Side effects and 'normality' (?)
I’ve been thinking a lot about side effects lately. Thanks to being off work, I’ve had more time to take in ‘me’ or the ‘new’ me that is officially recognised now. Time to spot what that actually means without simply being stressed or tired because of work and just simply trying to get through each day.
There are quite a lot of side effects and symptoms and some of them I have absolutely no idea what’s to blame for. Well, I do. They fall into one of three camps right now. Each is either caused by the Crohn’s Disease, the high dose of steroids I’m taking for it, or the infusion medication I’m also taking for it which is a slow developer for the good stuff but supposedly a fast mover for anything bad…So I figured I’d run you through some of the highlights and my general thoughts about their pros and cons.
Lack of sleep
Probably caused by the steroids. May be caused by the infusion if I’m unlucky (as I’m on the infusion and injections for the next year).
Pros: Lot more time in the day to get things done.
Cons: I don’t really want to wake up at 6am every day. Especially when I’m on holiday or it’s the weekend or winter is coming so it’s not even dawn at this point of the day any more.
Weird eyesight
Definitely caused by the steroids. It’s on the list.
Pros: Erm…you appreciate your eyesight more when it’s working well?
Cons: You need to bump up subtitle sizes on any game you play and some of them suck for accessibility features.
Greasy skin
Caused by the steroids.
Pros: My skin isn’t dry any more.
Cons: Looks and feels awful.
Spots
Caused by the steroids and the infusion.
Pros: Makes me appreciate my teenage years when I was very lucky and hardly spotty.
Cons: Looks awful. Again.
Hair loss
Definitely caused by the steroids. Could be caused by the infusion meds.
Pros: I have naturally thick hair so it’s trying its best.
Cons: Its best isn’t great. My hair is definitely falling out quite significantly now and it’s ridiculous. I just leave hair everywhere. Also awful for one’s self confidence!
Increased appetite
Caused by the steroids.
Pros: Ideal if you start out weighing just under 7 stone and doctors are very worried about quite how thin you are. Food is amazing once more.
Cons: Once you get to a comfortable weight, your body wants to continue and you spend a lot of time craving ALL food.
Non-existent immune system
Caused by the steroids and the infusion (so, this is me for the next year). Also, Crohn’s itself isn’t great for a good immune system either.
Pros: You get bumped up the list for a flu, pneumonia and covid booster shot (in theory. There are supply issues. Flu and pneumonia shots should be in the next few weeks. Covid probably won’t be till January at the earliest).
Cons: Seriously? There’s a pandemic on and we’re also all being warned that flu season will be worse. Every trip out feels like a suicide mission. My sole piece of professional advice? ‘Try to avoid people that haven’t been vaccinated’. As if it’s easy to know by looking at someone whether they’re vaccinated and responsible, or a walking death wish! A simple cold is very likely to wipe me out too so yay for that.
Increased risk of cancer
That’s thanks to the steroids, the infusion, and the sheer fact I have Crohn’s. It covers a few types of cancer. So exciting.
Pros: You appreciate sun cream more than ever before.
Cons: Clue’s in the header. Increased risk of cancer!
Depressive moods
Er…I’m honestly not sure if this is the steroids, infusion, Crohn’s or simply the fact I have to deal with everything I’m listing here.
Pros: The ups are nice.
Cons: The downs are not nice.
Aches and pains
Probably caused by everything tbh as well as 18 months of gradually getting more and more ill plus the severe anaemia I had for a long time.
Pros: Good excuse to not do any heavy lifting?
Cons: Waking up with aching hands, joints, and back ache that can wake me up in the night generally makes you feel old before your time.
Headaches
Again, could be all three to blame.
Pros: Not much tbh….
Cons: Headaches suck and I never used to suffer from them.
Fatigue
Another one that can be blamed on literally everything.
Pros: I have a very comfy bed.
Cons: It’s SO unpredictable. If I could have a schedule where I knew which days were write offs, life would be so much easier. As it stands, it’s incredibly irritating.
Arm rash
Caused by the infusion. It’s all along my arm where the infusion went in. In theory, antihistamines will help next time. (No one told me this last time. Of course)
Pros: It doesn’t itch at least.
Cons: It looks pretty noticeable and unsightly.
It’s going to be good to be hopefully free of steroids in about a month’s time. I want to see what I’m left with side effect wise so I know what’s going to stick around for the next year or so!