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?

@CastleOfDoom

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.

Mm the biggest laugh is I’m in Scotland tier 2 . We are still at blood tests in the car park stage here .

@Pacif1cDogwood

I am sorry you are feeling so bad and understandably worried.

Nobody can diagnose you here.

Contact your surgery again and tell them what you have told us here. Some blood tests to check whether or not you are anaemic, your iron and vitamin stores and your thyroid would not be unreasonable at all.

If you feel terrible and this feeling does not last you dial 999 and present to A+E - that is what it's for.

An internet forum cannot realistically help you.

To be fair that is. Very helpful.

Hope you feel better soon, OP.

Getting seen by a GP at some point this evening . OOH said someone will ring shortly tell me what time and go from there . Hopefully get all this sorted .

@whatsbinhappnin

You really need to get your B12 and folate tested

ESPECIALLY because you have a family history of pernicious anaemia!

I would put money on it being a severe B12 deficiency. I had pretty much identical symptoms with mine

I'm shocked they haven't done a blood test. Classic symptoms.

Lots of info here- pernicious-anaemia-society.org/symptoms/

Very easily treated with 6 b12 injections over a 2 week period, then 1 injection every 3 months.

My symptoms resolved after only 2 loading injections.

I was going to say exactly the same.

This was me before I was treated with B12 injections and folate.

People actually suggesting A+E?! WTAF.

@noneedforthat

Getting seen by a GP at some point this evening . OOH said someone will ring shortly tell me what time and go from there . Hopefully get all this sorted .

Thank goodness! Press them for blood tests. Make sure they do blood pressure while you're at the surgery. I hope you get some satisfaction from your appointment, and that you're soon feeling much better.

@gypsywater

People actually suggesting A+E?! WTAF.

Tbf OP has been close to collapsing a few times. Also a racing heart could be something more sinister.

You need a full blown blood test.

@gypsywater

People actually suggesting A+E?! WTAF.

Yes I did.

The GP is beyond useless, and most OOH services don't have the facilities to test bloods and such. OP isn't getting better - it sounds like she's actually getting worse and she needs a physical exam and bloods ASAP. If she faints on the stairs or something it'll probably be an A&E job anyway.

In taxi now to see the doctor . Desperately hoping I don’t have a panic attack in here alone, I’m barely coping in the bloody house as it is never mind in a taxi .

I don’t want another of those funny wee episodes whilst in here, they’re terrifying me more than anything and making me think I’m dying .

You might actually get some help if it happens in front of the doctor. Keep posting on here if it helps. 😊

Thank you . This is shit, all I want to do is be able to sit and watch TV and not be in this state, this has gone for several days now . Dr did say on phone tonight if it’s anxiety trey have diazepam .

Wishing I could have taken my mum with me but they said no one else allowed, just me

Have you had a 24 hour ECG? A one off ECG won't always pick up arrhythmias unless you had symptoms during the few seconds the ECG was taken.

Whilst anxiety can cause these symptoms I would want bloods, BP, someone listening to your heart as well as the 24h ECG.
Hope you feel better soon x

And consider COVID too...can defo cause palpitations

Do NOT let them treat you for anxiety and send you home. Bloody insist on them taking your seriously, faint in front of them if you have to (only slightly joking)

I was going to suggest b12 even before I got to the bit about your family history. It sounds so like my experience of pernicious anaemia, it really does. Please please mention the history and say you're concerned it could be b12 deficiency. If they won't test you, can you get a private finger-prick test done?

Bloody insist they send you for a blood test, don't let them fob you off.

Vertigo . AKA what they said in the first place . BP is normal as is pulse . Doctor was an ENT doctor before retiring, said as soon as he saw me he recognised it as vertigo . Sent home with an extra dose of anti depressant to get me some sleep, buccastem and said will ask surgery to do an FBC etc anyway because of history - mum’s B12 presented in the exact same way same age .

Apparently I’ve got the full works eg eyes are a bit wobbly and no sense of balance . Hence been stuck sitting on floor as height of couch is triggering it apparently ... said the vertigo is triggering off panic attacks in turn so a bit of a cycle .

Said the vertigo is coming on episodically, its quite severe and might be something called Ménières but hopefully not .

Yup I have chronic vertigo.. it's pretty miserable. The key is to keep reminding yourself its vertigo and nothing dangerous, anxiety will make it much worse. Also keep moving, sitting or laying still is the worst thing you can do.

I cant get over this . I’ve had these symptoms on and off for several years - years - and been treated and heavily medicated for anxiety and panic disorder andm told I’m agoraphobic and afraid of heights .

He said a huge, huge part of the problem is vertigo . It was never all in my head .

All that time, I wasn’t anxious or malingering, I was genuinely struggling . I could cry with relief .

Well have a good cry and let it all out. You can relax now and know you're not going mad, there was a bloody good reason for all of your anxiousness.

I’m so pleased that you have got answers that you needed.

It sounds like health anxiety. Never underestimate how it can take over your life and cause real symptoms.