My journey to a debt free life

Seasidegal58

Onebrokelady 

Ive also done my banking today so all my money is in the right place and I've paid the window cleaner and also EDF. This bill isn't due until the 1st of December but I thought I would do it now so I don't forget. I haven't seen another £66 government payment go into my energy account yet so I'm not sure what's happening there, I thought it was paid monthly 🤷‍♀️

Re your energy discount, I'm with Octopus and my first payment came off my bill on 5 October and the second on 1 November.  So I'm thinking my next December discount should show on my Octopus account between 1-5 December. 

I hope all goes well at the surgery tomorrow.   🤞

Sun_Addict

Fingers crossed for a positive appointment tomorrow. Sorry to hear you’re still not feeling great, you must be so fed up of it. Take care x

Onebrokelady

So I went to my appointment and they think I have Polymyalgia Rheumatica plus possibly Giant Cell  Arteritis which is inflammation of the arteries in your head, this is actually an emergency situation so I have had to start taking 40mgs of steroids today. 

The doctor I saw today was also very thorough and helpful. My crp levels have gone up from 11 to 35 and my platelets are raised too which indicates inflammation somewhere in my body. They have said that going by all my symptoms it's very likely that this is what I have but they make a diagnosis by putting you on a high dose of steroids for a week and then I go back to be reviewed next Wednesday to see if I'm feeling better,if I am it means the steroids are working and it's the condition they think it is,if I'm not then it's something else entirely.
I've also got to go back to the Rheumatology dept for a scan on the arteries in my head to see if they are inflamed. If I just had Polymyalgia I wouldn't need such a high dose but they are treating me as if I have the GCA because I've had a headache for two weeks and it can permanently damage your eyes if not treated in time 😟

So I have to take 8 tablets once a day for the next week then be reviewed, if it works I have to stay on these tablets for up to two years but they gradually reduce the dose over that time in the hope your symptoms won't come back ,if they do they put the dose up again until it settles down. I'm supposed to take them in the morning because they affect your sleep but she told me to take today's dose as soon as I picked them up. I took them at 1.30 and for the first time in two weeks my headache has gone away and I'm talking a constant headache all day every day, that feels like a small miracle at the moment so I will try not to dwell on all the nasty side effects of these drugs and carry on taking them 

Makingabobor2

Oh, I'm so pleased that they seem to know what is wrong at last.  Not pleased for you to have to take lots of steroids, but at least you will feel better without the headaches and having inflammation in your head doesn't sound great, so hopefully you will start to improve big time and they will reduce the steroids. I was once told they thought I had Polymyalgia, but it turned out to be Osteophytes in my neck. I'd never even heard of Osteophytes.
Like you say, don't dwell on the side effects, just express gratitude for them for getting rid of your headache already.   

foxgloves

OBL, I think even if you have to take drugs with side effects, it would be worth it if it controls a condition which so affects your everyday ability to function. 
It's certainly interesting about the headache & I'm sure you'll be monitoring closely how you feel over the next week or two.
I hope this might be the start of you turning a positive corner. Fingers & paws crossed for you here.
F x

Onebrokelady

Makingabobor2 said:

Oh, I'm so pleased that they seem to know what is wrong at last.  Not pleased for you to have to take lots of steroids, but at least you will feel better without the headaches and having inflammation in your head doesn't sound great, so hopefully you will start to improve big time and they will reduce the steroids. I was once told they thought I had Polymyalgia, but it turned out to be Osteophytes in my neck. I'd never even heard of Osteophytes.
Like you say, don't dwell on the side effects, just express gratitude for them for getting rid of your headache already.   

Thanks I'm hoping this will be the answer and I can get back to full fitness again. I've never heard of Osteophytes either. If this works I will be eternally grateful 😊

Onebrokelady

foxgloves said:

OBL, I think even if you have to take drugs with side effects, it would be worth it if it controls a condition which so affects your everyday ability to function. 
It's certainly interesting about the headache & I'm sure you'll be monitoring closely how you feel over the next week or two.
I hope this might be the start of you turning a positive corner. Fingers & paws crossed for you here.
F x

Thanks Foxgloves ,I've got my fingers crossed that this is going to work and I can get back to normal life again. I was shocked about the arteritis because it's a really serious problem which can case you to have a stroke or lose your sight. I am hoping that if I do have that they have caught it in time. I'm so used to having a headache I nearly didn't mention it and I'm so glad I did 😊

badmemory

At least you are getting the attention you deserve, if you see what I mean.  Now the only way is up.  Just make sure the contacts that they say actually happen.  I was told in Jan that I would be seen again in 6 - 8 weeks what is it now, December tomorrow!

Elisheba

As you say, @Onebrokelady, if it is arteritis, thank goodness they have caught when they did.  I have my fingers crossed  for you that the meds will work and you will get back to full functioning and feeling well again.

CRANKY40

I hope that the medication helps you and no wonder that you've felt so poorly lately.