After being diagnosed 6 weeks ago, I have basically been a hermit. I have stayed in my room feeling miserable for myself and have had myself in cotton wool. I have been too afraid to do anything because 4 weeks ago, any sort of heat gave me red blotches on my face. I live in a hot climate where the temperature is always above 30 degrees. Today i just got fed up feeling sorry for myself and thought i would go for a big walk on a hot, sunny day. I was very nervous about it and probably not the right thing to do considering i am on an antibiotic. But, i just wanted to do it and see how i went. Well, after putting on a bit of suncream and a cap and walking for an hour, I passed with flying colours (pardon the pun). I did have a reaction on my left arm an noticed redness on my shoulder (never had that before, but it was obviously a bit of a reaction). The main thing was, i didn't flush in the face and i returned home without any extra redness.

This has been beneficial on two fronts. Firstly, i overcame my fear of getting out and about in the heat. Two, it felt good to do some exercise which has made me feel much better. Considering i would have been burning a month ago, this is a marked improvement. Obviously the antibiotics and metrogel are having an affect. It has given me a little bit of confidence now to get back to the gym and start testing myself, taking it one step at a time. But, mentally, it was something i desperately needed and got me out of my bat cave.

WTT