The Lighter Side: Leave or Remain? ...Breaking News… ;-)

[markbenjamin57]

Greetings again You Lot. Twice in 2 days? All I can say is: haven’t you got anything better to do on Friday and Saturday nights?

First, thank you for (rather recklessly?) joining in with another set of inane ramblings from The Mansions. Some of you allegedly report that you even found it a bit of a Giggle. Oohhh, it does make me wonder…

No Prexit? Hard Prexit? Soft Prexit? The Full Monty Prexit? Prexit to Go? Prexit for Two Special Deal? Low Carb Prexit? Ohh... you can probably come up with a few more.

Clearly these options accidentally triggered a second MB Prexit Referendum..

So, ok OK! I CONCEDE and seek to negotiate a New Transitional Arrangement for a SLOW and STEADY, orderly Prexit. This is mainly intended to avoid crashing out and getting into an almighty FIGGGHHHTTTT!! with the Aunties - and others of you here who quite sensibly also advise against it. Phew...

In other News:

A fast moving Cabinet Re-shuffle sees Tedski retrieved from his Back-of-the-Benches role (or was it roll..?) in a wheelbarrow and re-appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Silly Walks. He was reportedly heard singing ‘I’m Walking backwards for Christmas’ in celebration. Bless…

The Cabinet: now advertised on ebay for twenty quid o.n.o. (Tedski excluded).

The Back Stop: A glass of what one of you describes as The Red Relaxing Stuff (or similar). I'll drink to that... hic

Negotiations with Brussels: It's down to LIDL tomorrow to get my hands on some, ready for The Mansions Grand Crimble Turkey Dinner. 6 Kilos should keep me going..

The £39bn Divorce bill: Contributions so far include an old button, 20,000 Green Shield stamps (date circa 1968),

a (q.) 'slightly used and sticky' polo mint, an Amazon voucher for 50p off something-or-other (all found down the backs of your various sofas?), 17 IOUs (Donors un-named to protect the innocent) and a good old 1967 English Sixpence. My bank manager will be thrilled (or maybe not - he's used to this sort of 'enterprise' on my part).

So, folks, it's very close to a ‘Deal’ (with Self, mainly). As always, these types of Major Negotiations go ‘down to the wire’ before being resolved. 2mgpd it Remains for now, and slowly does it during the transition. For now at least…

Happy Days.. and keep smiling

‘Uncle’ MB

[Longtimer]

Glad you have agreed to the deal!.......no more negoiations......keep well...

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Longtimer]

Thanks Lt, and you!

[jinasc]

OMG.............Negotiations go ‘down to the wire’ before being resolved. 2mgpd it Remains for now, and slowly does it during the transition. For now at least…

Did Tedski finally get thro to U.....................HHH 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[markbenjamin57 in reply to jinasc]

Maybe....

[Grants148]

Thanks Mark,another amusing post,pleased you have decided to take2 mgs of Pred and hope that will keep you on a steady course regarding the PMR. I am pleased that Tedski is back in The mansions,l hope he will behave himself from now on,but l do not expect that to last !Goodnight Mark,sweet dreams or anything but Brexit !

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Grants148]

Thanks Patricia. Well, yes, I suppose sticking at 2 is sensible for now at least. As for Tedski, it's anyone's guess what he'll get up to next..

Keep well - and smiling..

MB

[Sandradsn]

You know it makes sense Mark,👍just like your posts🤣😂

[allykat]

Still working on the £39bn but you know what we are like up here. Could be a while. I think 2 mgpd is a good idea what with all the excitement of Black Friday. Might be a wee it stressful for you and Tedski!

[Hidden]

I have four old pound coins as a donation, as there are no banks to exchange them for the new threepenny bits round here they are sitting in the drawer with the pre decimal coins. That's a thought if we Brexit could we go back to yards and inches, lbs and ounces!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

The education process alone would cost a mint...

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Didn't last time, we just got on with it. Actually still ask for food in lbs!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I lived in southern Germany in the 80s - I also used to ask for pounds, spelt Pfund and meaning half a kilo-ish.

[MamaBeagle in reply to PMRpro]

Even in France you can still ask for "une livre de " it gets you 500g of whatever...........

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MamaBeagle]

Exactly...

[Hidden]

Ha Mark, as usual a good bit of fun, but you know the old saying 'better the devil you know than the one you don't' so my suggestion is don't jump off the cliff just yet

As for me I was pushing it going from 2.5mg down to 2mg by still using DSNS but half way through the reduction period pains were returning in left shoulder and both tops of legs slightly. Then yesterday I felt really unwell like we might say when getting something like the flu, and very tired so went to bed early. Today I have a slight temperature and feel unwell so I think that the increasing pain might have been the start of some nasty virus attacking my body and the adrenal glands wanting a bit of a backup. So I am back up to 3mg this morning.

Watch this space might be a viable thing to say

Keep well Mark

Pete

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Greetings Pete, thought you'd been quiet for a while (not that it's compulsory to be here all the time!).

