Cycling

I should explain that four years ago I lost a job I loved because of my illnesses. I worked as a theatre support worker during operations at a nearby hospital.

I absolutely loved that job. I tried so hard to always be a model employee, to do my job well. But one day, during a kidney removal I started to suddenly feel hot and tingly all over. When I woke up I was in a hospital bed; the nurses and staff in the operating theatre had carried me onto a trolley and sent me around to A&E.

I discovered soon after that accident that I’d developed Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome... I was given time off work but eventually theu decided to cut
me loose. And along with the POTS my bladder condition (insterstital cystitis) started to flare up and I ended up on morphine for a while. Luckily, I managed to kick that habit and now I’m taking Dihydrocodeine for my bladder and the joint pain I get from Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome.

Naturally, after I lost my job I was devasted. I fell into a deep depression. My health continued to get worth. It seemed like every time I went to the hospital for a check up, I was told I had something else wrong with me. Like Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease thats turned into Cirrohsis, and shortly after THAT diagnosis I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and I’m currently waiting for an Endoscopy on my stomach because I seem to have nearly all the symptoms of stomach ulcers.

I started to neglect myself. I didn’t take my medication, I stopped looking up and down the street before crossing the road, I stopped showing/bathing regularly. I’d go weeks, (which is gross - I know) without cleaning myself up. Everything was so exhausting. And I just didn’t have the energy.

A few weeks ago, however, I decided to start taking care of myself. I started taking my medication on time every day, I started bathing three times a week (our boiler is small and there are 5 of us in this house), I started styling my hair and putting on my face creams and wearing a little bit of make up. I feel good. But even more than all of this I’m exercising at least once every other day on my new bike.

I know these things are so small and don’t mean much... But I’m so proud of how far I’ve come.

#chronicillnesswarriors #ChronicHealthConditions #POTSUK #EDS #NAFLD #BPD #InterstitialCystitis #Diabetes #feelingbetter #Proudofmyself #Pleased #Being Sensible #LosingWeight #Cycling

For the longest time, I didn’t take my meds at the time I was supposed to. I was always late taking them. But for the last month, since I was put on Gliclazide (a diabetic medication used to lower your blood sugar quickly) I’ve been taking my medication religiously. At the exact right time or on the dot. And I feel so so much better for it.

I’ve been cycling for at least 20minutes nearly every day since I bought the bike on the 19th May. I feel so much stronger. It’s gotten to a point where I actually like the ache that’s left in my legs after I’ve finished cycling.

Just being able to do something that helps my body AND have it be something I really enjoy is amazing. I don’t feel lazy anymore. I don’t feel useless and powerless. I’m truly happy.

#chronicillnesswarrior #ChronicHealthConditions #POTS #POTSUK #EDS #BPD #NAFLD #Diabetes #InterstitialCystitis #Exercise #Bike #Cycling #feelingbetter #BeingGood

It’s been three days since I picked up my bike. I’ve gone out every day on it but I don’t think I’m pushing myself far enough - I don’t have any muscle aches or anything. Which is crazy! I haven’t ridden a bike in probably 10 years or more!

I feel like I SHOULD be aching a bit, and that since I’m not, I’m not pushing myself hard enough to get any benefit from it. My mum says that she’s aching all over from it, but she’s doing less than me. It’s odd.

But I’m loving going out for bike rides. I love the freedom I get with it. 😊

#chronicillnesswarrior #POTS #POTSUK #EDS #BPD #NAFLD #InterstitialCystitis #Diabetes #Cycling #BikeRides #Exercise #freedom