Health

As I Lay Surrounded by Empty Pill Packets

I’ve taken so many drugs I’m surprised I don’t rattle

Photo by Roberto Sorin on Unsplash

Sertraline, Amitriptyline, Rivaroxiban, Codeine, Paracetamol…Whatever you need, I’ve got it. I’m a walking pharmacy at this point.

So it goes trying to manage my as-yet-untreated auto-immune disease. Sertraline for the anxiety and depression, Amitriptyline for sleep and pain relief, Rivaroxiban for the blood clot in my leg and literally every over-the-counter painkiller I can get my hands on, every six hours. Even then, the pain and the fevers still break through.

I have been told several times that all indications are that I have lupus and I need to see a rheumatologist as soon as possible. Sadly, the soonest appointment available on the NHS is not for more than three months.

I love our NHS, I really do, and the care I have received from my GP in particular has been faultless, but there’s nothing they can do about waiting lists while they’re so underfunded by the government.

That’s why I’ve made the difficult decision to pursue treatment privately. I’m not insured and obviously no one will touch me now, so it’s going to cost me. A lot.

And so, friends and followers, I am asking for your help. If you could spare anything for my fundraiser or even just share the link, I’d be immensely grateful.

Help V pay her medical costs, organized by Victoria Williams

V