Why is there suddenly so much wrong with me??

[LineRunner]

I feel like someone's sticking pins in my effigy somewhere.

I went from a normal, fit 51 year old in the summer to having, in quick succession, the following conditions: DVT, pulmonary embolism, fatigue, suspected endometrial cancer, a spectacular flare up of psoriasis, and now, today, a bloody painful corneal ulcer.

Why? Just why? Have I got Bloodybackluckitis or what? People at work probably think I'm making it all up like some kind of munchausenesque Walter Mitty.

Answers please on a postcard.

And the staff at the health centre all know me by my first name.

I don't know, all I know is the roubles come in gangs.

Troubles

I just wondered whether it was just bad luck or connected in some bizarre way.

Do you think you've had enough recovery time after being ill, or do you think the continuing and differing illnesses are symptoms of a run down immune system?

Not an expert on any of those conditions, but some of them might be semi-linked? The DVT and embolism would presumably be connected, then the fatigue unsurprising when your body has had such a shock. Was the endometrial problem found to be OK (e.g. menopause related), or are you still being investigated? In either case, the psoriasis and ulcer sound like your immune system has been knocked for six by the physical and psychological stress that all that will have put you through. And trying to work as well - sending you and be gentle with yourself. Here's hoping you've just used up years' worth of bad luck in one go!

I'm wondering about whether my immune system has gone for a burton.

Re the endometrial cancer thing - routine scans after the embolism picked that up. Had MRI scan, waiting for hysteroscopy date.

It's in two weeks.

Is there a better diet I should eat? Apart from a fondness for chardonnay, I eat and drink healthily I think, but I guess there's always room for improvement.

I'm sure people must think I make up stuff too, it's got to the point where I don't actually tell anyone anymore.

Do you get any other eye symptoms? Psoriatic arthritis has eye issues such as uveitis associated with it and corneal ulcers can be linked. Fatigue could be stress or it could also be down to inflammatory levels being high.

I don't know about the endometrial cancer but that would be causing you a lot of stress I'm sure while you wait for the diagnosis.

Fish oils would be good, some people swear by cutting out sugars and or carbs. You maybe could consider vitamin d tablets.

Kitten, hi.

How are your eyes?

I didn't know there was a link with eye stuff / ulcers and psoriatic arthritis (which I have had a bout of in my twenties). Thanks for the tip off.

I am definitely stressed and thinking of giving up my job almost out of embarrassment.

The eye they operated is on is actually doing pretty well :) other eye not so much but I can def see more than I could before with both of them together.

I think you will find this paper very interesting to read.

I think that psoriasis is very much the cinderella of the autoimmune disease family and that doctors very much underestimate the impact it has on the whole body.

Oh my God, Kitten, that is astonishing. And very useful.

I think all of you - Kitten, Arthur, Greenhill, Riprap - have it spot on that my clutch of troubles are indeed related and via my immune system.

So I need to build it up, and get a doctor to take it seriously.

Thank you all so much for taking notice of this.

I had a sudden deterioration from healthy to disabled, I had an issue with my immune system causing arthritis and other associated issues, it seems they were all related in some way. I would suggest a visit to the doctor to see if all the problems can be some way related.

Hi, Fan.

I do have a very good GP but the only link she has tried to make so far is 'depression' . To be fair when I disagreed with this she said ok.

So I need to return and have a talk. I hope she listens.

Everything else, i.e. each condition, has its own specialist - all very compartmentalized.

That is one of the big issues LineRunner, each consultant only views it under their own umbrella in isolation. I've only had one consultant link things together.

What field were they in, Kitten?

Cardiology!

I just had a hysterocopy. I had a general as they also removed fibroids. It was fine. What makes them suspect cancer? What are your symptoms? X

Ah Liney. Saw this thread and knew it would be you.
I agree. In my experience, Consultants don't make links. They just view things in isolation. And you end up doing your own research and being better informed about 'the whole' than they are. Which they invariably don't like. Shit that you are going through this but good you have HB available for 'TLC'

I sympathise. I have a lot of ongoing problems and if it's not one its the other.
I feel like saying to people -just 'don't' ask me how I am you will know the answer....

It probably doesn't help but similar happened to me at the same age, ( different illnesses) and I couldn't blame (as drs tried to a few times) the menopause since mine had been premature. And no it wasn't depression either, although I got a bit low when that was the conclusion of one gp who tried to send me to a psych! Its quite a shock when you have always been fit and well. Any way I think my autoimmune system just went wrong! Once the inflammation markers were up and awake lots of things went wrong.I am slowly slowly getting closer to being well. I have also considered early retirement, and my compromise was to work very part time, to keep my hand in without annoying my colleagues, although of course it affects my purse quite severely. Once you end up on pages of medication side effects can also include vitamin shortages, so getting advice from a good nutritionalist is helpful.
Anyway I hope your tests go well, and your body starts to behave rather better!

God what a nightmare day. My eye became excruciatingly painful, went to A&E. Long story short, some sort of corneal erosion. Agony. The treatment is agony. My GP's surgery wrote a prescription for Tramadol, thank god.

Thanks for everyone's posts. Will read and reply asap.

Sounds awful. Take your tramadol regularly, I can always tell if I miss a dose as I feel like I am trying to drag my body through painful mud.

Thanks for that advice. I've never had it before. It is certainly starting to take the edge off.