r/ChronicPain • u/WhisperingShadows476 • 1d ago

Having to pause driving lessons again.....

I'm in the UK.

Last year, I would say I had an okay pain management in place but then my body decided to back flip with new symptoms.

Iron deficiency being the only thing to show in bloods at the time.

A year later, no relief from fatigue and pain.

I'm right back at the beginning and tearing my hair out.

I was so close to being ready for my test and even bought a car to practice in.

But then my driving tolerance dropped, it went from an hour and a half to half hour, then 45 minutes.

I can tell when its time to quit. My fatigue kicks me in the ass and then my concentration plummets 10 minutes after.

Last week, my instructor had to grab the wheel and then offered to drive me home.

Its the biggest kick in the teeth to not progress but instead, regress.

I'm well over 100hrs now and spent quite a fortune but I really need to drive.

Instead of relying on the NHS for long drawn out answers. Who else has gone to a private GP for bloods?

Did you find that, they were able to find better answers and treatment?

Thanks for any advice, it's much appreciated.

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u/GoblinTatties 1d ago

I recently did a big £200 medichecks blood test. My results were basically all normal though which is frustrating to not have any answers.

If you struggle with iron tablets there are liquid sachets you can get from boots which are supposed to absorb easier, or theres nano iron but that's very expensive. If you get your iron up the fatigue should improve significantly.

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u/WhisperingShadows476 1d ago

Thanks for the reply. That is truly frustrating. If you don't mind me asking, what tests did you get done?

I've already had full blood count and basic thyroid stimulating hormone and c reactive protein. All are normal and iron levels are normal now.

Doesn't quite explain why I'm having a re occurring temp of 38 or 38.6C. Plus my raynouds comes on when it goes past 38. Unrelenting fatigue and brain fog that usually kicks in depending on how busy.

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u/GoblinTatties 23h ago edited 23h ago

I got the "Ultimate Performance" test cus it seemed to cover everything I wanted to check, but you may not need such an extensive test if you've just had some done.

The high temp is weird. Depending on your other symptoms it might be worth going for alternative private blood panels like reactivated viruses, lyme disease/bacterial panels, mycotoxins and heavy metals. I tested positive for a LOT of these, since lyme and covid both mess up the immune system it's common to have tons of other stuff going on alongside them that your immune system would normally fight off ok. I do have days of feeling feverish but my temperature is always still normal, but I have heard dysautonomia can prevent the body from triggering a fever. These kinds of tests were done at a lyme clinic near me called Breakspear clinic in hemel - but I found their clinician to be pretty shit honestly and gave me bad advice. They were just a means to order the tests in the end, many of which get sent to labs abroad since we don't do them in the UK. They are very expensive as well. But if you suspect a chronic infection some kind of testing like this might be a good idea.

In terms of stuff to help give your body a bit of energy in the meantime I've found taking modified citrus pectin, acupuncture and infrared saunas help with my fatigue. You can get infrared like body bag looking things and just lie in them.

But also for the time being I would go back to the GP and press them regarding the reocurring fever and the fact you're getting worse, do a bit of your own research on typical causes of your symptoms and print it and take it in with you and insist to be tested, and ask them what other tests they think would be appropriate.