Really upset

[Mrspimplepopper]

Just been to see my gp. I'm sat in the car park in tears

Over the last 6 months I've had one health problem after another. I have just had enough. I'm fed up of being in pain.

So not to drip feed

I had coxyx pain since June. In August I had loose stools which went on for weeks where I would shit myself

Had colonoscopy last month. Bowel normal.

Then last month I woke up with the most horrendous headache. Go refused to see me urgently so I went to a&e. By head and lumbar puncture showed viral meningitis.

Few weeks later I still have the bloody headache. Now have double vision. Saw optitions who referred urgently to eye hospital.

Eye hospital have tested for mysthenia gravis. No pressure behibd my eyes. Meanwhile I still have headache and double vision

This brings me to now. Just been to see my gp yet again. Im just so fed up.

Asked if I can have a scan of my coxyx. He said no it will resolve itself. Asked if I can see a neurologist about my constant headache. He said no there's no need

I feel so very unsafe. I'm crying in the car

I think my symptoms might all be linked. I've suspected I might have a car leak

I'm scared I'm being branded as 'that patient" I'm honestly terrified I'm being ignored

Not car leak. Csf leak

Thank you for reading.

I just want someone to listen. To help me

But I don't know if my anxiety is making me unreasonable

It sounds like you've had a rotten time of it. Could you ask for a second opinion? Is there another GP at your practice?

Thank you for replying

There is yes. I didn't think of that option. I'm sorry for rambling. Im just scared and feel I don't trust my own judgement.

I know I have actual symptoms and pain. I feel very anxious about it all. I just feel I'm not taken seriously and the gp thinks I'm a nightmare.

I'm not. I'm very polite. I can't stand up for myself

Make an appointment with another GP surely with your symptoms a referral to a neurologist would not be inappropriate with your symptoms.

Well, I think it would be a good idea. How are you feeling now? Do you have CBT for your anxiety?

Other than the headache you don’t have any symptoms of a csf leak and the headaches with those tend to be worse on standing, improved when lying down, which you don’t mention. I’m sure something is going on, especially since it sounds like they diagnosed viral meningitis? I think it just takes a really long time to get over this but you should be able to get a second GP to give you another opinion.

I would definitely ask to see a different GP. I’m so sorry this one isn’t listening to you

Keep going back to the GP's.

Wish you a speedy recovery

Thankyou so much for your kind reply.

My headaches are postural. I can almost feel no headache when I lay down.

My dh says to see another gp. I want to write down what I want to say

My friend who had viral meningitis said she had a headache and stiff neck for nearly 6 months afterwards. She was told it was quite common and it cleared on its own.

My daughter had almost permanent headaches and stomach aches for over a year. She was seen my a paediatrician who prescribed low dosage Amiltriptyline and a MRI scan (her father had a brain tumour and subsequently died). I wasn't keen on the medication so I took her to see an osteopath.

The osteopath took one look at her and saw immediately that he upper back and neck were out of alignment. 6 weeks later with hourly appointments her headaches were at worst once a week.

The joys of working in neuro

@hairymuffet ?

Something I’m still learning regarding health

We know our bodies best, they’re usually strong and resilient. I’m assuming you’re not a drama queen who checks into the hospital on Facebook so if you really feel something is out of whack.. fuck what everyone else thinks. You’re what’s important here. Get a different gp.

This sounds like you’ve had a very hard time and I’m sure your mental health has taken a hit. Anxiety can manifest in different ways and can make you feel physically ill so note that.

I've had viral meningitis. I was warned that the headache might last for up to six months afterwards; it's not a fast clearance unfortunately. Your anxiety is likely to be making it feel a bit worse, too, although it's totally understandable.

I hope that helps reassure you a bit. By all means see another GP; and you'd probably get a scan from a private GP if you can afford to pay for an apt and then the scan, but it's quite likely that you're still recovering from the viral meningitis which will have knocked you for six.

Be firm OP. This is your health and you need to feel that you are being listened to and treated properly. And so what if they think you're a nightmare patient!

Ask for an appointment with a different GP. Tell them how serious you are that you want to be tested further.

And lastly I'm really sorry you're going through all this and I hope you get the help you deserve asap.