Still alive - barely

[wiseheart]

Work is getting more bothersome as I'm getting older - my tolerance for snotty teenage behaviour is evaporating quickly. And for the petty power plays my boss loves playing. *sigh*

I've also managed to catch a weird condition - having overdressed on Monday because weather forecast promised cooler temperatures, I could feel my sweat-soaked undershirt and bra chafe against my skin all day. Naturally, it was a day when I was at work for some eight or so hours. In any case, by the time I came home, my skin hurt! My bloody skin, under my arm, can you believe it? There's nothing to see, it isn't even reddened, it just frigging hurts! And it's spreading, too! Yesterday, it creeped over my left upper arm. Today, it reached my left forearm, the left side of my back and the left side of my chest, too.

Okay, the back ache feels like all the other times when cold air hits my sweaty back and the agony lasts for weeks, so it may not have to do anything with the skin owie. But even breathing hurts, and the pressure in my chest isn't very pleasant, either. That's something I had in my younger years, too; the doctors thought it was some vague heart condition, but it didn't react to any medication, so I tend to believe that it has something to do with stress.

The skin thing might be some bizarre version of neurodermitis, perhaps. The funny thing is, it barely bothers me when I'm actually lying on my left side, with all my considerable weight. But when lightly touched, either by hands (Mum's treating it with Diclofenac slave because I can't quite reach all the places) or by the lightest of clothes, it's agony. Which is odd, but perhaps the whole thing is just happening in the upper layer of the skin or whatnot.

I had a very bad moment this evening, when I literally couldn't breathe for a few moments, because of the pain. It was pretty scary. I hope I won't spontaneously suffocate in my sleep tonight - I intend to update some stories the lovely lindahoyland has beta-ed for me.

Comments

[jenn-calaelen.livejournal.com]

Eek! Oh, no! How dreadful!

I don't know if it is likely, but if it is a burning pain, it might be Shingles (http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Shingles/Pages/Introduction.aspx) [I know a bit about it as my partner thought I might have it at one point, but it didn't turn out to be that]

Hope you feel better soon!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you.
It is not a burning pain - just like, I dunno, over-sensitivity, and it's worse by light touches, oddly enough. I have the bad feeling that it would last quite some time. My back-aches usually do, so why would this be any better? :(

[red-day-dawning.livejournal.com]

My mum had shingles, which she found excruciating. The thing with shingles is prompt treatment - if you visit a doctor quickly enough, you can get anti-virals.
Hope the condition improves soon!
And teaching teenagers, ugh, the worst. You deserve a medal.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Big hugs. Hope you soon feel better.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

I've had shingles, and it was different from what that sounds like (mine was a sort of ripply sick pain across my head) but I do think you need to see a doctor - even if it turns out to be minor, they can give you something to relieve it (I was give The Really Good drugs and was grateful for them).

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I'll try to get in tomorrow - if all the elderly people who would actually have the time to wait for an appointment don't block the ambulance completely. I've developed a slight rash now, so it might be the shingles, after all. *sigh*

[disthrainsdotte.livejournal.com]

Snotty teenagers can be a pain in the backside. As for petty power games that is just so frustrating. I wish I could give you a hug but I can send one to you. ((Soledad))

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Awww, thank you!

[ithilwen.livejournal.com]

I hope whatever was causing the weird skin issue goes away quickly!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Not sure about that. They seem very redundant at the moment.

[sammydragoncat]

I hope you feel better soon!