Sick of being sick

[Lanakay]

I have had a morning cough for several weeks. My dr had me try Zyrtec and taking my pantoprazole at a different time. I went back to my dr yesterday and was prescribed a sinus rinse several times a day and an antibiotic. I also had a chest X-ray. I haven’t gotten the results of the X-ray yet and I’m kind of worried about it. I am still at 5mg of prednisone after starting. at 20mg two years ago. I am 72. Today I’m blaming PMR, prednisone and old age. It seems like I have one thing after another. Last spring it was diverticulitis. I would love to feel good again even if it was for a little while. I’m sick of being sick.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I know it is easy for me to say but time to get worried when they find something - at least your doctor is going about things the right way.

And I know what you mean too - the last 2 years have been one thing after another for my husband!

[Lanakay in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. I just get discouraged sometimes. It’s been a long time since I’ve been me. I was once a fun, ambitious, lively person. 🤪

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lanakay]

You will get back there - the same person is still there inside waiting to get out again.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Lanakay]

It does make you weary coping with one physical knock back after another , we all feel sick and tired of being sick and tired sometimes with these Chronic Health issues.

Just don't forget , You are still You , still fun , still the same person, it's just the things that you can do that have changed.

The word ambitious was significant , it shows you are used to driving yourself hard and usually see results from your hard work .

It can be hard to accept the changes living the " New Normal " and many people don't realise that with Chronic Illness that the goal isn't to get back to the 100% but to know that you have done the best you can each day and your greatest success is remaining Strong in Mind despite the knock backs .

You sound like you have that strength even on your worst days so give yourself a pat on the back , you're doing a grand job in my book. 😘

[SheffieldJane]

I was just thinking along those lines when I read your post. You really are not alone in feeling this way.

Just a thought, have they checked you out for reflux? I occasionally get an extremely irritating cough that I think is more to do with stomach acid than the chest. My chest X Rays were clear.

I also experience intermittent total nasal blockage , I have nasal drops but sometimes have to sleep propped up. I expect this is sinus related too.

It is very easy to get down about it. I hope you also experience inexplicable joy sometimes, I do and it keeps me going. 🌼

[Lanakay in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you for your reply. My dr just called and my chest X-ray is normal. Woohoo! So I finish up with the antibiotic and sinus rinse. Hope this is IT for a while. I’m getting my hair done now. That should give me a lift!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Do you not think that was why they suggested a change in timing of pantoprazole? Though PPIs are a bit hit and miss!!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the info. Not familiar with the drug.

[Lanakay in reply to PMRpro]

Yes. I tried changing the time for more than a week but it didn’t make any difference. So that kind of led back to the sinus thing.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lanakay]

Hope they are right. It is a pain but relatively simple.

[jinasc]

Can I ask you why you are taking Zyrtec which is an anti- histamine?

Were you prescribed pantoprazole for acid reflux, or as a 'just in case' and have you read up on it.

nhs.uk/medicines/pantoprazole/

I am curious.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jinasc]

I would suspect because of post-nasal drip which can be an allergic effect and cause similar symptoms to silent reflux - which was the reason for changing time of taking the PPI. Just my hunch ...

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

I was really puzzled about it. Ta muchly.

Joan in a 'dither' mood this am...................however I can have a laugh at one or two things she has come up with.............😄

[Lanakay in reply to jinasc]

The Zyrtec is to dry up the sinuses. The Pantoprazole is for an ulcer and z line on my esophagus.

[jinasc in reply to Lanakay]

Oh dear you do have a lot to cope with................

Hope you can feel better soon.

[Hidden]

Now the x-rays are fine I hope you get a boost. Over the years I have learned that I shouldn't look at the big picture. I decided what things helped me feel better now ... a nice meal, a good film or TV show, a weekend with family where if I can't participate, I watch them do activities, and either driving round or sitting in the countryside by myself or with a friend and watching the world go past and the dog play. I think I have a very content lifestyle. I go at my own pace, am seldom bored. I do have down days but know I will bounce back. When in an acute phase of something or a add on arrives it takes a step back to step forward again. But hopefully it settles and either goes away or you get in a rhythm of dealing with it. I did have CBT which helps enormously and allows me to have an internal dialogue that is largely positive- supported by meds for anxiety as my brain doesn't deal with stress very well due to fibro and pmr. I get my feel good hormones from being the strange woman that cuddles every puppy I see and babies too. Within 2 to 3 mins the body releases oxytocin and I feel great and the puppies/dogs and babies get their dose too.

If I looked at the big picture to what I was like before I had surgery on my back and lost a lot of mobility and balance due to arthritis in my neck and back it would be a very different list....cycling, hiking 15 miles in the hills on Sundays with a walking group, going to the cinema several times a month, going out for drinks, going out for a meal regularly, going to the gym several times a week, sauna, hot tub and playing squash a couple of times a week. It's been so long since I have been able to or can afford to do those things that the only one that still peeves me a bit is cycling... But i watch it instead. If I compared me then to now I would probably get upset but I have replaced these things with pared down versions.

I hope you feel better soon and you get a rest from new conditions insinuating themselves into your life. 🌻

[Lanakay]

Thank you. I love your perspective. It was suggested that I do CBT. Maybe I should. I feel sick nearly every morning. I do not look forward to very much because I never know how I’m going to feel one day to the next. Mornings are definitely worst. What sound good at 4:00 pm is nearly impossible at 8:00 am. I haven’t made an appoinment with the therapist because I’ve had so many other health issues going on. Too many dr appointments. I used to go once a year. Again, thank you for your post.

[Hidden in reply to Lanakay]

I hope you feel better soon. I don't do anything until 11am and save my energy for things I enjoy. 😊

[Lanakay in reply to Hidden]

11:00 am sounds like a perfect time for me! Morning are not my finest hour. These das that comes much later in the day. 🌞