I've quit everything. Now what ?

another_casualty

Had my friend with wife and older daughter over on Saturday for a few hours . The wife had a bit of a cough. She fell asleep on my recliner at one stage . Who said I was riveting company ?
On Monday felt like I may be getting a cold . It was also the day I reduced my prednisolone dosage from 7.5 mg to 5mg . Only 1 tablet now . I went to the gym on Monday and yesterday . The cold is here to stay . Hooefully gone by Friday . I’m wondering if I caught it because of my friends wife / the reduction of prednisolone / the cold temperatures . I have to be vary wary of the reduction of prednisolone
I may not feel good for some time . I may not notice anything different after the cold eventually goes. I’ll have to see.

Had final appointment at Dentist now until may . Today was very quick. I had my teeth whitened recently . The initial gum for the top half of my teeth was useless when I had an implant a few weeks ago .
So today I had my replacement . I just have to finish whitening my teeth for a few days and then that’s it . I could do it once every 6 months or so after, but I don’t want to glow in the dark .

I have the boiler room still to tidy. Obviously, I’m not in the right frame of mind to do it now. I may have a go tomorrow . Hopefully Thursday or Friday at the latest . Once that’s done , then I’m almost there with everything .

Gigervamp

Doubt you got the cold from friend's wife, as a cold takes 7 days to incubate. You must have picked it up elsewhere.

Bet you're glad to see the back of your dentist for a while!

another_casualty

Thanks gigervamp.
The only thing I can think of, is it’s because of the reduction of prednisolone . Must be a side effect. When I was told to reduce it in January last year ( or was it December the previous year?) , I had very bad withdrawal symptoms .
So far, on this occasion it’s just a very bad head and cold\ flu symptoms . Last time , I had very bad pain all over body and was like a 90 year old . How I worked then I just don’t know.

Yes, the Dentist work al, done . No more expense or pain, although I am on a payment plan

another_casualty

Had a horrendous dream last night . One of the worst ever.
I put that down to the Jameson / lemsip and nurofen .
No more Jameson .
I was gonna have a lie in , but couldn’t . Not a bad thing tbh . I have enough bad habits already :rotfl:
I’m up , and just had a late breakfast of peanut butter on wholemeal toast with black coffee of course.

Looking at everything , my health seems to be the only thing now that’s in the way of me progressing . No, I’m not playing the violin but I know what needs to be done and I intend to do the important stuff in getting a job by the spring next year at the very latest .

On Saturday , it will be the first anniversary of me handing in my notice to my last employers . :j:j:j etc.
You know the rest Sorry to repeat myself here , but I expected everything to be sorted around 6 months . I seem to have got off to a great start. I also needed a break etc . This condition I have makes you lethargic . Your muscles tire quickly . You get breathless etc.
( again , sorry for repeating myself ) .
When talking to my friends / family they are concerned about my employment situation etc and rightly so . However, this condition looks like I’m just saying blah blah blah and not taking the advice seriously . This reduction in prednisolone may now have come at the right time in a strange kind of way ..

The good thing now is I get less breathless and I’m going to the gym .
I need to increase things there. My body is not as painful as expected with this reduction in prednisolone . I’m not sure how long I’ll notice any changes other than the stinking cold / flu.
The medication makes me hungry , but I’m definitely sure I’ve been eating way less than last year.
What I do know is that the weight needs to be lost .
I am worried myself about he lack of confidence I may have in getting a job here in Dorset . In a way I’ve left it too long , in another I now have a realistic target. Yes, I’m still enjoying the time off . However I need to get out there and meet people and complete the pieces of my puzzle .

So in a nutshell , 6 months has turned into 18.

Long post this time . Not whiny. Just an update as to how I see things now

Gigervamp

Well, you do have the advantage, being where you are, of plenty of jobs going in the summer season. Whenever we've been to Swanage, we've noticed that there are posters advertising for staff all over the place. So when you're ready next spring, you shouldn't have a problem getting a job. You just need to be open to getting *any* job, don't just restrict yourself to office jobs.

enthusiasticsaver

I was told prednisolone reduces your immunity AC and I have noticed that I get cold after cold after taking an intensive course of prednisolone almost two years ago now just for 10 days. That of course may be down to my DGD who is only 2 and picks up numerous colds from nursery which then always end up infecting me too. Echinacea helps with the cold symptoms. You possibly caught yours from your trip up to London as it takes a while to incubate and public transport, theatres and concerts are breeding grounds for germs.

I think loss of confidence may be also holding you back as well as your health. I am glad you are persisting with the gym but diet should also be important so if you take the time to cook healthy meals and get a good nights sleep that will help.

another_casualty

Thanks folks

Basically with my condition , it reverses your immune system. So instead of fighting off colds , you get them easier . I am surprised though that I get very few colds or flu throughout the year even now
I must be doing something right . Over the last year , I seem to be sleeping a lot better . The last flu I had was in December after the upheaval when my immune system was shot .
As I say , prednisolone has been reduced from 7.5 to 5 mg . It is probably a big reduction percentage wise which is why I’m struggling
at the moment

Still off lucozade for over 6 weeks now . I assume it’s gone out of my life for good
About a month ago I had a major crisp binge . Stopped them since
Amazing really , the amount of crisps I used to eat when doing the late & all day shifts . No more . The annoying thing when you get to a certain age , is that it takes an eternity to come off.

On the employment front , I’ll update my cv and hit the agencies around mid jan all going well. The good thing is I only want part time or temp work . I’ll be mulling my options over the rest of the year but just want something I enjoy and can just get along
Fingers crossed and all that .

Gigervamp

I think bar work, in a pub that has bands playing, would be a good option for you AC. It's a sociable job, and you'd have a chance to get to know the local musicians. You never know, you could find a band to join, or people to have a jam with. Good way to make like minded friends.

MrsPorridge

AC - what about volunteering one day a week in a charity shop? I know you are going to be looking for paid employment, but this might be a step in getting a bit of confidence back? You will also meet plenty of people. It will also start to give a focus to your week.

anna_1977

Hey AC, hope you're feeling OK!

Does your local gym not do gym classes?