Diary of an AStronaut

FAST: Heightened senses on day 3 of the fast

FAST: Heightened senses on day 3 of the fast

SI Pain: 1/100 | Rib Pain: 0/100 | Knee Pain: 3/100 Concrete Back: 7/100 Today was the last day of my fast. I felt pretty good but definitely the mood takes a hit on day two... and today is day 3. I'm kind of fine but also not. I'll unpack that a little... Physically...

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In general I feel so much better since being on this diet

In general I feel so much better since being on this diet

I woke up feeling ok. Had my usual breakfast smoothie. Upper left AS ache in-between the lower back and lungs but at the back. In general though I still feel so much better since being on this diet. I got a text message this morning from the NHS, to in fact saying...

The coughing is driving me mad

The coughing is driving me mad

I've been coughing a lot today which is annoying me and I did some googling and apparently scarring on the lungs is possible with ankylosing spondylitis. I'm worried that having this thing undiagnosed has got me in a bit of bother and I've been eating stuff that's...

Tummy has been weird today

Tummy has been weird today

Woke up feeling fine. Kat made me a smoothie which had peanut butter in it and tasted delicious but I'm worried that that's one of the things I shouldn't be eating at the moment. Still, touch wood, my back seems to be ok. My upper chest feels quite tight still and I...

The NHS have found something in my blood (plus some naturopath tips)

The NHS have found something in my blood (plus some naturopath tips)

We both woke up with a startle in what felt like the middle of the night. It was a strange sound like a hollow door or window slamming. I had a headache, presumably the drinks last night, so I got up and went downstairs to grab a glass of water. I downed 2 pints of...

Need to just buy one of those TENS machines

Need to just buy one of those TENS machines

Wake up feeling ok, although I did take 3 ibuprofen last night. After my breakfast smoothie I had a slice of cheese and then took two more ibuprofen just to keep things going. It's a miserable day today and it's been raining almost constantly. For lunch I had egg with...

Back on the ibuprofen

Back on the ibuprofen

Not a good night sleep last night. I woke up in the middle of the night with all the ankylosing spondylitis pain. Sharp stabbing pain in the lower right pelvis just like it used to be but perhaps even more angry. Also pain in my lower left ribs which is also quite...

The diet seems to be going well if not perfectly

The diet seems to be going well if not perfectly

I woke up today feeling ok but have some of the ankylosing flaring up today. It's not in my lower back in the normal bit this time it's behind my ribs (maybe mid way) to the right hand side, so the upper back again. I feel pretty upset and frustrated by this because...

There is no rheumatoid factor in my blood

There is no rheumatoid factor in my blood

It's been a really weird day today. I woke up to the alarm feeling tired but otherwise ok. My back is feeling good again and pain to the lower right of my pelvis feels like it's almost gone to be honest. It's hard to know whether this is just a normal respite or the...

At this point we’re going into real improvement territory

At this point we’re going into real improvement territory

I've woken up feeling pretty good today actually. I do feel little bit tired, which surprises me, but I've had the best sleep unaided, i.e. with no pills or anything, that I've had for weeks. I think I literally only woke up twice last night. Once was to get...

The full blown history of my AS (and when I decided to take it on)

The full blown history of my AS (and when I decided to take it on)

Managed to get a little bit of sleep last night. Not quite as good as the night before though. I felt some pain during the night and woke up several times. Feels like I've got a decent amount of energy today. I'm hoping this new diet is changing things. I feel down...

Some initial findings from the blood test

Some initial findings from the blood test

Woke up feeling a little better than yesterday. Though I didn't sleep brilliantly, I did sleep which is obviously a massive improvement on last night. I kept waking up sporadically because of my back but probably could have dozed in bed for another hour at a push. Had...

The first day of the diet

The first day of the diet

Didn't sleep at all last night. I went to bed at midnight thinking I would wake up early but was in pain and couldn't sleep all night. It wasn't the usual sharp pain it was more this ache everywhere. A kind of severe discomfort which meant I could never get to or stay...

The worst pain I’ve ever felt, bar none.

The worst pain I’ve ever felt, bar none.

I woke up at 3am in pain. I kept trying to turn sides but the pain was too sharp and insistent and I wasn't able to fall asleep again. In the back of my head I was remembering the acupuncture guy had said not to sleep on my side. But I physically can't sleep on my...

Tried acupuncture to help with AS pain, mixed results

Tried acupuncture to help with AS pain, mixed results

Woke up slightly in pain today, but not as bad as expected. Got a fairly decent sleep last night, despite waking up a few times. I felt so terrible yesterday, so by comparison, feel good today. Work fine, and I think I can have a day where I'm not stressed about...

Explaining back pain to a hippo

Explaining back pain to a hippo

Woke up feeling a bit empty. Just a general despondency and not quite sure why. My lower back on the right hand side is still aching and hurting. I can't move my leg properly without searing pain. I thought during my walk today, when I was feeling particularly low...

Feeling quite exhausted today

Feeling quite exhausted today

Woke up feeling ok, back not quite as bad as it has been. In fact I didn’t have to take any painkillers today and was able to sit down and drink my morning tea in the chair in the lounge. I had a lot to do work-wise so started early and had breakfast at my desk. The...

Drinking tea standing up

Drinking tea standing up

Woke up today feeling kind of ok - as in I slept - but knew that I was in for a day of pain. Back felt terrible this morning. Couldn’t even sit down because that made the pain worse so drunk my tea standing up. Kat said she’s make me some toast so I went for a shower....

These things seem to be helping

These things seem to be helping

Woke up feeling ok. We’ve had the weighted blanket on the last two nights and I actually think it’s helped with my back. It seems to keep me in one position most of the night and it’s also quite comforting. The things that help my back seem to be: - Lots of walking -...

Relentless rain and The Midnight Gospel

Relentless rain and The Midnight Gospel

Managed to sleep last night but woke up with my back feeling comically stiff. Almost walked bent double to the toilet. Need to locate some painkillers today and go out on a decent strenuous walk to loosen things up. Maybe I’ll head to Valentine’s park today. Had lots...

Bad backs and burnt out cars

Bad backs and burnt out cars

Woke up feeling quite chirpy. Feel stiff though, as if I would only be able to bend at right angles. Had an ok morning in general. Kat and I had an intense argument about tea, then about the extractor fan in the bathroom, then tea again. My back is now killing me...

Back ok, better than it has been for a while

Back ok, better than it has been for a while

Woke up feeling fine. Back is ok, better than it had been for a while. Either I’ve got used to the new shoes or the constant blasting myself with different home remedies is having an impact. I’m currently taking turmeric and applying a hemp rub on my back. Thought...