A couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed with toxoplasmosis. I’ve kind of been dealing with the news on my own, and I don’t know what’s going to happen next. But here’s some info. 

For those of you who may not have been following my whole story, my sickness actually began with an intestinal infection. It went undiagnosed and untreated for six months. When the doctors figured out what it was, my system got slammed with antibiotics, which then caused the C.Diff that finally put me in hospital. The extensive inflammation triggered the gene for Ankylosing Spondylitis and now here we are. Autoimmune inflammatory arthritis for life.

So yeah. Finding out I have another intestinal infection is pretty fucken traumatic, actually.

They don’t know how long I have had it for. The test only shows that it’s been more than six months. It’s usually caused by contact with cat poo – and I used to work in a cattery. It’s possible I’ve had it for ages without symptoms – a lot of people do. But because my immune system is now compromised and suppressed, it has a chance to do some damage.

Unfortunately, the way they usually treat toxoplasmosis is – you guessed it – heavy antibiotics, combined with an antimalarial. Two months worth of it, and then probably eight to ten months of recovery. So, basically, back to the drawing board. Back to square fucking one. Back to Limp Noodle All Day In Bed status.

My doctor sought the advice of the microbiologist at Nelson hospital. Initially he said he doesn’t recommend the treatment, because “it is toxic” in itself. I asked the doctor to reply with more information about my current presentation. I want to know if, given all my symptoms, it is worth going through with it.

If the microbiologist says yes or maybe, then it’s up to me. And I have no idea what I will decide. Risk the treatment and possibly get way better (after getting way worse)? Or just… stay living like this.

Generally, my health at the moment sucks. Along with the usual jshgejjsgfjsgf, I’ve started a bunch of new medications, so my brain and body are trying to wrap their way around them.

– I’ve increased my Venlafaxine dose, which reeeally fucked with my head for a couple weeks, though it seems to be settling now.

– An alphablocker which has been prescribed to try and help with my nightmares. Unfortunately it lowers blood pressure, and I have very low blood pressure to begin with, so the doctors were pretty unkeen to give it to me. I convinced them because my nightmares are every single night and really really hard to deal with. It just means now I have to make sure I don’t faint.

– Melatonin, which has been given to help me sleep but unfortunately makes my nightmares worse.

– I’v’e got a bunch supplements including Apple Cider Vinegar, Fenugreek, Evening Primrose Oil, and a hardcore probiotic.

Anyway, one good thing I can report: my new mattress continues to be a Fucking Cloud of Awesomeness. I can never say thank you enough to the people who made that happen.

So yeah. That’s where I’m at.