My goodness, my daughter rang from Essex and when she started to read the blog she was crying so much I think because it was odd seeing all these comments re: consultant, Rheumatic, bloods o.k. etc., I was diagnosed in 2005 for my Consultant it was a eureka moment when he announced the diagnosis.It had taken 6 months to find someone who knew what was wrong, however, apart from my inflamed nerves,feet and hands, the muscle pains had cleared so I was in remission. I came home and looked up what, on earth this vasculitis was, without much success. My first flare up a year later involved terrible pains in my shoulders arms and hands, eventually went to my GP, urgent appointment with Consultant bloods all awry medication we won't go into details.More appointments with consultant kept on medication azathioprine steriods omeprazole etc back to the old everythings fine, on a routine consultation 2009 urine sample bad news off urgently to Nottingham Renal unit immediate biopsy, hey ho attack, cylclophosphomide infusions. Since that time coincidently I'm sure, from being a extrremely fit 65 year old I find walking painful, used to do 10-15 mile rambles in the peak district, it now takes me all my time to do the mile to the shops, swimming is my one relief. The nerve damage I have learned to live with, otherwise apart from a recent attack on my lung which is now damaged, but when my vasculitis/rheum. consultant saw the notes from respiratory doctors, said,
as I am an ex smoeker it was smoking related, to which the respiratory docs said highly unlikely, more likely to be systemic vasculitis or previoous infection so now a damaged lung.The renal people have been very supportive but then they aren't in charge of my vasculitis unfortunatly. Sorry to have rabbited on but it is such a relief to know there are other people out there,