WEDNESDAY, 2 MARCH 2011
Living With HMS/Arthritis
I have had arthritis since I was 9 years old in my right collar bone after fracturing it. The pain in it is mild and doesn't really bother me unless I do a lot of writing, or exercise.
Last year I was diagnosed with Hypermobility Syndrome, this was after I was complaining of pain in the areas where I am double jointed. I was told when I was younger that I was double jointed, but after a visit to the physiotherapist last year she informed me I was in fact suffering from Hypermobility Syndrome (known as HMS), a far diagnosis from the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome my GP diagnosed.
Last year I was diagnosed with Hypermobility Syndrome, this was after I was complaining of pain in the areas where I am double jointed. I was told when I was younger that I was double jointed, but after a visit to the physiotherapist last year she informed me I was in fact suffering from Hypermobility Syndrome (known as HMS), a far diagnosis from the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome my GP diagnosed.
At the moment, I am currently taking strong paracetamol that you buy in stores as most strong pain killers either give me bad side effects or interact with other medication I am taking. I also suffer from anxiety, and as the pain is mostly on my left side it doesn't help my anxiety a lot, so I take quite a few anxiety attacks when the pain is very bad.
So now I am waiting to see the physiotherapist again, I am moving to Aberdeen in August to attend Aberdeen College. I am hoping that my pain is manageable for when I start as I will be living away from home.
So now I am waiting to see the physiotherapist again, I am moving to Aberdeen in August to attend Aberdeen College. I am hoping that my pain is manageable for when I start as I will be living away from home.
THURSDAY, 3 MARCH 2011
As if today couldn't get any worse. My pain in my knee's has flared up.
As the picture shows, my right knee is considerably swollen, my left is slightly swollen.
In soo much pain today its unreal. I can't walk very far today and I think I need to keep my legs elevated for a little bit.
Haven't felt this much pain in a while. It's weird. One day I can be up and running around, the next day I'm laid up in bed with agonising pain, I have to say the pain I am feeling today is a tight aching pain in both my knees, left is more prominent than the right, normally the pain is dull and aching. As my pain meds cause constipation, and I am pretty bunged up at the moment, I can't take them, so up to Paracetamol and Diclafenic.
As the picture shows, my right knee is considerably swollen, my left is slightly swollen.
In soo much pain today its unreal. I can't walk very far today and I think I need to keep my legs elevated for a little bit.
Haven't felt this much pain in a while. It's weird. One day I can be up and running around, the next day I'm laid up in bed with agonising pain, I have to say the pain I am feeling today is a tight aching pain in both my knees, left is more prominent than the right, normally the pain is dull and aching. As my pain meds cause constipation, and I am pretty bunged up at the moment, I can't take them, so up to Paracetamol and Diclafenic.
This pain is really doing my head in today, I need to be fine for Saturday 12th as will be going to Paisley to see my beloved Aberdeen Football Club play in the Scottish Cup QF, so will be travelling 64 miles, just glad my older brother will do a rest stop in the middle.
A couple of days rest should help me, and a warm muscle soak bath tonight as well will hopefully help relieve some pain.
A couple of days rest should help me, and a warm muscle soak bath tonight as well will hopefully help relieve some pain.
THURSDAY, 10 MARCH 2011
Well, I went to my GP to ask about pain relief.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get Co-Dydramol in capsule form, so I got Co-Codamol instead. Took one this morning when I came home, and well, I fell right asleep.
So I think one tablet during the day when my pain is bad and 2 at night to help me sleep. So all in all a productive day. Pain is here, but it isn't as rough as it normally is :).
Hopefully tomorrow, pain will be either less or none at all.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get Co-Dydramol in capsule form, so I got Co-Codamol instead. Took one this morning when I came home, and well, I fell right asleep.
So I think one tablet during the day when my pain is bad and 2 at night to help me sleep. So all in all a productive day. Pain is here, but it isn't as rough as it normally is :).
Hopefully tomorrow, pain will be either less or none at all.
SATURDAY, 12 MARCH 2011
Yes, I know I maybe should have blogged this when I got the news, but due to being rather busy with my health, I have been delayed.
Well, I was accepted into Aberdeen College to study HND Communications with Media. I must have made an impression at the interview. Any way. I have a lot to do. I have so far got my accommodation sorted and figured out what I am going to do when I get there.
