I need to buy shares in Calpol and Medised I think.

Aoa, hotel is a very good idea - go for a posh one so you can have a vvvv hot, deep bath!

Amapoloeon, is he on the mend now? (lol at kissing cats )

I don't know what the steroids are meant to be doing, to be honest. I'm immensely bloated, but my energy levels are still low, and I have a constant headache, even when I sleep. On top of all of that I have a cold now, and still no voice above either a very sexy rasp or an irritating squeak ... what should I be feeling like? I had rather hoped that by now I would be full of beans and back to my normal self .

I have been trying to do bits and pieces of work, and keeping up with housework, but find that by 2:00 I'm completely drained. I've been keeping a diary this week to take with me to the doctor on Tuesday, as I tend to go completely blank when I get into his office. OTT, do you think? I just worry that this is somehow psychosomatic or hysterical - have to keep reminding myself that I genuinely do not feel well.

How boring am I?

I think a diary is an excellent idea. I go blank at the dr's office too.

Have they checked your thyroid?

BP, sorry, I've not read many of your posts about your health, but please can you tell me what your probs are or link me to your story. Once I know/read etc I'll explain myself more

A quick resume of my health troubles Solo ... In September I went to bed at 10:00 on a Saturday night and woke up at 9:00 Monday morning. Since then, I've had bug after bug, pleurisy, laryngitis, constant headache, etc., etc. I've been off work since end November and I've been on 2 steroid courses and 3 lots of antibiotics. I am better now in that I'm not coughing anymore, but I still tire easily, am very emotional as a result, and have a constant headache. My voice still hasn't returned, talking is exhausting, and I'm generally the world's most boring person to be around

Eli, how are you today?

Thanks BP. I'm sorry to hear that.
The reason I asked is because several of those symptoms sound like they could be linked with ME/CFS ~ which I have. The constant headaches, the fatigue, bug after bug. These are just some of the symptoms I had at the beginning...they increased and got worse and I'm currently in a relapse
I could go on about what I personally have gone through with it, but actually, I'd love to hear more about you and your probs with what you are going through atm. I don't have CAT, but if you do and you'd like to, feel free to contact me.

I had a tentative CFS diagnosis before my arthritis was finally identified (had several -ve tests for rheumatoid before they identified it as psoriatic). I read a lot on it at the time. Funnily enough CFS sprung to mind reading yuor post BP before I got to Solo's post. May be worth looking into, often starts with virus(es) iirc. Sounds like yuor lifestyle would be conducive to it. CBT meant to be very effective for treatment. Typing one handed else would add more.

LenniEd, I did CBT some years ago and found that it just didn't sit in with my lifestyle(full time work in a stressful job with long hours/single mum etc). I know it can work for some people and I think that if you can do what they say to do and have a supportive partner, then I'm sure you have a greater chance of success. For me, I've had it for 9 years and it would appear that it's going nowhere...it has ruined a lot of my life and self esteem and I'm sure it has contributed to my lack of relationships/relationship demise too...
My biggest mistake was thinking that I could beat it and pushing myself harder. That is not the way to beat it at all...

Sorry BP and Solo I hope you get some answers soon BP.

Hello Lennied, I loved your birth story.

And Jabber how are things with DH?

Thanks BP he is fine, he is one of those kids who is fine when they are ill if that makes sense. He just carries on regardless.

Have you been tested for Glandular Fever dd has had it and it knocks her for 6, it can also recur.

Glandular fever is thought to be a trigger for ME/CFS. It stays in your system once you get it and they think there may be a link. I had it as a young child.

Actually BP, have you had any vaccinations in the last 2.6 years?

Poor BP and Solo CFS and/or CFS type illness is not fun. My sister had ME a few years ago, went through initial run of constant viruses adn fatigue, then had mould allergies very badly triggered - having never had them before. Glad to say she has found ways to manage during attacks, is mostly ok, and having been a driven/high energy/nonstop doing sort of person is still busy and herself, but in a more relaxed way...if that makes any sense

That said, the breathing part of your viruses, adn the need for steroids, does sound a lot like what DH had - adult onset asthma, triggered by virus - and the steroids just stopped the cough. It took a while after that to learn to manage the asthma, and some time, and he's back to normal (bar lack of sleep) now too.

Not sure if heraing aobut others not necessarily similar experiences helps, tbh, but am just hoping both of you get to be ok again too.

I'm ok, thanks, v tired (bad night) and getting very nervous now, but had family party here today (mad, I know, but good distraction) and ahve therefore had no space to worry about dd2 (my mother was part of the family party . Tomorrow, I'll start to pack bags/make lists/buy favourite snacks etc.

Gulp.

I promise this is the end of the BP-health hijack! Thanks for all your experiences and suggestions - they'll be hugely helpful on Tuesday. I haven't had any vaccinations recently. We have loads of asthma in our family, but I've always managed to avoid it! The one thing that really worries me is that I had encephalitis when I was 10, and no one really understands what happens long-term.

Will focus on other things, though! Eli, family party sounded like a great idea (even with mother ) The next few days are going to be such a whirlwind for you, try to think about yourself a bit during them.

Solo, I've CAT-ed you Thanks!

Eli, I think I know what you're saying, but a lot of health professionals still wont recognise it and wont even consider it, so sometimes bringing up the subject yourself is the only way to go.

BP, I've not got a message ~ yet!

What's CFS/ME?

castles, dh doing much better on teh attitude front. Physically still up and down but that's a permanent thing and of course affected by attitude a bit as well. He's actually being quite supportive of my new office venture. I've been setting up the therapy room and start on Tuesday

Chronic Fastigue Syndrome

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Was known as Yuppie Flu in the 80's before it was accepted and understood.

BP, got it, will write later or tomorrow

My dd definitely suffers from cfs after glandular fever. It comes in waves of severity. The people on www.foggyfriends.com are very helpful.

Aw BP - I hope that they cna get to the root of whatever it is that is dragging your immune system down. I hope it's a short term problem but you know we're here as support if it's going to take you time to recover.

LOL! I used to go onto foggyfriends!

Hi all,

Just stopping to say hello. Had our first trip out today (to the supermarket - what joy! to buy micro nappies since the newborn ones are too big on the little man). DS slept through the whole thing but DD managed to do drink so much in the car that her nappy leaked through onto the car seat. Felt very weak and vunerable walking around the supermarket on my own, but nice to know I am capable of leaving the house should the need occur.

DS sleeping and feeding in a bit more of a pattern today so hoping for a better night. Last night he wouldn't settle in the bedside cot and just wanted to be next to me all night. Nice to have him snuggling up but didn't get much sleep. BF seems to be going ok, am a bit sore on one side, but that is from letting him get himself on when half asleep last night and then being too lazy to sort it out. Am quite enjoying it really, which has surprised me. Need to sort out buying a breast pump though and these disposable breast pads are not all that pleasant - any suggestions on washable ones anyone?

DD suddenly seems so enormous and so grown up. Her talking is really blossoming, and she gave DS a kiss tonight

Eli - hope the packing gone ok and you are alright. Make sure you rest. And don't forget to focus on the end result, which will be a healthy, happy and well rested DD2 and they heal so quickly and forget so easily that she'll bounce back before you know it. Thinking of you.

Hi Jabber - pleased about DH and your new venture... you sound like you are really going places right now career wise. I am but it gives me hope too iyswim. Are you still having the counselling?

Right, best sleep while he does... if I can get the little snuffly vole off my shoulder and laid down that is... wish me luck.

Lennied - I'll always remember how enormous DD1 seemed the day I brought DD2 home