Hi folks, I have not posted for a while. So get your tea, wine and snax, and grab a comfy chair and a heated or weighted blanket (I can vouch for both). I've been trying to make some major life changes. Fortunate to receive an early pension from work. Decided to make use of this to follow my dream and buy an apartment in Spain. I'd had enough of the depressive effects of the damp, cold and grey months in Scotland. They really took a toll on my physical and mental health. Having PMR, Fibromyalgia and possible GCA, the only release I felt was when I was in hot countries. I've scrambled down from 50mg to 6mg Pred as of last week but the journey has been fraught with ups and downs in all aspects of me. Dexa scan showed thinning of the spine so making a big effort to get off or lower pred intake. The only hurdle is the effects of Brexit. We no longer have free movement in Europe so the Visa situation is horrific. I've been doing month away and month back and keeping within my 90 days while I try to squeeze myself into the square pegs and round holes of a visa system that I don't fit neatly into. What I've learned is, my physical issues are significantly reduced when I am living in my apartment which has a sunroof overlooking the lakes and countryside. When I return and look over my balcony at the view it brings me to tears of gratitude. I have to pinch myself when walking up to the village square for my lunch and calling "Hola" to the neighbours and locals on my way. I decided to do my next pred reduction 7mg to 6mg on alternate days over 4 weeks in Spain as I've had a really troubled tapering journey. I noticed the pain and stiffness I experienced in Scotland was significantly reduced from what I was used to in the first week. The weeping for no reason and emotional psychosis were absent. This was a major difference, huge. One important observation was that my fatigue levels were still a problem. I was marathon sleeping. However, this wasn't a big problem because I only had myself to take care of and please. I was in control of my own diary. I made sure my fridge and freezer were full and convenience food when the fatigue became too much to cook. I had friends nearby who would message me to check in which I appreciated. All in all I felt content and happy. Everything in the village is mañana so the lifestyle suits periods of fatigue. I had to come home beginning October. What a slap into reality that was. Now on to the 4 weeks of 6. All I seem to have done is hide under the covers for the last 4 weeks back here. Grey skies, storms, pouring with rain. Everything looks cold, dreary and damp. Tears, depression, psychosis, stiffness, pain and bloomin miserable. For me there is a significant impact of location and situation. Maybe not for others. I can't wait to go back in November. I plan to spend Xmas and New year over there. My sixtieth birthday is in Jan and I have folks coming over to Spain to celebrate with me and I'm so grateful for that. I will however be increasing my pred round about that time to make sure that I'm in the best spirits, health and liquid, Ha! I wish you all the best in your journey. Do what makes you happy, respect your need for health and happiness. I'll keep you posted on how this Health journey goes from now on in. Take care all of you
Living the dream, eventually: Hi folks, I have not... - PMRGCAuk
Living the dream, eventually
Great story, wishing you success and happiness in your new Spanish life, tad jealous, I love Spain. What energy you summoned to make this dream come true - awesome!
Thanks SJ, thanks. You are right it took significant efforts and energy to get this far. However, when the end goal has been a lifelong dream it's amazing what you can do .....in between flares and long sleeps.
Best of luck with it all. Sounds lovely. Let us know how things go.
Hola,
Your ‘Spanish’ life sounds just what you need, for you and your illnesses … fantastic.
Would say your fatigue is down to adrenals stuttering a bit, although not too badly. Slow tapering, and time will hopefully get them a bit more active.
Buena suerte 🌸
I wanted to go slower but I’ve had no Rheumy since covid. I’ve used the dead slow and stop before but the bully boy nurse I have says to try their method and I did. So I’m not sure if it’s adrenals, speed or SAD. In Scotland I keep saying I feel like the tin man without the oil can. 😂
Know where you are coming from in your last sentence… didn’t have an issue with GCA - but my osteoarthritis grumbles in damp weather….🤨
best of luck Singr. Sounds like you are on the right track ! I’ve read that you can get really tired as a withdrawal symptom from coming off pred . No doubt you’ve read the ‘dead slow nearly stop ‘ ( or DSNS) method of tapering . Hopefully more rest, warmth and sunlight ( and vit D?) will all help you improve
Buenos Días!So pleased Spain suits your pmr. Very uplifting . My son lived in Andalusia for 30 years and now back in the UK, he finds the grey skies and rain quite miserable. I lived in Madrid for 6 years. Where are you?
I’m in a wee working agricultural village near San Miguel de Salinas. It’s perfect. Thanks.
I too bit the bullet & moved to Spain …during the pandemic! I decided in the first year (2020) that I wanted to make the move & get residency. The first flight I could get was early July so from that point, I put my U.K. house on the market, sold it, bought a small park home in a village in U.K., got residency in Spain (I already had a house here), changed my driving licence to a Spanish one & register on the Spanish health system, all before the Brexit deadline….& finally moved out in the following February. Best thing I ever did…&I’m now down to 1mg Prednisolone & soon hopefully 0.5. I agree with you…it’s a life that really suits me, surrounded by mountains & close to the amazing cities of Andalucia. Good luck with your new life too! 😎
Such a shame you couldn't have gone sooner - it used to be so easy. You have outlined almost all the reasons I want to stay here although the weather this week is a bit Scottish! November is always a bit yuk and it arrived early this year! I can add far better rheumy management than I could have in the UK - the 2 drugs I have that really deal with the PMR aren't available to me in the UK.
I too found that the SAD (seasonal affective disorder) I had in the UK for much of the year rarely appears here. My flat is perfect - no stairs which I have to avoid like the plague these days. There are downsides living on my own - but none that I wouldn't have to deal with in the UK if I were to move back.
My life's dream is my new baby campervan - planning what to try next spring. I've never been to Spain, I was planning visiting a friend when she was over at her villa but they sold it post-Brexit. Maybe I'll come and see you!
So jealous of your Campervan. I had to sell mine to help buy the flat and I miss it so much. I suspect I suffer from SAD. Hopefully I’ll get the visa sorted. 😊
The money was sitting in the bank - losing value day by day. If I end up in a home, they will take it all until there is nothing left so I decided I would enjoy it in the meantime! And I'm told that VW campers gain in value for a few years! Even if it is just for comfortable days out or travel somewhere and I don't necessarily camp, I can have fun. I had a visitor in June and realised how little I went anywhere.
Remind me where you are. For some reason I thought it wa Italy.
Hi Singr,I know the feeling,just back from Portugal after a month in in the sun no aches or pains then back home to Scotland cold WET and miserable and depressing would love to go for Xmas but hubby a home bird at Xmas enjoy IAM so jealous SEND SOME SUN xx
😂 one of the benefits of being foot loose and fancy free. I specifically want to spend Xmas here for the sunshine and more daylight hours. I know it can get cold here in winter so it’ll be interesting to see if it’s the increased sunlight that makes the difference. Tell that hubby you want to alternate Xmas due to health. 👍🏻
Singr, that's a wonderful Idea xx
Sooooooooooo envious!
Sounds as if you have made the right move. All the very best. Xx💐
Good for you, for following your dream and heart!
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