I think I need further investigation. GP doesn't.

[radiateforme]

AIBU to want further investigation? For months now my chest has felt tight. Intermittent pain. Breathlessness etc. I haven't had covid as far as I know, haven't even had a cold. I'm only 30, but am in tears because I'm just so worried about my chest. I feel like I can't inhale properly. It's almost all the time now. They think it's my low iron levels. Iron levels were 6 (should be 30) they then went up to 10. I can't get them up as my periods are so heavy and all over the place. AIBU to want this looking in to further? I've never had anxiety over my health. Now it's all I think about.

She doesn’t need diagnosis over the internet for other things, when her own doctor has already diagnosed, on the basis of actual evidence, the thing which is causing her symptoms

But failed to treat. The diagnosis of low iron may well be correct but it's of precious little help to the OP without effective treatment.

I had exactly the same several years ago. I was convinced I had asthma. My GP gave me ferrous sulphate which did get my levels up, but it took a long time, about a year. He also said there is no point taking the tablets if you don't sort out the cause - a bit like turning the bath taps on but not putting the plug in.

In my case, my heavy periods were caused by fibroids, but I chose not to have treatment, other than tranexamic acid, because I knew my periods would be stopping soon, due to age.

You really need a referral to a gyne to find the cause of the heavy periods.

You really need a referral to a gyne to find the cause of the heavy periods

Yes heavy periods were the source of my debilitating iron deficiency. Trying to get GPs to take it seriously instead of being fobbed off as "part of being a woman" is sheer lucck.

Then when you do get a GP who takes you seriously and refers onward to gynae you can wait years to be treated because pretty much every "woman's" ailment is classified as low urgency on the waiting lists.

Low iron causes breathlessness , can you get a second opinion . What investigations have you had into the heavy periods and are you currently getting an iron supplement.

Iron deficiency gives me chest pain and breathlessness OP. Even when I am at rest. I agree with the suggestion that you and your GP focus on your heavy periods if that is maintaining deficiency. Best of luck.

It could be also B12 you are low on.
I had a terrible palpitations, literally you could see my heartbeat jumping through my wrist- Dr in a&e said she never has seen anything like that.
It was low b12, even it apparently showed ok level.
I had a private shots of B12 and a dramatic improvement literally overnight.

@Sountheastcat

It could be also B12 you are low on. I had a terrible palpitations, literally you could see my heartbeat jumping through my wrist- Dr in a&e said she never has seen anything like that. It was low b12, even it apparently showed ok level. I had a private shots of B12 and a dramatic improvement literally overnight.

Hopefully not as I am a veggie and mainly plant based so already take b12 tablets!

Thank you everyone I've contacted my GP. Waiting for a call back.

Last year I ended up having test after test because of abdominal pain.
In the end I was so anxious about it all.
They queried if I had anxiety, but I was only anxious because I was 10000% convinced there was something wrong.
The tests found nothing and they started me on anti anxiety medication.
4 weeks later the constant pain I had had for 6 months had gone.
The body is a funny thing.
I put on a thread on here because I was convinced the doctors weren't taking me seriously.
I've not read the full thread, but anxiety can cause physical pain. I always thought it was a myth, but I've lived through it!

My GPs have a list of their particular interests on their website. Might be worth seeing if yours does and booking yourself in to see whoever specialises in women’s health. It’s not right that you’re being told they’ve done all they can - they haven’t.

@3dworld

Last year I ended up having test after test because of abdominal pain. In the end I was so anxious about it all. They queried if I had anxiety, but I was only anxious because I was 10000% convinced there was something wrong. The tests found nothing and they started me on anti anxiety medication. 4 weeks later the constant pain I had had for 6 months had gone. The body is a funny thing. I put on a thread on here because I was convinced the doctors weren't taking me seriously. I've not read the full thread, but anxiety can cause physical pain. I always thought it was a myth, but I've lived through it!

