To just want to cry after seeing doctor

[Soubriquet]

I’ve been in constant pain since August. I’ve been to A&E 3 times last year to try and get a handle on it.

I have symptoms 3 pages long. I’ve had numerous blood and urine tests. I’ve had an ultrasound, I’ve had a CT scan, I’ve had an MRI and it’s all clear.

I’ve been waiting since September for an endoscopy. I was supposed to be on the urgent list..heads nothing yet. He’s told me to ring them and push for it to be done quicker. Not sure what my word will do but fine I’ll do it.

I went to the doctors today (first time this year) because the pain had increased noticeably and the medications I have weren’t working.

He did his mumble bumble, gave me more blood tests to do, more urine tests to do, and then prescribed me….sunshine.

He even asked me if the wheelchair I was in, which I have a blue badge for, was necessary!

Im just so frustrated. I can’t walk properly. Literally stumble to the toilet and that’s it. I can’t do stairs. I can’t stand and cook. I have to rely on my husband as a carer.

I can’t be a mum to my kids because I’m having to be stuck in bed as it’s the only place where I get some form of comfort

I’m just stuck.

He asked me what I think it could be, and I mentioned MS and fibromyalgia.

Got told it’s extremely unlikely to be MS as no one else in my family has it, and there’s no point diagnosing fibro as the it’s a waste of my time and doesn’t benefit me.

I just want to cry now

I'm so sorry OP, I may get flamed for this but I wonder if you've considered medical cannabis?

Ffs, what is wrong with drs in the UK? If it doesn’t jump up and punch them on the nose they don’t know what it is.
MS, first you should have been tested. No one else in your family having it is NOT a valid diagnosis ! I personally know 2 people who have it, never been known in their wider families. Can you book an eye appointment? An opthamologist looking at the back of your eye might help.
Fibro — I was diagnosed 10 years ago. Yes it could be that, several symptoms fit but the high abdomen pain is worrying. Could be fibro and a gall bladder problem?
And yes if it is fibro you want a diagnosis because that means more serious things have been ruled out.

You certainly sound like you need an advocate in your meetings with the DR. I would be making another appointment and taking DH with me to ensure I get the treatment I need.

You know that you can demand a referral to a specialist to move this forward faster? There is no reason you have to accept 'sunshine' as the best that the NHS can do for you.

Does he think you are depressed and that is the route cause of all your issues? IF so even then sunshine is not enough you'd need psychological support etc

I would not be leaving the surgery without something more helpful

Dh has really really bad arthritis and when we went to Italy a few years ago every single symptom disappeared! It was mind blowing (and of course, depressing, given that we live in Ireland!!!!) so there could be a rationale behind it and also maybe he’s seeing he can’t do anything else with your medicines.

Tbh given what your doctor said about ms and fibromyalgia, I’d be sceptical of him, but I wonder why he asked do you need a wheelchair?I know someone who was told to give up their wheelchair and struggle on with a walker with wheels with the advice’use it or lose it’, as the dependency on wheelchairs makes your loss of the use of your legs almost/pretty much irreversible. He has a walker with wheels now, that he can sit or lean against if things get too rough( Obviously if you can’t do this you can’t)🌷Best of luck op

Your doctor is an absolute knob and an idiot. I have long term fibro and the meds (pregabalin or gabapentin) have made a huge difference. Maybe try an online consult with Zocdoc or something and see if one of them helps.

I was like this. Kept being told it was my gallbladder. Turned out to be a whole other issue but I spent 2 years in bed barely able to move. I went to hospital but kept being sent home. I’ve been there and it’s proper shit

sending hugs x

I have…but I don’t smoke. Never have done either so not really keen to take it up

Antiphospholipid is so difficult

i had CAPS (catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome) and I Nearly died!

Sounds like functional neurological disorder or fibromyalgia to me. Yes to referral to rheumatologist.

You don’t smoke medical cannabis it’s an oil you drop under your tongue.

Your body and mind are one connected system and I’m a firm believer that the “body keeps the score”.

If the OP has had an mri would that not have picked up demylination?

Was going to suggest FND

Silly suggestion but... have you tried putting your symptoms into ChatGPT? I know a friend who has diagnosed a long standing issue here before the doctor..

Have you tried CBD oil? You can get it in drops under the tongue or sweets. Access CBD is meant to be a good one.

My friend who has MS finds it helpful.

