KatT's Journal

[jiml]

Yep well done use whatever you can to assist you.
I gave up lots of times before I succeeded. But would say stick at it. We are all behind you

[KatT]

I have been quiet this week......here's why (2 being the main culpri):

1. Three small psoriasis spots on left leg, psoriasis on scalp coming back (around the ears).....hope it will disappear when I get better 

2. Was on a very low dose of prednisone (was almost done tapering off) but inflammation was starting around the heart right side so starting stronger dose of prednisone and tapering off......again 

3. Quitting smoking.....well......I cut by half or more depending on the days....still did not quit....this is not as easy as i thought it would be with Champix 

Vampire visit done, waiting for results 

I am tired, not feeling the greatest, missing work for appointments, even took a day off sick which is extremely rare.....I hate doing that!

Add to that the pre mental pause......I am a mess!!!!

So....as i seem to be going downhill and I have vacation leave credits coming out of my ears, I am taking the first week of April off.  I plan to sleep, sleep some more, relax, maybe do a bit of retail therapy (to boost my morale up a bit).....oh......more sleeping.



On the bright side....I have been trying to eat better (three meals a day.....used to have two at the most), healthy food and started going for walks with a friend.

I might be pushing it with the walks this week given the inflammation therefore chest pain and tiredness due to lack of sleep and fighting inflammation but......I'll catch up in a week.....I hope!

[Caroline]

Indeed you have been quiet last week.

And I assume that 2 and 3 are the main causes. Of course very important that you fight the inflammation, you don’t want that at such a sensitive place.
I bet also that stopping smoking is very difficult. My grandfather was the owner of a cigarette/sigar shop, of course he was smoking, for his whole life, but... suddenly at 67, when he was retired and a friend of his died of lung cancer, he stopped... just in one day. I was a little girl, but can not recollect that he was ever grumpy, he was a really great grandfather. So... it must be possible to stop smoking and still survive, that is positive for you.

Being tired is not fine. The walks, that you may be doing quite suddenly, may cause the tiredness of course, but I see that as a healthy tiredness..

Good luck with your sleeping and walking and I hope that you will get into a better state gradually.

[D Foster]

When I have to take the Prednisone for the asthma it makes me feel very tired so that's probably the main reason for your tiredness.
Have a good holiday and relax, eat well relax , go for a walk relax, go shopping relax and don't try to do too much.
Have you tried Enstilar it's good for small area's of P.
Take care of yourself and I hope that you start to feel much better .

[Fred]

You are in the wars KatT 

Smoking is not easy, but you have done well cutting down. Hang on in there it's worth it in the end and I think you can do it as you're strong willed.

Enjoy the break, and no you are not a mess you just have a lot going on at the same time.

You take care and you know we are always here. 

Fred.

[jiml]

Awww KatT things are tough for you and its not easy giving up smoking at the best of times, but with the stress levels you have with the inflammation and the psoriasis it's bound to be a struggle, but it's better to do things gradually and  that way you are more likely to succeed
Good idea to use some of your vacation time to recharge your batteries and hopefully get to feel better. As for the exercise even though its important, it's better to get that started when the inflammation has subsided and you feel less tired
Your in it for the long haul so just take it a day at a time

[KatT]

Thank you guys and gals   

I did get some of my blood test results back.

I am anaemic....which comes with the lupus.....probably added to the tiredness so B12 vitamins were in the shopping basket today ?

Pre diabetic......must be all those iced cappuccinos......will try to cut sugar elsewhere......I NEED those!  

Cholesterol.....one result was uninterpreted but total cholesterol was good! So I am happy about that.

Inflammation markers were of course through the roof....was expecting that!

Higher dose of prednisone is working, been on it for three days and I can feel the difference 

Yes, I feel energized and tired at the same time after the walks but it's a good feeling.  I am not walking fast for now....can't with the chest inflammation but will eventually get better and gain speed.  

Getting there! Slowly but surely 

[KatT]

Overdue update:

I took my week off from April 5th to the 10th....ended up completely isolated as my hubby got tested for covid and it took 6 days to get the results which were negative.  However, he was kind enough to share whatever he had caught with me right before I went back to work    

Ended up being sick for two weeks (blocked ears, runny nose, etc)....

In addition, every time I finish the predisone dose and think that I'm done with the pleural effusion....It comes back in a matter of days   

Therefore, I am not sleeping well at all....my chest (right side) feels like it was run over by a bus (pain sometimes radiates in the back, neck, shoulder)....I work with an electric heating pad on my right side.....sleep on pillows at my back with my hands accross my stomach, not moving.... (scared my hubby one morning as I was in the same position he saw me in the night before so he checked to see if I was breathing LOL) 

GP now prescribed colchicine for three months and prednisone (prednisone in case I couldn't get colchicine as it is apparently used for covid).  Unfortunately, those are IT for treatments.

Been on colchicine for 5 days and took prednisone with it today (my pharmacist told me I could take both at the same time) cause I am sick and tired of having this ......  I am taking a whole lot of anti inflammatories, must not be good for the kidneys or liver.

I may grow a mustache if this keeps going on!  ARGGGGGG!

Psoriasis patches tripled in size.....still nothing compared to my prior treatment state buuuut I am now picking at it....can't help it....

Arthritis is still good for three weeks (score of 2 approximately) after my injection....the forth week is less fun (score of 6)

I was advised that we have a new rheumatologist in our region (we only had the one that I am seeing who has a really bad reputation) and was advised by the doctor I saw during an emergency visit to ask a referral.  Therefore, my GP will refer me .....hoping to get a call soon 

[Fred]

If you end up witha beard too, I can advise on the best way to look after it.

I hope things get better soon KatT and hopefully a new rheumatologist may have some answers.

Take care.

[D Foster]

I do hope that you start getting better soon and I will think about you and keep my fingers crossed for you.
I do have a really good beard trimmer if you need to borrow one.