Katie's Health Update #9

So my last health update was only a few a weeks ago here but since then I have a few things to update you all on.

COLITIS
Yesterday I had an appointment at the hospital for a check up and instead of the appointment being under the Gastroenterology clinic, it was under the general surgery clinic which I didn't understand why to be honest and nor did the Doctor. Luckily the doctor I saw is someone I have been under for nearly 3 years now so she knew my history and what was going on. She looked at my report from my last colonoscopy and explained where my Colitis is and told me a lot more than I ever have been told. I explained to her how I don't think Asacol are doing much for me anymore and my flare up is so unbearable at the moment. She wrote me out a prescription for Steroids (not sure what they called) and has put me under the Gastroenterology department and for them to see me urgent/in few weeks time. I took my Mother with me and I am glad to be honest as it is always different from a doctor explaining my condition rather than me. So although my flare up is bad at the moment, my fatigue is horrible, still loosing weight and eyes are being affected but I felt like finally the hospital are doing something about it. 

ARTHRITIS
My Gabapentin medication have been upped to 300mg and the side effects from the 200mg was affecting me a lot so now it is higher the side effects are worse. The side effects are worth it to be honest as the medication itself does help with my back pain. I get  days where my back is in bits and then days where it is manageable with painkillers but never a day where I am not in pain. Over the past few weeks the pain has been going back of bum, legs and near my hips which happens every now and then. When the weather gets cold my Arthritis plays up a lot so although I love the cold weather, I am not looking forward to it.
  
ANXIETY/DEPRESSION/PANIC ATTACKS
My depression hasn't been good to be honest, I've had more down days than up days this month. My GP has upped my Sertraline to 200mg and have referred me to an Psychiatrist. My GP explained that because he has upped my dose of Antidepressants and I haven't heard back from Therapy than he feels that me being seen by an Psychiatrist will be more helpful than waiting for an Therapist appointment. I told him how the more pain I get with both of my illnesses that the more depressed I feel and as I can't control any of my illnesses/they wont get cured that I feel like I need to learn how to control my depression ASAP. As for my Anxiety that is always there in the back on my mind in some way or another. Whether if I am not in an anxious place, I will always feel on edge. I wrote a post HERE about fear and Guilt of an Chronic Illness and in this post I explained what fear I have lately and part of that is feeling anxious. As for my Panic Attacks, I haven't really been in any panicky environment to make me panic lately. I went to Essex at the beginning of August and obviously I've mentioned how I used to have a fear of trains ect and that is where my panic attacks started but I have gotten over the fear but I still do panic as I think it would be totally impossible of me to stop panicking while I am on the tube/train. My Brother picked me up on the way there and on the way back I got the tube and train back and luckily the tube was there quick and so was the train so I didn't have any time to panic.

OTHER
I wrote a post HERE about my Eye dramas over the past few weeks so read that if you want to know what happened. I am still on eye drops and to be honest the eye pain has gone but both of my eyes are still so red. The eye Doctor did explain how he was worried as people with Colitis/Ankylosing Spondylitis do get bad eyes so he did say he was going to send me to an specialist so I guess I shall have to wait for that appointment letter to come through. That's pretty much it for my health this month and I have no more appointments left for this month. In September I have Dietician which is to do with my Colitis as I am struggling with what to eat lately and then I have my Monthly GP app middle of the month.

I shall keep you all posted on how I get on with the Steroids for my Colitis which I haven't got yet as the chemist had to order them in. Also touch wood my eyes start to get better.

Love Katie xx  

Loosing Weight From Colitis

When I got diagnosed with Colitis, I wasn't even aware or thinking of what it would do to me physically and mentally. I never would of though the reason of me loosing two stone since May is because of my Colitis. I haven't been on any crazy diet or an major exercise routine, I simply have been having alot of trouble with what I can/can't eat. I have been struggling ALOT and I'm awaiting an appointment with a Dietitian as it has got to the point where I am constantly in pain/cramps. It is making me housebound and my anxiety is sky high when I'm out, which lately is becoming a rare occasion. I never ever realized what Colitis would do to be to be honest. I've had IBS since I was 14, so I have always known what a bowel disease is and obviously had similar symptoms with IBS but I wasn't expecting Colitis to make more of a impact to my life than my back condition does. 


