A little bit of this and a little bit of that...

[Spring2017]

So a few months have gone by as I have looked at my health, family, work/life balance and my mental state.

Who knew SO much would be affected by a few words like RA an Autoimmune disease?!

Well I thought of waiting until I had had my diagnosis for 6 months.

But maybe a little good news is due?😉

So sitting down with all the information felt emotionally and mentally overwhelming. I had a small bout of mild depression. My husband was on the ball and off to the GP we went.

I spoke to her a few times and was signed off work more.

This partly compounded the awful feeling of letting my colleagues down... but sitting and crying on off was not going to go down in a high stress work environment where lots of people would walk in and out of the office all day.

But it did make me look at my beautiful boys and think that maybe I needed to listen to myself. The OH did say look at where you want to spend your energy. Find ways to energy conserve.

Hmm, my family is my heart, my home.

Living as an expat limits the help that can be found in the few people I know. All of whom are lovely but also dealing with their lives.

I decided that after applying for part time at my job at the time on medical grounds and being told they would give it to me for 3 months and then expect me to come back full time. Was not due able. RA normally does not go away and stress triggers flair ups. Besides I was told that for all my hard work and many many many over time hours I would only be worth £125 more annually!

I felt mentally shoved out the door. Comments from HR like I think you need to speak to someone about your mental state, my friend has RA and she is getting on with things... didn't help much.

So I had that time signed off by GP to help my depression...

and while I did I happened to talk to someone that offered me a new opportunity.

So one night while online chatting and answering on FB another expat asked if I was interested in a freelance job?

Hmmm, maybe. I'll have a look...👀

It sounded ok... flexible, set own hrs, set own amount of AL, work from where ever I wanted.

Hmmm... what is the negative?

Well almost 1 1/2 months in...👀👀I'm still looking for the pitfall or where the negative might be.

Sofare so good.

I really enjoy what I do now, hours are less, I work from home, sometimes I sit in the garden. I have my boys at home and I do not need to stress about traffic, paying for holiday, after school clubs or if I have the right cloths for the job.

I keep wanting to pinch myself... I feel lucky.

My boys are happier, my husband is happier as he does not have to worry about his family like before.

I spoke to my GP and to the wonderful therapist at Time to talk. My Rheumy even advised me on to what self-help to look into. ( wonderful doctor my Rheumy.)

The feeling of coming out on the other side with less pain physical and emotionally then what was the norm before and a legit pain when it is there is wonderful.

It sounds wired... but yes. 🙃

So all in all I have taken a bigger than wished for pay cut... but gained much more.

Life is looking good even when I can't wear high heals and my hands ache and fingers won't do what I want in the speed I want them to.

Because the load of stress I carried with me because of the other job is no longer a burden on me and my family.

We do things differently now.

I went out riding my bike 🚴‍♀️with my family and friends... yes I had to! I also had to pay for it the next day. But I'm learning where the limit is.🏋️‍♀️

A large part of getting through the chaos of the first few weeks. Was down to the lovely people on here.

Thank you.

Let's keep moving forward, safely and protectively together.

I hope all of you are in a good place.

🌹🌹🌹

[55MC]

Well done for sorting out your priorities. I have not yet done that!

[sylvi]

WOW what a lovely post from a poor start. You will inspire others to do what you have done. Good luck to you and long may you continue to be happy.xxxxx

[AgedCrone in reply to sylvi]

Have you packed you frilly negligée for tomorrow Sylvi ?

Hope all goes really well!

AC

[sylvi in reply to AgedCrone]

Fleecy pjs more like and they are in my case.xxxx

[Eiram50 in reply to sylvi]

Very best of luck fir tomorrow Sylvi.

Maris

[sylvi in reply to Eiram50]

Thank you my darling.xxxxxx

[gwynedd]

How wonderful!!!

I loved reading your story, you will inspire others to have the courage to make the changes needed in their own lives. This eloquently describes that we all sometimes need reminding what's really important in life.

Thank you x

[Dawn7]

🙂 thank you for your story, so pleased you have found "the real life" . Happiness and family and friends really are the best medicine. May the future stay bright for you.

[stbernhard]

Well done. It always makes me happy to hear people's success stories. Living well with RA is possible with good self management skills. For some this comes easily for others it seems impossible, but without good self management RA will always be the boss. I wish you all the very best and am very happy for you.

[AgedCrone]

You have successfully come to accept life as it is, not as it was, & realised life CAN be really good........even with RA.

We all railed against the unfairness of being diagnosed with an auto immune disease, but thankfully most of us eventually work out what you have so eloquently described....accept it & move on to better things

Yesterday I completely over did it, so today I am doing nothing, except writing a few emails & dozing. It's not what I had planned for my life, but it's the way it is.......& there are thousands in this crazy old world who would greedily settle for what we have.....pain included.

Now don't you spoil it all falling off your bike!

[Spring2017 in reply to AgedCrone]

You made me smile.

It is strange to actually allow yourself to just do the minimum because it is ok...to do just that.

So enjoy your day and save up your energy. 🌟

Today it is back to a bit of stiffness but then again it is ☔️☔️☔️ and my first cold has come. 😒 but I will try fight it with all the hot water and lemon and honey I can pour down. Along with lots of sleep.

I wish you lots of good rest.

🙂

[Hidden]

I know what you mean.. I ended up having to retire because of the RA and Sjogrens (and about 6 other conditions.. ha ha). Now I get up each day and do what I want. I'm in remission with pretty much everything and a week and a half ago, I stopped the minocycline. Fingers crossed (painlessly - ha ha) that I can stay off of it..

Bottom line is that I may not be where I wanted to originally, but I. AM. SO. DARNED. HAPPY. at this point. Congratulations on getting to much the same place. I am very happy for you...

[Spring2017 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind words.

I'm really happy for you.

Every time I hear someone say they are in remission IT gives me that bit more hope.

So thank you.

What have you done to get to this stage?

It takes a bit of guts and tears to let go and hope for the best. But I believe that right now this is the best for me and my family. 😉

[Hidden in reply to Spring2017]

I did the minocycline antibiotic protocol therapy. It took me about 10 months to get into remission, and I am now trying to let go of that therapy all together... But that is not the only way to get into remission - others on here are in remission with MTX and other medications - some for years. So there is always hope. It just may not feel like it at the outset... Best of luck sweetie

[Simba1992 in reply to Hidden]

So happy for you🤗Are you still onthe ketogenic diet? Last time I checked you said you did still have some symptoms, are they all gone? Wishing you a med free future xxSimba

[Hidden in reply to Simba1992]

Hi Simba - Everything is gone other than the fatigue, and that will probably never leave. Yes, still on the Keto diet. The last time I tried something like this, I was only able to go two weeks before the inflammation started again, so fingers crossed. Take care

[Simba1992 in reply to Hidden]

😊👍🏻👍🏻

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

So just a quick update... I hit almost two weeks on no Mino, and started flaring badly, so I am going to try just half doses instead and see what that does - ha ha.. Have a great weekend everyone!

[Candy]

Just fabulous, it's so good to hear.