I wasn’t sure whether to title this “Gossip, concerns and guessworkâ€
Due to texts, calls. PMs and other enquiries I thought I’d let you all know, particularly as I’m having more good days than bad at the moment. And to warn you about something you might not be aware of.
Also because I didn’t realise I looked as rough as I apparently did at the Notts Munch, when it was at it’s worse; and the concern shown to me, comments made at a couple of Munches since; and the questions HLB has had to field.
And hopefully it will save me hijacking Munch/Social threads by asking you not to squeeze me too hard or shake my hand on greeting, the way I felt I must in Marcuso’s thread yesterday. Thank you, to those that read it and acted accordingly. It made the enjoyment of the evening easier for me
So . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reports of my impending death have been slightly exaggerated
Bless her, even my sister asked if I had HIV/Aids. (She knows about my lifestyle – pre, and post SH :wink: )
I’m not dying. Well; not just yet. And certainly not from this.
I have though been diagnosed as having “Reactive Arthritis†– Reactive, because it’s a reaction to an infection I must have had somewhere in my body at some point over the last couple or three months.
There seems to be a lot of guess work and “ifs and buts†about how long it will last or what the best course of action/treatment will be.
The first suspicions were “teenager’s clapâ€, or an infection in the intestines or stomach.
Apparently the immune system goes into overdrive and pumps too much fluid into various joints, giving the symptoms and conditions of arthritis.
So, having had three “full work up†clap tests to make sure, prodded and poked, pulled and stretched beyond my wildest dreams, and having more fingers up my arse than I can bear to think about :shock: ……….. they’ve decided it’s safe to suppress my immune system so that hopefully it will release the fluids from my joints.
I have problems in my lower back, chest, pelvis, hips, knees, individual fingers, thumbs and wrists. – Try wanking without curling your fingers – or try flicking the bean without moving your hand :lol2: Because obviously, I still try to “do my duties†for HLB as best I can :twisted:
Although – we can now see the funny side (and often giggle at it) of trying to extricate from each other after the rumpitypumpity. Believe me, it can be both tricky and funny.
I have more pills in the house than Boots the Chemist
- So don’t shake me when you see me or I might just rattle.I also wanted an opportunity to publicly thank the people what have gone out of their way to help me/us.
Be that transport to and from Munches, picking me up to get me out of the house when I’m not up to driving. Coffee and cakeybun; skinning up fags for me; and very importantly – the support that’s been offered to me individually, to HLB and to the both of us.
I try not to go ott at the time; but trust me – it is all very much appreciated by us both.
Once again, I’m going to trot out my oft used statement that this place is full of absolutely wonderful people :thumbup:
And a very personal but public thanks to HLB for her Nurse Nancy duties. I know this has been as hard on her as it has been for me
There is far more I could, and want to say about that, but it will keep until I can thank her properly.………………………………………………………………..
The warning I have for you is about a fairly new “teenager’s clap†that I was made aware of while the medics were running tests and trying to diagnose my problems.
Chlamydia
Obviously it’s not just for teenagers, and it’s available to all.
The biggest problem that was explained to me is that it is very often totally symptom less and very, very prevalent amongst the under 25 ish age group.
I don’t know what your thoughts are, and I’ll leave them with you; but I have for most of my early adult life viewed clap as almost “an occupational hazard of the single soldier†That ethos has stayed with me. I’ve always said “There’s no shame in catching clap, the shame is knowingly passing it onâ€
Remembering of course, that I grew up in the “pre-Aids†era.
I don’t say that to spark the condom versus no-condom debate; it’s just the way I think.
As such, I’m an advocate of the “routine check up†whether symptoms are present or not. It may be something to think about
…………………………………………………………………
I’ve given my reasons above for posting the thread, so hopefully it will be seen for what it is, rather than a “look at meâ€
*Cross-site posting
I think it's perfectly acceptable to post the same thread on both sites. What I find a little strange is when people copy and paste subsequent identical posts in both threads :wink:
assionkiss to HLB.
just hope that whatever it is bugs off soon.
Good to see your spirits are still up though 
but I will say that HLB can have one of these for her 'duties' :kiss:
just what you need to aid recovery.