The Covid Gremlins

Hi Guys

I've decided to come clean and say I'm struggling here with this Covid Lockdown and have come to the conclusion that my fairly fit body and active brain has been invaded by the demon Gremlins 🙈 which you could call 'Bad Foods, Laziness' and losing the will to look after my liver and health.

As most of you know before Covid my mornings started off with early trips to the gym which have now been replaced with longer lies in, reading none stop books, (4 this week) baking delicious cakes, curries or whatever to keep these blummin 'Gremlins' at peace!

Can I ask if i'm the only one struggling here who wants to deep down look after her liver and health but is failing badly?

My exercise bike🚴‍♂️ sits 👀 at me daily my 🎸 wants 🎼 my ✏and 🖌 paints are craving landscapes but instead I find myself not caring a hoot and gaining weight 👎😔

If anyone else here has cousins of my Gremlins visiting please let me know as I'm dying to kick there butts back to which ever planet they came from and maybe together we can achieve this !🤣🤣🤣!

Help and any support wanted .....lol

Love

ShropshireLass

PS has anyone being able to go for routine LFT blood tests yet?

[mattymoo33]

Amen sister!! I've baked, cooked, netflixed, read and pined for the olden days🤔. I started with honourable intentions, then nose-dived into a near stupour.

Let's do it together 🏃🚴🧘🤸🥗🥪🖌️🎨💃😴.

I'm going to do pilates and yoga today, then on my bike tomorrow. How about you?

We'll smash it honey 🌟😁xx

[Hidden in reply to mattymoo33]

Hi Matty

Your plan for today sounds fab ! Count me in ...love it!

Firstly I'm going to kick ass after reading your note and get showered and dressed followed by banana and grape smoothie!' Afterwards 30 mins on the bike followed by cutting the lawns and a few stretch exercises.

I'll let you know what follows later and thanks for your support! 👍😘

[mattymoo33 in reply to Hidden]

Go for it!! I've just got some Bugg**ing weeds and grasses out of my borders...feels good!

Have a fab day lovely 🌞xx

[Hidden in reply to mattymoo33]

Go girl Go ! Banana Grapes and Apple coconut milk smoothie delicious!

Walked around the village and now about to do some biking then the lawn to cut.... Catch ya laterz....

I wonder if any guys will be joining us .... even if only to cut some sweetie stuff down or out..... emmmm!

My target is to loose a stone by my birthday on the 1st of July ... 46 days to go to a healthier liver 😅👍

X

[mattymoo33]

PS. I get my bloods done at my GP. xx

[Hidden in reply to mattymoo33]

Lucky you ....I have to wait ! X

[wildlifegal]

I call them them the corona pirates. I was good about making my health a priority. But now I too struggle to do the right things. Thanks for sharing your story. It helps to know you are not the only one.

[Hidden in reply to wildlifegal]

Hi Wildlifegal

Whoopiii, why don't you join Matty and myself as it sounds like your struggling too and could do with some support to improve our livers health?

How about it? We can lift a few bake bean cans together 👎👍👎👍?

[Hidden]

Hi,

I have just had my second lot of bloods taken during all this. Im on shielding list but still going to surgery as i have my own transport. The phlebotomist said she is as busy as ever and still dealing with all routine bloods.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Cheers for update!. I was advised by nursing specialist to miss routine visit until the next is due which will be at the end of this month.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I get my bloods taken every 4 weeks and have done for long time. Consultant and gp feel it is still required even during all this. Phlebotomist I see said most regular bloods are still going ahead and precautions are being taken. I was there yesterday and didn't see another patient.

If you feel you need them taken then im sure they would oblige if pushed as people still have other health issues that need dealt with.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Angel,

Since April 2018 I too have had full LFT etc bloods taken monthly and some time weekly due to having unknown antoimmune liver disease flare ups! My last flare up was in October/November! My consultant then sent me for more bloods and another CT Scan which only showed up existing medical issues on 7th Jan! I was to have a Liver biopsy but this was then delayed as my GGT which was in the red for sometime returned to just above normal .

My consultant requested I contacted her PA immediately when the next flare up occurs and to go straight to the hospital for blood test! If the tests highlighted high GGT then my consultant has made me aware that's she's going to try a squeeze me in for that liver biopsy but for now it's a waiting game. Unfortunately the most recent flare up happened at the beginning of lockdown so I was unable to do anything! 🙄

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I would push for biopsy even without raised as it would show which auto immune disease it is. Seems silly for them to keep putting off as the 2 autoimmune liver disease i have are different medication and needed to reduce attack. I would be asking questions on doctors decision to eave as not having the meds are risking more damage to the liver that could be avoided.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Angel

It would be pointless carrying out the risky biopsy unless my livers under attack as my consultant said it wont give a definitive cause /result!

It was suggested I have PBC or Sarcoid! All I know is my consultant wont discharge me!