So two stone is how much I have lost and its made alot of difference in my appearance which other people notice more than I do. I was never massive but I've always been "curvy" so it isn't like a massive deal but that two stone has made me drop a dress size but because my boobs have kept the same size, tops are still tight around my chest. FINALLY I am in size 14 jeans,for me this is literally amazing, I haven't been able to get into proper jeans since I was 17 because my belly bloats alot so I always have worn jegging type jeans/trousers which don't have a zip/buttons but I actually brought two proper jeans in the past few months from TK MAXX. Even though I cannot wear for a long time because of my bloating and cramps but it does make me feel so much better knowing I can wear jeans for once. Clothes are getting baggy and loose but luckily I like that loose fit tops with a skinny jeans look so I can still wear my tops. Usually loosing two stone to anyone is amazing but I don't know why but I'm not getting excited about it? Because I have lost it quickly down to an Illness it doesn't have them same feeling to if you lost it by exercise ect. The fatigue, lost of appetite, abdominal pains, cramping, bloating and bleeding are a daily symptom from this horrible Colitis and maybe that why I am not happy with loosing weight. I'm getting the comments like "I wish I could loose weight like you", "I wish I had Colitis" ect and those comments are really getting to me. This hasn't been my choice and when people say "Oh I Wish I could have Colitis", I just want to tell them how much it impacts on my life. How can anyone "wish" to have an chronic illnesses just because they want to loose abit of weight? Arghhh some people just haven't got a brain have they!! I have recently brought tops that I would never be brave enough to wear and I suppose the only good to come from this weight lost is that it has made me abit more confidence in my appearance. I have never ever been confident, happy with the way I look or been interested in fashion as I used to just wear clothes to hide my body. I have always worn the skinny jeans with a looser top as I think that suits my body shape the best but having larger boobs makes finding the right top hard. I have found some lovely tops from TK MAXX and H&M lately and even though I have only brought a few, it's making me want to buy more as I kind of feel okay about my body for once. Of course I would love to loose more as I am only human to want to loose more weight like most of us do? But right now I am concentrating on getting my Colitis under control. 


I am due to do an health update post as my last one is nearly a month ago here. Next Month (August) I have got a few appointments so I think I might wait til then to do my health update. I will do some more post relating to my Colitis as it has effected alot of day to day stuff ect. Hope you all are well :) 


Love Katie xx 

Being Diagnosed With Colitis

If you have been reading my "Katie Health Update" post you would of know I have been having bowel problems for a long time but I never really went into too much detail. Without sounding gross its hard to explain bowel problems as you can imagine to be honest. 

A bit of a background.. I was diagnosed with IBS many many years ago so always suffered with bloating and had to watch what I eat ect then about 3 years ago I started getting other problems which in those 3 years its results in me having three operations, treated for various things and being put on many treatment/medication but still nothing seemed to help. In January of this year I had an operation which I wrote about HERE. During that operation a few biopsies was taken and I didn't really think much about the results as I have so much other illnesses going on that I didn't worry at all. On 20th February, I went to see my Surgeon and because I've not got any answers for years I simply didn't expect any news. Mr George (my amazing specialist) just came out with it but Im glad as he didn't beat around the bush and literally explained everything so simple and clear.. He diagnosed me with Colitis. I finally got the answer I've been wanting for so long. I now can rest knowing they know the cause to all the pain and trouble I have suffered with. You can click HERE to learn more about what Colitis is as to be honest I still don't know much about it but basically Colitis is inflammation of the inner lining of the Colon. It is such a relief to finally know the reason to all my symptoms over the past few years but its a weird feeling as I slowly begin to realise that this is a long term illness and treatment will be needed for a long long time. I've been given Asacol and seeing my specialist again next month to go through things properly and put a proper treatment plan into plan. 

