Gp not taking me seriously because I have anxiety

[Bobbyandme]

So upset right now. I've been suffering with on and off anemia for months. I've been weak and exhausted. My periods have been painful. I had a particularly bad one that made my eyes blurry and I've had four days in the house with a headache and weakness. Palpatations etc. Ofcourse it makes me worry. I'm a parent and when I'm down it affects my husband's work and my child needs to get to school etc.

So after my family expressed their worries when I cried yesterday I called the drs. I told her I do get anxious because I've had alot of worries about being able to function for my kids. I told her I'm worried because since February when my iron was down to 6 I've felt rubbish. I've tried the mini pill and bled and bled. I tried transexamic acid and it did nothing. I tried microgynon and it made me nauseous and low moods. She told me she would refer me but today she suddenly remember any of that. She ignored me telling her my ovary has been hurting for weeks. I told her I'm bed bound on period days.

Her only solution was join the waiting list for steps to change. Or have a hormonal coil put it that can cause bleeds for six months. No matter how hard i tried to tell her my anxiety is from my anemia and bad periods. She wouldn't believe me.

I am anxious because my periods ruin my life. I am always weak and in pain.

I'm really upset as now I feel there's no help for me. What do I do? I desperately need them to take me seriously. It's gotten to the point where we've discussed taking DD out of school until I'm better as oh job is 90 miles away. He works from home the best he can. But sometimes this isn't an option. On top of everything else I want a life again.

Do accept the mental health referal, even if it’s just to help you learn to cope with everything going on because realistically even when you do get seen chances are it’s going to be a long wait.

Going through the exact same thing just now OP for last few months just been diagnosed with endometriosis

So sorry to hear others have suffered like this.

I will definitely look into all options thankyou. I just want them to focus on my health more than anxiety as that will help fix that.

Has anyone ever had neck trouble that feels like squeezing up one side into the neck and head (starting on the shouldeR) the pain is currently not there but I'm feeling sickly and weak. Really weak. My visions not too bad today but yesterday it was bad!

Wondering what I can do to help it at home until help? Is painkillers going to help loosen it?

Thanks.

Go and get an eye test if you can.

Also don’t lie down too much. This makes it worse

I would try to do some neck stretching and keep it flexible but ultimately you need to try to see a physio. Can you do this on insurance? Or go privately.

Yes I have this and it’s bad posture.

I know you want them to fix the health but the anxiety is getting in the way now so take steps to address that and focus on getting the referral you need

Thanks. Yes I will. I've been doing neck stretches for months. I've had to lie in bed today because id throw up and I'm dizzy. But usually I'm looking after the kids. I thought a days rest will help. It seems to have improved my eye sight. But still wobbly when I walk.

Im thinking private! Hoping this particular flare up improves then I can book in. Currently unable to function to go anywhere. I'm so weak. Thanks for your reply.

I've got a posture board and an accupress ure mat. So I do try and look after my back but it's definitely altered from the kids!

@Bobbyandme Yes I have it however it is because I have repetitive strain injury from using my right arm the whole time and bad posture. It starts in my shoulder and moves all the way up to my head causing awful headaches and its stretches like wire all the way down my arm. pain killers help in short term however long term I need physio, exercise including stretching and yoga. I also go to physio once a month this has helped me immensely aswell as focusing on my posture sitting at my desk

@Wexone

I read about the arm pain. I don't get that part. But other than that it sounds similar! Perhaps I need to stop using my phone! Horrible feeling isn't it x

Phone will be one problem. Look at how your arms and head are positioned when you are on it. It’s not a natural position and it’s putting strain on those muscles

Lying down 100% makes mine worse sometimes. Having time off the phone helps

@Bobbyandme

1 Ask your DH or you to check his medical insurance plan and see what is covered- it can include MH.

2 Phone or drop an email/ letter to your GP and say you wish to see a gynae privately (you will need a name so they can address the letter.)

3 In the meantime, do your research and see who you want to see.

4 Make an appt- you might get something within a week or two.

I also have very similar problems with my neck and upper back and shoulder, with arm weakness and hand pins and needles, as well as the symptoms you describe on your period.

For me this just started recently (for the last three periods) but I'm 48 so I'm sure some of it is perimenopause.

Over the last few months I've had a dreadful time, I've been referred for MRI scans and tested for all sorts. But nobody has found anything wrong. Since my NHS physiotherapist reassured me about my neck and arm symptoms being a minor trapped nerve I have relaxed a lot - and I notice that my symptoms have got better the more I have relaxed and decided not to worry about them.

I've had NHS physio and a private chiropractor for the neck, back, shoulder, arm issues and that is slowly getting better.

My periods are still debilitating though and I have 3-4 days where I am unable to do anything other than be in bed. On those days I am weak, shaky, lacking in appetite, dizzy, nauseous, very anxious and depressed. I'm just starting to look into whether dietary changes or other changes might help.

I recommend reading a book called 'The Period Repair Manual' (it was 99p on Kindle recently) which has various suggestions for supplements, diet and lifestyle changes to help with bad periods.

For my dizziness (which I also get more mildly when I'm not on my period) I looked at Joey Remini's 'seeking balance' website, she has some free resources if you sign up by email.

Personally I only began to improve when I conquered my health anxiety - but being tested for everything helped with this. I now realise I was in a vicious cycle. My period brought with it what I will call a physical anxiety, ie something hormonal was making me feel anxious and giving me physical symptoms of anxiety (not my mind or thoughts, though they followed the feelings). I think that this physical anxiety would pass after my period, but by then I had major health anxiety so was studying my body the whole time and every slight twitch or odd sensation was making me feel worried anxious.

Using the 'seeking balance' approach I made a decision to get on with living my life, to distract myself from studying my body and feeling anxious about it, to do various affirmations that helped me feel safe and it has helped enormously. I was making my symptoms worse by feeling anxious about them, literally my back and neck would tense and that made my dizziness worse and that made me feel anxious which got my stomach creaking and muscles twitching etc etc.

I'm not saying the same will apply to you, just sharing my story in case there is anything helpful in there for you OP.

Sorry that was so long!

I have the worst trapped nerve/pulled muscle headache today it’s so annoying. Bending over is very painful! I really need to see if anywhere is doing acupuncture

Insurance won't cover self-referrals (they want a letter from GP) but often it's just an admin thing- ask the GP (by phone) for a referral letter for a private consultation. It's no skin off their nose as you are relieving them of the job and saving the NHS an appt

Some GPs think like this, but others won't refer if they think it's "all in the mind". Therefore I would agree with paying to see a private GP. Actually private healthcare should include access to a private GP. GPs are the gatekeepers to referrals and you can't get to see them, so people need another way.