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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I feel like I am just losing my mind!

78 replies

sometimescharlotte · 10/02/2020 01:55

Posting here for answers is clearly desperation, but I am willing to try anything at this point! Maybe somebody with a similar experience will magically be able to point me in the right direction... or maybe it will confirm that I am a neurotic hypochondriac!

For the last year or so, I've been going through phases of feeling unwell. The symptoms all happen together, more or less the same every time:

Stomach pain - usually quite bad
Headaches - again, quite bad
Pain in arms and legs - muscles, joints
Vomiting and diarrhoea, sometimes sort of orange-red coloured urine (sorry tmi!!)
Feeling tired and very "weak", sometimes almost like I can't move when I try to
In the summer - itchy rashes from the sunlight
Feeling anxious - which may be a cause or an effect of all the above!

My GP has found nothing abnormal and suggests the symptoms are psychosomatic or psychological in origin. I'm willing to go with that.. but am unsure how to deal with it. Plus, when I then had a psychiatric assessment, I was told that there is no reason to think that this is the case.

So... anyone have any ideas? Or am I just neurotic? Happy to be told that I just sound a bit loopy, at least it would be an answer!!

OP posts:
DonKeyshot · 10/02/2020 06:37

Porphyria was associated with KIng George III but its now believed he suffered from periods of mental illness.

Have you had a full panel of blood tests, OP? If so, ask for a print out of the results and post them on the General Health board as what some GPs consider to be normal range can be anything but.

Even if you're not avoiding sunlight you may be deficient in VItamin D. It's not uncommon during the winter months and it is difficult to get the recommended amount from food alone.

Take at least 10mcg Vitamin D every day but if you haven't had a blood test wait until this has been done before starting. If you look on eBay you'll find a wide of choice of capsules or oral sprays at low prices.

DonKeyshot · 10/02/2020 06:46

Btw, your GP is an ignorant tit. 'Anxiety' most emphatically does not 'cause everything' and I dread to think how many patients s/he's failed to treat because of this belief.

Change your GP and don't hesitate to change your practice if it transpires that 'anxiety causes everything' is the ethos of your particular surgery.

Original poster
sometimescharlotte · 10/02/2020 08:07

I have had all the bloods done for kidney probs and nothing showed up!

The location of the stomach pain is quite non-specific. Often it feels like a band above the upper part of my stomach and it comes in waves. But I also get cramps in the lower stomach which are probably with the diarrhoea. Which has thwarted my plan to sleep in this morning...

OP posts:
Original poster
sometimescharlotte · 10/02/2020 08:08

Oh, and the vit D is okay, I've had that checked tòo!

OP posts:
Original poster
sometimescharlotte · 10/02/2020 08:58

I'm not really sure what to do... I can't quite face the GP again, but at the same time I know it probably would be good to go back!
Btw, sorry tmi, urine bright red this morning! I kind of feel though that it may just be something weird about me - definitely doesn't feel like a UTI.

OP posts:
Seeingadistance · 10/02/2020 10:05

As I said before, I’m not a medical professional, but your symptoms do match those for porphyria. Especially the red urine, pain, weakness, anxiety, etc.

There is a British Porphyria Association who have a helpline. Why don’t you contact them for a chat?

www.porphyria.org.uk/

Frogsborn · 10/02/2020 11:53

I have Lyme disease and have all of these symptoms. Have you ever had a tick bite that you're aware of?

resisterpersister · 10/02/2020 11:55

I'm not really sure what to do... I can't quite face the GP again

You need a new GP IMO.

If your GP is minimising your pain because of unconscious sexism, that's unlikely to magically improve. I mean, by all means do go back if it's your only option, but are there other GP surgeries you could move to locally?

resisterpersister · 10/02/2020 11:56

According to my GP, anxiety can cause everything..!

Your GP is an arse, sorry.

Kelsoooo · 10/02/2020 11:59

Hand hold, and solidarity for the frustration of this.

I've had this twice with GPs now, presented with something, they can't find a cause so label it "in my head" .... And it gets left there. It's shit.

You seen any specialists?

BlueHarry · 10/02/2020 12:07

I was written off as depressed and suffering anxiety for years when it eventually turned out that I have a chronic condition which had caused real phsyical problems in my body. Even after this was confirmed by a private practice, my normal gp's surgery still act like it's all in my head whenever I go in with a problem related to the condition.

I can't afford to continue down the private route, so I plan to change surgeries the next time I need help. If your GP isn't listening and going private isn't an option, I suggest that you change surgeries too. Keep fighting for yourself and don't doubt yourself that this isn't normal.

