New year, new challenges...

[flap7]

Hello all, I wish you all the best for 2018. I haven't posted for a while but have been here lurking. Apologies for the lack of interaction. The end of last year was difficult and exhausting with a mixture of health and work issues. My GP took me off hydroxy for a couple of weeks before Christmas as I was experiencing deep pain in my bones that was keeping me awake at night. A week after I stopped taking it , my gums began bleeding again and my mouth and throat are still both tender and blistered. I'm used to the symptoms of Raynaud's and neuropathy but for several nights my feet turned bright red and felt as if they were being scalded - I thought that my hot water bottle had burst and burned me! I have some lovely photos to show my consultant at the end of the month. Just spoke to the GP ( yes, a Saturday phone call!) and he agreed that restarting the hydroxy was the right thing to do. He is also organising a Depo injection for me as I have had a continuous period for 3 months. Another reason that I'm shattered haha.

My employer dismissed me in the week before Christmas as I had been signed off sick for quite a long time, initially nothing to do with lupus. I have an industrial injury which they are disputing so I now have a solicitor dealing with this on my behalf. Things had become stressful and contentious months ago which induced a flare that lasted months. I felt quite lonely at times as my work colleagues didn't maintain any meaningful contact. I have learned that when people say "How are you?" they don't really want to know the truth! I understand that they have their own lives and worries.

On the bright side, I am now self-employed but have a lot of hard work ahead of me to rebuild the business that I had to put on hold last year.

Sorry, it's a bit of a moan. I'll be fine but I know that you will understand. It's just good to be able to get it out of my system, thanks folks ❤

[Kevin53]

Keep talking and the best of luck with the new business. Best wishes Kevin

[flap7 in reply to Kevin53]

Thanks Kevin ☺

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Flap7,

Happy new year! I hope this year will bring you joy and success!

Sometimes, certain situations can be overwhelming which is why talking to someone can help relieve worries and anxiety that you may have as well as improve your overall well-being. If you would like someone to speak to, we can provide you with LUPUS UK contacts who you can chat with over the telephone. These contacts are volunteers who mostly have lupus themselves; they are not medically trained but are there to offer support and understanding. If you would like a contact to speak to, you can email me at [e-mail] with your name and address.

I do encourage you to keep using a sociable forum such as this one.

Please keep us updated, wishing you all the best.

[flap7 in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Thank you for your reply Chanpreet, it is much appreciated. I think that the full impact of how much things have changed for me over the last year in terms of my health and the knock-on effect on my ability to function in my personal and professional life just became overwhelming, as you so correctly suggested. I fortunately have a distractions now as I am having to focus on my self-employment to sort out the financial impact. The daily changing nature of the symptoms of lupus is frustrating but I have decided to simply see what each day brings and deal with things as they arise. I'll be productive when I can and rest and retreat when the body demands it 🛌