Just this morning, at around 11.20 a.m., I was diagnosed with having phlebitis, a rather mild condition that results from an inflammation of a vein, usually in the leg. In my particular case, it’s the vein that runs from the pelvis down to my right ankle. If you want to know the exact name of that vein, ask a medic. It’s probably something unreadable and hence unpronouncable.

Sympthoms include pain along the vein especially when leg is at rest, increased skin temperature along the vein, redening, swelling, slight fever and the increased prominence of the vein in the skin. With the exception of the fever, I’ve had all – so I guess it was a fairly easy diagnosis! What the doc couldn’t tell me was what causes it and what can cure it! All he could do was prescribe me painkillers, oh, and added the comment “This condition is more common in the elderly.”

Great. I’m aging prematurely.

And so, not at all satisfied by his explanation, I googled phlebitis.  Unfortunately - the doc was right. There is no certain cause of phlebitis, and they’ve yet to find anything to cure it. There were some suggestions on relieving the pain though, among which included:

• Avoid bedrest for prolonged periods. It can make sympthoms worse.
• Exercise regularly to increase bloodflow.

HA HA HA. If you even have an inkling about my love for sleep, you’ll know why I find this so hilarious. Is this my body’s way of telling me I’m too much of a bum, and I should stop sleeping so much?

And speaking of relieiving sympthoms… after already a day of medication, I have lost faith in ibuprofen as a painkiller. If anything, the pain has grown, and made its way well past my ankle and into other parts of my feet! I feel like such an invalid! I feel so old!

And I am sadly disappointed with the advancement of medical science. Pffttt.