Friday

Still in chronic pain at night, with this awful aching in my upper body, waking  every two hours, so no decent night's sleep for over 2 months now. The pain is just about bearable during the day when I'm moving about. Ibuprofen helps a bit.  GP has referred me to a rheumatologist, so at least some progress. Just waiting for an appointment now. Hope it won't be too long, so that I can get a proper diagnosis with appropriate treatment.

I've also applied to the council to have a walk in shower fitted, so on waiting list for that. The bath is getting difficult to get in  to use the overhead shower.

It's surprising how many fairly young people are suffering with various forms of arthritis. I'm on a facebook support group and so many of them are young mums. I suppose I am lucky that I was fit enough when my children were young.

This latest flare up started with no warning though and doesn't seem to be easing anytime soon,  plus I have a permanently sore throat and flu like feeling with it. Very weird. No antibiotics offered so presumably GP thinks its viral.

Of course I realise there are people much worse off than me, with chronic, incurable illnesses. I just need to know what I'm dealing with, so I can come to terms with it. I don't want to spend what time I have left in such awful pain and sleeplessness.

I'm finding it very hard to keep positive at the moment.