To be worried that GP surgery have it wrong?

[noneedforthat]

About eight weeks ago had a funny episode where I suddenly couldn’t breathe, felt heart was beating weirdly and felt like I was going to die . GP said almost certainly panic attacks . Normal ECG .

Since then I am permanently on edge and terrified it’s going to happen again .

I’m still having similar episodes every few days, but now also ears ringing, very dizzy and no balance . Can’t stand up well . Very tired when trying to walk and exercise . D&V for several days and I keep getting spots/boils everywhere.

GP has said it’s anxiety, panic attacks, low blood pressure and probably labyrinthitis . Possibly slightly anaemic from very heavy periods . Said once you get one illness you get them all .

Bearing in mind This has all been diagnosed over the telephone, not even FaceTime .

I’m now taking pain killers, anti sickness, beta blockers, and anti depressants .

Family hx of anaemia (pernicious and something else to do with oddly shaped RBCs) and heart disease . I’ve also got PCOS .

I’m terrified theres something they’re missing and can’t never settle anymore . Went to Boots today for meds, came over very faint and they had to help me back to taxi, said to phone GP again as very pale .

AIBU to be worried, or do I just need to calm down and try to stop overthinking?

Would you be a able to get a home blood test done to check your B12 and iron levels?
I have used Thriva a few times and found it a good service.
I think you can use a money off code if your a first time user.
I know when I’m anaemic I feel really anxious often but when my iron levels are okay I feel fine.
Please don’t be fobbed off you know your own body and what is normal for you.
Good luck.

Sounds autoimmune and you have a family history of it.
Bloods are essential. Get you thyroid checked.

You need to eat. I go faint and dizzy if I don't

I went through something similar back in 2018. I was pregnant with my first child, one evening when I was about 4-5 months pregnant. DH and I were sat on the sofa watching TV when I jumped up (wasn’t too far along that jumping up quickly was an issue) to go to the toilet, instantly I felt a pain in my back and ribs.

Came back from the toilet and the pain got worse to which I practically crawled upstairs to bed. When I was laid down the pain knocked all the air out of me and I couldn’t breathe. DH Rang an ambulance which by the time they came and were sorting me the pain was subsiding.

I went to the hospital the next day to get baby checked and they said everything is fine, baby is okay and I said what caused it then and this condescending midwife said it’s back pain it can be bloody awful getting used to carrying extra weight & it doesn’t help that you are on the larger side

I had 3-4 more attacks during the pregnancy, I even had one at work. They resulted in me having to lay still for a day after because I was so weak. Nobody picked up on anything not even the fact that I was losing weight, I weighed 2 stone less at the end of the pregnancy.

All this pain ruined my labour experience as I obviously knew labour would be the most painful but rewarding thing I went through. Those attacks made me feel like I was dying so when it came to being in labour I curled up into a ball and slowed it all down then I needed a c section due to being too tired to push and baby being in for too long after water had gone.

4 weeks after my DD was born I had lost a further 2 stone and the doctor said are you breastfeeding it works wonders, I was shocked and thought surely that’s not right. Well surprise surprise next morning I woke up with jaundice and I had another attack.

It turns out all of this was gallstones and 6 months after she was born I had surgery to get it removed. In all that time though I couldn’t be left alone with her or anything. It ruined my whole first labour experience and I was devastated

B12 and folate should be tested at a minimum by your GP.
B12 deficiency can cause symptoms similar to MS and if left untreated can cause permanent nerve damage.

(my B12/folate symptoms were:
Widespread numbness /tingling
Inability to walk more than 20 yds, Literally couldn't feel the ground under my feet.
Couldn't swallow / felt like I was choking
Vision changes
Pale skin
Lots of digestive issues.
Confusion and severe anxiety
Extreme fatigue,amongst other things.

Mine started after the birth of DS. Had a second PPH but foolishly turned down a blood transfusion and opted for iron tablets.

Very important that you contact your GP again op.

Just a wee update;

Spoken again to GP, said could easy be anaemic to a degree that it’s making me ill but they won’t test or treat me just now because of covid .

Still not eating properly although trying to eat something small 3 x a day and drinking fine .

Very, very dizzy on standing up and can’t get around the house well at all . Need help to walk etc .

GP said try staying in bed except for toilet ...

Still having diarrhoea as well unfortunately

OP, just going down a different route.... Have you had a Covid swab?

Only asking because my first symptoms of illness were diarrhoea, nausea, headache & muscle weakness. No cough, temperature, loss of taste & smell etc. I was only advised to get tested because I work on a Covid Ward. I was positive & was really unwell for a good 6 weeks. Certain aspects are still not back to normal now.

