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When unwell and no one knows why..

22 replies

Becca19962014 · 15/11/2018 13:50

How do you cope with it?

I'm currently being investigated for why I've a big growth on my tonsil and down into my throat which isn't going away (almost two months now). I'm having difficulties breathing and struggling to sleep as a result, but the difficulties aren't enough for emergency care (as I can drink fluid and say a sentence).

I've been referred for tests but they're going to take a very long time and to see the respiratory consultant whichll take almost a year.

My anxiety (and ptsd) has become very bad as has my depression, I can't have meds for either and the referral for therapy was refused as I've already had it. The panic attacks mean my throat closes and I temporarily choke. I wake up in the morning with blue hands and feet from where im struggling to breathe, it's terrifying me as I've been told my throat muscles are effected by my Ehlers danlos and can collapse.

So those going through tests for things, or even already have results and struggling how do you cope?

I've being trying to do all the things I was taught but they're not helping anymore.

OP posts:
Pavlova31 · 15/11/2018 18:38

Not wanting to read and run Op but sad to read all that you are going through right now 💐Sad
Hope the bump this reply gives helps you gets some more answers.

JuniperBeer · 15/11/2018 18:41

Have you told the doctors everything you’ve written in your Op?
Blue hands and feet is a bit odd.
Why won’t they prescribe anti depressants?

Is there any chance you can go private? Even for initial referral? It’s not always as expensive as you might think.

Nacknick · 15/11/2018 18:46

Ask them to do an overnight oximetry test where they measure your oxygen levels whilst you're asleep. It's easy enough to do at home as they should just be able to give you a device to wear on your finger which you then send back.
It sounds like you are desaturating overnight and maybe need oxygen overnight at home. It might at least focus their minds on what sounds like a horrible thing to deal with.

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KatieMarieJ · 15/11/2018 18:47

I'm horrified that you're being left in this position. Have they offered anything at all? I would've thought you'd have been trached if I'm honest.

Do you live alone? Have you had any sort of training in what to do or have you been left to your own devices? Have you been advised to sit in bed? A V shaped pillow might assist you. Have you been given an oxygen cylinder at all? It's something that will help you to return to "normal" after any episodes overnight (assuming your oxygen drops which it must).

If I were you I would buy a pulse oximeter and keep a record of where your SPO2 levels are overnight - set an alarm at regular intervals and check how low it goes and how long it takes to return to above 94%.

Pavlova31 · 15/11/2018 18:50

Have you been told about or assessed for CPAP therapy to help keep your throat open when you are asleep Op ?
Not a medical person but i know someone who sleeps a lot better thanks to this.

BlueEyedPersephone · 15/11/2018 18:55

From recent personal experience, unless you keep on at gp etc to put pressure on hospital the you will stay at bottom of queue. If it is effecting your life as you have said you need to put pressure on to be seen if you don't they will just keep pushing you to bottom of pile below other people making more noise, if you think that you are not important enough then you need to realise you are and that you deserve a basic quality if life

Becca19962014 · 15/11/2018 18:57

Yes they know what I've said here.

The blue hands and feet I was told was probably circulation due to EDS and nothing to worry about. Antidepressants (and I tried a lot and different types as well) caused seizures and I was forced to stop them, anti anxiety meds caused my autonomic issues to worsen so I was discharged from mh team.

I can't go private, I live somewhere rural, yes I live alone, where it isn't an option here, I can't travel as far as necessary to get to a hospital that would do it privately.

They've referred for MRI but I couldn't lie flat without choking so it was cancelled - I've got to get better before it can be done - I'm not joking. All they could offer for me sitting up was an ultrasound. I've been told to sleep propped up which I try and do.

Basically I've been told there's nothing that can be done. One of the symptoms of my EDS is I have a massive tongue and combined with the swelling that's why the breathing problems, if I didn't have a massive tongue then my breathing would be much better.

Oxygen cylinder means I must see consultant and the wait is a year. They've told me that my symptoms aren't severe because I can still breathe, talk and manage water. Until that stops they won't do anything as an emergency so I (and gp) have been told I must just live with it.

Thing is every time I get a scratchy throat for any reason I panic, which makes it close slightly, every panic attack now causes physical problems and everything I was taught about panic attacks has now gone out the window because I know now they do effect the body.

