Hi ALL

Hi Rab and welcome to this lovely helpful cheery group. I am no medic so please don't do anything without checking with yours or [often more knowledgeable on this] pharmacist. But it sounds to me as if you may be somewhat malnourished, leading you to be what my old mum in law would have called 'run down.' Abscesses that keep coming back are I believe a classic symptom of this, your immune system does not have the nutrition or 'oomph' to fight them off for good. The malnourishment can be a consequence of the Winnie however necessary. So I would be after getting sent to a [preferably stoma specialist] dietician to see if you need some supplements or special foods to build you up. It is also a good idea not to smoke if you have been doing as it cuts down the oxygen supply to your whole body. Fine for me to say that I know but my dentist daughter tells me stuff...If I am right about the nutrition this could be a factor in low mood. Very many people are zinc deficient and it is very hard to feel good if you are one of them. It can be tested for either by the doctor, or you can buy a harmless self test where you taste the solution to check.

Who am I to comment on the emotional factors that could be getting you down, goodness you have had plenty. But the NHS is often  not  very good at checking out physical factors first so if you politely pester along the lines of what I have said, it should help.

best wishes, Denby

spraylifter. Hi Ray. Good advice from Denby. Good nutrition goes a long way to help. Also fitness helps if you are up to it. The pandemic goes a long way towards mental health, whether it is just being down in the dumps or more serious. This weekend was a big booster for us . My brother and his wife came to stay for a few days. First time we have see them for over a year. Went out for a nice meal. Me and the Bruv sat up late catching up over a bottle of Scotland's finest. Best wishes.