I don't know when my induction day is yet, I hope I hear about it soon. I am very excited about it all and well, I know my Granda Charlie would be proud of me following my dream, in the meantime, I am trying to get more experience in media, I have applied to work with Arthritis Care (which is why I am making this blog now) in their media department, just be writing blogs about my plight with OA and HMS. Also I am being given the chance to propose some editorials too.
I have just emailed both Queen Margaret Hospital and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary enquiring about Hospital Radio volunteering positions, I would probably be better off in Aberdeen with moving there in August. Travelling to and from Aberdeen from Fife will be tiring, but I am used to it.
Well, this is all I can really say at the moment, but I will let you all know if I get anywhere with the Hospital Radio positions and the Arthritis Care blogging.
Later guys!
Pamie
Well, I was accepted into Aberdeen College to study HND Communications with Media. I must have made an impression at the interview. Any way. I have a lot to do. I have so far got my accommodation sorted and figured out what I am going to do when I get there.
I don't know when my induction day is yet, I hope I hear about it soon. I am very excited about it all and well, I know my Granda Charlie would be proud of me following my dream, in the meantime, I am trying to get more experience in media, I have applied to work with Arthritis Care (which is why I am making this blog now) in their media department, just be writing blogs about my plight with OA and HMS. Also I am being given the chance to propose some editorials too.
I have just emailed both Queen Margaret Hospital and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary enquiring about Hospital Radio volunteering positions, I would probably be better off in Aberdeen with moving there in August. Travelling to and from Aberdeen from Fife will be tiring, but I am used to it.
Well, this is all I can really say at the moment, but I will let you all know if I get anywhere with the Hospital Radio positions and the Arthritis Care blogging.
Later guys!
Pamie
MONDAY, 14 MARCH 2011
Well, the past few days I have been trying to cope with some low mood and pain.
Last week, mainly Thursday and Friday, I was feeling my lowest since my Granda Charlie's passing. I think the adrenaline of all good that happened had worn off as I was beginning to feel that nothing was moving forward again.
My knee and elbow pain has been increasingly annoying of late. Not so much sore, but more annoying, the pain hasn't been throbbing or anything else, just well, there when it shouldn't be. Swelling in my knees hasn't been much, but my left elbow has been somewhat swollen the past two days.
On Saturday, I ended up missing the St Mirren v Aberdeen match in Paisley due to the road conditions, I think after having two scares on the M8, my mood has been low because of the near experiences I had that day, but I am glad we managed to turn around and come home. Heading to the replay at Pittodrie on Wednesday.
I have, however, got one appointment to look forward to, on Thursday I will be heading to Aberdeen once again to visit the Grampian Hospital Radio at Ashgrove House which is at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. I filled out the application form and posted it today, I hope I get somewhere with this as it would be great for me and my experience I want to gain to help my career in Journalism.
I am hoping that my mood can at least improve by then. I want to make a really good impression at Ashgrove House and show them I want to have a career in Broadcast Journalism. Portfolio is ready and well, I don't know if I should email Kingdom FM to see if they still have the bulletin I recorded, I doubt they will, but I suppose it is worth an ask.
Well, I shall leave you all now to take a moment on my words tonight. I shall let you all know how my visit to Ashgrove House went.
Pamie
x
WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH 2011
Well today has been fun.
 |
| Prepared for the match |
I went to see Aberdeen play St Mirren (or St Midden as we dandies call them lol) at Pittodrie. A 7.45pm kick off was annoying though.
Well, the car journey to Dundee wasn't too bad on my knees, I am glad my dad moved the chair forward to give me more room in the back as I normally don't sit in the back of the car due to my knee pain (I only sit in the back when the 4 of us are out).
Did a lot of physio exercises when I was waiting for the train, people must have thought I was bonkers, but hey ho. I support Aberdeen so I kinda think that says enough on that part haha. I am glad I did as well, an hour and a half on a train, even though I can get up and walk is hard on my knees. Also sitting in a Stadium where it's baltic isn't exactly the best place to be either but for some odd reason, the exercises seemed to minimalise a lot of pain I would normally have from being at a match.
Just got to do it all again tomorrow, but at least this time I aint sitting for 90+ minutes in a football stadium lol. So I should sleep, but I can't with excitement. So much good stuff is happening now, I hope Grampian Hospital Radio will keep it going.