I know when oxygen levels were checked at hospital they were 98%, the dr said that was because my blood pressure and heart rate are incredibly high because when they gave me something to reduce it the levels dropped rapidly. I do get low blood pressure when standing up so that'll be an issue a lot as well as when sleeping.

I'm really financially restricted at the moment because I'm so heavily reliant on taxis everywhere but I'll look into the pulse oxymeter mentioned.

OP posts:
Becca19962014 · 15/11/2018 19:02

I can't get to the clinic for CPAP it's two counties away and I can't travel due to severe pain (and by travel I mean in hospital transport) I'm just not well enough anymore to travel to have the sleep aponea testing done.

Complaining resulted in a letter saying the waiting lists are what they are. If I cannot talk or breathe or speak at all then I can go to a&e and be assessed. Before that I'm to wait.

I know I'm not important. I had years of the psychiatrist telling me that I wasn't good enough for them that I was a proper patient and was physically well and all that is on my medical notes.

OP posts:
Becca19962014 · 15/11/2018 19:03

Thankyou for your replies.

I'm sat here crying at your support and understanding.
It means so much.

OP posts:
BlueEyedPersephone · 15/11/2018 20:20

You are important, your health is the most important thing. If you can't breathe go to a&e, you should then get assessed by an emergency team and at least they will do tests and reassess you. You deserve better than this.

greencatbluecat · 15/11/2018 20:31

My friend, who also has EDS, and breathing difficulties at times swears by the physios at Royal Brompton Hospital in London.
They specialist in breathing.

www.rbht.nhs.uk/patients/condition/physiotherapy/physiotherapy-at-royal-brompton/

marvellousnightforamooncup · 15/11/2018 20:36

From recent personal experience, unless you keep on at gp etc to put pressure on hospital the you will stay at bottom of queue. If it is effecting your life as you have said you need to put pressure on to be seen if you don't they will just keep pushing you to bottom of pile below other people making more noise, if you think that you are not important enough then you need to realise you are and that you deserve a basic quality if life.

This! ∆∆ My mum recently died of oesophageal cancer. In the early days we didn't shout loud enough. We were left to fend for ourselves for weeks waiting for treatment while she was slowly starving.

Oogle · 15/11/2018 20:41

That sounds horrendous OP.

I’m exhausted, asleep by 9 every night, struggling to wake up in the mornings. My bones feel heavy. I have had constant mouth ulcers since April. They hurt, a lot. Had blood tests in July, diagnosed with anaemia. Recent blood tests have come back clear but still the symptoms remain. I’m also putting on weight despite no diet changes. I have a GP appointment on Saturday and I’m going to request a referral for the ulcers at least. I feel I’ve just been patted on the head over the anaemia and no one is listening to how bloody ill I feel. I fear I might cry at the doctor.

Becca19962014 · 15/11/2018 20:57

A&E were dismissive telling me its a small swelling and I was making a fuss about nothing as I can breathe through my nose and manage liquds (assumption was I could have meal replacement drinks) and go back when I can't do those things then I'll be seen by emergency team that I live alone and couldn't get help in that state is being ignored by everyone. I'm exhausted because I try and rest and find I am panicking.

There's no way I can get to Brompton I live in (very) rural Wales and getting to local hospital is a nightmare.

I'm sure if I didn't have the borderline diagnosis I'd be taken much more seriously.

The ultrasound is being rushed through, I forgot to mention that, and is just under two weeks away (waiting list for that is four months) so at least that's something and if that shows anything then maybe I can be seen faster.

Its incredibly draining emotionally and I just don't have any spare strength to cope, if that makes any sense. My diabetes is also a problem but I think that's due to panic as well.

I know that it's really bad here for services, someone I worked with has been told she has cancer and it'll be six months until she can have the operation she needs!

OP posts:
Becca19962014 · 15/11/2018 20:58

oogle that's exactly how I feel and what I did today but it made no difference. Just told to cope and get on with it. I've said again and again it's getting harder to manage but no ones bothered.

