"Autoimmune Condition and Fatigue"

I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis maybe 3 years ago. Has a severely raised ESR and joint / muscle pain and sometimes extreme fatigue. Have to say I was initially sent to nephrology clinic then punted on to Rheumatologist Consultant. Was put on DMRD's which I tried to convince myself were helping but to be honest not really.

Well to cut a long story short, in August last year I was extremely stressed at work and assumed I was in a "flare up" as my joints, muscles and general health was not very good. Was feeling very run down and GP commented that I had a VERY high ESR. Waited from mid August to second week in November to see my consultant (had to travel to Ayr from Kilbirnie which necessitated my husband taking unpaid leave from work as I was barely able to to pop on and off the local buses nevermind two buses and a train as I dont drive.

Had MRI (dont know any result yet ) and a colonoscopy to rule out bleeding as Im fairly anaemic, which thankfully came back clear.

All the while Ive been to Occupational Health nurses as my employer has to ask why I'm off work for so long. Im now on half pay, on stage 2 of the absence management policy, stage 3 can mean dismissal. Forgot to mention then in November I was given steroid shots in the hips which helped a lot for about 5/ 6 weeks. Went to GP before Christmas to see if I could get another but was told that only the specialist Physiotherapist can do these. Im "in the system" so still await a return visit hopefully.

I just feel Im going round in circles and in the meantime I'm now having the odd blackout/ faint which on one occassion neccesitated a trip to A&E. Thankfully I didnt crack my skull, just have a lovely black eye and forehead lol.

Must say thay the GP's in Kilbirnie Helath Centre and very good and agree I need further investigation. Maybe it's just a sign og the times. As a public sector worker myself I understand some of the pressures but it's getting to the stage Im afraid to rise quickly out of bed in case I end up in a heap on the bathroom floor ...again. Sorry for the rant