[Hidden]

I think lots of people are feeling just the same Trish, hope the Gremlins go away and you can enjoy your weekend

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Trust 1! So far a good day of healthy eating, exercise on bike and just completed cutting the lawns, so fingers crossed that the Gremlins are beamed back up into space 👍🤔

[Kakey]

Hi ShropshireLass.

I hope you can forgive my nosiness, but do you know why they're not sure which illness you have? I'm not in the same situation, but am trying to figure out why I had a change in diagnosis after biopsy. I was told I had AIH, but it was changed to PBC.

I know every situation is different, but I regret that I wasn't given a biopsy earlier (which I think should have happened). I have fibrosis, but if I'd had Urso earlier I may not have.

[Hidden in reply to Kakey]

Hi Kakey

Firstly I'm sorry to read that you were diagnosed originally with AIH and now PBC which I do hope is not causing you to many symptoms!

As I said earlier my consultant will carry out the biopsy when my bloods have raised sufficiently enough, but I also understand it's pointless if my LFT's are almost normal!

Take care and please do keep me updated! 🙂

[Kakey in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear you're in that position, it can't be easy. I hope you get answers soon.

Thanks for the good wishes, and same right back to you.

[Hidden in reply to Kakey]

Cheers! Have a nice weekend !

[Supportinghubby]

Sorry you're feeling lethargic. I'm sure you'll be feeling better after some exercise today which will boost your endorphins.

My hubby was due his 6 month check a month ago which understandably was cancelled in person (he has cirrhosis). The hospital spoke to him on the phone then sent a form through for him to get his bloods done with the GP. As I seem to now be used to now (feel like I am always having to push for things), we had a battle to get the surgery to do the bloods, even though I said they were important, not particular 'routine' but part of his 6 month check. They did in the end agree to do them & discovered his vitamin d was low so he was put on supplements (& luckily we've had lots of good weather so he's been getting out in the sun). From what I've read, vitamin d makes you more prone to infection & in the current climate I'm glad I pushed for his bloods to be done!

[Hidden in reply to Supportinghubby]

Thank you for sparing the time to write and I'm glad to know you did the right thing by insisting hubby getting blood tested!

I'm now debating on whether to call my GP for advice and make him aware that I've not been 100 per cent since end of Jan and could it be connected to my unknown autoimmune disease orcwas it Covid related 🤔🤔

[Hidden]

Well day one over and I kicked the Gremlins butt😉!

However having another regular morning feeling hot with temperature 36.2 (weird) aching muscles, croakie throat with mild cough which I've had more or less ever since the 105 temperature for 4 days at the end of Jan ! Still have the odd sores up nose too ! Will it ever go? 🙄

[PeterP54]

Hi. Yup I am with you on missing exercise. Being stuck at home more, the biscuit tin is always a temptation. My wife is giving our son (lives across the road) baking lessons so there's the cake temptation too. Did a load of garden projects involving heavy lifting early on but they are finished now. Missing my long early morning walks. Joe Wicks, my exercise bike and a fitness app don't cut it for me.

[Hidden in reply to PeterP54]

Hi Peter

Sounds like my house, wife's baking which is me 😉 other temptations like biscuits and crisps which hubby loves and is always tempting me with a packet 👎😅! Re Joe Wicks ...I'd replaced him with Mr Motivator but like you he doesnt do it for me any more😭 .

Today I'm strimming the lawn and might carefully chop 12 inches of my 5 foot hedge but will have to check there are no nests first!

As it's only day 2 I must keep focused and not let the Gremlins win .... Let's be tough together ?

PS Let's kick the Gremlins back into space as we need our Livers 👍

[Laura009 in reply to PeterP54]

Why can't you continue with your long early morning walks?

[PeterP54 in reply to Laura009]

Hi Laura009

a) I am shielding due to a compromised immune system. So my understanding is that I am not supposed to leave the house.

b) My daughter would have my guts for garters and likely ban me from ever seeing the grandchildren until a vaccine is rolled out if she ever found out. My son lives opposite and I cut his lawn and that gets me more grief than I need even tho he works from home and we (my wife) share shopping trips. (Too often online orders don't have all we want)

Not withstanding the above, I might well start the walking again next week but will have to swear my wife to secrecy.

It's not easy being a grandad and having an occasional craving for a biscuit.

[Hidden in reply to PeterP54]

Oh Peter I know exactly what your saying as both myself and hubby get an awful ear bashing for even mentioning I popped into the local shop whilst collecting prescriptions.😂. If I was perfectly honest my daughter and son would chain us both to some railings given the chance to stop me especially for even walking around the village and I’ve not been instructed to fully isolate, however hubby has heart condition so I keep him company. 😊

Does this mean you’ll be sneaking that walk when everyones tucked up? 🤔

[PeterP54 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lass

I'm usually awake and up by 6 am. Even at 7am I only saw the odd person on the street and it's not at all rural where I live .