OP posts:
dontgobaconmyheart · 15/11/2018 22:24

Oh OP I can really sympathise. I am largely bedbound now with EDS that affects almost all of my connective tissue and there just is no help is there, or urgency at all. c Most days i am unable to care for myself and recently have lost a great deal of mobility very suddenly as well as some very concerning issues relating to my sight, none of which are of much concern to my GP who keeps proclaiming i have a virus and/or anxiety- It is maddening when you have a physically proven health condition.
Have you had an esophageal manometry test done yet to assess the strength and behaviour muscles? it is unpleasant but as far as i am aware the only way to clinically assess this matter.
If the cause is autonomic have you tried wearing medical grade compression stockings to reduce the circulation issues? Of course they are no panacea but what is...
If you are diagnosed EDS have you been tested for POTS, rather than postural hypotension, as these are two different illnesses? If not ask your GP for a referral to cardiology and get a tilt table test done to confirm. The more you can get confirmed medically, the more doors will open. You could monitor your own heart rate quite easily on a smartphone with an app if you have a smartphone, and keep a log of changes to show your GP, or a cheap version of a fitbit will do the same, and monitor your sleeping hours also.
Re: the swelling Mast Cell Activation syndrome is prevalent with EDS also so this could be a possibility, I find antihistimines a real help, as well as CBT techniques for when i cannot breathe, which is the most horrible feeling.
Standing MRI is available , there is a clinic in london but you would need to raise funds and find the means to travel as it is private only and of course not cheap, so i appreciate this is not feasible for you.
Do you have any help whatsoever OP? Would you consider asking your GP to refer you to social services for an adult care assessment, for example?
Lastly OP there is nothing stopping you going to A&E, you are important, suffering with EDS is horrendous and the fact other people are ignorant to this does not make your truth any less valid. Do not feel you couldn't call yourself an ambulance in an emergency Flowers

Becca19962014 · 15/11/2018 22:45

Social services are ending their support as I'm "too needy" and I cannot afford the contribution they've requested for direct payments, things I use that help me function are not covered by direct payments and they won't allow me to keep the money so they're ending support and aside from being too needy, I've been labelled as failing to engage.

The assessments were really humiliating and it was all for nothing.

I've not had the test you mention, my local hospital is very small, more cottage hospital and I cannot travel to another so I doubt that test could be done. They can't think of any other reason for it. The compression stockings were no use to me, with my diabetes I can't have anything that might cut off circulation in anyway and they did and it wasn't down to sizes either as my legs swell from the autonomic crap I go through.

I might have pots they weren't 100% as I had a week of tilt tests in London and the sodding things weren't consistent at all. I had meds for it but again they screwed with other things and weren't worth it. I'm sick of meds conflicting or conditions conflicting.

I take antihistamines every day and find they help a bit. The CBT less so though that could be down to the CBT I had. I don't know.

I've no help now. I did but they got pissed off after being told during my last admission by a HCP EDS was made up and I was just lazy and needed to get a job or do a course and the person believed them and I've not seen them since. honestly a&e now is a place I'd do anything to avoid ending up at ever again. I overheard the staff calling me the most awful names. I thought, stupidly, when I had a diagnosis this shit would stop but no now I'm hearing about how someone on tv has it so everyone is being misdiagnosed because it's fashionable. Ffs as if a specialist would do that!

I've had my nighttime meds and need to try and rest now, already im panicking about doing so. My bed was never a peaceful place but now it's almost a battleground!

OP posts:
Potsie · 15/11/2018 23:10

I can completely sympathise. I have EDS too and currently have the sensation of my throat closing up and struggling to drink liquids. It is so frustrating trying to get the right help. I also find that when I’m going through all the tests, I focus on my health a lot more than normal and it really gets me down. I try and distract myself as much as possible and I also try and journal as much as possible to get all my thoughts out of my head. I really feel for you and hope you get some answers soon.

