HoneyLove
18-05-14, 22:04
Hi guys,
I rarely post about my own challenges, simply because I don't really have many anymore. But, I'm only human and I still struggle sometimes. I find myself struggling today with something and I wanted to share with you guys. I'm not looking for reassurance, just for your support while I work my way through these challenges.
Yesterday while taking photos in the woods I got a tick bite, I didn't notice it until this morning and made the decision not to worry about it. I just applied antiseptic cream a couple of times during the day and put thoughts about it out of my mind when they crept in. This evening the bite and rash are a little bigger, so I got in touch with a nurse aunt who advised me on what do to. I just need to keep an eye on it and get tested for lyme disease in around a week's time, or if the rash gets worse just ask for an antibiotic from my GP this week.
This is a big challenge for me. My health has not been great over the last few years (not HA, but genuine health issues) and one of my biggest challenges is worrying about going backwards in terms of the recovery I've made. I know that lyme is very easily treated, especially if caught early - my own sister had it and was successfully treated - but my worry is around it making my health issues worse.
So, it's a challenge for me to have to wait and watch, rather than take immediate action. I'm very proactive, and I prefer to have something I can work on, rather than sitting back and worrying. This time I just have to be patient. I've come up with an action plan, and I could use your support in keeping to it:
- post here and ask for some support
- no googling, trust what my aunt has told me
- call the GP midweek and make an appointment for next week
- if the bite looks worse, make an appointment for this week
- no obsessively checking the bite
- no obsessively thinking about lyme and bad health
- I cannot worry about something that has not happened, so I will not allow myself to imagine getting lyme disease and it making my health issues worse
- plenty of relaxation methods to take the edge off stressful feelings if I have them
- come back to you guys if I find myself worrying, I will not talk obsessively about it with others (this is a pattern I used to have in the past)
- I can choose how I react and feel about this, it's natural to feel a bit of anxiety but I choose not to allow it to go any further than that, no panic and no anxiety attacks
Another challenge I'm facing this week is a visit to the rheumatologist. Again, I think anyone would find this anxiety inducing, so I'm just keeping an eye on myself and choosing to feel relaxed and calm about this appointment.
Unfortunately I've been having a lot of pain in the areas around my joints in the last few months. After a blood test returned some uncertain results my GP is sending me off to a rheumatologist. I'm dealing with it surprisingly well, in the past it would really have gotten to me. Nonetheless I'm a bit worried about what may be causing my pain, and am putting a list of questions together for the consultant. I will ask her if she thinks it's stress induced, as I have had a particularly stressful year so it's at the front of my mind that it may be part of the equation.
I'm writing this out here, half for myself, and half to show others how I work through anxiety triggers. I hope someone will find it helpful, I know it helps me to get some of this out and I'd appreciate any extra tips or advice you guys have to offer x
I rarely post about my own challenges, simply because I don't really have many anymore. But, I'm only human and I still struggle sometimes. I find myself struggling today with something and I wanted to share with you guys. I'm not looking for reassurance, just for your support while I work my way through these challenges.
Yesterday while taking photos in the woods I got a tick bite, I didn't notice it until this morning and made the decision not to worry about it. I just applied antiseptic cream a couple of times during the day and put thoughts about it out of my mind when they crept in. This evening the bite and rash are a little bigger, so I got in touch with a nurse aunt who advised me on what do to. I just need to keep an eye on it and get tested for lyme disease in around a week's time, or if the rash gets worse just ask for an antibiotic from my GP this week.
This is a big challenge for me. My health has not been great over the last few years (not HA, but genuine health issues) and one of my biggest challenges is worrying about going backwards in terms of the recovery I've made. I know that lyme is very easily treated, especially if caught early - my own sister had it and was successfully treated - but my worry is around it making my health issues worse.
So, it's a challenge for me to have to wait and watch, rather than take immediate action. I'm very proactive, and I prefer to have something I can work on, rather than sitting back and worrying. This time I just have to be patient. I've come up with an action plan, and I could use your support in keeping to it:
- post here and ask for some support
- no googling, trust what my aunt has told me
- call the GP midweek and make an appointment for next week
- if the bite looks worse, make an appointment for this week
- no obsessively checking the bite
- no obsessively thinking about lyme and bad health
- I cannot worry about something that has not happened, so I will not allow myself to imagine getting lyme disease and it making my health issues worse
- plenty of relaxation methods to take the edge off stressful feelings if I have them
- come back to you guys if I find myself worrying, I will not talk obsessively about it with others (this is a pattern I used to have in the past)
- I can choose how I react and feel about this, it's natural to feel a bit of anxiety but I choose not to allow it to go any further than that, no panic and no anxiety attacks
Another challenge I'm facing this week is a visit to the rheumatologist. Again, I think anyone would find this anxiety inducing, so I'm just keeping an eye on myself and choosing to feel relaxed and calm about this appointment.
Unfortunately I've been having a lot of pain in the areas around my joints in the last few months. After a blood test returned some uncertain results my GP is sending me off to a rheumatologist. I'm dealing with it surprisingly well, in the past it would really have gotten to me. Nonetheless I'm a bit worried about what may be causing my pain, and am putting a list of questions together for the consultant. I will ask her if she thinks it's stress induced, as I have had a particularly stressful year so it's at the front of my mind that it may be part of the equation.
I'm writing this out here, half for myself, and half to show others how I work through anxiety triggers. I hope someone will find it helpful, I know it helps me to get some of this out and I'd appreciate any extra tips or advice you guys have to offer x