Katie's Health Update #7

I didn't realize my last health update post was in March!! OPPS. I did write some health update HERE in May in a life lately post but I haven't really gone into detail about everything health wise.

image from pinterest 

COLITIS
I haven't really got any updates on my Colitis as I am still waiting on having another appointment with my specialist. I'm on Asacol 400mg twice a day which have been working but in the past two months I have been having flare ups more often than I was before. My symptoms of this is abdominal pain, blood loss when passing stools and loss of appetite. I feel sort of stuck as in March I was diagnosed put on medication and that is it, I am still waiting for a follow up to get more answers. 

AS/ARTHRITIS
It's been over a year since I was diagnosed with Ankylosin Spondylitis which I wrote about HERE and to be honest I have literally only just been able to learnt to cope with it. My symptoms are back pain, stiffness, joint pain with most recent being my right write and fatigue which makes me have zero energy. I'm on Co-codamol 30mg/500mg  x 2 three times a day, Tramadol 50mg x 2 twice a day and my latest medication is called Gabapentin 100mg x 2 three times a day and also Voltarol Gel which I apply to my back every night before bed and also on any joints which aches/when needed. It is alot to remember and I'm forever going back and forwards to the doctors and chemist but touch wood this medication routine is doing the best it can do. That isn't to say it don't hurt because it bloody hurts so much but I think I am getting better at dealing with the pain. I wake up every morning stiff without doubt and it takes about anything between a hour to two hours before I'm not stiff. Hot water bottles are my best friend when I'm having a bad flare up but also a good old cry helps haha. The fatigue and lack of energy has been the biggest thing to deal with lately. Although my insomnia has gone which means I am getting a good amount of sleep and waking up at 8 am every morning without fail, I am feeling so tired and no energy during the day and lately I have been making myself stay awake and do something because before I was going up to my bed and falling asleep and not waking up til early hours of morning which was making me crazy. 


Other illnesses stuff.. I will do another post on my depression, anxiety and panic attacks otherwise this post will be so long ha. Although it has been a few months since my last health update, not much has changed to be honest. Apart from one new medication, colitis getting worse and pain in wrist. I have an health assessment next month which I am very worried about to be honest, even though I know I'm clearly not well to work but I panic sooooo much. If anyone has had or have any tips on this assessment please let me know. This no energy is meaning I am taking double the time to do simple tasks so a normal few hours of basic housework lately is taking me a whole day. Once my morning Tramadol kicks in I literally try and do some housework and literally soon as I feel the painkillers wearing off I will stop and try and rest but some days the painkillers don't do their job. Another example is this post, now this would usually not take me long but I started at lunch time, had to sit down for over an hour then I have to sit up and down and so on and now it is 4pm so 4 hours to do this post grrrrr. I promise I will not leave my next health update for so long next time :)


Love Katie x 

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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 #3

I'm so sorry I haven't been doing my health update weekly. Life and routine went abit pear shape if you read our blog update here you will understand abit more. 

My health has defiantly got alot worse lately and getting very frustrated with still not hearing from the pshyio and also my specialist who was meant to contact me about a new medication to put me on as I was taken off Amitriptyline well over a month ago now so am purely just on painkillers. Obviously painkillers have alot of impact on your body so November wasn't a great month. I had alot of flare ups and also alot of bad days of awful neck pain. I invested in a neck pillow a week ago and its been like heaven. Another random and new thing is that Im suffering so much with INSOMNIA since November. Its getting too much now and Im going to the doctors soon to see if they can help. Im going days without any sleep at all and days where I feel so unhuman its ridiculous. 

I found out last week that on 24th December (YES XMAS EVE) I have an operation which is for my bowels. I was kind of hoping it would be this year as I've been waiting ages but sooo soon to Christmas isn't idea. Luckily I have zero plans for Christmas day and have a massive phobia of Christmas its self so I didn't mind. The other date was late March next year but I wanted it out of the way and done with as the recovery isn't pleasant. I've had the same op last September and wasn't given the right advice and medication to heal and recover which is one of the reasons it needs re doing but I need to go on an soft food diet for at least 6/8 weeks after which last year I did stick to very well and cut out so many food but this year I slowly started eating the food again but I'm the person who can easily give up anything. So porridge, soap and lots of flavored water will be my best friend over the next few month. 