image from pinterest 

So it is a weird feeling of being happy you finally got diagnosed but then also confused and sad about what the illness actually is. Having Ankylosing Spondylitis (I done a post HERE explaining everything) was such a shock that I've sort of became used to being told crap things about my health. Having a Chronic Illness it sort of makes you stronger in a weird way, I feel like I've put up with some much crap from people and so much pain than I have made myself more strong and I don't give a crap about things I use to worry about now. I suppose it hasn't really sunk in yet and maybe I should be worrying alot more than I am? Chronic/long term illnesses makes a MASSIVE impact on yourself and feelings, my head is always all over the place. I never know what to say, do or feel and guilt is a massive part of my life at the moment. Guilty for feeling ill, for being in pain and for moaning..  I always think I shouldn't moan as Im lucky to be alive?! Arghhhhhhh am I the only who feels alot of emotions and guilt about having illnesses? 

Love Katie x 

Katie's Health Update #5

Pics from my last operation.

Opps!! Its been well over a month since I done my last update here. I have honestly had so much going on that I have forgotten lol!! So my last update I told you all that I was getting ready for my next operation on the 29th January and I posted about it here. Click on that link to hear more but without going into too much detail it hurt so much, the actual operation and recovery itself was so painful. I get the results from this operation and my operation in December on 20th Feb so soon which I shall keep you all updated on. 



I also had my back specialist appointment few days before my last operation and I didn't get any answers I thought I would of gotten. The specialist I never seen her before and in all honesty I didn't like her, she didn't ask much questions, didn't read my notes properly and basically she has forward me to another specialist. That is only problem with my back people is that I never see the same person which is annoying. The first person I saw who is my actual main doctor for back she was brilliant but I never saw her again. My back is same and as always getting worse, it was a year the other day that I started getting this pain and nothing has really been done, I've just been given loads of medications and I feel abit fed up. So lets hope the other specialist they have referred to can give me answers. 

Bandage.. rather attractive haha 

Another thing that has recently started.. Few weeks ago I started getting pain and aches in my right wrist and just put it down to slept funny on it/cold weather but it was getting worse and seeing as I had a doctors app the week after it started I thought I would mention it to him. He has given me some gel and told to apply a bandage type on which helps alot but have to go back next time I go to see if any better if not he going to do a xray. He said it might be related to my back problems which is why he wants to keep an eye on it. The gel doesn't seem to do anything to be honest as I don't notice the pain go when I apply it. Sometimes the bandage helps alot and sometimes it makes it worse. It's something I never really suffered with and because it is my right hand as seeing as Im a righty I think it makes it worse because naturally I use that hand more. Its made simple tasks seem harder. I hope it just a pain that will go soon to be honest. I went bowling the other weekend for Beth's mum birthday and no idea how but I won bowling even though I was in alot of pain with my wrist and back lol 


I didn't know whether to write about this because it quite personal but I thought I might help someone. I was first diagnosed with Depression 10 years ago this year and while at my last doctor check up, the doctor just randomly ask me how I was feeling? and I sort of poured my heart out to him and thought I might aswel be honest to him. He is a newish doctor to me but I trust him as he has been so good with my back. I've been feeling depressed, anxiety and getting alot of panic attacks over the past few months, although I had all above for ages but recently it has got worse and I didn't want to admit it. The doctor booked a double appointment for the next week to speak more, so I went to the appointment and weirdly I opened up easily. He suggested talking therapy but its something I don't feel that would help at the moment, I've had therapy on/off since I was 12 so I didn't feel like it would help right now. Im not saying it doesn't help because it does but in my life right now I don't feel like its for me. I have Beth in my life now who I can talk to about everything so I know she is sort of my way of "therapy". So he suggested going back on Anti Depressant and at first I was like Hmmm... But think I thought to myself there is no harm of trying them again, I've been on so many types but my life is alot different now so why not give them ago. He has prescribed me ones that I was on few years ago and ones that are safe for me as Im on a few other medication. So I only been on them a week and obviously from previous years I know they take ages to kick in so I can't say much about them. I urge anyone who feels low or down to tell your doctor, I wished I done it months ago to be honest. Just telling your doctor takes a massive weight of your shoulders. 