Over two years of being told that it was all psycho symptomatic (if that's the correct term), made me anxious and depressed. So they weren't wrong in saying that I was, but they caused it. Questioning my own sanity for such a long time, pretty much lead me close to a mental breakdown I think. It was an awful time. This topic makes me so angry, when you read into how women particularly get treated and failed by the health care system in this way and just left to suffer. It's disgusting.

Sorry... I've gone on a bit of a rant there. I hope you get an answer op and get the help you need. Just don't let them fob you off.

Original poster
sometimescharlotte · 10/02/2020 12:12

There are other GPs in the surgery who I could see... there is one in particular who was much more helpful when I saw her once as a one-off, but I think she only works there Wednesdays and Saturdays. Perhaps it is worth trying to make an appointment with her?

I'm a bit wary of changing because I think it makes it look like I'm shopping round for a diagnosis and people will be even less likely to take me seriously!

@Frogsborn, poor you, I've always thought Lyme Disease sounds horrid. Never had a tic bite that I've been aware of.

OP posts:
Frogsborn · 10/02/2020 12:29

@sometimescharlotte Thank you. Not to worry you, but might just be worth bearing in mind as not everyone gets the rash or is aware of a tick bite. Not sure if you have pets or spend time outdoors, but always just worth considering, particularly as symptoms tend to fluctuate every month or two with it.

Original poster
sometimescharlotte · 10/02/2020 14:05

@Seeingadistance thanks for the website and info line number.
I rung up and spoke to somebody who was very helpful. They suggested that it would be worth to get checked out and enquire about this, but that I should go now, while having symptoms. The trouble is, that I cannot get an appointment today...! Urgh.

OP posts:
Brefugee · 10/02/2020 14:15

I have a fair few of these (not usually all together) and apparently it's menopause. Could that be it?

Hope you get a diagnosis soon. Don't worry about looking as though you're shopping around. Mention to your new practice that you don't think your symptoms are being taken seriously because you're a woman (maybe you could mention that at your current practice)

movingdilemma1234 · 10/02/2020 14:37

Have a look at hyperparathyroid. You may want to ask for a blood calcium check

pinkyinky · 10/02/2020 14:51

I have all these symptoms and have vasculitis - I probably had it for 3 ish years before it was diagnosed after I collapsed and got taken to a and e.

Original poster
sometimescharlotte · 10/02/2020 15:00

Pretty sure the calcium has been checked - and shouldn't be menopause as I'm only 31!

Just called GP surgery to try to book and the receptionist said, "we've talked about this, you can't have an appointment to discuss this again." So clearly the entire practice knows that I am a hypochondriac. Hmm

OP posts:
ahagwearsapointybonnet · 10/02/2020 15:06

Possibly stupid question, but have you taken in a sample of the reddish urine? If not, that sounds worth doing as it proves there is something physically wrong!

Mummypigisalwaysright · 10/02/2020 15:31

You need to start getting angry and pushy op. Screw what they think of you. I second taking a sample and if necessary turning up at the surgery for an appointment. Like previous people have said, doctors do not take women seriously. You're going to have to fight, which I know is probably the last thing you feel like doing. Flowers

Original poster
sometimescharlotte · 10/02/2020 19:27

I guess though, that the reddish urine could simply be down to something I've eaten!
Oh, I don't know. I don't feel "right". But at the same time, it maybe is just all in my mind?? Urgh.

OP posts:
mnthrowaway202020 · 10/02/2020 19:29

Call 111 and tell them your symptoms and that your GP refused to give you an appointment as they don’t want to discuss this further. 111 will either tell your GP to see you within X hours/days or get you an appointment elsewhere

mnthrowaway202020 · 10/02/2020 19:29

(If they agree it’s necessary of course)

natashaaaaa · 10/02/2020 19:36

Have a look into Hypermobility Syndrome. I have just been diagnosed with this at 38 and it has been a shock. But it has answered so many unanswered questions about my health.

•	pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles
•	clicking joints
•	joints that dislocate (come out of the correct position) easily
•	fatigue (extreme tiredness)
•	recurrent injuries – such as sprains
•	digestive problems – such as <a class="break-all" href="https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/constipation/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">constipation</a> and <a class="break-all" href="https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)</a>
•	dizziness and fainting
•	thin or stretchy skin
natashaaaaa · 10/02/2020 19:37

I will add that anxiety is also a massive symptom of hypermobility syndrome along with perceived heart murmurs.

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