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Relapse - how long will it last?

Posted , 8 users are following.

cheryl5535
cheryl5535

I have been off sick for four days with what I think is a relapse.  I have been resting and basically doing nothing much but the pains in my arms and legs are getting worse, as is the tiredness.  Can anyone give me any indication how long I will need to be off work before I feel better?

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • EnglishRose63
    EnglishRose63 cheryl5535

    Posted

    Hi hun. It varies I guess. I've been off sick for 4 days now and it's the first time I've had to get a sick note from my gp. He gave me one for an extra 2 weeks. Just take it easy and don't forget your pain releif. Hope you feel better soon xx
  • RosieWev
    RosieWev cheryl5535

    Posted

    I don't think there would be a set time to tell anyone who suffers as it varies with each relapse. My physio sometimes tells me to stay active even when I'm in a bad way so even one lap around the garden or something may help you :-)

    Rosie

  • jackie00198
    jackie00198 cheryl5535

    Posted

    This is impossible to say. Everyone is different. The best you can do is to continue to get a lot of rest and not try to push yourself.
  • h33919
    h33919 cheryl5535

    Posted

    Hi I know how you feel. I had some stress at work which has turned into a relapse. Everything is swollen and I have pain in my shoulders which I've not had before. This is the first relapse I've had since being on methotrexate and its like being back at square one. I Feel like I can't take time off because they are already making out that my diagnosis is worse than it is....and putting measures in place which I think is stressing me even more. 
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS h33919

      Posted

      You can work? Well I know you're in pain but it's a good sign that you can get out of bed. 
    • cheryl5535
      cheryl5535 h33919

      Posted

      Ive not heard of methotrexate - what is it? Work is a problem for me too as they have ignored my condition since I was diagnosed 8 months ago.  I feel that if I only have a couple of days off then its causing them an issue so they dont do anything to change my working environment.  My CFS specialist has just written my HR department a letter stating the Equality Act so I am hoping once this relapse is over they may finally be forced to give me my own office with lower lighting and quiet as I am in open plan and it gradually drains me to the point I am at now.  I know how you feel - it stresses me out when they turn my condition into a joke - last week HR suggested I wear dark glasses and a baseball cap - I think this made me a lot worse.
    • Gizmo1963
      Gizmo1963 cheryl5535

      Posted

      Hi Cheryl, methotrexate is a drug that is prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and other auto-immune diseases. Although it can be helpful in these diseases it is not used for CFS. It also has some life-threatening side effects and therefore a rheumatologist would not prescribe methotrexate unless entirely necessary.
  • GeorgiaS
    GeorgiaS cheryl5535

    Posted

    I've had it for almost 10 years, a woman I know had it for 50 years then recovered. Some people have it for much shorter times and recover, there's no way of  knowing. I'm virtually bed ridden and I don't see much hope of recovery any more. Your case, hopefully won't be like mine.
  • Gizmo1963
    Gizmo1963 cheryl5535

    Posted

    Hi Cheryl, it's very hard to determine how long a flare up/relapse will last. The best advice really would be to rest as much as you need to and not to fight it by setting a time limit and return to work before you have fully recovered or else you will be back to square one. I do however wish you a speedy recovery x
  • tina58520
    tina58520 cheryl5535

    Posted

    Hi Cheryl,

    I am sorry to hear about your relapse. I have had cfs/me for 7 years now.  I worked part time and suffered what I call "mini-relapses" which could last a few days/weeks.  However, I had a really severe relapse in 2013 which affected my mobility and worsened my pain, and I lost my job.  I am still recovering and unfortunately there has not been much significant improvement.  However, as Georgia S shows, people vary with the condition and recovery.  Hopefully, you will be a person who will recover and quickly.

    Wishing you all the best.

    Tinaxx

  • mik2015
    mik2015 cheryl5535

    Posted

    Each case is differnet, so the only person who can offer proper advice will be your GP.

    Hope you feel better soon!

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