image from pinterest.

Another thing that I haven't told the doctor about but Im going to mention it because its turning me into an emotional wreck. I've been having Insomnia for so long now. I haven't told doctors as I thought it would go but its getting too much now. I have tried so much to help but nothing seems to work. I could have the busiest weekend and still not sleep arghhhhh. 

That's all for my #5 health update, I will do it next month in the first week rather than leaving it for so long like last time. opps! Got my bowel specialist on Friday so hopefully I will get some answers :) 

Love Katie x 

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Katie's Health Update #2

Hello everyone, This is my second health update and so far it has helped writing down day by day as it helps when I next see my GP or Specialists I can tell them when or what time I get pain or what triggers it off ect. This week hasn't been a very good one as I had an Colposcopy on Wednesday and since then I have been getting alot of cramps and pains so it has stopped me from doing much also with the back pain constantly being there. With disturbed sleep, waking up early hours and not being able to get back to sleep, falling asleep during the day and also side effect of medication makes me really groggy. Here is my weekly health update ... 

Check out my illness story here. 


Sunday
I got up pretty early to get ready to head to Essex for Beth's birthday meal. I knew a 1 hr 30 mins car journey would need painkillers and a pillow (for my back) so I got all prepared and took two Co-Codamols just before we set off. I was feeling okay actually but soon as we got there and sat down for the meal my back killed. I was due another dose of painkillers but nothing was working. We headed back to Beth's parents house for a coffee and sitting on the sofa made me so relaxed and wasn't in much pain. Headed home we drove thru London and I went back with My Brother so didn't have the back pillow and wasn't due painkillers yet so I was in pain the whole journey. Soon as we got home we all sat down for about 20 mins then all headed for bed. I took my strong painkillers and off to sleep I went early. Thank god I went to sleep early and easily.


Monday
Up early again.. but I woken up feeling pretty rough which I don't know whether its because of my medication or feeling run down. Me & Bethany came downstairs about  9 am had coffee and left over birthday cake for breakfast opppsss.. and my back was in alot of pain. I headed upstairs around 3 pm  to my bedroom to see if laying down on my bed would help and I feel asleep for few hours so I must of been feeling run down. A hot water bottle, cups of teas and painkillers are my best friend today.  


Tuesday
Today I got up early ish, had bit of pain but once painkillers was taken the pain settled. Quite a relaxed morning and then at 2 pm I went to Beth's consultant with her as my Brother was working. Luckily we got a taxi there and back due to both of us being in alot of pain lately and obviously with Beth being heavily pregnant. I looked after Ava this evening as Beth & Tommy went for a "Date Night" aka meal and cinema so I fed Ava, give her two bowls of ice cream (don't tell the parents), had a bath, sat in my bedroom for a hour just chilling then off to bed she went. Chilled and relaxed evening to be honest and not in that much pain so it makes life abit easier. 


Wednesday 
I had a Colposcopy today and it wasn't very pleasant. I blogged about it here if you want to read or know what they are like!! The pain was like a pain I have never experience it hurt so much!! Back home I rested on Sofa with hot water bottle and dosed myself up with Tramadol as I had stomach cramps, bleeding and bad back. I didn't do much and I was told to rest for a few days. 

