To wonder what to say to the doctor? (Sensitive)

[Worriedobsessive]

Namechanged.

I am NEVER unwell. I'm 45, regular cycle, and last two weeks I'm out of breath a lot, absolutely knackered and taking naps every day, and v bloated lower abdomen. I'm wearing normally I think, but always feel so bloated. I've got indigestion if I eat too fast (again never a problem previously) and I've got constant lower back ache. And one elbow hurts too!

I'm not celiac, not anaemic, not b12 deficient (had recent blooods for something else) but something feels different.

If I see the doc they're likely to say "hormones, go away" aren't they?

[Worriedobsessive]

Pressed too soon!

I'm worried. I'm not a health worrier but this has me googling all sorts of things.

[TurnipCake]

No, the bloating needs to be looked into. They will take you seriously

[PositiveAttitude]

Go and tell him /her what you have said here, they will take it seriously.

A few years ago I felt "not right" but felt I couldn't go and just say that to the Dr and I had far less specific "Not right-ness" than you have. 8 months later I found I had a tumour in my neck and I realised that was the reason for it all. I am not saying you will have something terrible, but it needs to be checked out. If I ever felt the same again I would listen to my body and get myself checked out sooner.

[stuckinthehouse]

You're not pregnant are you?

[Mollie85]

There's no chance you might be pregnant?
Although how that explains the elbow away I don't know...

[Worriedobsessive]

Defo defo defo not pregnant.

[Worriedobsessive]

Thank you turnipcake x

Positiveattitude did you have some blood markers or something? How did they find it? Glad you're well now!

[LeonoraFlorence]

Definitely get checked OP. If they say 'hormones' then so be it.

[Worriedobsessive]

Those saying get it checked, what might it be?

[Cornettoninja]

I think I might be a bit like you and far to quick to accept a doctor telling me 'meh' when really things need to be looked at a bit deeper. I think there's a bit of a game now where if you don't present a couple of times to the GP with the same issue they like to weed out what is and isn't an actual ongoing problem. Bit of a dangerous for the less assertive/conscious of been labelled a resources drain...

Anyway, you need to do what I should do - go back and ask to be referred to a specialist to investigate further as these symptoms are concerning you and affecting your day to day life.

At a laymans guess I would think you need to see either a gastroenterologist or gynaecologist to rule out some stuff. Either one may suggest the other if they don't identify anything and recommend it to your GP.

[Worriedobsessive]

Yikes, going back a few times with the same thing is my worst nightmare! Because how do you know you're being fobbed off?

[Cornettoninja]

Those saying get it checked, what might it be?

Well according to google probably one of a million disorders! Which is why you need to talk to someone whose going to narrow things down a lot. Personally I would be asking to see a gastroenterologist given the symptoms abdominally and of if indigestion because they'll be thinking about the whole digestive tract whilst ruling out anything around it that needed another specialists input such as lungs or uterus.

Take comfort that your GP isn't particularly alarmed, they don't tend to mess about with 'red flag' symptoms but that doesn't mean there's nothing wrong and you couldn't be sorted out.

[Cornettoninja]

No don't go a few times I meant that's when they're more likely to initiate stepping up the investigations but there's nothing stopping you asking directly for what you think you need.

[Pythonesque]

Agree with others that you should expect to be taken seriously if you describe exactly what you've posted here. I'd expect your GP to examine you fairly carefully and either plan tests or urgent referral or some combination of those. They might find some clues quickly or they might need to do some "broad brush" checks, depending on details.

Hope you get seen soon and that something can be done to make you feel better.

[TheSparrowhawk]

Could be something ovarian. That can cause the bloating, back pain,indigestion and even affect the nerves in your arm (though the result is usually shoulder pain). Mention all symptoms and emphasise that you're not a worrier by this has really bothered you. Most good GPs will respond to that.

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

Make sure you make yourself heard OP, the Doctor should arrange for bloods to be taken. Take a urine sample with you, save doing it whilst you are there. Try not to worry, and be sure to get an appointment.

[Whinesalot]

it would be a pretty poor doctor who dismisses such a sudden change.

[IvorHughJarrs]

I think this is too soon to be suggesting you'll have to go back and worrying about that

Make a list of all your symptoms and tell the GP. Hopefully they will respond with tests or something and, if not, they should explain clearly why (e.g. my GP told me recently, take this medication for a month to see if it might be xxx, if not better come back as an urgent appointment and I will refer you on the 2 week wait system)

[wineandworkout]

I am not medically qualified and this is worst case scenario but you could say to the doc that you're worried about ovarian cancer www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-ovary/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Don't get fobbed off! That has happened to me a few times. Worst was when 2 different GPs told me that a weird mole was fine and it turned out to be a melanoma. They may have been to med school, but you know your own body and health better.

[jollygoose]

Tell the doctor your intuition is telling you something is wrong and you would like to be referred to a specialist if he then prevaricates he could be in trouble if he doesn't investigate and there is something wrong.

[Kittychatcat]

Has the doctor checked your thyroid hormones and antibodies?

[ememem84]

I read your post op and immediately thought pregnant. That's how I felt before I found out. But then noticed the elbow thing. And the fact that you've said absolutely no way pregnant.

Absolutely go get checked out. take a list of symptoms. Don't let them fob you off.

[Peachyking000]

Write a list of your symptoms in case you forget to mention anything. And mention specifically the conditions that you are concerned about. Your GP will be unlikely to get be you a diagnosis immediately, but it would be good practice to arrange some investigations then have a follow up appointment.

[Bloodybridget]

When I had some of those symptoms (and was wondering if it could be ovarian cancer) my GP referred me for an ultrasound immediately. I'm sure your GP would too. I was fine btw, hope you are too.

[BagelDog]

While it is far more likely to be something a lot less serious, you tick enough boxes to merit a two week wait ultrasound. And I would expect the GP to do a panel of bloods in the mean time including thyroid screen, some hormone panels (? Pregnancy, ? Perimenopause) and a few other boys and bobs (B12, vit D, folate, ferritin, bone profile etc) - DOI Med Reg nearly acute medicine consultant.

Tell the GP what you told us and be prepared to sing out if you think they aren't doing enough. Shouldn't be so but sometimes being the squeaky wheel gets you further with the NHS.