Fibro fog conundrum

[Lizangellus]

Hi all. I'm having a difficult time at the moment. I've lost 3 family members directly from covid and 2 more indirectly due to delays and lack of services available. Anyways, suffice it to say the fibro is kicking my ass right now! I work for a company with ZERO confidentiality, that the majority of staff jump on signs of weakness instantly like hyenas! So, until now I've been pretty strategic with using my annual leave to disguise my flare ups. Unfortunately, things have the habit of catching up and I'm now on week 6 of sick notes from my g.p because I'm mid flare and it's going nowhere fast! I'm struggling to even manage the school run twice a day! My job involves decision making in an instant, with no warning. It's quite high responsibility, administrating prescription Medicines, controlled drugs, emergency and palliative care etc. The longer I'm off, the more anxious I feel about returning. I feel I can't even drive safely anymore as I struggle gear changing. I have so many reminders on my phone it's constantly going off. I'll forget what I'm looking for whilst I'm looking for it. My G.P just emails me sick notes when I request them with no further investigations. I also have hypothyroidism , b12 deficiency ,severe asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and suspected lupus! Last blood test I requested I was allocated to the surgery HCA to discuss the results. I checked on the NHS app, lots of things showed up as abnormal calcium, anemia, esr, crp, yet all she talked about was cholesterol. I honestly don't know where to turn. Any advice out there? 🙏

[Painny]

So sorry to hear about your struggle, it’s a lot to take in.

I think local surgeries cannot cope with the demand. If I were you I would go to A & E and that’s how I get treated. It shouldn’t be this way but for me this is the only option. Try it see what happens! Good luck

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Morning sorry to read of your current struggles, I would differently book and go back , surgeries are doing face to face with doctors/nurses etc, you differently sound in need of help and a call back on the phone or email dosent cut it, be firm with receptionest on the phone. Good luck in going forward xxx

[damag]

Hey..Hi Lizangellus, ... you need to take a breathe. Sit down and take time to rewind. You are stressed up to your eyeballs and your pain is going to escalate. I ask myself what would i do.... Stop and re-cooperate your self by starting again.. Sounds as if you have been coping with far too much . Make an appointment for your GP . Tell the receptionist (if they ask your reasons) little as possible, but make sure they understand you need to see them. Write down in preparation what you need to talk to GP about it without leaving anything out. Are you thinking I have already down this? well has it got you anywhere? Talk to your GP . If the GP read or heard what you have just posted ... he or she would surely will be able to help you. . What do you think?

[Dinkie]

Write a letter to your GP - old fashioned I know but at least it then forms part of your notes. Follow it up with a telephone consult. It’s the only way to get things moving. I’ve used this method several times and it’s never failed to get results when all other avenues failed. Good luck

[Fra22-57]

Bless you you poor love.Such terrible stress for you…it cannot help you I know.I would tell go surgery what was on the app and say you want treated for it.I can’t get face to face appointment with gp but only telephone appointments.I said well can I see him when I come in to have my INR blood test with nurse and receptionist said “oh no you can’t see a doctor” as if I was actually asking for something bad.Yet when in waiting room who should appear and shout a patient in but the doctor.That’s why illnesses escalate cos you can’t see a doctor.hope you get success

[klr31]

Are you optimally medicated for your thyroid? Do you check your results yourself? Have you had your D, B12, folate and ferritin checked? Not being optimally medicated can present symptoms similar to what you are experiencing.Karen