Thursday
Woken up with alot of stomach cramping and back pain!! I put on some comfy clothes got a hot water bottle and sat on the sofa. I was very frustrating not being able to do much as I felt kinda okay but the pains in stomach are so sharp it stops me from bending down ect. Not alot happened today so just general hot water bottle, rest and painkillers.

Friday 
Okay so today I admit I did over do it which resulted in me being in agony once I got into bed. Didn't stop all day, with loads of Halloween stuff during the day and then trick and treating in the evening. We was all in bed by 9.30 pm but somehow I didn't sleep til 2 am because of the pain. 

Saturday
Still got sharp stomach cramps and alot of lower back pain which has gone down my leg so going to try and rest after a busy day yesterday. My Gyne did tell me I would get pain from the Colposcopy for up to 7 days after but I'm keeping a eye on it and the cramps are so sharp its stopping me from bending down ect. Currently sitting on my bed with hardly any make up, lounge clothes and with laptop all dosed up with medication. Shall be watching football, X factor with cuppa of teas and try and rest :) 


So here is my weekly health update, next week I have doctors to discuss medication ect. Hopefully my cramps in stomach will have calmed down over the next few days. Come back next Saturday for my 3rd health update :) 

Lots of love,
Katie x

Having A Colposcopy

Today I had an Colposcopy as a few month's ago I had some bleeding and my GP found a Polyp on my cervix on a routine internal so the GP forward me onto the Colposcopy clinic. During the time of waiting for this appointment I have stopped bleeding so I wasn't too concerned or worried. Off I went to my local hospital today and stupidly the Colposcopy clinic is right next to the labour ward so the waiting room as so busy and loud but to be honest it took away my nerves. I was called early to my appointment so literally only just sat down to wait. As I walked into the room, I saw this chair with padded support to put your legs on and all this camera equipment and I started to feel scared. The gynecologist went through my medical history and talked me through what was going to happen. So of I went and took my bottom half clothing off, luckily I was wearing dress and tights so at least my dress was kept on. I sat down on this chair and was giving a sheet to put over my private/leg area and I put both legs on those padded leg rest and the gyne pressed a button to make the chair high. She told me to "relax" which is the stupidest thing to say as it is almost impossible to. She inserted a speculum which I've had loads of times before I knew what to expected,It's not painful but is very uncomfortable. Then she inserted an Colposcope to examine my cervix and on the screen next to me I could see inside me which was very strange image. She done some swabbing and other stuff which was very uncomfortable but the pain was sort of okay. Then the gyne found something she was concerned about and wanted to remove it to be sent of for a biopsy. She pre warned me it was going to be abit painful but OH MY GOD. I saw the scissor instrument thing she was using and Jesus it was big..I was looking at the screen when she inserted it. It stung so much and then she had to take more from it and done it again. It was like a one of pain but I was close to tears. Not only was the way I was laying down was making my back hurt but I felt so uncomfortable down there. She removed the speculum and I got up and put my tights back on. I felt so sore and pain down there and similar to a period pain but alot worse. The Gyne explained how I will be bleeding down there for a few weeks and not to get my cervix wet so no swimming or baths for 7 days but can have a shower. As I was walking back to the car I started feeling more pain and started crying as the pain while walking came on all of a sudden and because I didn't expect pain like that I didn't prepare myself. I will be getting a letter in two weeks for my results of the biopsy and to go to my GP when I have the letter so my GP can explain everything. So fingers crossed that nothing is wrong. 

On the way home from the hospital we got caught in alot of traffic and I just wanted to get home, put my pj's on and lay down. Finally after 40 mins in traffic, I got home and instantly got into my pj's and now laying on the sofa feeling very sore and in pain. I've took my normal painkillers I take for my back but the pain hasn't really settled and have got a hot water bottle. The nurse told me to rest for 24 hours and try not to do much but it's really hard to just sit down and not do anything. Thank god I can blog and spend the afternoon on the laptop. I shall update you all on the biopsy results.


Now I shall continue being in pain while looking at my wish list for Christmas haha. 


