New BP medication doesn’t agree with me

1 October, 2020 Michael McFarland Campbell

The new BP medication doesn’t seem to agree with me as have been having terrible headaches and light-headedness. Yesterday afternoon I asked to speak to a doctor about it. I had forgotten to take it on Tuesday evening and felt fine. So when I spoke to the doctor I said this and when asked if I would try again I just said “No.” With a bit of to-ing and fro-ing I was advised to stop taking it until a review by the consultant later in the week. Continue reading New BP medication doesn’t agree with me

Drugs, health, kidney failureLeave a comment

More changes to medication as we investigate transplant possibilities

23 September, 2020 Michael McFarland Campbell

Sometimes it is hard to believe that we are approaching the second anniversary of the failure of my kidneys. Yet, that is where we are. So many people ask Are you on the transplant list yet? And every time thus … Continue reading More changes to medication as we investigate transplant possibilities

Blogging, health, Ireland, PoliticsLeave a comment

Ireland needs sick pay for all

23 September, 202023 September, 2020 Michael McFarland Campbell

Originally posted on Michael McFarland Campbell:
Many of my friends across Europe were shocked to hear that when I was first diagnosed with my Goodpasture Syndrome and its associated kidney failure, I received no sick pay from my employer. It… Continue reading Ireland needs sick pay for all

Adherence, dialysis, Drugs, FoodLeave a comment

Fewer tablets to take – this will make life simpler

25 August, 2020 Michael McFarland Campbell

Those of us who have long-term chronic conditions quite often have to take multiple tablets daily. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to remember what you have taken and what you have not. I started off better recently with a pill box … Continue reading Fewer tablets to take – this will make life simpler

HIVLeave a comment

HIV terminology guidelines: how to write about living with HIV or AIDS

21 August, 2020 Michael McFarland Campbell

For the last eleven years and more, I have been writing about what it is like to live with HIV. Every so often, in the media—be it print or broadcast—I have seen some shocking ways of referring to people living … Continue reading HIV terminology guidelines: how to write about living with HIV or AIDS

Adherence, health, HIV, kidney failureLeave a comment

Meds: a matter of obedience — thanks St Benedict

15 July, 20204 September, 2020 Michael McFarland Campbell

The third step of humility is that for the love of God one should be obedient to a superior in all things imitating the Lord of whom the Apostles says, ‘He was made obedient even unto death.’ The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7: Humility, translated by Abbot Parry OSB, Gracewing, 1990. In recent weeks and months, I have been re-reading The Rule of Saint Benedict, with a view to putting the principles of his rule into practice in my own life. A couple of Sundays ago I was on a Zoom call with the House of Initia Nova Benedictines … Continue reading Meds: a matter of obedience — thanks St Benedict

ExerciseLeave a comment

Determination badge: Couch to 5k continues

12 June, 2020 Michael McFarland Campbell

https://positivegym.wordpress.com/2020/06/12/determination-badge-couch-to-5k-continues/ Continue reading Determination badge: Couch to 5k continues

health, HIV, News, NewsLeave a comment

Welcome from UNAIDS for new tool for HIV prevention for gay men and other men who have sex with men and trangender women

20 May, 2020 Michael McFarland Campbell

Ground-breaking new study shows the efficacy of a long-acting injectable to prevent HIV UNAIDS has warmly welcomed the announcement that the long-acting injectable cabotegravir is safe and effective in preventing HIV among gay men and other men who have sex … Continue reading Welcome from UNAIDS for new tool for HIV prevention for gay men and other men who have sex with men and trangender women

Food, health, kidney failureLeave a comment

Keeping track of the potassium is vital for renal patients

20 May, 2020 Michael McFarland Campbell

Background The main job of kidneys is to clean blood of excess fluids and waste products. When they are working they can filter 130 to 170 litres of blood each day producing 1 to 2 litres of urine. This helps … Continue reading Keeping track of the potassium is vital for renal patients

HIV, Ireland, StigmaLeave a comment

Universal precautions mean just that — so why am I being treated differently?

15 May, 202015 May, 2020 Michael McFarland Campbell

Hospitals and healthcare workers are required to take universal precautions to reduce the risk of cross infection from both recognised and non-recognised sources of infection. All the way through my life since I was diagnosed with HIV, I have been … Continue reading Universal precautions mean just that — so why am I being treated differently?