Hi all,
I'm in need of a bit of advice. I'm still awaiting results from the blood tests my gp took (I had tests done that leaked in transit so had to get more tests done last week) but my gp thinks there's something autoimmune going on, most possibly a form of arthritis.
The thing is that I have been off work for the past 3 weeks with joint pain, stiffness and extreme fatigue. The gp actually signed me off with arthritis (I thought this was a bit strange but hey ho). I was starting to feel much better and am due to return to work tomorrow. However I've had a major relapse over the weekend and now feel just as awful as I did 3 weeks ago.
I'm so upset, I was so looking forward to going back to work but my job is quite physical and I really don't think I can manage feeling like this. Do I try going back, grit my teeth and try my best to get through it (I work in education and it's only two weeks to the holidays) and maybe end up worse, or do I get another sick line and a doctors appointment?
I don't know what to do, I hurt everywhere, I can literally feel my pulse in my joints and I'm so so tired :-( I really don't want to let my work down and feel like I've been off for so long (this is the first time I've ever been signed off from work in 11 years of working).
Sorry for moaning, I'm just getting fed up and feel totally pants.
Louise xx
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So sorry you are dealing with all this pain. I would say see how you are in the morning and if there is no change and you still feel you can't manage going to work, just phone the doc first thing to check in the Surgery and arrange to get another sick certificate, then phone your work to explain the situation.
The only alternative would be to turn up for work and if you couldn't cope you could return home, but you would have to deal with the pain of doing that.
Take good care of yourself. I hope you get some helpful treatment to help manage the pain better. Meant time rest up with a heat pad or hot water bottle, wheat bag etc.
Best wishes Jen
It is important to listen to your body, it is telling you that something is wrong and that it needs some help. The pressure of returning to work is not going to help you at all - I was a teacher and trying to work when things were amiss did nothing to help. When are you hoping to hear about the results? Please bear in mind that bloods are not a reliable method of assessing an auto-immune arthritis - have you been referred to a rheumatologist? I apologise for not remembering. :oops: DD
Barbara
Hopefully my blood test results will be in tomorrow, the last ones they did (they managed to test the first vial but the second had leaked or something along those lines) showed slightly elevated inflammation and something had flagged up about my white blood cell count so hopefully I'll have a hint of what's going on soon :-)
Thank you all again, it was really kind of you all to reply and has eased my guilt at being off from work.
Louise xx
Thank you all for your help and support
Louise xx
It's good that you are signed off for another fortnight, take the time to properly rest. If you are not already doing so then it may be time to start a short diary recording pain and tiredness levels, the things that ease as well as those that aggravate matters. This will help the rheumatologist get a better all-round picture of you and how you are being affected. Don't expect an instant appointment, they can happen but it's more likely to be weeks before you go. DD
Just rest up as much as you need over next two weeks and try little slow walks each am and pm as you can.
Keeping fingers crossed for you and hope soon you will have some relief.
Jen x