Day 2 part 2:

Try again. Breathe. Relax. Phew.

After I'd calmed myself down from before, I had quite a relaxing day. Loosened my upper body muscles (which I've realised I've been holding up in the air practically by my ears causing pain) and had a hot shower to try to keep everything relaxed. I'm also going out this evening to the bar where I work with my boyfriend and some friends. Should be fun!

I've also decided I should try to keep a food diary. A lot of what we eat can affect symptoms, so I'll be trying to do it daily:

Breakfast: N/A; I was asleep!

Lunch: A sausage sandwich on white bread, a fish finger sandwich on a bagel, half a bowl of mash

Dinner: A fish sandwich (a lot of fish today!) on white bread and a cream egg

Drinks: Three pints of water, one glass of orange juice, one half pint of cranberry juice, one half pint of coke

Assessment: Not enough fruit and vegetables in there! Will buy some bananas/apples tomorrow. I think that's enough fluids (and I've avoided caffeine today as it's a stimulant) but I may try switching completely to water in the next few days.

How I have felt today:

I've gone through quite a mix of emotions today. Positive, to sad, to positive, to calm, to a little anxious, to hopeful, to determined, to a little anxious. I'm wondering whether or not I should ask the GP for more texts just to be sure...or whether that'll be a self fulfilling circle of 'oh I'll just ask for another one' and so it will continue. Though several things have helped today:

1. Doing a bit of law. I couldn't concentrate enormously but I did manage to get a little bit done.

2. Reading through this: http://nothingworks.weebly.com/ note: I'm currently at 'more about the vicious circle.'

3. Physically relaxing my muscles and noticing when I absent mindedly make them all tight.

4. Focusing on my breathing. If I notice I'm getting a little bit stressed, slowly in and out helps to calm me down.

5. Speaking to people both in my position and those who are entirely unrelated who want to help: This has meant I can get support from people who understand what I'm going through whilst also maintaining the friendships/relationships I have.

6. A hot shower-great way to relax the muscles and calm for a few minutes!

What my aims are for tonight/tomorrow:
1. Go to sleep at a decent time, ignore the jolts that have started to wake me up and stay in bed like I did last night (yay positive steps!)

2. Laugh a lot tonight and see if it helps.

3. Go and buy my oompa loompa costume for tomorrow night's work (we're having a ridiculous theme night behind the bar...wish me and my orange face luck!)

4. Manage appropriately in work and try to enjoy it (or at least the money I'll be earning)