I took a long break from this blog. A loooooong break. A 365+ day break. It has been the year of -itis. If it ends in -itis, I had it. I’ve spent the year inflamed.

In May last year, I got Vestibular Neuritis or sudden, severe vertigo. Symptoms included dizziness (like I was on a boat, constantly), balance difficulties, nausea, vomiting, and concentration difficulties. Always great when you’ve just started a new job. I had to cancel a trip to Paris to see the BB. Not happy. I scared my new colleagues by shouting at random moments, “Is the floor moving? Or just my desk?”

Then the usual tonsillitis and laryngitis in rotation every month. Super fun. My autoimmune system was set to fiesta mode, attacking any little germ with gusto.

And then because I was just way too joyful about my knitting, I got a smack-down from some tenosynovitis. No, not tendonitis, TENOSYNOVITIS. Yeah, what’s that? It’s the inflammation of the fluid-filled sheath (called the synovium) that surrounds a tendon, typically leading to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. So my right hand was out of action, in a removable cast. Did I mention I’m right-handed?

And now… rhinitis. Rhinoceros-strength rhinitis. The fenofexadine is barely making a dent in it. Followed up with a sore throat and cold from the post-nasal drip.

So yes, I have to admit it’s back to the drawing board. Given the out-of-control autoimmune responses I’m battling, and what feels like constant inflammation, I have to consider a more aggressive approach to staying healthy. I’ve almost completely cut out the alcohol, and scaled back to one coffee a day. This may have to go, too. My heart and cholesterol levels are healthy, which is good, but because it’s so impossible to pinpoint the cause and effect of autoimmune conditions, I’m basically on my own at this point. I have to find a way to treat the fire, and not the smoke, and still keep up with life as I know it.

The sun is shining today and I’m feeling optimistic. I’m glad to be writing again. Wish me luck!