About.

Gutentag!

My name's Charlotte, as you may have guessed by now, I'm 25 and I live in Bristol (UK).

So, why do I have a blog? Well, I don't think I have anything particularly special to say, but I write because it's cathartic; because I like reflecting and articulating and questioning; because it helps me understand and order my own thoughts.

But I also do so in the hope that I strike a chord with some of you.

I've been vlogging on YouTube for a couple of years now - I don't have many videos, mainly because I struggle too much with my self-confidence to make them often - but I've found that in opening up about my experiences (particularly with mental health), I've helped people realise they're not alone in what they're going through. I have been prone to depression from a young age and think that a) the stigma surrounding it needs to change and along those lines, b) it's not talked about enough. People feel alone and ashamed and isolated because of it and that's absolutely not helpful.

I also suffer from a connective tissue disorder called EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and as a consequence, a neurological condition called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) which I hope to talk about occasionally too. In the same way as opening up about my mental health, I want to show people they're not alone with these conditions, and I want to just be there for people in general. God knows I know what it's like to be alone in dealing with these things and I'd like to provide support for others going through what I have.

HOWEVER, that's not all of me. I do actually have a personality and interests, believe it or not.

What I am doing with my life: I am currently unemployed due to aforementioned physical brokenness, but am trying to find a job I can realistically manage. I have a degree in History, and it'd be nice to use the skills I acquired through that at some point (because clearly I didn't do a degree just to sit on my arse and vegetate). In the mean time I'm just trying to expand my mind a bit, in whatever way I can.

Things I love: art, music, reading and writing, film, pretty things, current affairs, nature/ being outdoors, coffee, tea (yeah they have their own sections), photography, travel, social and equality issues, and history. Obviously.


*easily amused*

1 comment:

  1. Hi Charlotte

    I can completely relate to the extreme bloating as your pictures pointed out. Infact your abdomen I would say is a direct copy of mine. (I'm even willing to show pics just to prove it lol). I as you also had a clear Gastroscopy test. Difference is, you mentioned you had no stomach contractions during that moment. I wasn't really given a doctor to speak to rather a piece of paper with what they found and told to move on. The report mentioned I had a hiatal hernia, and inflammation starting from my esophagus to my stomach. As for the cause of the bloating, like yourself nothing concrete has been found yet. I fought with GPs for 2 years before they were willing to refer me to a Gastroenterologist due to fobbing me off with 'IBS'. I also experience a plethora of symptoms and not one of them have an identifiable cause. I have issues with my eyes (light sensitivity, large pupils, blurred vision), cognitive impairement i.e loss for words - poor vocabulary, concentration and fog, blood pooling in the extremities, low body temperature, facial pallor, bladder issues, bowel issues, low blood pressure, tachycardia, bradycardia, neck and shoulder pain. Problems with postural change, can't stand in one place, can't sit upright but can lie down and only feel good when lying down and so on.

    I'm particularly interested in what's become of your possible Gastroparesis diagnosis? Hopefully we can help each other and possibly one day be able to put the ridiculous bloating issue behind us.

    Good day and good luck!
    -Rami

    ReplyDelete