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  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

hello again everyone

Posted , 6 users are following.

beev
beev

I haven't been on here in weeks so thought I would catch up.

So glad to hear it isn't GCA, Jay D. I agree with the others - change of doc would seem appropriate.

For those of you who remember, i was having problems with a run of bursitis, excess mucus affecting my breathing etc.. Well, I took the antibiotics and asthma inhaler ny GP gave me - the antibiotics seemed to improve the breathing but the inhaler didn't. I have now determined the problem is coming from acid reflux.

The night of the Royal Wedding, my father was rushed into hospital in Plymouth with what turned out to be pneumonia, lack of oxygen in blood, and fluid on lungs from a worsening heart valve condition. He is nearly 88. He is also still on Pred for PMR- has been for years. We had to rush down there and I then took a week off work (difficult in term-time when you teach) as my miother isnt really safe at home - she overbalances.

He is back at home now and quite a bit better but still weak and has gone down to 7 and half stone (not clever in itself).

Would you believe it, the moment I got home after that week, I went down with raging cystitis and had to go to see a GP at the local out of hours surgery (didn't know such a thing existed before). So then had to have a 2nd course of antibiotics in 2 weeks! Interestingly, my chest problem improved substantially after that so i do think I had an infection there - still a bit of mucus but in a different league.

Have been back to work for 2 weeks now but am feeling SO exhausted all the time - partly anxiety about my father probably but I think I am also run down.

What a tale of woes - but that is why I havent been on here! I feel decrepit before my time and want to retire.

Beev sad

0 likes, 20 replies

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  • beev
    beev

    Posted

    Thanks for all that. I dont need to retire on health grounds as will be 60 in December - but I am sure I wouldnt qualify anyway.

    I will work it all out as you say and its interesting to hear that you can manage on less than you think. I suspected as much - I have so much wastage from food just because I shop once a week and dont plan meals - I'm sure I could manage to be a lot more careful. But dont want to be in a situation where we cant afford holidays etc.

    Beev

  • fiftiesgirl
    fiftiesgirl

    Posted

    We travel in two ways ( or used to until PMR kicked in last year) We buy a cheap package holiday to get the flights and hotel and then hire a car from elsewhere we find on the Internet and use the hotel as a base...... explore daily where we have chosen to go and buy food for picnics etc and find local restaurants where locals eat cheaply for the evenings........ the rep never sees us!!!! Highly recommend this way of getting a good deal and a great holiday...

    Having said we did until last year when my PMR kicked in we have booked a holiday in Ibiza doing the above and I am just hoping I am going to be up for it.... flight only two hours so should be able to manage that...... did not cost us much at all smileSo travel will still be there beev.......

    We also 'do our own thing' and buy flights as soon as they come out ( a year in advance sometimes) find places to stay through the internet and book them online etc and the same with car hire....... we have had some amazing holidays doing it like this and at a fraction of the cost of going through a company..... these holidays are always longhaul....in a year or so when my PMR is less of a problem and I can fly longhaul again, we plan to explore South America...on a BUDGET smile

  • Mrs_G
    Mrs_G

    Posted

    On holidays

    Good ideas on holidays from fiftiesgirl and also if you are \"free\" you can book last minute My cousins get the most amazing deals like this Cruises all inclusive holidays Fraction of the original price

    Yes i am still a wasteful person but when my husband retires I will try to live as we did when we first married to a budget !!

    Mrs G

  • BettyE
    BettyE

    Posted

    [color=red:dd09a8b973]Mrs.O[/color:dd09a8b973] This should be somewhere else but I have forgotten where!

    Read earlier that you are almost there after four and a half years. That is such good news for you and for all of us especially as you have had PMR [i:dd09a8b973]AND[/i:dd09a8b973] GCA to cope with.

    Glad your rheumy was complimentary about your background knowledge. It surely must be better, not only for us but for the professionals, if we take an informed interest in our condition and treatment. Sad when you meet the kind ( in any sphere ) who regard everyone as competition.

    Looking forward to joining you in he not too distant future.

  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey

    Posted

    Dear Betty - yes, almost there.....I hope! Although I am trying to stay positive, I am very mindful of the fact that many sufferers with GCA end up on a low maintenance dose; also of the fact that poor you and Mrs G are in it for the second time! I think it's amazing how you've both tackled it and remained in control and positive and, with such attitude, I absolutely KNOW you \"will be joining me in the not too distant future\". Hope the back is behaving!
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