Hi,
I am a 39 year old female who has been officially diagnosed with a Connective Tissue Disease and unofficially told it is Lupus. Blood tests have shown positive ANA throughout. Received this diagnosis 18 months ago after suffering extreme fatigue, joint pains etc since giving birth to my beautiful daugher in 2005.
My medication is Prednisolone and Hydroxychloroquine plus Adcal and painkillers when required which is every day now. My consultant is adamant that I need to come off the Prednisolone as I cannot stay on them permanently however I have now suffered 3 flare ups in the last year due to attempts to reduce the Prednisolone. This is becoming very frustrating as each time I have a flare up I am ill for weeks and off work for months trying to get it under control. This is having a huge impact on my home life and work. My employer is also not being very helpful.
I am struggling to cope with my work as it is a stressful, high profile role. The memory loss, lack of concentration and general fogginess are having a huge impact. My employer can see that I am not able to fulfil the role in the way they require and are making noises about underperformance. I am currently being assessed for Long Term Disability however my own GP feels that I should still be able to work. Feel like I am caught in the middle and struggling to cope with the physical and mental impact of it all.
If anyone has any advice, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Jacqui:worried:
I am a 39 year old female who has been officially diagnosed with a Connective Tissue Disease and unofficially told it is Lupus. Blood tests have shown positive ANA throughout. Received this diagnosis 18 months ago after suffering extreme fatigue, joint pains etc since giving birth to my beautiful daugher in 2005.
My medication is Prednisolone and Hydroxychloroquine plus Adcal and painkillers when required which is every day now. My consultant is adamant that I need to come off the Prednisolone as I cannot stay on them permanently however I have now suffered 3 flare ups in the last year due to attempts to reduce the Prednisolone. This is becoming very frustrating as each time I have a flare up I am ill for weeks and off work for months trying to get it under control. This is having a huge impact on my home life and work. My employer is also not being very helpful.
I am struggling to cope with my work as it is a stressful, high profile role. The memory loss, lack of concentration and general fogginess are having a huge impact. My employer can see that I am not able to fulfil the role in the way they require and are making noises about underperformance. I am currently being assessed for Long Term Disability however my own GP feels that I should still be able to work. Feel like I am caught in the middle and struggling to cope with the physical and mental impact of it all.
If anyone has any advice, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Jacqui:worried: