pips_pekins Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 (edited) Hello. Some of you may recognise my login name. Not been on for ages as things have been quite difficult healthwise. To cut a long story short, for the past 8 months or so I have had virtually no voice (good for teaching!!!), periods of severe exhaustion, breathlessness, aches and pains and other varying symptoms Despite hundreds of appointments with doctors no one still seems to know what it is or why I am still struggling with it but mentally I am now able to manage it better and so decided what better way of getting back to normal than logging on and seeing what you lot have been up to So, moan over. OH has been brilliant as he has had to cope with me being so unpredictable and also my MIL has just finished second lot of chemo. DS celebrated his 18th this weekend - those of you who have met me will be very surprised to think that I could possibly have an adult son Hope everyone is enjoying seeing some sun. Pip x Edited June 8, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 I remember you, welcome back Sorry to her about your health problems. My first thought was Lupus, or ME both very are to diagnose, or thyroid issues, although I blame everything on my dodgy thyroid. Hopefully you will feel better now that the weather is looking up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purple hen Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Welcome back, sorry to hear you have been so ill for so long, it is frustrating when you can't find out what the problem is. Hope your MIL recovers well after her treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Welcome back! Sorry to hear of your problems the past few months, but I hope you have a little light at the end of the tunnel. Don't forget, we are all here and good to have a moan at when you feel low Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Helloooo! Nice to see you back Sorry you've had such a tough time xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Welcome back. I'm sorry you have been feeling poorly but glad you are starting to feel better. I've always loved your little pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Hello again . I'm really sorry to hear about your health issues too . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Welcome back. Sorry to hear that you've been poorly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Welcome back! I remeber you, who could ever forget Pookle the Flump? So sorry to hear you've not been well. Have they done an ECG on you & blood cultures? I ask only because my dads heart trouble all stemmed originally from a chest infection. This led to exhaustion, breathlessness, aching neck , shoulder & knee. His knee then swelled up & about 4 weeks ago he had surgery to replace 2 heart valves - due to them being knackered by infection growing on them.He is eventually coming home tomorrow, after 6 weeks in hospital. DOn't want to worry you, but may be worth a thought. Doctors do not know it all & my dads doctor had to seek a second opinion. On a much brighter note, it is so lovely to see you back here! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGirlsMum Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Good to see you back, hope things sort themselves out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted April 17, 2013 Author Share Posted April 17, 2013 Thank you for all your messages. I have been busy reading through loads of threads and seeing what everyone has been up to and what I have missed. It is great to feel a bit more like me but, as has been said, I just wish I had a label for what it is. OH says he doesn't miss my voice ... I do Connie Fisher(?) was on the radio the other day, Jeremy Vine show I think. I caught the tail end when I got in the car. Was very interesting and one of the callers had similar issues to me which in a way was reassuring as I have not met anyone who has lost their voice for such a long period of time. Really simple things like saying 'thank you' in a shop but not being heard and then feeling that people think you are rude affect me. It does mean I have the quietest classroom in school though Whispering is contagious and my sixth formers all do it now I was observed by a visitor just before Easter and even they joined in the whispering! Craftyhunnpie, sorry to hear about your dad and hope all goes well now that he is able to go home. Hope you are feeling ok after GB last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Welcome back - I expect you have had tubes passed for a look - ENT advice and trials of tablets to see if its acid as this can make throat sore and husky. Hope they get to the bottom of it soon. funny how kids react - Had a patient in who had a mini haemorrhage in his eye - just alarming to look at and he said the kids (he was a teacher) askd him if he was a vampire - and he said yes - so they behavoured very well indeed . wish you better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Hello pips_pekins Of course I remember you (I was Cheaky Chook back then). Nice to hear from you again but sorry you have not been well. I hope you don't mind me asking, but do you like teaching? I used to have a job where I was doing lots and lots of presenting in public. I loved doing the presenting but did get increasingly stressed beforehand and then suddenly I started to loose my voice for no apparent reason. It wasn't a whisper either, it was totally gone and for days at a time. I eventually had to give up my presenting job and oddly I have never lost my voice again (and that is over 20 years ago now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 I feel for you as i went through a similar thing around 7 years ago, I mange a near normal life now and just have the odd flair up that i can control with rest. My doctors are on the thought of Fybromialga maybe early Lupas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted April 17, 2013 Author Share Posted April 17, 2013 Shabby Chic I thought recognised the photo. Yes I do enjoy teaching and have taught for about 14 years. Before that I had to talk a lot too in my previous career! Weirdly my voice was worse after the first week of the Easter hols. It's not Lupus as my symptoms are a bit different to that but might be fibromyalgia. Working my way through a checklist as it is diagnosed through a process of ruling out other things. Sorry to hear you experience similar things LBB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Have you been referred to a speech and language therapist about your voice? As Ali said it may be necessary to have a peek down and look at throat/vocal tract (speech therapist would refer you on for this) but they can also make an assessment of your voice and give advice. MIght be worth pursuing if no one has suggested this so far. You can ask for a referral from your GP. Sorry to hear you have been unwell but welcome back to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 Have you been referred to a speech and language therapist about your voice? As Ali said it may be necessary to have a peek down and look at throat/vocal tract (speech therapist would refer you on for this) but they can also make an assessment of your voice and give advice. MIght be worth pursuing if no one has suggested this so far. You can ask for a referral from your GP. Sorry to hear you have been unwell but welcome back to the forum! Thank you Lavenders_Blue for your reply. I have to say, my GP has been and is being brilliant. I have been to ENT and had full throat exam and have a follow-up appointment next month. I have been to see a lovely speech therapist and have exercises and further appointments with her. I am back at GP's today. She wants me to have a chest x-ray and the speech therapist has also recommended that as the next course of action. I get ridiculously breathless just going upstairs . Oh well, better drag myself off to work Full teaching day today and tomorrow which I am dreading. By the time I get home, I know I will only be fit to go back to bed. Not great for any form of family life. Mmm, feeling a bit low today. Puts on happy smiley face and 'back in the (class)room'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Welcome back, of course we remember you. I hope they find out what's wrong and you can start to feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iar fach goch Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 My sister is also a teacher and a few years ago suffered from similar symptoms to yourself. She too had loads of appointments with different specialists with everything coming back as normal. What they eventually figured out with my sister was that the atmosphere in the classroom was causing/worsening her symptoms. A very warm classroom with no ventilation whilst making lots of use of her voice resulted in loss of voice, tiredness etc. Lowering the thermostat temperature in the school and obtaining permission to open the windows (health and safety!) resulted in an improvement. She still suffers an occasional flare up, but nothing that a few days rest doesn't sort out. Hope you get well soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 A very warm classroom with no ventilation whilst making lots of use of her voice resulted in loss of voice, tiredness etc. Lowering the thermostat temperature in the school and obtaining permission to open the windows (health and safety!) resulted in an improvement. She still suffers an occasional flare up, but nothing that a few days rest doesn't sort out. Hope you get well soon! I know some teachers have very warm rooms. I keep the heating very low as I can't bear being too warm. I teach sixth form so it is easier to keep the room well ventilated and cool. It can't help anyone being in a stuffy room with all the colds etc that go round school. Glad your sister is feeling better. I've had a chest xray today so will have to wait to see what that reveals Got a couple of appointments soon so hopefully will get to the bottom of it before much longer. Students go on study leave at half term so just have to keep going until then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Lovely to see you on the forum again. So sorry you have been poorly I hope you get a diagnosis soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 I do hope all went well with the Xray and that it will prove useful without showing up anything worrying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 I do hope all went well with the Xray and that it will prove useful without showing up anything worrying Thank you SC and LL. I have to say that the the hospital have been and continue to be really good. Today they were brilliant. Straight in, into backless gown (attractive look for me ) , photo taken and back out! First time ever that I have only had to pay for half an hour's parking! Normally they seem to manage to keep me there just into the 2-4 hours payment (usually just by minutes) so it ends up costing quite a bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Welcome back here too, really hope you get to the bottom of your problem, I always think its worse not knowing, certainly in my case I imagine all sorts so the reality is easier to cope with. I had similar symptoms three years ago, lots of tests, etc but now classed as auto immune disease kept in check with steroids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 Hello Pip, sorry to hear you're having a rough time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
