I’ve probably droned on before that I’ve lived my whole life with stomach problems, from severe constipation to acid reflux – with a few bits in-between. The betweenies ranged from stomach aches every day, colic, bloating and then a hiatus hernia (must thank my eldest upon entering this world) leading to asthma caused by the reflux.

Two operations later, to correct the hernia, it seems after 10 years of working perfectly the hernia has re-appeared and seven years ago, I began to notice a deterioration with my breathing and reflux increase and unfortunately moving back to England from Scotland put all the medical tests I’d had whilst in the land of the haggis, back to square one. It seems NHS England won’t accept the results that NHS Scotland provided – go figure.

Anyway, to cut a long story short and not to beat about the bush, and enough of the small talk, after several years of steroid dependency to assist my breathing, I have now been approved for biologicals treatment of which I have had my first jab, its similar to an Epi-pen. I inject once a month (I tried very hard not to cry) for three months and every two months thereafter. I can honestly say I have felt an improvement already. If I can wean myself off the steroids, show improvement then I will be able to stay on this medication. I am quietly optimistic and keeping everything crossed as it should also help my daily allergies – of which there are many – including hubby! Just to add to the list of ailments, Bronchiectasis (I struggle pronouncing this) has now raised its ugly head, meaning the airways of my lungs have become widened, joining the club with the rest of my body.

The past year has certainly been busy for me and the NHS, but I have to say the specialists at our local hospital have been fantastic. The respiratory team are friendly and efficient and the gastroenterology specialist has arranged for so many tests – that I had no idea cameras could go where they did. I’m waiting to hear from him to see if he can suggest anything to hold back the acid reflux without actually having a third laparoscopy – keyhole surgery to ‘wrap’ and repair.

But I am investigating a line of thought at the mo, there are varying degrees of joint hypermobility in my family, from my brother, both daughters and a couple of the grandchildren. The NHS Scotland website for the syndrome is extremely informative and there are so many different symptoms, that it just blew my mind – these days it doesn’t take much. If you like me thought this syndrome just affected people who could move their limbs into positions that others find impossible, then think again. The syndrome affects the inner workings of the body as well as the outer layers. The most interesting bit that caught my eye was the digestive problems. I could have been reading my own medical history. It seems my oesophagus sometimes works, and sometimes doesn’t, the valve lovingly holding onto the hiatus hernia sometimes opens, but sometimes doesn’t, and when the food finally drops down into my stomach, this has difficulty emptying the contents into the small bowel, which sometimes decides to work and sometimes doesn’t!

Although, I don’t have bendy fingers and have mentioned the above possibility to my GP, this, to me answers so many questions, the syndrome also affects the type of collagen we have in our body, causing thin or stretchy skin – all I have to do is walk past a door handle and my skin gives up and splits. So, I know the outcome won’t be affected by any findings but it certainly would answer a lot of questions I have. Watch this space …….