Love Katie xx  

Katie's Health Update #1

Hello everyone. I thought I would start a weekly update on my health as it is something that has a massive impact to my life and I'm in the very early stages of my illness. 

This week my sleep has been affected so much, no matter how much or less I get, I wake up feeling constantly tired :(

Head over here to read my story on my illness!! 


Monday  
I had a Doctor's appointment to collect a prescription as Tramadol can't be put onto my repeat prescription list soI go once a month to collect that and also just a general talk about how I'm getting on ect. I explained to my Doctor that I haven't heard from Physio yet and the medication called Amitriptlyline which I have taken since July, haven't done what their meant to do. As Im under a specialist my Doctor can't take or put me on a certain medication. So My GP has written to my Specialist to see if its okay for me to come off Amitiriptyline and to go one another tablet and also to chase up my physio. After the Doctor's, I walked into town for breakfast and shopping with Ava & My Mother then We met Beth, Tommy and my Cousin Jimmy near the river to feed the ducks. I stupidly forget to take out my painkillers so I was aching alot. I came home and took it easy for the rest of the day. With a hot water bottle and painkillers. 

Tuesday  
Me, Beth, Ava and my Mother had a "Lazy Day" so we wore our comfy clothes sitting in the lounge with a hot water bottle eating loads of treats so we didn't do much. My back was okay during the day due to rest, hot water bottle and painkillers. 


Wednesday  
I had Ava for the day which I blogged about here, so done alot of walking to and from her school and to the shops. Before I started having back problems walking was not a problem but now too much can make my back worse but a small stroll is good for the pain so I try and not over do it. I try and not take too many painkillers during the day as Im up, about and playing with Ava so I don't want to be feeling the effects from the painkillers. I'm running out of Co-Codamol very soon so I must remind myself to pop in the repeat prescription to the chemist. 

Thursday 
I felt okay during the morning then in the afternoon myself and Beth walked Ava to school, pop to the shops and the chemist and during the walk I started to ache alot. When me and Beth got back we only had time for quick lunch before going back to collect Ava. Needless to say in the evening  I was feeling the impact of walking alot. I get pains down my bottom and back of legs and obviously my back. Popped into bed early with painkillers and a hot water bottle. 

Friday  
After a bad night of hardly any sleep due to pain I was feeling rough this morning. I gotten up quite early, tidied my room ect and off I went to drop Ava to school with my Mother, I didn't actually ache but most probably due to the fact I only just took painkillers few mins before we set off. It was the walk to collect Ava that killed, with Beth being 7 Months pregnant and me with my back its safe to say we was a mess haha. Both was in soooo much pain, we took the longest and slowest walk on the way back. Usually takes 10/15 mins but it took us 30 mins due to we was plodding along slowly lol. In the evening soon as Beth left to go to Essex I sat in bed with laptop and hot water bottle. I cannot wait to have a early night tonight!! 

Saturday  
After a bad night of hardly any sleep, I woken up pretty late and spent most of the day laying in bed and being very lazy as it was just myself and my Mother at home today. I fell asleep about 3ish and woken up at 6ish with a very aching back due to the fact I slept in the most awkward position. It's been a cold, boring and painful day and going to try and have a early night as tomorrow I'm off to Essex to spend Bethany 21st birthday with her and her family. I feel sooo drained with the lack of sleep I'm getting this week GRRR. 


Thats my first weekly health update, next week it will be from Sunday (Tomorrow) til Friday. Next week it is a busy busy week with hospital for most of my family actually, with Beth got hospital on Tuesday and my brother is working so I'm going with her, on Wednesday I have a small operation which is to do with my ovaries/womb so will be feeling abit sore for few days, on Thursday my mother has consultant as she recently had a operation and finally on Friday I have just a general doctors appointment so its a busy week. I haven't really got any further in finding the right medication for me as this week was told Im being taking off my Amitriptlyline soon as its not working for me. 


