Google is NOT always your best friend!

The thing with having a chronic illness and taking many different medications to control/suppress/relieve symptoms is you read on the internet the side effects and what your symptoms *could* be .......bad, Bad BAD move!! By the time you have read all the possibilities that the internet has fired back at you, you have convinced yourself that you have something that is going to kill you pronto!


There are many places on the internet where you can get correct advice on your illness and the medications to treat it. Arthritis Research UK http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/ has a wealth of information on the 200+ forms of arthritis, the diagnosis procedure and the many treatments. They also have tips and advice on how to manage and live you life.


I get increasingly annoyed when I hear or read advice which is basically scaremongering. The ONLY person you should be consulting about your medications is a health care professional, whether that would be your GP, Consultant or Pharmacist.  People get information wrong and taking advice from someone who is not qualified can be dangerous.  The other thing is the amount of people who feel the need to give advice for faddy trending diets as "try drinking aloe vera".....YUK!!! "try going on a juicing diet" they swear that they will cure you and that you will be pain free and have your old life back. There is no medical research that proves this. BUT if it works for you, fantastic, but please don't give me the hard sell for something I can not afford to buy.


Now I've got that off my chest I can update you on my creaky life!


I found a lump in my neck/shoulder in November. Its getting increasingly bigger and my neck aches to the point of distraction. I have finally got an appointment for an ultrasound on 22nd March...yes that will be a Sunday. The doctor wants to check if it is an enlarged lymph node. This lump is hard, solid  and unmoveable. Hopefully I don't have to wait long for the results. It is possible that it is a calcification due to my RA, keep your fingers crossed please.


I have a busy week next week....physio .....to keep my joints moving and my muscles from wasting, then spinal injections under sedation and x-ray. I have to say I am not looking forward to injections but if it gives me a number of months pain free (would be ideal) or more realistically reduces my back pain it has to be worth it. Apparently it takes a few weeks for the injections to kick in and do their stuff and I will feel bruised after the procedure.


I'm very lucky to have a fabulous support network. I am aware that people don't necessarily have an understanding support network. I put together a short video which is an alternative to the Spoon Theory which is used to explain chronic illness. Here is the link. https://www.facebook.com/TheInvisibleChallenge/videos have a watch, like and share. I have had a lot of good comments and messages saying that it has helped them and they have shown it to family members and friends.


Here are a list of excellent social network support groups:


Fibromyalgia : UK Fibromyalgia Friendly Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1571405076449852/


Sjogrens Syndrome: https://www.facebook.com/groups/454589521294750/


Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis Wonky Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/1522768504613735/


Rheumatoid Arthritis in the UK https://www.facebook.com/groups/2410482794/


Save our Spoons https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaveOurSpoons/


Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Squeaky Joints https://www.facebook.com/groups/squeakyjoints/


Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Chat Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/165181077006636/


Being in a support group online gives you support from people who are going through exactly what you are going through. These groups have had a positive influence in my life and keep me positive. I also run The Invisible Challenge https://www.facebook.com/TheInvisibleChallenge which I use to spread positivity, break down barriers and negativity surrounding living with an invisible illnesses. I post positive pictures, videos and advice including links to information.


Today I have posted a spoon selfie #spoonselfie have a look on FB and Twitter for Save our Spoons, you'll find my selfie too :-)


Until next time


Use your spoons wisely and stay pain free xxxx