Yep, Common Sense prevails (for once) and I am a Pred Remainer for now at least. But having been a Leaver and happily joined PCZ (Pred Club Zero) for several weeks at the end of last year - and totally symptoms-free, Yay! - I know I can get there again. Just a matter of time..

I can relate to the 'generally unwell / fluey etc' feelings on the PMR / Pred Journey - whether following DSNS or not. Despite the best Pred tapering plans I 'Remain' (ha ha)convinced that the well-known Heterogeneity of the PMR Inflammatory disease course is often as much (or more?) attributable to these often seemingly paradoxical symptoms than anything else. No wonder so may of Us PMR Lot get confused along the way..

In other words: you do all the seemingly 'right' things Pred tapering / activity / stress avoidance / diet / pacing-wise etc: but flares (relapses) can occur regardless. That's my take on it, for better or worse. And, of course, co-morbidities and other external / environmental factors are part of the symptoms conspiracy too - even a mild dose of the Flu, changes in the weather / routine, seasonal changes etc? The list could go on...

That said (and for Sanity's sake ?!): I guess we have to try to look at the Big Picture with progress on the long PMR Journey: however slow and confusing, and consider how much worse it has been at times compared to now? Reflection can be helpful in getting things into a wider perspective.

Although the physiological / symptoms-control need at even a low 2-ish mgpd Pred feels so trivially close to Zero that it doesn't seem to matter, it's maybe a reminder that the PMR hasn't burned-out yet: and / or the complex HPA Axis and Adrenal function isn't ready to get back to Business as Usual after a long (2-3 years or more) lay-off, even if the PMR has indeed gone into remission.

After all, the Body (and Brain's?) natural Bio Chemical / Physiological Equilibrium has been artificially but necessarily altered to control the often intolerable symptoms of PMR and to enable the Patient to regain some relative mobility / Quality of Life, for a long period of time. And, as many here say, it's a compromise - albeit a difficult one. That is, until or unless PMR goes into remission.

As the Aunties rightly suggest, with PMR we're 'not necessarily out of the woods' even when / if symptoms abate and / or we are off-of the Preds. Been there and got the T shirt...! I appreciate that managing GCA is a different matter due to the far more serious consequences if not managed very carefully. There but for the Grace of... etc?

It sounds right for you to nudge upwards to 3 mgpd. Keep a steady head - and keep Us Lot posted..?

MB

[Hidden in reply to markbenjamin57]

Well that's a wonderful reflection Mark and you have a way with words that I could certainly not muster. I do agree with all that you comprehend though. So it's onwards and forward, even if it's sometimes backwards.

Keeping a steady head.

Pete 😎

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Pete :-). Well, that's only my amateur take on things ;-). With PMR (and similar serious, chronic illnesses / Big Life Challenges?) it's often a perplexing combination of any or all of Onwards, Upwards, sometimes Backwards, Sideways, or whatever on the day.

The main thing..? As you say, try to keep a steady / rational head - and also keep smiling if you can. It can help - take it from me

[Grants148]

I wish we could have our pre EU light bulbs back too ChrisMcT !

[Daisychain12]

Mark you’re being wise although I sense your impatience and frustration. It’s maddening isn’t it, dealing with the contrary mistress that calls itself PMR. I think you have a wealth of wisdom and will ultimately do what’s best for you. Just watch that little devil Ted .. if he is anything like my husband’s old and battered Ted he will use your distracted frame of mind to get up to all sorts of mischief xxx

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Daisychain12]

Thanks Linda. Well, it is frustrating after enjoying a break from PMR symptoms (and the Preds) recently. But I'm not too worried as 2 mgpd Pred is a very low dose and, as the Aunties say, 'it's not a race to zero - or in my case, back to Zero

Yep, Tedki's always up to some kind of mischief - but that's why I like him!

[Daisychain12 in reply to markbenjamin57]

Yes I remember you telling us about your dilemma regarding leaving the Land of Pred. But you are on such a tiny dose I guess it would not make sense to rock the damn boat. Kisses to naughty Ted. All the girls love a bad boy! Even a stuffed one!!!! Xxx

[markbenjamin57 in reply to Daisychain12]

BAD BOY, NAUGHTY BOY! But that's enough about me.... Ted is well and truly 'kissed' x

[Daisychain12 in reply to markbenjamin57]

🤣🤣🤣

[MamaBeagle]

And you made your deal after sensible negotiations with your Cabinet avoiding a visit to Brussles - or did you pick up pound of them in Lidl's?

[aladymo]

Would a Canadian “toonie” help?💰

I understand your dilemma and I can’t wait to face it myself 🙏🏻. ( think I have a few years to go yet 😜). Your humour and wit are terrific ❤️

[markbenjamin57]

Thanks aladymo. Yes, Toonies (or any other currency) welcomed...

[aladymo in reply to markbenjamin57]

Toonie from a “loony”. ( its in the mail !)

[markbenjamin57 in reply to aladymo]

I nearly said that - but didn't dare..!