Feeling unwell all of the time

[Rubizzalf]

Hi All, I am wondering if anyone can help. I am a type 1 diabetic on insulin which consists of 3 x novorapid injections a day and 1 levemir.

I have recently been in hospital for 5 days with an abscess. These seem to re occur every few years. This one though has knocked me for 6. I am constantly exhausted and just have a general feeling of being unwell. I also have started to suffer from IBS over the last 6 years.

My Erythrocyte sedimentation rate blood test has been returned as - 27mm/hr [0-7] - above high reference limit (the gp hasn't queried this figure.) All other blood tests came back normal apart from my cholesterol which was 7.18. I am not on statins and I have refused to go back on them due to them making my arms and legs feel 'heavy.' My HBa1c has come back as 82. (This could be due to the infection I have had as my sugar levels have been all over the place.) I also suffer from depression and have been on ||Setraline 150mg for 8-9 years. My depression seems to have returned recently which isn't helping the situation.

I have been putting on weight, suffering from migraines and have a constant pain in my right arm near where the abscess was.

My doctor requested thyroid blood tests but this has been messed up by the lab so I have just been to have these done again. Even just getting up, ready and go for the tests has left me physically and mentally exhausted.

I have been signed off work since the end of September and am due to go back on 1st November. At the moment I don't feel strong enough to go back and am worried about my job.

I am at a loose end as to what could be the problem and am confused by the blood test result of erythrocyte sedimentation result.

I am considering going to see a private GP this week as I am not getting anywhere with my nhs gp.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi Rubizzalf ,

I'm sorry to hear that you are so unwell at the moment and struggling to get answers for your symptoms. Does your doctor believe that all of your symptoms could be down to thyroid problems or are they running tests for anything else as well?

You can learn more about the ESR test at labtestsonline.org/understa...

If you don't feel ready to return to work on the 1st Nov then I recommend you ask your doctor to write you another letter and extend your time off for recovery.

If you are unhappy with your GP you could also just change to a different one. You can find more information about this at citizensadvice.org.uk/healt...

[Rubizzalf in reply to Paul_Howard]

Hi Paul and thank you for your reply. Very informative links there

My GP requested a full blood count, renal profile plus other blood tests which I'm unsure of the names of them. I have the above blood test results if they would be useful? The thyroid test was the last one that got forgotten so I have had that tested today, just waiting for the results.

My GP hasn't come up with any idea as to what could be wrong with me hence I have been having a read up on various things on the internet. He wants me to start a phased return to work from next week and my manager is keen for me to do this too.

I just feel at such a loose end at the moment as to what is causing my symptoms 😢

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Rubizzalf]

We're not medically trained here so I cannot interpret your blood test results for you. I think that you should push your GP to refer you to a consultant at the hospital after getting the results back from all of your tests. Perhaps ask for a referral to a rheumatologist to be investigated for any form of autoimmune disease.

[Rubizzalf in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thanks Paul. Very helpful! I will chase the results today and once I find out more will let you know