To ask for any medical professionals opinions

[Tolivebytheseaahh]

I have tried to post my situation on here but it's not getting much attention. So I will try one last time. Because I'm worried. I've ordered some tests to do at home and they will be tested in a lab and a Dr will send my results.... But I'm trying to help myself as the only gp I can get a phone call with has messed me up more than helped me.

I've had anemia on and off for years. In February I got quite poorly and physically couldn't move off the sofa. Had had loads of feelings of exhaustion and weakness. A blood test confirmed I was running low on iron again and I've been on tablets ever since. I was put on the mini pill by a locum doctor who who told me most women are successful with the pill. I found it strange because, two doctors before him had told me that people with anaemia like mine should not go on the mini pill due to the risk of bleeding. I gave it a try anyway but I bled for 4 and 1/2 Weeks and I came off it because I felt terrible.

It's been 7 weeks now and my periods have gone back to normal but I feel poorly all the time. I only get 2 days maximum in a row where I feel well enough to function and then I feel not right again. I seem to have regular nausea now, it's like my stomachs in knots and really fizzy. I spend a lot of days in bed, or barely leaving the sofa. I have young kids and its starting to affect them.

Yesterday my stomach was churning all day. I was exhausted and feeling sad. I cried alot. Since yesterday I go light headed if I move my head. It's like a few seconds of a whooshy feeling on the top. My daughter knocked into me earlier and it happened then too.

I've gone over so many what Ifs in my head. Is my stomach damaged from the iron? Have I got a hormone problem? Am I diabetic? Is my thyroid ok? Is there something sinister going on? I've never felt this rubbish before. My numbers were 9 in February. They were 6 the year before and I didn't feel this bad.

I've spoken to the same Dr 4 times since march and he just says carry on with the iron. He gave me lansoprazole but I don't have acid!

I have ordered tests to check

Diabetes
Hormone levels
Thyroid.
Full iron panel.

What other possibilities could it be? I've moved onto liquid iron for the last ten days. Yet the nausea comes and goes still. I've also noticed nausea 2 days after my periods the last two cycles.

Thank you so much to anyone who reads this. I know it's not interesting to read but I'm hoping people have some experiences or advice.

Thanks.

[aLilNonnyMouse]

Have you had your B12 levels tested?

[lljkk]

I'm not medical prof but will bump your thread.
Have you always responded well to the iron supplements in the past?

[BadSmellsHelp101]

You won’t get professional advice on a public forum- reputable medics are generally warned against giving advice anonymously as it breaks code of practice if the Dr is not identifiable

[bakebeans]

Have you been checked for vitamin d deficiency? Coeliac disease? if low In iron the doctors may want to refer you for a camera test depending on whether they feel it is necessary. My friend felt similar to you and had all the above as well as her thyroid checked that you mentioned. Turned out she was vitamin d deficient. She said she felt absolutely awful with it.

[Calic0]

OP surely you’re better off trying to get a second GPs opinion then trying to get an opinion here? I’m sure that you would be entitled to see another doctor in this situation?

For what it’s worth - and I’m no medical professional - it sounds like you have a lot of anxiety around this (talk of what ifs constantly
running through your mind) and anxiety can, in my experience, manifest itself very physically.

[endofthelinefinally]

If you can afford a private consultation see a haematologist to get to the bottom of the anaemia. It isn't always straight forward iron deficiency. B12 deficiency is always a possibility.
I agree with pp who suggested vitamin D deficiency too.
I know a few people who were terribly ill with it. It is very common.

[cravingpistachiocake]

I really think you need to try your GP again and ask them all this.

How do you know the tests you’re ordering will be reliable? Presumably they’re a fingerprick test? If so they won’t be as good as the proper blood tests you get at the GP.

Honestly this sounds like mental health issues to me, anxiety and maybe depression, but no-one can diagnose you on here or offer medical. You need to talk to a doctor about it. If you don’t feel the GP you’ve spoken to is taking it seriously then ask for someone else.

[Tolivebytheseaahh]

It's not anxiety or depression. This is why I wanted to see if any medical people are here. The drs mistakingly presumed I was anxious until realising my symptoms were because I had no reserves. It's very easy to put everything down to mental health

Vitamin d was ok in Feb. They checked that.

I've not been checked for celiac disease.

I've tried to get a different gp but it's always him that rings.

I've had medical people on here before explain things but not diagnose me.

The tests are reliable and no different to what a Dr would do. Plenty of reviews and information. They go to the same lab the drs send them. It's just quicker than waiting months and months for a gp to do anything.

Thanks for the replies.

[Ireolu]

Ask for a second opinion. Everything you list us vague and you need more in-depth questioning on your symptoms. Also no one here can see how anaemic you have been or how low your iron was previously.

A forum like this is not the place to get the answers you are looking for. If you don't feel right push for answers with your doctor.

[Tolivebytheseaahh]

@ireolu

I asked for people who have experience not a random person to say go back to your GP. If anyone who might have ideas asks me further stuff I can tell them! I'm not asking for a diagnoses. GPS are not always the best route. I've been trying since march and they just want me to take iron pills and get on with it. But I'm poorly and I've had enough of being unwell. Just looking for someway to unmuddle it all.

[ECBC]

Go to a new GP? If your tests reveal anything that needs acting on you’ll need a GP anyway? Soliciting medical advice on Mumsnet isn’t the best idea.

[BadSmellsHelp101]

Sadly that requires access to records and a great deal of time investment (with you and reviewing results) which I can’t see why/how someone would do that on here- suggest getting a private opinion (specialist) or second opinion from GP. I say this as a medical professional.

[BorisTheBellend]

You can ring your GP practise and tell them you want to speak to a Dr other than Dr X as you're getting nowhere with him.

[endofthelinefinally]

OP haematologists are qualified, experienced physicians who have undertaken further specialism in haematology.
They know everything about anaemia and general medicine. They will know exactly where to refer you on if the cause of your anaemia requires further medical or surgical intervention.
If your anaemia is not responding to iron therapy, your Gp should probably refer you anyway.

[curtainsforme]

Pernicious Anemia?

[whatthefuckamigoingtodo]

@Nicolastuffedone but they have asked ransoms on the internet... so...

[BatShite]

I had a smiliar issue a while back, so similar actually I could have written your post. Turned out it was a vit b12 definiciency. I would never have thought that that could cause so many problems..was sorted with a couple of injections!

Of course this might not be whats up with you. But definitely get a second opinion..your doc seems to not actually care what it is and is trying to put you off! Mine was like that, changed him and new doc figured out the issue and actually treated it, rather than just writing me off.

[Ireolu]

The internet is not the place to get answers if anything you will just get more muddled here.

But it's of course up to you what you want to do.

[indecisivewoman81]

Sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell.

I think the tests you've ordered sound promising.

I have an under active thyroid and the exhaustion; the crying and difficult periods all tally up with that.

The tiredness isn't like normal "I'm knackered" it's a bone crushing feeling like wading through water every move is hard work tired.

I hope you get the answers you need soon x