[Laura009 in reply to PeterP54]

Your secret is safe with me 😉

[Ticktoc]

Hi not sure what my problem is with raised liver enzymes and auto immune I have copd and was diagnosed with a fib in Dec was put on beta blockers Bisoprolol and anti coag Apixiban was due to have repeat bloods and ultra sound all cancelled didn't have problem with liver prior to heart meds cannot even get call back from gp have lost 1st as changed diet and due to side effects from meds and anxiety just hoping it's the meds and I can get them changed no real clue as to what I should be doing to help improve levels don't even know numbers just worried feel like I'm in limbo

[Hidden in reply to Ticktoc]

Hi Ticktoc

Sorry to read about your raised liver enzymes which I know can be very concerning at times as mine have been similar over the last 2 years , but to be perfectly honest I’ve tried my best not to worry anymore as I’m a great believer in faith and what lies ahead is meant to be!

You mentioned that you have no results information, these you can obtain from your GP, just request copies via the receptionist. You can also obtain CT MRI or any other scan reports should you wish to know results.

Brilliant news on losing the stone in weight which is excellent! I’d lost 3 with another stone to go last year but unfortunately I’ve gained a we bit again which Im working to get rid of along with that stone.

I personally would go and see your doc if you think there’s a possibility that your meds are not suiting you, also ask if you can be referred to a dietician who can advise the best foods and exercise for your health condition.

Hopefully there will be others on here who maybe in a position to also help but in the meantime feel free to write or pm me anytime even if only for a general chat which may help improve your anxiety feelings .

Trish x

.

[Annie2402]

Hi. I think I can safely say I'm in same camp as you. My fridge never gets cold as I am constantly in looking for something to eat through pure boredom. Never knew eating so much fruit could put weight on!!

On another note I get lfts and other bloods taken regularly at gp and have had no problem getting these done during lockdown

[Hidden in reply to Annie2402]

Hi Annie

Firstly thanks for your lovely note! Unfortunately as I only live 3 miles from the main hospital and 2.5 from my GP all routine blood tests are carried out at the hospital! Therefore I must hold back until my next one is due at the end of this month! However the 4 blood test forms I currently have were supplied by my consultant which I can use should I feel really poorly!

Like you say our fridges are full of goodies and although fruits good like you say its definitely high in sugar👎

Believe it or not I gain weight by even eating small amounts of fruit and salad! I can however loose lots of weight eating lots of protein but it must be extremly tasty otherwise I get bored!🙄

It's been lovely chatting...now for some cycling as I've just had chilli for lunch with a yogurt dressing and parmesan cheese over the top!

😘

[Annie2402 in reply to Hidden]

Sounds delicious I need to eat more protein but love mashed tatties!!! Never heard of having a form to get a blood test. My consultant in Edinburgh wrote to docs asking them to do routine bloods ever 2 months and I just phone up and make appt. If I'm out if sorts in between gp does extra sets if required. Enjoy your exercise and lovely to have had a wee chat x

[Hidden in reply to Annie2402]

Hi Annie

I'm lucky, my GP also supplies me with blood test forms to use at the hospital but unfortunately not had any from him since lock down, he normally prints me a few off!

I will get around to visiting the hospital at the end of this month but may also call GP next week for a chat!😘

[Ticktoc]

I'm still shielding at min but will keep on trying to get gp contact had letter to say ultrasound cancelled and a txt to see liver consultant at end of Sept just not getting any info had a rash and bruises on legs 2 weeks ago tiny red and purple dots but have gone almost and bruises fading think it is called petechiae and that can be caused by meds I'm on ??thank you for reply

[Hidden in reply to Ticktoc]

Oh dear rash and bruises, do hope you’ve fully recovered now ? I’m not sure when I’m to see my consultant again, will have to give PA a call in a month or two.

Take care in care 😊

[Hidden]

Day 2 almost over - ShropshireLass 2 - Gremlins 0

Good night all! x

[Hidden]

Thank you Andrea, I will view your link tomorrow !

Regards Trish

[Hidden]

Hi All

Not sure any of you saw my other thread from yesterday but just incase you haven’t here’s a brief update.

Firstly I’m still fighting those horrid Gremlins like the rest of you who reading this note and Just wanted to say that I’m determined not to let the Gremlins win, so please remember I’m here for you guys too who are struggling with the Gremlin living in our fridges and cupboards👎

Yesterday the Gremlins won 👎as it was my 26th anniversary so I’ve undone the last few Good days👎 Unfortunately I wasn’t feeling so brilliant so I called my GP’s practice as my breathing wasn’t so good and my temperature had shot up to 101.5. Well my doc requested I got checked over by the Covid medical team and by 2pm I was being checked over and was diagnosed with a left lung chest infection which I’ve never suffered from and came as a total surprise as I thought the existing pains on my side were caused by some existing cysts in both kidneys which I was so wrong about because I’m now on 500 mg of Amoxicillin for a week and if symptoms persist I must go back in 5 days time.

I did manage to find out yesterday that my medical practice are now carrying out routine blood tests whilst Covid is going on, so today I shall be booking my 4 month over due routine LFT blood tests requested by my consultant. Yipeee.

Well bye all and take care 🙂