Good question, these days, if I’m unwell, it generally relates to issues with CFS or my back!

CFS

Back in 2018, I got a dose of pneumonia that initially put me in hospital, then as an outpatient for 6 months. After recovering, I developed what turned out to be chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This sequence is apparently not uncommon, but I had no idea I’d still be dealing with it in 2025!

I can feel good for weeks or even months, and then just slightly overdo it at the gym, for example, and I’m wiped out by fatigue, stomach problems, phantom smells, and joint pain. These bouts can last for weeks on end and have literally stopped me, preventing me from being able to work.

Things could certainly be worse, but as a former marathon runner and always active individual, this CFS diagnosis has turned out to be a true pain in the arse. Doctors have told me that recovery can take a long time, but I remain optimistic that I will, eventually, be cured! That said, in 2025, particularly now in winter, it has been a problem.

Back Tweaking

The other thing that fires up, partly related to arthritic wear and tear on my body from leading an active life, is back pain. I can tweak my back quite easily, and lifting heavy amplifiers, for example, will do it, as can working on the car, or a weird movement!

BTW, ‘heavy amplifiers’ is not what most people used to modern gear might imagine that to mean. I regularly lift and move 50kg power amplifiers around the workshop. I probably should not try to move these things, and I get help from friends where I can, but I just have to do it sometimes, and it can be a problem.

Whilst these issues have been challenging, if you’re worried about them impacting my ability here @ Liquid Audio, don’t. Not much ever stops me, not yet anyway. These things just temporarily slow me down!