dontgobaconmyheart · 16/11/2018 03:32

i agree that unfortunately that is what it's like OP, I spent many years waiting for tests, pushing for them, getting them after years, being proven right and then being devastated it got me nowhere. It is such a strain emotionally as well as physically being discriminated against because the condition is very poorly understood and not well known other than in its very mild form that is reasonably common. As you point out, there is nothing that you can take that doesn't exacerbate something else, and people just don't realise how disabling a condition it is.
It is my understanding that there are only one or two doctors with an interest in the UK, both of whom run private clinics for EDS with a wait list of nearly 2 years, and as you say, that is IF you are mobile enough, and financially able enough, to get there. I am about at the point now where I like you, cannot do it. I require my DP to go everywhere with me, and cannot drive, need a wheelchair if i am out the house but still will regularly get asked why i have one by consultants who seem to believe EDS is merely " a bit of hypermobility in the joints", rather than a connective tissue disorder and lack of autonomic dysfunction. They are arrogant and ignorant to the fact that the whole body is made up of connective tissue so it is reasonably obvious that if yours is genetically faulty, it will not be fit for purpose. My oesophagus, intenstines, and entire pelvic floor are herniated and prolapsed as a result of weak connective tissue, and even though that has been proven and there are images of this, my digestive system only functions due to medication, and i currently haven't eaten solid food in a year as I have lockjaw where my facial muscles have seized. There is nothing that can be done about the above and i get short thrift if i dare to suggest this is anything more than mildly uncomfortable (obviously it is agonising and disabling)

I was told by my cardiologist that the medications for POTS are well known to cause unwelcome side effects and was told by him that he would not take them himself. Sadly, what else can you do. I'm sorry that your issue is also complicated by diabetes so the stockings are not suitable. The only other advice i received was to add salt to my diet - though not how much, and given that i have gastroparesis and only eat once a day, there is a limit to the feasibility of that. Drinks containing electrolytes help me sometimes, or i use sports gels and rehydration salts in drinks daily. Those who think you can just ask your GP are misinformed - mine has outright said he has no idea and to try and work out for myself what works.

I am not suggesting it solves anything nor do i think it is what you want to hear but all you have got is sticking up for yourself and calling and saying you want another assessment and calling your GP/escalating the issue endlessly on the offchange someone listens. I won't be one of those people suggesting you must have it wrong and there simply must be help, because i know there isn't, and getting a diagnosis isnt helpful when you are never a candidate for surgery because of your weak tissues, or not a candidate for a medication.

I suppose the only silver lining is that everyones EDS presents differently so if you can get some sort of answer in your ultrasound then perhaps there is something that can be done in your case.

My only other advice is to consider to contact the EDS charity - www.ehlers-danlos.org - their website is very informative and at least you may be able to access advice on your situation via email, or they have a telephone advice line, as well as coordinate support groups and forums.

I think sometimes it just gets too much doesn't it. It's isolating and terrifying and awful to think you can really be that ill and there is no help, it is no surprise at all that it causes full blown anxiety. People seem to have no idea! I wish you all the best for your scan OP and hope you were able to get through the night okay.

epicclusterfuck · 16/11/2018 03:48

@oogle have you been tested for coeliac disease and underactive thyroid?

Becca19962014 · 16/11/2018 10:14

dont Thankyou. I'm so sorry you have this too and understand, though in a way it helps to know I'm not alone in all of this, even if I am in RL. I supposedly have the most common and easy to treat version of EDS but when prof Grahame diagnosed me he said it was a coin toss between two of the types and if I lived closer he wanted to investigate more what was happening to me because it's so unusual what's happening to me. I've been told so many times it's just type 3 so only hypermobility (which ive been told isn't allowed to hurt,mad joints subluxed by idiot Drs twisting my arm to take blood insisting it will stop on its own and of course it doesn't and more times than I can count if I just try physio thatll fix it (it made mine much worse)) but at my assessment it was far more than only hypermobility though at the time that was certainly the worst part for me. Now like you it effects everything.

My knees need replacing but can't be because the reason for the osteoarthritis being so bad in the first place is, you guessed it, the EDS.

I did ring the EDS helpline but the person had no idea and kept going on about "just" an allergy and EDS not effecting neck muscles like others and how I needed to get an urgent referral done to specialist unit and could get hospital transport for my appointment - they'd no idea that I cannot magically travel just because it's hospital transport which from here to London would take hours each way which I've no functioning to do. I got annoyed and put the phone down in the end (I never said I was annoyed just said I had to go). I've never rung back, though I may try to do so.

I've had to stop the extra salt and dioralyte since this lump appeared because my blood pressure is so high now keeping oxygen going round my body - it's actually so high I'm at risk of a stroke but everyone says it's fine because it keeps me upright (most of the time!)

OP posts:
Oogle · 16/11/2018 18:14

@epicclusterfuck (amazing username) I’m not sure to be honest. I don’t think so. I’m seeing a different GP tomorrow and I’ve heard from several people that he’s amazing so I will ask him to book more blood tests.

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