You’re probably right about the anaemia but might be worth a test anyway. I also have Vitamin D deficiency which can give similar symptoms.

Hope you get sorted soon.

No, that’s crossed my mind as well re covid . I think that’s worrying me a lot . I’m very, very anxious at the moment and can’t tell what’s anxiety and what’s illness .

What? You can barely get up and they won't do a blood test because of covid? That's bloody ridiculous!

You are well within your rights to go to A and E with your symptoms (and I am someone that will suggest avoiding that if at all possible).

You need to be seen. I'm so sorry you're feeling so crap and the GP is being crap

You can rule out covid by getting a test. I'd order one ASAP.

If it comes back negative, get yourself to A&E. Your symptoms are getting worse, your GP isn't taking you seriously and you need help.

OP I work in a surgery and really dont understand are they refusing you a blood test ? The nurses must be seeing patients for things like dressings, baby immunisations ect ? Our nurses have seen patients all the way through in person as have the doctors. They phone triage first but if you need seen to be seen they see you. Do you have a phlebotomy department at your hospital ? If you can get the form from the doctor and go to the dept and have them done? You could also ring 111 aa they usually have access to out of hour clinics and they might have facilities available.

would the beta blockers not be lowering your blood pressure? If they are lowerin it too far, that would make you dizzy, pale etc

Beta blockers can cause postural hypotension ie dizziness when standing up.
I would seriously phone, ask to speak to/see a different GP and discuss this.

Sounds like B12 tbh especially with your family history

I know when I rang the GP for a blood test a week or so ago they said they have been told there is a shortage of certain reagents so only to request those blood tests if critical or admitted to hospital (they are autoimmune tests) - however I was told to ring back next week and they are hoping they have been told they are allowed to do them then

Spoke to a nurse last night who said it sounds like low blood pressure and anaemia, not an ear issue - said to sit down as much as possible, drink water and see how I go .

Can’t get to bloody toilet today without having to sit down every 10 steps and keep feeling off the planet. . Waiting on yet another phone call .

Receptionist did say can’t carry on this way . I’m messing my mum to help me get dressed and all sorts .

Please get yourself to A&E. You're risking a fall and probably an ambulance. Don't give your GP any more time.

I will do, Km so worried I’m going to get told off for wasting time when they don’t have much of it or that a hypochondriac or something. I’ve felt ill before with ear things and nothing like this - this just reminds of me of having anaesthetic and being very dizzy after, not able to lift my head etc . Everything very slow then when I move heart speeds up uncomfortably fast.

Right, so:

GP rang again . Said they want to check my BP . Procedure for that is going to GP surgery, getting a monitor, going home, checking BP, going back to surgery, giving back monitor, then they’ll tell doctor and go from there .

Also said, if you think it’s propranolol just stop taking it ... despite packet saying all over don’t stop without reducing slowly ..

Said stand up slowly, remain seated as much as poss and drink lots of water . Carry on with DM helping me to toilet and stuff for now in case I fall .

Did suggest to him I come over and get BP done but apparently no, they don’t do face to face medical now, because Covid ...

A&E’s 35 miles away and I don’t drive/have access to a car so trying to avoid if I can ... absolute nightmare .

I’d missed originally that you were on propranolol - how long have you been taking it? DH had similar symptoms of weakness and dizziness when on it - he was very sensitive to it and even the lowest dose lowered his blood pressure too far causing the symptoms. Would discuss further with GP And ask for a plan for withdrawing.

Try to at least drink something with potassium and electrolytes in rather than just water if you're not eating. Wonky potassium levels will cause fluttery heart symptoms and to the issue.

*should say and ADD to the issue, sorry missed a word out

@Lovelydovey

I’d missed originally that you were on propranolol - how long have you been taking it? DH had similar symptoms of weakness and dizziness when on it - he was very sensitive to it and even the lowest dose lowered his blood pressure too far causing the symptoms. Would discuss further with GP And ask for a plan for withdrawing.

About six weeks, I’m on 80mg sustained release . Just had another ‘funny turn’ , hearing and vision going weird and heart ‘racing’ and very dizzy. This isn’t panic attacks, it’s scaring the shit out of me but it isn’t panic attacks .

Spoken again to GP, said could easy be anaemic to a degree that it’s making me ill but they won’t test or treat me just now because of covid

Can't believe you haven't had a blood test. I thought they were still testing during lockdown? My DD had one during the last lockdown.