Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend!
I haven’t done a lot this weekend, other than having a big clear-out on clothes I haven’t worn for years. Something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. So it feels pretty good to finally get that ticked off the never-ending list of jobs!
Last weekend, my husband and I got out for a little local walk. It was one very foggy autumn morning, but it made great photos! We found a little woodland full of lots of pretty colours.
Here’s some some little snippets from the walk:
Low Iron
My iron has been a little low recently. I have increased my iron tablet dosage as I was only taking them twice a week. This I realised wasn’t enough to keep my iron levels stable, so over the months my levels had slowly been dropping.
Thankfully, I am now starting to feel a bit better. But honestly, low iron levels is awful! I know many of you probably can relate. It just wipes you out! I’ve been struggling to stay awake in the evenings. Struggling to wake up in the mornings. I’ve been feeling like I could sleep for 24 hours a day, and probably still wake up tired.
Not only does it make me feel so fatigued, but it also affects my mood and my concentration. It always makes me feel like I can’t be bothered to do anything, and I just become miserable!
Sinuses
On top of low iron levels, I’ve been struggling a lot with my sinuses, too. Low iron and painful, inflamed sinuses is a bad combination. Both make you feel pretty miserable and wiped out!
For anyone who doesn’t know, I suffer with chronic dry sinuses, caused be my Sjogren’s disease. Most of the time I do manage it by inhaling steam and performing regular nasal washes. But lately, for whatever reason, I have been struggling more.
It’s been worse ever since coming home from my New England trip.
I know having the central heating on doesn’t help. But I kind of need it on, as I struggle to keep warm, and I suffer from poor circulation.
About a couple of weeks ago, I purchased some Neil Med Naso Gel for dry sinuses. I was very reluctant at first! I’ve tried so many different things to help over the years. But nothing has worked as well as inhaling steam and regular nasal washes. However, this nasal gel actually does help, and I’m finally starting to get on top of the inflammation at last! It’s great!
If you are struggling with dry, inflamed sinuses, I honestly, truly recommend getting some of this nasal gel to try. I might be late to the game, and you all know about it. But just in case you don’t:
This is the one I ordered off Amazon I ordered: https://amzn.to/3LG1X5m
My Circulation
My hands are frequently turning purple, sore, and swollen. Considering how mild the weather has been recently, I do worry as we head into winter. I know I need to go into hospital for Iloprost. I am due for it; if we go by the theory, I have it every 6 months, which seems to be the case at the moment. But as always, I keep trying to put it off! But honesty, I really don’t want to have to go through it all yet again!
But I always wonder why I do this to myself. Why I always delay going in for treatment. All I’m doing is extending my suffering! It’s not like if I maybe wait a few more weeks, I may not need it anymore. I need it now, and if I don’t have it, I will still need it in a few months time. My blood vessels have narrowed, and the only thing that is going to open them back up is 5 days of Iloprost infusions.
It’s horrible treatment to have! I hate how this treatment has become what feels like regular treatment that I have and probably always going to need.
Since my last round of Iloprost beginning of June, I have been taking Amlodipine. At first, I thought it was really helping. But since August, I’ve noticed my circulation declining. My toes became riddled with chillblains, making it quite painful to walk on. As we headed into September, I noticed my hands began to get worse too.
I’m not actually sure how much the Amlodipine is helping, if at all!
In Other News
I’ve noticed my Lupus rash is spreading from my face and down onto my neck. It’s never done that before, so why now I do not know!
Anyway’s that’s it from me this week. I’ve got a busy few weeks coming up, so not sure when I’ll next get around to writing my next blog. We head to Estonia for the Christmas Markets in a couple of weeks’ time. We’ve also got a few days in London, which I’m looking forward too.
Until next time,
Goodbye for now,
Emma
xox
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