It's not anxiety. I have anxiety that I have been medicated for for years. I understand my anxiety extremely well. This isn't it.

You can get free screening via www.c-r-y.org.uk/

Only if you’re under 35.

O/p you say “further investigations”. What investigations have you had already? ECG? Which bloods?

If the GP has dismissed you with no tests then you’re not BU to ask for a basic ECG and blood panel.

If you’ve already had chest x-rays, ecg’s, blood and the rest of it and nothing has been found then you would BU as what else do you expect them to do?

@bluebluezoo

*You can get free screening via www.c-r-y.org.uk/*

Only if you’re under 35.

O/p you say “further investigations”. What investigations have you had already? ECG? Which bloods?

If the GP has dismissed you with no tests then you’re not BU to ask for a basic ECG and blood panel.

If you’ve already had chest x-rays, ecg’s, blood and the rest of it and nothing has been found then you would BU as what else do you expect them to do?

I've had a blood test which found hb level of 6. Then another after a course of ferrous sulphate which found it to be 10. Recently finished course of ferrous fumarate. That's all I've had done.

I also had pulmonary emboli in my lungs and which started as the odd random quick stabbing pain when I took a deep breath. Then it progressed to every breath and then I had to sleep upright and movements hurt and this was probably over the course of a month or so. GP told me it was anxiety.

Now, I do get checked out for any sharp stabbing pain in my chest because at first it was so easy to dismiss.

I wouldn't mince my words with a GP. Blood issues are not to be messed with.

If it is your iron levels, spatone sachets mixed with orange juice are very good. Spatone is basically iron rich water.

Could you consider contraception for heavy periods? I have a mirena coil and haven't had a period for years. It's brilliant.

You might find 'The iron protocol' group on Facebook useful. Someone recommend it on another thread and it has been very interesting reading for me.

You sound the same as me and I have very severe anaemia thanks to a blood disorder and also adenomyosis . Having pain in the chest and being breathless is very common in anaemia sadly. In your case with your iron being so low I’d push for an iron Infusion and also an X-ray of your chest. I’m 31 and when mine flares up I struggle even walking upstairs as I can’t breathe but the infusions do work . I’m on folic acid and iron tablets for life now.

Also you need your HB re checking as the normal range is anything over 10. Anything below 8 needs a blood transfusion so I’m very surprised they let you be at home with a 6 that’s incredibly dangerous. My lowest was 5 and I was hospitalised for 2 weeks. Please get it checked again.

@CharlotteRose90

Also you need your HB re checking as the normal range is anything over 10. Anything below 8 needs a blood transfusion so I’m very surprised they let you be at home with a 6 that’s incredibly dangerous. My lowest was 5 and I was hospitalised for 2 weeks. Please get it checked again.

I can't explain how unwell I felt. I phoned them because I couldn't remember my pin number which I had had for over 20 years. My brain just stopped working.

I came on to say what Circles said.
Costochondritis.

The thing is...the GP is just that...a General Practitioner and if they don’t know, they should pass you on to someone who does x

It really isn't costochondritis. It's in the wrong place. The wrong kind of pain. I've had it before. Enough diagnoses please 😅

Is that 6 your ferritin level?

Mine was 6 back in February and had breathlessness and sharp chest pains.

Also have extremely heavy periods and I'm on ferrous fumerate.

You definitely need to have some treatment for your periods if it's causing such low iron you're symptomatic.

Iron tablets should see the levels rise even if they are heavy.

No my hb

I’ve been woken up with anxiety attacks before, sharp chest pains, feeling I can’t breathe properly. So they can happen even when relaxed. I currently take propanol for them.

I can’t believe any gp is dismissing chest pain without a proper investigation. When I first started getting the pain and called my gp they told me to hang up and call 999 as any chest pain should be treated seriously.

I would call 111 for advice.

I work in a hospital and if we had a patient with an Hb of under 9 they would consider transfusion! I’m shocked that your GP has been so blazé about this. I hope you get answers and the help you need soon.