AFTER being house-bound since Christmas, an elderly resident has praised Colchester General Hospital for finally diagnosing her and allowing her to move forward.

Josephine Smith, 79, of Hillie Bunnies Earls Colne, has had her life turned upside down for the last seven months as a mysterius illness has left her writhing in pain constantly.

With her GP unable to find a diagnosis, or relief her constant pain, Josephine spent five days in Colchester General Hospital, which has seen her finally begin to recover as well as name her illness as polymyalgia rheumatica.

Josephine said: “It was actually quite a funny illness, because I was in all this pain and my legs were completely swollen but the GP couldn’t diagnose it at all.

“I have hardly been out the house since Christmas, and my whole body has been full of pain.

“I have been seeing my GP regularly and they have been really caring and supportive, but I have just been given painkillers and steroids and everything has been getting worse.

“It got to the point that I really didn’t know what to do, and it was having a huge effect on my life.”

On July 14, Josephine’s GP suggested it may be best to get a hospital check over, if she felt up to it.

“I jumped at the chance,” she said. “I have been through a lot, including a stroke seven years ago, but this is probably the worst pain I have been in.”

After spending five days in the hospital, having the steroids flushed out her system, and being put on a new pain plain, Josephine is finally feeling improvements.

And following her drawn out ordeal, she wants to praise everyone she came into contact with at Colchester Hospital, particularly considering the bad press hospitals often receive.

Josephine said: “I could not have asked for more.

“I cannot say how great they all were there, with everyone giving up time for me.

“The hospital was extremely busy, but everyone from the consultants, to the nurses, to sisters and the doctors gave up their time to talk to me and explain everything. Thanks to them, this ordeal looks to be improving, and I already feel 100 times better, although I’ve still got some improving to do.”

A spokesman for Colchester General Hospital said: “It’s gratifying that Mrs Smith is so pleased with the treatment she received in hospital and our staff will really appreciate her kind words. We wish her well.”