[Mediawiki-api] API Implementation - Critique

[Mark Henderson]

I need some help - I've implemented the API using CodeIgniter for a 
clients site and everything works on the site except for the wiki pages, 
which are sluggish.

Here is my controller which lists the function calls being made and in 
what order:
http://pastebin.com/m4021c1a7

And here is my model where the actual API calls are made:
http://pastebin.com/dd7c504c

The api.php file exists on the same server that is making the calls, so 
it should be instant but the pages are so very slow, and only in the 
instance of using the MW API.

Any help or insight anybody could give would be MUCH appreciated.

- Mark