I'm actually due to see my Specialist anyways for an update I have every 6 months but haven't heard. Im going to see my GP next Monday for my normal update but He was pretty pissed off with my Specialist last time I went as he tried ages to even get through to her on the phone so next week I hope something can be sorted. Im sort of feeling like because Im young they aint taking this very serious. At the beginning I cant fault them as they was amazingly good but it is almost like they stuck me on certain meds and thought now do one. Obviously that certain med done sod all. I hate having to rely on Co Codamol and Tramadol!! And I would wish to have one night, morning or even a few hours of being pain free it would be amazing. I now dread days out where I know I will be walking alot as I spend the night in pain after, I dread car journeys and Im bloody dreading the operation not actually for the actual op but because I can't just get up and move whenever I feel pain and Im scared I wont get the meds I need. Arghhh!!

My Panic attacks and Anxiety levels are crazily high at the moment. I think because of current stuff happening lately and my health getting crap, my anxiety goes mental. Other day me and My mother went shopping, we got the bus there and I freaked out about everything, The busy shops, too many people around me and even getting panic about my Mother walking or being too close to me. Im getting easily and more stressed out over little things like my bedroom not being tidy and over Christmas pressie not being brought ect. 


Im very thankful for having my Mother around lately. She is currently not well so she is home most of the time so having her here helps alot. She does me hot water bottles, makes me lots of teas, dinner and keeps me company when Im down. I don't think she realizes how much of a help she is to me. I shall keep you all updated on my next GP visit and also my operation ekkkkkk nervous.


Love Katie 
xx

Blogmas Day Three

Day 3 of December..

last night I had terrible insomnia and I was having small naps for like 20/30 mins at a time and at 6.30 am I finally decided to just get up for the day. Weirdly had a massive burst on energy and started cleaning my room to declutting my wardrobes/draws, wiping the floor/furniture, sorted storage out, hoovering downstairs and then we had a spare fake Christmas tree which is black and I decided to put it up although we have only a handful of ball balls but never the least I put in up near the dinning area. It looks abit bare but am going to the shop tomorrow or next week to get some lights and more decorations. We decided to chuck away both of our fake crap trees when Xmas is over and start buying Real Christmas trees!! For this black tree we are going for a white/cream and red theme. 

Please excuse the lack of effort on decoration but it will look amazing next week for sure.

To make good use of lighting and background today, I done a mini photo shoot with the Dogs seeing as I found two red bows to put on their collars haha. With the help of treats I managed to take a few beautiful pictures of our baby boys... Be prepared for cuteness lol  

I know I would say this because they are my dogs but aint they the most beautiful dogs ever!! Buster is a Black Lab crossed collie whose birthday is tomorrow and is turning 12 years old and then there is Bobby who is a Tanned and White Jack Russel Terrier who is 5 years old. I love getting them into the Christmas spirit and stupidly they will always sit there letting me put on Xmas hat's and bows ect lol. 

Not much else has happened today apart from the burst of energy this morning which meant by lunch time I totally crashed and slept for 2 hours and haven't really felt awake since. My Brother popped in after work and before he went to travel back to Essex which was lovely seeing him. Tonight Im going to sit in bed, watch Chelsea who are playing spurs tonight also watch Im a Celeb because I LOVE that show and drink lots of coffee to keep me going lol. Tomorrow Me & My mother plan to walk to Costa which has not long ago opened not far from us and then have a walk to the local shops so nothing exciting but glad to get out for some fresh air. So I hope I sleep at least 4 hours sleep tonight otherwise I will be walking like an Zombie!!! Hope your December month is going well so far :)

Love Katie 

xx 

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