HELLO, NEW OPTIONS.

For those who don’t have me on Instagram you missed out on a photo of me post-run around an oval due to this rush of happiness I got today.
There was more to the story than that…

I would like to share with you that I had my interview today with the Chronic Pain Management Clinic at one of the best hospitals here, and…

I got in!

(hence, why I felt on top of the world and ran an oval three times).

The interview had me sit in a small room with a Physiotherapist, a Rheumatologist, a Neurologist, a general GP and a witness.
I was interrogated beyond belief and had to recite every small detail since 2014 (which is incredibly difficult when you suffer from brain fog).
I named every medication I have been trialled on, every test done, every Specialist seen. I had to do the routine ‘touch your toes, jump on the spot thing’ too.

There was a bit of shock, disbelief and then they asked if they could have five minutes to themselves to discuss (which turned into about twenty minutes being alone in a room).
Then they came back and gave me the news: they wanted to help, so I’m IN!

Together, they will be writing a plan of attack and contacting my important Specialists (my Gastroenterologist, Rheumatologist and General Doctor). These are some of my potential pathways:

A) ZOSTRIX “chilli” cream used for sufferers of Post Herpetic Neuralgia.
Has anyone used it before? Apparently the burn is pretty painful, but it helps with nerve damage and severe arthritis? They were shocked that I was not put on it when I first developed Shingles. It might be too late now 😦

B) Physiotherapy with someone specialised in Post Herpetic Neuralgia (Nerve Pain from Shingles).

C) Anaesthetic injections in my neck

D) an appointment with the Dizzy Day clinic to help my balance and dizziness

E) A new antidepressant which targets nerve pain (my current one targets my stomach, so we have to be careful with this option).

I obviously chose option A to attempt first.
(Who would turn down an attempt at the Chilli cream?)

My consultation today was covered, but I will unfortunately have to pay a small fee to see the Physiotherapists. It is 85% cheaper than my current place, so I guess that’s a bonus.

My allowance with the government ends in August, but as usual, there is a wait with my start to treatment for at least another five weeks. My Government Allowance could potentially be extended so I won’t have to look for work for another three months and solely focus on treatment… but they don’t want to jump the gun yet. I still have two months.

So, to sum it all up, I am really excited to see where this takes me.
Like they said today, “it’s all about trial and error”. I was left thinking that everyone had given up on me, and that we had tried everything and that I would have to live with this uncertainty forever.

Apparently we haven’t tried everything. I just had to find a new team, with new ideas.

My treatment for H.Pylori ends on Friday, so I am also excited to finish that too. It has been one of the worst medication treatments I have ever been on (and I don’t usually whinge about medication).

Lots of love and spoons to each and every one of you.
Thank you for your endless support on my journey.
There is hope out there for each and every one of us. It unfortunately takes a lot of time, a lot of trials and a good, caring team of professionals… but there is hope.

C xo.