Something odd is going on with my health but my gp is no help at all??

[weirdsymptomsforyears]

I’ve been having strange symptoms for years now. Sometimes nothing for months then periods of time where I have various strange symptoms. I think my gp thinks I’m going mad but it’s not all in my mind it’s very physical and I need to know what sort of doctor to see privately if that’s what it takes to get some help ?

About 10 years ago I started getting dizzy episodes that would last a few days. Maybe once every 3 months. Then they would be accompanied by numbness and tingling in my back/waist / back of thighs . Then it would
go and I’d be fine again for weeks or months.

5 years ago I had a terrifying episode of loss of vision in one eye and went to the optician but they couldn’t find anything wrong and it got better gradually over 48 hours.

The dizzy attacks have continued . On a few occasions I’ve had feelings like something warm is being poured over the back of my legs. I’ve had one totally numb toe for 4 years! I have developed what I think is IBS and over the last few years Ive had to keep increasing my laxatives to cope with constipation .

Im always exhausted now and have to keep going to sleep in the day

For the past week I’ve had the intense sensation of bugs crawling all over my scalp and forehead. It’s unbearable. The gp is saying this must be psychological.
Do I need to see a rheumatologist? A neurologist ?

Sounds just like MS tbh. You need a neurology referral and brain and spine MRI but it sounds like your GP are useless. You shouldn't have to, but going private might be your only realistic chance of getting diagnosed in a reasonable timeframe

Hsve you considered Lyme disease atall? I was having all sorts of odd symptoms so transient phytophobia, headaches, numbness, paralysis that didn’t seem to make sense. Had a ct scan and MRI which were fine.

Test for Lyme came back positive though consultant tested for everything. GP felt that all my symptoms could be explained under the umbrella of Lyme as an old infection can cause all sorts of oddities as it progresses.

Yes it is hashimotos . I’m sure I had a blood test something to do with coeliac a few years ago but I’ll double check my results and if so ask the gp to repeat it.

Vit B12 presents differently to this. It sounds like MS.

Unless your symptoms are continual, rather than intermittent, then I would guess that you probably don't need to see a neurologist.

MRI's are normally ordered when someone is having symptoms of numbness / dizziness / affected vision but usually those symptoms are not resolving.

It’s not all the time, I’m exhausted all the time and have constipation all the time but the other symptoms will suddenly come on last for a week or two then subside for weeks, sometimes months and it’s not always the same combination of symptoms so I’m really confused what’s going on.

I also came to say a lot of these symptoms do sound like migraines. They can lack the classic headache. All sorts of weird symptoms I've had before including being so dizzy I couldn't move for falling over (and wanting to throw up constantly) and partial loss of vision. Have a read up and see if it ticks most of your boxes. Even so it points to neurology more than anything else

ok so some questions, (not designed to offend!!)

1. are you significantly overweight
2. have you been tested for diabetes
3. in terms of lifestyle choices do you smoke / drink / take any recreational drugs
4. do you exercise

because any yes to the above 1-3 and
"no" to 4. will go some way to explaining what is happening.

No, I am 9stone 10 and 5’8 . With my bloods they did a hba1c and it was absolutely fine. Don’t smoke drink or take drugs. I struggle hugely with exercise due to my symptoms, I’ve had to cut back more and more I used to do quite a lot of exercise but now I only manage walking on good days

Are you on the pill?

No

You need to be tested for MS. Your doctor is very negligent. Go and see another one in the practice

Can you go private for this? I think you need some specialist care and it sounds like it is taking far too long for the GP you currently see, to recognize this.

There are different types of MS. Some are more progressive than others.

RRMS for example can have periods of 'remission' where the symptoms calm down in-between attacks.

OP this very much sounds like MS, vision loss is often how most people are diagnosed (optic neuritis) if you could find a private consultation with a neurologist that specialises in MS then I would advise do do so.

Most people with MS have symptoms for years before they finally find a doctor that will listen and connect the dots. Good luck.

There's no way you should be being fobbed off without further investigation. Is there a different doctor at the same practise you could see? Request a neurology referral . Your symptoms intermittent or otherwise are not something you should be left to live with and I think you need to rule out quite a lot of other things before they decide it psychological.