See GP this afternoon.

[missrat]

This is proving a really bad setback, both as regards pain and depression. I wonder if I also have fibromyalgia besides osteoarthritis and sciatica..

Saturday's rat show was chaotic, as I forgot two things I needed and we arrived nearly two hours early. Lesson - do not leave all the printing to the last minute. Lesson 2 - put label size in the file name of mailmerge labels! Lesson 3. Keep my spare mains lead in my show bag. Lesson 4. Prepare some generic paperwork which would be easy to complete by hand. (I'm involved in running one of them most months.)

Still feeling shaky, low and procrastinating - the pain is a nuisance, but not feeling suicidal at present. I had a good talk on a helpline last night.

One big problem is that I have no close family and my two closest support friends - one is struggling with severe depression and sciatica herself, and the other - having moved about 20 minutes away will be moving even further away soon. He says he will still come in daily and feed the rats if I'm away and will take me to most shows as usual. (It probably surprises you all that we have RAT shows every 2-3 weeks - like "rattie Crufts!") I hoped the church would be more helpful, but most are married and there are few singles around 67.

I see my 'happy wanderer' rat - where I can't get her! Given me a new idea to implement later, though.

[teadrinker]

I hope your appointment went OK. Keep on talking to people, whether it's on here or via the helpline. Being on your own must be very hard, I know what it's like not to have close family near by.

[Hidden]

high you could join nras ra site some people on there have oa and fibro as well as ra and one member keeps rats too xx

[Hidden]

Most towns have several meet and chat groups, all very low key, casual, attend when you like. Dr or library will have details. There should be support groups specifically for depression too.

Maybe organise social events among your ratty friends, pub evening, quiz night, trip to theatre once a month so you can meet up without the rats and get to know the people.

Chatting here is good too, or any other forums you come accross.

[beauty96]

Can I suggest U3A the University fo the Third Age. There are no age limits low or high. Mix with ordinary folk and share and care. I find that a great mediicne. I have RA and OA as well as FM and neuropathic pains. I teach Tai chi and almost all of my club are disabled.

[missrat]

They don't seem to have much going on locally which I can reach by public transport. I do two lots of volunteering at the library - two hours as 'web wizard/computer buddy and two hours of copying information from parish registers to Excel for people researching family history.