“It’s very treatable” 

said the consultant and so it has turned out to be.

That was in 1999 when I was referred to a hospital consultant by my G.P. for an unusual array of symptoms.

These included continuous tiredness, painful leg muscles and a cold that would not go away. Fortunately my early diagnosis by the consultant that I had Wegener’s Granulomatosis, a form of Vasculitis, meant that treatment with the appropriate drugs could start right away. Of course I was sick for a while, but quickly regained most of my energy and ability to lead a fairly normal life over the last thirteen years. Naturally there have been some changes; including taking pills and having frequent hospital visits and tests, but these have been readily accepted as a slight modification to my routine. Certainly living with W.G., or as it is now known Granulomatosis with Polyangitis, has hardly curtailed my ability to go trout and salmon fishing, dabble in photography, do voluntary church work, research my family tree, attend Irish history classes and potter around the garden. So it is possible to enjoy life in all its variety while acknowledging the presence of Vasculitis. in the background. The best way of achieving this is to be involved, as far as possible, in as many interests as you can, and to welcome the opportunities of meeting and mingling with people .both at work and socially.

B.H.McC.