Hopefully I will be giving the new medication soon or early next month so I can get better quickly. With anyone with this condition or anything similar you are not alone :)


Love Katie xx 

Auntie & Niece Day Out

Today, Bethany had hospital in Essex so I took Ava to school, picked her up and had some quality time together. I love days when it is just Me & Ava as we just laugh all the time. 

Her new H&M Top and the finish look after she done her own hair

After Beth & Tommy left, I got Ava dressed and ready for school. She now gets dressed on her own but today she insisted on me doing her hair and wanted to do it herself. This ended up in her going to school with messy hair as she was so stubborn and every time I done her hair she would take it out. Off we walked to school to get there for 9, She sat in her buggy holding her school bags and was really excited for school. Soon as she see's her school she give me her dummy and got out of the buggy. Soon as she saw her key worker at school she ran to her and got ready to do painting. So I popped to Tesco and then walked back home to have a cuppa and some food before setting off again to get Ava. I left home to get Ava abit too early. So I spent 10 mins or so sitting in the reception area and could see Ava laying on the floor listening to a story. Another teacher came up to me and gave me Ava's "Spider Cupcake" she made. The teacher said out of them all, Ava's was the only one that copied the picture they was working from and really enjoyed it. 

Ava's Spider Cupcake She Made

Soon as the doors open for the adults to collect the child, Ava saw me and ran straight up to me. She got her coat on and off we went. On the way home we got a cone of chips each and a kinder barbie egg( she is obsessed with this eggs ). I let her walk half way home as she has a habit of walking sideways & with a cone of chips in her hands I knew it was going to end up in her falling or something so she sat in the buggy like a good girl. Half way home out of the buddy she went and walked all the way home. As we approached our driveway she ran and tripped over and hurt her knee. But she was more concerned about the lolly she dropped lol. We got in and sat down playing barbies which ended up in her giving some barbies to our dogs and chasing them around the lounge. 

Ava pushing her buggy

Her Peppa Pig Coat From George Asda

Buster refusing to give back the barbie Ava give him

,

Ava has been having problems napping and sleeping at night lately so I knew she wouldn't go for a nap but she was yawning away. I went upstairs in my bedroom to see if she would sit next to me. She had two dummies (its her kinda of comfort thing she has when she sleeps) and her juice and a blanket, she stayed still for about 5 seconds before getting her into nannies bedroom. Now she is downstairs with Nanny trying to take over the hoovering lol. Beth isn't back yet so I planned to sort her birthday pressies out but I realised I can't ( can't say what or how as she will read this haha), So I give upstairs a quick tidy and now am laying in bed as my back is playing up. 




Me & Ava was going to go to the park but now she has a poor poor knee which was bleeding, Ava said she can't go out and needs to stay in to get better. So we may sit and watch a film but her attention spam is zero at the moment lol. 



Auntie & Niece's days are my favorite :) 


Love Katie xx 

Katie's Story : Ankylosing Spondylitis

Weirdly as I thought to write this I learnt that is it National Arthritis Week. Here is a link to the official website if you want to read and know more about it. Although I am very early into my diagnoses, Arthritis has effected my life totally and changed it since January. With being so young it totally shocked me and made me realise how much health is valued and how much it is so important to keep so healthy and generally fit. I have been told this will effect my life for a very long time but can been controlled with medication and other things like swimming ect. I'm not even half way thru getting the right medication and it may takes years but I wanted to share my story. At first I let it get to me and got very down and still now I get days I sit in bed and just want to cry but I have learnt you cannot let it stop your life.  


On 9th May 2014 I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Something which I had never heard of before and something that would change my life...

January 2014 : 
I started getting back pain but not just any old back pain. Females often suffer with back pain due to hormones and periods ect but this felt totally different to any pain I have experience before. I just took paracetamol and hot water bottle for a bit to see if the pain got any easier. 

