This post is going to be a mixture of how I’ve been the last few days. Like I said in a previous post, I’ve had fairly equal days in terms of being good and bad. However, I have noticed in the recent few days my days have almost been split, I’m fairly good in the morning and I quickly decline by afternoon. The temperature is rising as the days go on and the breeze is slowly withering away to nothing. There usually is a breeze in the morning hours but it seems as it gets to 1pm it suddenly stops, and returns at late afternoon/sunset. This means by afternoon I’m typically under the parasol or cooling off in the water.
I have noticed I’m affected more when my head is directly in the sun. Which is where a sun hat comes in handy, the downside is the hat makes my head sweat and can make me feel worse, it almost gives a sense of over heating.
I thought I was doing well on the rash side but on a morning walk earlier this week I developed one. I was in Turkey in 2015, I was in limbo with getting a diagnosis and I developed a rash on my chest, just next to my shoulder. The rash I developed this earlier this week was in the exact same place. At first it didn’t bother me, in fact I hadn’t spotted it, my mother did whilst we were in the sea. But, as the day wore on, it started to itch and it became hot. The heat from it could of just been my skin in general as my shoulders were slightly red but my Lupus rashes are generally hot to touch. The rash was slightly raised, it lasted longer than I anticipated, a day and a half. I kept applying factor 50 and Nivea Soft cream. I always find Nivea Soft soothes Lupus rashes, I didn’t think ahead to pack it but luckily the little shop in the hotel sells it.
I thought my sleep issues would have settled during the holiday, with being in the sun and around the sea but they haven’t. I usually sleep on my right side but last night I couldn’t lay on it. I had pain in my right hip, like stated, I sleep on my right side so I kept reverting back to it and being awoken by pain. It wasn’t just last night that brought poor sleep, most nights have been restless, just like at home. I woke up feeling very achy and a bit out of sorts so I had a late start, I just sat in bed munching on biscuits (Milka biscuits are delightful, they’d be even nicer with a brew though) and strolling through the internet.
As the holiday goes on I am starting to struggle more. I’m becoming increasingly fatigued and starting to have an ‘unwell’ feeling, again, it’s a feeling I can’t perfectly describe. But after all, I’m no longer designed to be in the sun, I’m not meant to be sat in it, people must honestly think I’m mad for being here and in a way I totally am mad but you can’t say I haven’t tried it. Mum overheard a woman on the beach yesterday saying she declared Lupus on her travel insurance – so it’s not just me putting myself through blazing heat and putting myself at risk of dire symptoms. Maybe madness is a trait we develop when diagnosed? If I flare massively when I return to British soil then so be it. I’d rather flare with decent wifi, my dogs and Netflix than here, when I’m meant to be enjoying myself…if I do flare as soon as I land at least Lupus has the decency to hold fire until the holiday was over.
I’ve reached the second week, all in all I think I’ve done well. Yes, there’s been bad days but there’s also been fairly good days. I’m still enjoying myself, which is the whole point of the holiday. But, I must go because I’m bloody red hot and need to get into the sea.
The wifi is co-operating with me today so here is some pictures!
Me, myself and Lupus 