Thing is about doctors, he has ordered a good range of tests so that is a good thing.

Have you considered your pain could be neuroplastic? Could try following Alan Gordon and the curable app.

I was in a terrible terrible state and it cured my 4 year chronic pain.

You poor thing 💐 A lot of your post could've been written by me, as I was in exactly the same place. It took me years and years to get a diagnosis, so I understand your frustrations. Push for an ANA blood test, as this may indicate an auto-immune issue.... Mine turned out to be both Lupus and Rhuematoid Arthritis, so definately ask for a Rheumatology referral! I find a Gluten free diet helps too, so worth trying to eliminate things to see if it helps ease symptoms at all. Wishing you all the luck xxx

I was told because I didn't have vision problems on top of the other symptoms then it wouldn't be MS. Some GPs are not very knowledgeable about MS. Some are fantastic though to give credit where credit's due.

Is this CBD that you can buy in some high street shops? I don't quite understand it....what exactly does it do? Relieve pain? But without the high feeling you get from smoking it?

I have fybromyalgia and have aways avoided painkillers. I use diversion and relaxation techniques, as well as activity and rest. I try to maintain a balance, because I have learned that if I do too much I will be floored. Daylight first thing in the morning helps, and I have heard that light machines can help due to our poor weather. Recently, I developed arthritis in my spine ,hands and feet. I was introduced to the TENS MACHINE and it is certainly helping to reduce the pain all over. I would NOT USE IT ON AN UNDIAGNOSED PAIN. I hope that I don't sound like a smart Alec to you. I just believe that various symptoms require various methods. I have the utmost sympathy for you. When I was diagnosed 16 years ago, the G.P.'s acted as if I had a mental illness., although there is no doubt that chronic pain does impact on your mental health, and that can increase your experience of pain.

I think that you should visit your GP with your husband, or other family member, insist that you are refered to rheumatology, and a Consultant of Medicine. I would also inform him that I would make a complaint, it this remained unresolved. I would also urge you to stop using a wheelchair, because you will gradually lose your balance and muscle tone. No mater how litte you do, keep on, keeping on. The very best wishes to you.

No. CBD that is sold on the high street has no or very low levels of THC in which is the active ingredient in cannabis that gets you high. Medical cannabis is usually sold as oil as smoking flower is illegal. The medical cannabis oil can still get you high, but dosage is regulated to try to eradicate pain while not getting you smashed. You need a diagnosis to qualify for a prescription though so I’m not sure OP would qualify tbh.

I have MS and zero other people in my family have ever had it. It's only a slightly higher MS risk with a family member who has it than without. A GP should absolutely know that and not spout off about family history, bc many people without a family history of MS get diagnosed every day. That being said, if you've had a brain/spine MRI that was clear, it is more than likely something else. He should be escalating it, if other issues are ruled out since you are clearly not well.

So sorry to hear what you are going through. I had a similar situation where I couldn't get treatment/referral for migraines. The GP just didn't take it seriously. It's a horrible thing to have to do but I have 2 recommendations to try (1) move to a different doctor (2) lose it when you are at the surgery with the GP. So if the GP says "Is your wheelchair necessary?" don't be polite. Break down in tears, say "of course it's necessary do you think I'm in this thing because I like it? don't you think I'd love to walk down the street with my kids, that'd I'd love to cook my husband a meal?" Really lay it on - I of course do not mean be abusive but sometimes people are too polite and GPs see illness all the time so they don't take it that seriously. I did similar to the latter and it got results and fast. I HTH and good luck!

This is why l get so annoyed at my GP surgery with the scrolling banner which reads 'Your appointment is for ONE problem ONLY'.
One 'problem' likely won't flag up anything. Several 'problems' may well raise an issue or issues.
My best friend was a nurse for over 40 years, to a senior specialist level, and she says the same. You can very rarely diagnose from one symptom.
Get the bloods done, OP, and keep pushing if nothing shows up. How you're feeling clearly isn't normal, and there is something going on.
Good luck x

You don’t smoke medical cannabis it’s an oil you drop under your tongue.
I agree with this 100%. I used cannabis CBD oil when l was waiting for a hip replacement, and the pain relief my GP prescribed for me didn't touch the pain l was experiencing. CBD oil did.
And l took it when l went for a bone marrow biopsy, too. It doesn't make you high or 'weird', it's a good pain reliever. Worth a try.