Help to diagnose me ? Dr not interested.

[tootiredtothink]

I really do feel as if in losing my mind as gp has dismissed all my symptoms.

I've been going back and forth (although only probably 4 or 5 times) for a number of reasons including memory loss/lack of concentration; pain in joints; lack of energy; sharp pain in thigh...I had convinced myself it was a blood clot and gp even sent me to a&e with that; as well as swollen, painful joints, particularly my right hand.

I've actually changed my sofa as thought my thigh might be digging in to that.

18 months ago I had blood tests which showed low on vitamin d and folic acid. Returned with good blood test results but my symptoms were still the same. I was told my bloods were good so what had i come in expecting her to do ???

So (different go this time) she's once again doing blood tests. I've asked if its arthritis in my hand (she didn't even look at it) and could all my symptoms by fibromyalgia (after looking at threads on here).

Was told there's no test for that and I should have continued taking vitamin d tablets so it's probably that.

Was asked how my mood is....I said I'm feeling so low as I've had 2 years of pain and exhaustion. She told me depression can cause these symptoms. I'm not depressed, I'm feeling low because of the symptoms.

Anyone have any ideas ?

And how on earth can I get my gp to listen to me ? I went in today feeling quite strong and determined not to leave without something being done. Doesn't seem to have worked.

I'm so fed up of having to work my days around recovery periods just so I can barely function the following day....all I can manage nowadays is the school run. Anymore means a day or 3 in bed !

[Cocolepew]

Ask for a referral to rheumatology.

[Pantone363]

Sorry no idea. But I really relate to the pain causing depression not depression causing pain feeling. I have undiagnosed stuff that the GP puts down to anxiety. I'm anxious because I'm not well!

Hope you get an answer soon

[CMOTDibbler]

Have you been tested for coeliac disease? I had swollen, painful joints, fatigue etc and was diagnosed with CD. Its also a risk for low vit D and folic , so would fit

[Cocolepew]

Sorry I did write more than that but its disappeared

[FaithAscending]

Have you been tested for coeliac disease? I'd try a different doctor if I were you.

[FaithAscending]

X post CMOT!

[thenewaveragebear1983]

My DM has fibro. There's no test for it, its a process of eliminations. So perhaps your gp needs to start eliminating some things? Fwiw as soon as my DM was diagnosed she was put on an anti depressant , for the life of me I can't remember what its called, but it has multiple functions at different doses, and it improved her sleep issues, joint pain etc. Good luck op. Fibro is a horrible illness and misunderstood, many doctors don't seem to recognise it and my DM fought for 10 years to get diagnosed and get proper support from her gp.

[Cocolepew]

Amitriptyline is used a lot for fibro and joint pain.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

Yes coco that could be the one!

[tootiredtothink]

Thank you.

This is the 3rd dr I've seen (in the same surgery).

There's one more I can try after this one then I'll have to change practices.

And I won't wait 18 months in between each visit....problem is finding the energy to go! Vicious circle.

I have no idea what the blood test is for, I'll ask about coeliac disease.

[lljkk]

Sent to A&E, 3 blood tests, 5 GP appointments. I don't think it's fair to say OP is being brushed off. I imagine it sucks to be ill with no clear way to get better, though. What vitamin supplements have you tried?

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I would phone all your local surgeries and ask if they have a gp with any knowledge of fibro. Or join a local support group or Facebook group and ask people who their gp is. Once my DM found a good gp, she learned so much about the condition.

[shutupandshop]

Yep sounds like FM. I had to keep returning to gp before was referred to rhematoligist.

[tootiredtothink]

I feel I am being brushed off though. When I went for results of 2nd test as I was still unwell and was asked what I expected her to do ? I expect her to send me for further tests if their routine blood tests aren't finding the problem. But she wouldn't.

I don't expect gp to have all the answers but it'd be nice if they had a go at finding the problem.

I've gone from an energetic, working mum of two to someone with no energy who has had to give up work....I was a self employed cleaner and just gradually whittled down the jobs until I finally gave up last one in November. Working one day for 3 hours meant I usually had to stay in bed all weekend....and it hurts sometimes just being in bed.

I know I sound like a right whinging sod but I don't think I can cope with this much longer. 5 gp appointments over around 3 years....I leave it for a while in between each one as I'm too embarrassed to keep going for the same thing.

I take vitamin d and b12 I think it is. Along with fish oil and folic acid.

[tootiredtothink]

Sorry lljk, not having a go. I think I've finally reached boiling point. Let's hope I stay this determined to make another appointment if bloods come back normal !

That's a very good idea, there's about 5 surgeries closer to home, I'll give them all a call before I make a decision.

[Sax88]

I have fibromyalgia and it took 4 years of relentless dr appointments and various tests which all came back normal to be referred to rheumatology. Diagnosed 5 years ago now but had pain for 9 or 10. All your symptoms sound like me. I am on a cocktail of meds all of which work sometimes and others don't. I do have to take opiates daily so I can care for my 18 month old ds and also work part time.
Just keep pestering them. Also older Dr's don't seem as clued up on fibro so a younger one is your best bet. More recently trained.

[RubySparks]

You sound like me and she sounds like my GP! I have had the same endless blood tests that don't show anything... And still feel like crap. However in my case I was diagnosed with coeliac disease (locum GP) and hypothyroidism - the ongoing problem appeared to be I wasn't on high enough dose of levothyroxine for months and months. Eventually got an increased dose despite thyroid bloods being 'normal' and 'fine' and took a while to feel better but mostly I do feel OK. Also had fibro suggested and have low dose prescription of amitriptyline which I take from time to time to help with sleep. Still have some joint pain though. I have given up with GP really, I am functioning now so taking that as a result rather than getting to 100% healthy.

Lastly one of the gems my GP came out with was 'I diagnose a lot of cancers so it could be worse!'

[PeaceOfWildThings]

Have you been tested for low thyroid function or anemia? There's a whole range of vitamin deficiencies that can cause these symptoms, but these, and low vitamin D are the most common and most commonly recurring/ongoing.

[redspottydress]

Have you ever been bitten by a tic? Sounds like chronic Lyme disease to me.

[Viviennemary]

A good few years ago I went through a period of tiredness and muscle pain and feeling generally not great most days. First few steps in morning were really painful. Eventually it did get better after nearly a year. But it wasn't diagnosed and I managed to keep going at work but went part-time. But looking back goodness knows what it was. Maybe some kind of post viral illness I expect.

[notapizzaeater]

I'd be phoning some other doctors practices. And go back and insist on something, healthy people do not do 3 hours work and take to bed for a couple of days.

[dodobookends]

I've had a doctor say almost the same to me last week. After she told me my blood tests were normal I asked what was causing all my symptoms then??? She said that depression could cause a lot of them.

Er, no. Feeling ill all the bloody time is what's making me miserable, actually.

OP are you able to see another doctor at the practice?

[FaithAscending]

dodo that could well be fibro, generally all blood tests are normal!

[Flossieflower01]

Lupus? Sounds like my symptoms which took years to be diagnosed. Ask for a blood test for it and/or a rheumatology referral.

[AveEldon]

Have they checked your B12 levels?