Hello there, I have only just found this site. I have never seen anyone or met anyone with similar conditions to mine, nor support networks for people like me. I had rheumatic fever at the age of 11 years. I was fed Prednisone tablets at that time, which further exacerbated my condition over the following years.

I suffered arthritic conditions called ankylosing spondylitis and peripheral arthritis in my earlier late teens and early twenties, then I had a few good years until aged 33. At this time I became short of breath and was found to have a leaking aortic valve. As a result I had an aortic valve replacement. I was also informed after this that I had some sort of congenital heart disease as a result of the treatments I had had as a child. My heart also had a a dilated left ventricle and my heart would keep enlarging.

No one understands my condition, doctors just become obsessed with an interesting condition. But no one has ever supplied me with a suitable curative approach for my condition. I have suffered from obesity and lack of ability to exercise comfortably. In the last 4 to 5 years of my life, I have been provided and taken blood pressure tablets and fluid tablets which just keeps me in existence. I suffer also sleep apnea now. Other treatment I am taking are Cup therapy and occasional acupuncture. I suffer sharp pains and dull pains inside my left shoulder blade, but as yet no one has been able to tell me why that is or indeed what it is. I am teaching English as a 2nd language and have been doing so for 2 years now. I used to have a position as a youth worker and before that in community development and private enterprise. I am less able to do any kind of manual labour now, much to my chagrin. Anyway that's my introduction.

Regards,