The Roller coaster

 

“I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday”

So as I begin to write this blog I’ve been on my new medication for 8 weeks, the doctor is still changing dosage and considering if I can continue with this course due to lowering blood pressure, but other than the annoying side effects, which have now worn off I’m feeling pretty good. I feel spritey in my step and pain is low. A perfect position to attempt a nice long walk. The Malvern hills were the walk of chose. A beautiful day and I was indeed light on my feet and Laurie had trouble keeping up with me. We completed a whopping 12 miles. At the end of the walk my pain had increased a little, but it was still relatively low. An amazing way to kick off our holidays. 

 OYou 

Previous to becoming ill we would always be on the hills. There was nothing nicer than heading to the hills with the tent in our backpack filled with a sense of adventure. Despite taking every precaution we would regularly find ticks on our return home. When I first became ill the doctors first concern was that I had Lyme disease, so I was tested. The test came back negative. After consulting with the specialists she gave me the recommended treatment for Lyme disease as a precaution and knowing the tests can give false negative. Along with my intense course of antibiotics I started a Lyme anti inflamatory diet which eradicated all wheat, dairy, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and nightshade vegetables. I followed this for 3 weeks then slowly added each food type back in whilst being aware of the effect on my body. I discovered that each food type effected me differently. Dairy gave me sinus pain and cognitive problems. Wheat made me fatigued and increased my joint pain. Sugar increased my all over pain and sickness. After this course of treatment ended I continued to become sicker she retested me for Lyme and this also returned as negative. The doctor had to look elsewhere for the answers.

Whilst I passed from one specialist to another, unable to see any light at the end of the tunnel as far as diagnosis was concerned I became more and more determined to beat this seemingly unbeatable thing. I motivated myself to find my energy baseline for walking. I started to walk for 2 miles almost every day to stop myself from getting weaker; this was slightly above my baseline, but gave me something to work with. Sometimes this was really good and sometimes I was really pushing myself and I would have to have frequent stops. Regardless of how it made me feel I have tried to stick to this. Laurie’s support and encouragement really helped me throughout this time. For him staying in bed was never an option because he wasn’t going to let this illness beat me. Our walk on the Malvern hills seemed a million miles away from what I would experience then. 
   

On New Year’s Day it has always been a tradition to do a walk and meet in the pub for lunch. This year we were eating early so we were limited to a few miles. After feasting for over a week now, energy for me was lower making me rather glad with the mile restriction. We walked the Bampton Notts circular foot path, which was 5 and a half Miles in length. Again it was a beautiful day and it felt good to be outside in the unusually warm sun. Pain for me was moderate and I very quickly became  fatigued. By the time we got to the pub I was glad of the refreshments awaiting and the rest and relaxation this offered. On returning home that evening I was forced to rest because of my pain levels. This was a complete contrast to the way I felt only a few days before and left me wondering why I had came so far to then have the mat pulled from underneath me again. 

 

As I write this blog and I’m putting my experiences down on paper, so to speak, it is clear to see a link between my anti inflamatory diet, my daily excercise and my pain levels. A reduction of my medication could also play a massive part in the change. Next week I’m planning our first walk in the hills of 2019. I have no idea whether I’ll be pain free and energised or crippled up in pain. This is one of the hardest parts of my illness; the not knowing and having to plan only on hope. As we do plan I cling to the vision of me walking up the malverns full of vigour. I believe that I had that vigour once and there is no reason why I can’t feel like that again. I’m going to plan in hope and manage the hurdles when and if they materialise.