Well folks I am no longer a newbie but I reckoned it was time I posted my history.
I work in the Child Support Agency (thats enough to get me lynched) but is relevant to the story. I was involved in the Agency before it when live to the public in 1993.
From April 1992 to April 1994 I worked as a payclerk bringing in and paying brand new entrants to the Agency staffing up from 100 to 750 in the first year alone. It was very busy and stressful cause it was all so new. I worked a lot of overtime and as soon as I stopped to have a rest in 1994 I developed P.
I was convinced some bug had bitten me cause it was a wee scab on the back of my head. Of corse I picked at it and eventually when it wouldnt go I went to the docs. I refused to believe it was P cause I had been used to seeing it - my uncle is chronic (not a blood relative). Within 10 months I was pretty much covered - believed it then.
I was still a payclerk and work was getting busier and busier. Depression set in and I had a few spells off work with my ugliness. Late 1997 into 1998 was the worst....
Firstly I was in a car crash and developed P on my back for the first time. My Derm reccommended in Christmas 1997 that I be admitted for hospital treatment. Then I developed a severe ear infection in both ears (see the gallery pics) and my p flared terribly. I was deaf for three weeks, delerious for 5 days. My parents slept on their living room floor so I could have their bed.
By March 1998 i wasnt too bad and hey presto my bed came up. In I went for two weeks and they started me on uvb whilst an in-patient. 25 sessions later I stopped and 5 days later my boss practically had to carry me to his car to take me home I was so bad. I was off work for 6 months and during that time I had another 25 uvb sessions to no avail.
I was burnt many times during these treatments, I suffered heat stroke and severe blisters. I was just a fricking guinea pig in my opinion.
I was involved at that time in the set up of a support group through the hospital but it was pretty useless really.
I have always resisted drugs but I did have salazopirin for a time and also hydroxeurea both with no effect. My depression worsened and I started taking St Johns Wort which really helped. Finally I gave in 2 years ago and went on proper anti ds which spur me on no end.
My life became a cycle of flares and battles with work about attendance. I got promoted and was moved to the main business of assessing claims etc as a manager when I had no experience of the work at all having been in Personnel for 8 and a half years.
With 12 staff to manage and members of the public abusing me verbally (not that I couldnt understand why) it all became too much and I asked for a move. I was refused on the grounds that our CE had blocked all moves to keep experienced staff!
I called on one of my contacts a senior manager who advised I could be moved temporarily on health grounds pending a decision from Occupational health on my condition.
Thankfully he took me into his team where I could work in my grade but without staff. OHS finally agreed the move was of benefit to my health and I am still there.
Was admitted to hospital again last year and put on dovobet. Worst thing that could have happened - I was virtually clear within days only to flare worse than ever. Then I fell down the stairs at home (sober - Tom!!) and was bad again.
I'm having a flare at the moment but cant pinpoint why - in fact I never really can. I have never had any sort of remission in 9 years. I get down but then get up again there is nothing else for it.
I'm knackered after saying all this but at least its done.
Sorry if anyone has been bored into a flare themselves.
K
