💬 What’s the most difficult symptom to cope with in your daily life?

@annpmunday Hi 🌼

It sounds like you’ve been dealing with a lot — managing your own health concerns while also caring for your partner must take a great deal of patience and strength. ❤️

Those rhinitis-like symptoms sound frustrating, especially when they happen in certain rooms. Have you noticed if they’re triggered by anything specific, like cleaning products, humidity, or mold? Sometimes small environmental changes can make a difference.

And please don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about the chest pain — it’s always best to be sure. How have you been coping day to day with everything that’s on your plate right now?

@Somya.P ASTER took over this housing trust from East Boro Housing Trust last November, I believe. East Boro provided housing for people from the arts, music business (the PRS recommended me), theatre, writers. Although there are also people here not from any of these. When ASTER took over (they used to do the maintenance and repair here), they are not in my opinion as "customer friendly" as the previous management. I have major problems when I am in the bathroom, where my eyes water and my nose runs. It is not easy breathing properly when your nose in particular does this. I have ended up with a fear of having a shower and am currently reading "Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway". I did manage to have a shower today and I am going to try and repeat that tomorrow. The flats at either end of the rows have a completely different extraction fan system than the ones in the middle. The Head of Aster maintenance explained to me that this is due to the length of the space between the back door of the flat to the front. Anyway, there is now a kind and friendly, Relations Manger, Danielle. The last one, Susan was rather haughty and self-opinionated. She has offered to send people here to (the PRS will apparently pay) to tidy up here. Yes, I accept it's a mess. I have always created a mess. Even when running companies. However, I always knew where everything was and my PA knew not to move anything. Richard and I will do our best to tidy up the main room and the bedroom. But I well remember the maintenance man who kindly came here two days before Christmas and cleared the duct in the ceilings of both the bathroom and the kitchen. He said that the situation was serious. When questioned later, he denied saying this and I don't blame him for not wanting to lose his job. Thank you for your interest.

@Jonbon31 Hi 🌼

I’m really sorry to hear you’ve been experiencing such severe morning anxiety — that must feel overwhelming. Mornings can be especially tough when anxiety hits hard. You’re not alone in feeling this way. 💛

Have you found anything that helps ease it, even a little — like breathing exercises, getting some fresh air, or a calming routine? Sometimes sharing what works (or doesn’t) can really help others going through the same thing.

We have mens shed in Naas ireland, different activities for men. I am 51 most ages are 60 to 80. I find it good for company at times. Also I joined a church, hope church in Naas an American pastor 9 different nationalities. People are caring its all about using jesus in your life and using his support to get through hard times. It's hard coming from no faith to trying to get faith in time I hope to develop my faith. Cold showers in the morning the wim Hoff method. It helps regulate the vagus never that is associated with anxiety. Green tea has a calming affect also. It takes time to get well, you need to show compassion and acceptance for your situation. I lost my mum to Suicide in January of 2021. She was my best friend and my Hero ❤️🙏. She was 76 no history of depression or anxiety. She had cancer but the isolation from covid took her mind. Probably only started really grieving in February of 2023, when I had a major breakdown.

@Mandy59 Hi 🌼

I’m so sorry you’ve been going through such a difficult time — it sounds incredibly frustrating and exhausting to be in that much pain with so little relief. Living with rheumatoid arthritis is already hard enough without feeling unheard by your care team. 💛

It’s good that your GP noticed how much you’re struggling and is reaching out to your rheumatology clinic — hopefully that will help move things forward before February. In the meantime, have you found anything that brings even a bit of comfort or relief, like gentle heat, rest, or light movement when possible?

You deserve to be listened to and supported — thank you for sharing what you’re going through.

@Mandy59 Is there any way you can see another rheumatologist for a second opinion? Thats horrible that they are not allowing you to take meds that at least help. Bet if they were in your shoes they would not have held back! Sorry youre going thru this!!

@Somya.P

l try to get moving but without much progress. I try to distract my mind from the pain with breathing exercises, online puzzles as l only need one finger to do those 😊 and l listen to audiobooks. I am always hot so heat doesn’t help l don’t even use my heating in winter most of the time. I find putting my hands under the cold tap works and l do the exercises that physio has advised l do as often as l am able to. My gp saw how l have declined and l am so glad someone is on my side.