February 2014 :
The pain was getting unbearable to the point where I made a doctors appointment straight away. The doctor prescribed me co-codamol and said to come back within 2 weeks if not any better. The pain was getting worse so back to the doctors I went, the doctor sent me off to a blood test and to have physiotherapy. Off I went for the blood test and physio the week after. Honestly Physio made things so much worse at this point I felt so down with the pain. 

March 2014 : 
I got a call from the doctor's receptionist to book a appointment with the doctor for results from the blood test. I generally thought nothing of this as it was a general blood test so was expecting something else. I wasn't nervous or anything, as I went into the doctors room I could tell by hes face that something wasn't right. He explained how something came up in my blood test which is very rare and needs to be tested in other way before a full diagnoses. So off I went for X-rays on my back, neck and joints a week after. 

April 2014 : 
By this point I was in more pain and my sleeping was getting affected by the pain so I was put on Tramadol to take at night to get me to sleep. I got another call from my Doctor to say I needed to do another blood test this time it was a special one. Thank god at this point I had my strong painkillers otherwise I wouldn't of known how I would of went by day to day. 

May 2014 : 
Back to the doctors again ( its was becoming my 2nd home ), I remember it so well as it was 8th May on a Thursday as that weekend I was going away with the girls. My doctor explained how the bloods  came back that I have the HLA-B27 Gene and he forward me to a Specialist of Rheumatology. 

June 2014 : 
I went to see My specialist for the first time, I was totally nervous as I didn't know what to expect. My Specialist explained everything and what the Gene is ect and examined me. She sent me off for a MRI scan to get more answers but I was told the condition I was being tested for may not show up in any X-Rays or MRI scans for years and years. Totally different from my back pain but I was rushed to hospital for vomiting blood which was caused do to some medication I was on for my back. I was taking Naproxen for a few months but wasn't giving a PPI ( protects the stomach as the Naproxen upsets the lining of the stomach ), so due to not been given the PPI with the Naproxen it caused me to have internal bleeding and was in hospital for few days. This meant I was taken off the Naproxen which was quite annoying as they did calm the pain down. 

July 2014 : 
Off I went for my MRI scan, Honestly the most scariest thing as I suffer with panic attacks also being straight for 1 hour was impossible. I had to have the test repeated after as they couldn't get a clear reading. I was so nervous and couldn't keep calm. A week after my MRI results were back and I was my specialist. This time it was another person as the usual one was away. She told me "Ankylosing Spondylitis" is what I have but it could take a very long time before they get the right medication for me to be put on. I was prescribe with a medication called "Amitriptyline" which is basically a antidepressant but they also use it to relieve the long term pain of Arthritis. 

August 2014 : 
I was told I would have 6 months of instant physio and the new medication before going back to see my Specialist which works out Dec/Jan. Didn't hear back from physio so rang the department at my local hospital and my specialist and was told the form wasn't sent thru. The pain at this point was same it has been for few months. 

September 2014 - 
Still haven't heard from physio so went to my GP he got in contact with my specialist and she said she "forgot" to send the request form thru.. ANNOYING!! So this meant I am 2 months behind on physio. The pain hasn't really settled and the hot water bottle has been my best friend this month. 

October 2014 ( NOW ) - 
Very annoyed with my Specialist and Physio as I STILL haven't heard. I have been ringing so many people and departments and still can't get why I haven't been given a date to start. I have been walking alot more which means I haven't rested as much so back been alot more painful. The no sleeping is back and general feeling down. I haven't felt much benefits from my new medication to be honest but was told that they might not even work. 


This is my story so far and Im sure it is a story that will never end. This link HERE is all the information to what Ankylosing Spondylitis is. I still don't understand it 100% and most of my family can't even pronounce it ha. 


I would like to thank my family and specially Beth who understands and helps me alot. Whenever I feel crap or down Beth is always there to listen to me have a rant or just to have a hug. 


Love Katie