So I shall sign off for today and well I will tell you tomorrow about any pain and my daily day.
Pamie
X
THURSDAY, 17 MARCH 2011
After dicing with my meds (I don't know if dicing is the right word), I decided against taking co-codamol this morning, however, pain in my elbow and knees is becoming alive, so had taken two tabs before leaving Aberdeen on the train. Had to wait for it to leave, I totally hate waiting, heck how am I going to manage as a journalist haha.
Decided to munch away at the chocolate brownie I bought in Dundee. I have to say I will soooo be buying it again, it was DELICIOUS. You know apart from the pain home, it was relativly pain free :). But I have now really changed my outlook on Aberdeen (in time I suppose lol). I need to arrange with Martin and a few other peeps soon.... Night out in Aberdeen anyone?. At least Mike won't have to overly worry about me when I am living there as I do have a lot of friends there :).
Well I shall sign off, and I am again glad to share my day with you all, I hope you all look forward to tomorrow, I know I am. =)
Pamie
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Pamie
x
WEDNESDAY, 30 MARCH 2011
Well, after careful consideration with my HMSA Group leader Moira, we decided more needs to be done for us HMS sufferers in Fife.
We are going to press, TV, radio and well anyone I can think of to try and raise the awareness of HMS. There is a centre in Glasgow which specialises in HMS, but none of our doctors will refer us to it. We all feel that we are being pushed from pillar to post and not getting the service we deserve.
HMS is a chronic pain condition and one day we can be fine the next we are in constant pain. Many sufferers need aids to walk, painkillers and other medication, I am on 2 different medications for my HMS and I can assure you, I have only managed to get it with constant bugging of my GP. Anyways, one of the reasons I am being involved in this is because I am myself being dumped here there and anywhere by NHS Fife.
Last year I was finally diagnosed with HMS and because I wasn't in too much pain, my physio didn't refer me to rhumatology to get checked, but since then my pain worsened, so I went to see my GP and she referred me. I waited nearly a year before I chased it up, mainly because the pain was managable, but gradually getting worse, by January 2011, I was getting fed up of waiting, so I saw my GP and found out the they wouldn't see me because I wasn't referred by the physio. I was disgusted at how this was handled, I wasn't informed of anything by my surgery OR the Victoria Hospital, I feel the NHS has failed me on this part, here I am in genuine pain and I cannot see anyone to get the proper treatment. How many more of us are going through this?
We are going to press, TV, radio and well anyone I can think of to try and raise the awareness of HMS. There is a centre in Glasgow which specialises in HMS, but none of our doctors will refer us to it. We all feel that we are being pushed from pillar to post and not getting the service we deserve.
HMS is a chronic pain condition and one day we can be fine the next we are in constant pain. Many sufferers need aids to walk, painkillers and other medication, I am on 2 different medications for my HMS and I can assure you, I have only managed to get it with constant bugging of my GP. Anyways, one of the reasons I am being involved in this is because I am myself being dumped here there and anywhere by NHS Fife.
Last year I was finally diagnosed with HMS and because I wasn't in too much pain, my physio didn't refer me to rhumatology to get checked, but since then my pain worsened, so I went to see my GP and she referred me. I waited nearly a year before I chased it up, mainly because the pain was managable, but gradually getting worse, by January 2011, I was getting fed up of waiting, so I saw my GP and found out the they wouldn't see me because I wasn't referred by the physio. I was disgusted at how this was handled, I wasn't informed of anything by my surgery OR the Victoria Hospital, I feel the NHS has failed me on this part, here I am in genuine pain and I cannot see anyone to get the proper treatment. How many more of us are going through this?
So what I did was set up an online petition, and a paper petition for the HMSA Fife Group to get more help in our area. I made the petition on Saturday 26th March and so far have collected 109 signatures. I am hoping this will rise. If you would like to help us sufferers get the treatment, information and appointments available to us then please sign it. The link is: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/44197.html.
If you do sign it, please comment on why you are signing the petition and thank you very much from the HMSA Fife Group.
Well that's it for March, I hope April is kinder to me with the pain. See you later folks.
Pamie
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If you do sign it, please comment on why you are signing the petition and thank you very much from the HMSA Fife Group.
Well that's it for March, I hope April is kinder to me with the pain. See you later folks.
Pamie
x
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