Fifth Disease
by Rachel Creager Ireland
A bit early, I did a semi-annual review of my goals for the year, and was pleased to see that I had made good progress. But there was still so much I wanted to do. I bought a planner so that I could visualize how it was all going to fit into the rest of the year.
It wasn’t even the solstice yet before I hit a wall. I couldn’t get a thing done. If it could conceivably be put off, it was put off. I’d made exciting plans to do some renovations in the spa, which would concur with raising my prices; but suddenly nothing felt worth the effort. Instead of pushing myself to do just a bit more every day, I was doing a lot less. I was antsy to write (how long has it been since I last blogged?), but it wasn’t in the planner till July, and I wanted to be making more money for massages I’d be doing along the way. On top of that, working out the summer schedule of gymnastics and camp and swimming lessons made me feel like a personal assistant to my two children, and I’d always known I’d be a terrible personal assistant. I can’t even do that stuff for myself.
The I got a rash all over my body, and I put together a veritable list of disparate symptoms which had affected me or my younger daughter or both of us, she a week ahead of me. Headache, low-grade fever, malaise; which disappeared, followed by a red rash all over the body. It sounded like fifth disease. It’s not a very serious disease, and probably half of adults have had it, but most don’t even remember, or didn’t have noticeable symptoms at all. She’s already forgotten about it, but I got one symptom she didn’t: aching joints all over.
Now, I’m only on day three of the aching joints, but it is a little disconcerting. Is this what it feels like to be old, or to have rheumatoid arthritis? Taking epsom salt baths and doing slow yoga before even attempting to make breakfast? It was worse today than yesterday, but I could work through it; when a client didn’t show, I went back in the house to lie down and meditate upon this condition. Failing that utterly, I went to the internet. RA Warrior discusses the similarity between the joint pain that often accompanies fifth disease—particularly in adults, particularly in women—and rheumatoid arthritis. So I looked up the symbolism of rheumatoid arthritis, and found this from Misa Hopkins:
“Rheumatoid arthritis is about being angry with yourself for what you did not do or accomplish that you think you should have done. It includes a deep criticism of authority and a feeling of being very put upon.”
Well, that hit a nerve, even as I thought, I forgive myself so much. I really do, I’ve worked hard at it. It’s just that I want to write, without my family having to make sacrifices to support me in it.
Perhaps 90% of people who get joint pain from fifth disease recover completely, usually within two weeks. I intend to do whatever is necessary to make sure I am one of them. See me writing, right now?
Made for me by dear friend Amy Carlson (yes THE Amy Carlson!)
Veronica's Garden 
Ah, my dear, I hear you!! I’ve also been struggling with aching joints…aching everything really. But here’s what I also know – so maybe it will help you — there’s been a lot of activity off the sun, solar flares rattling our geomagnetic sphere (you might have noticed computers have been wonky too), so skip the disease stuff etc and chalk it up to solar flares! At least that’s what I do. Bet the Flinthills are beautiful with all this rain. check out http://www.spaceweather.com re: solar activity. It’s been high. J.
Yes, I should probably pay more attention to space weather.
God, Rach . . . I love your writing.
Thank you, Mindy.
Well Rachel, I’d suggest seeing an osteopathic doctor, as in my experience they are more conservative, less apt to go for high tech tests and listening to the person. Would suggest taking an NSAID for aches, although that probably doesn’t appeal to you. Alternatively, I’ve taken turmeric for inflammation, which might be helpful. Hope you recover quickly, but if not, have Kevin take you to see a physician. Just suggestions, dear heart.
Thank you! I’m much better now. That’s a good idea, about osteopaths. My primary right now is a PA, I think about as holistic as is to be found around here.