After quite a long period of not feeling too bad I am experiencing an arthritis flair up. I think it was inevitable. Life has not been too much fun recently and the stress has finally taken its toll. As I mentioned in my last post work has been incredibly stressful for the last 6 weeks. I have been working in the evenings and at weekends just to keep on top of things.
In many ways my new job is good for me. It is stretching me and forcing me to learn new skills. I have more staff to manage and almost twice the workload that I had two months ago but for the same pay. That galls me a little bit. I am not a materialsitic person and lets face it, I wouldn't be doing this job if I was planning on getting rich. Also some people may say that I should count myself lucky that I have a job at all. It still annoys me though!
On the health front I think that I am making peace with my illness. That is not to say that I don't have days when I feel down and frustrated. But I can now manage my condition more effectively. I recognise the signs of a flare up and know what to do to minimize its effects.
Despite what my rheumatologist said to me I firmly believe that cold damp weather exacerbates my condition.The last few days have been just that! This whole experience has made me very cynical about doctors and consultants in particular. Don't get me wrong I have met some very good and supportive ones but also some very arrogant ones too. Some have been very dismissive of my condition. I suppose it must be very difficult for a doctor who is very fit and active, who regularly runs marathons for example, to understand how difficult it can be living with chronic pain.
Sorry - this has turned into a bit of a rant. But as, according to Statcounter, no one reads this blog, it probably doesn't matter. The reason for me starting it was to help me express my feelings about my illness. If by chance someone stumbles on it and gets some help/comfort from reading it then all well and good.
