To tell the GP I think I'm really not well and ask for more help?

[Eviolle]

I can't tell if I'm BU anymore or not as I'm very tired (4mo and an almost 3yo) and in pain.

I've had a feeling of dizziness for quite a few weeks, but it felt very strange, almost like I wasn't quite 'with it' rather than feeling dizzy? Is that what brain fog is?

The symptoms have just gotten worse and worse, I now have:

• dizziness
• headache which is much worse when I sit up
• feeling of pressure in my head
• eye pain
• ear pain
• this funny brain fog
• neck pain
• nasty taste in my mouth
• balance problems (related to the dizziness?)

I don't think it's connected but I do also have a really nasty cough which I've had for weeks.

I've seen two GPs, one said he could see fluid in my ear and it was 'Glue Ear' and gave me antibiotics. I went back a second time and saw a different GP who told me she couldn't see any fluid but I had "dull eardrums", said it was sinusitis and gave me different antibiotics. I finished that set today. She was a lovely GP and basically said I was knackered, and breastfeeding was draining all my nutrients so I was bound to feel rough.

My symptoms just seem to be getting worse though, and I feel worried about trying to look after two littles on my own. However, I don't know if I'm just panicking or if there genuinely could be something else going on?

Anyone had similar? Aibu or just neurotic.

I did have it, I know I did. That's the other reason I didn't think it was whooping cough. I had it the same day I had my flu and Covid boosters, felt terrible the day after!

Yes, that's true you can get the vaccine in pregnancy but vaccine don't always take and you can still get illnesses if vaccinated just usually milder.

Hi @rwa818, I wondered if I could ask which vitamin deficiency would cause a bad taste in the mouth? Struggle with a lot of food intolerance and often have a bad taste in my mouth too. Thanks!

Just a warning, I've chatted with lots of people on here whose GPs were very reluctant to diagnose Whooping cough as it is a notifiable illness so causes them paperwork. Instead they would diagnose 'the hundred days cough' - which is just a nickname for whooping cough. My GP diagnosed me straight away on hearing my cough, though. All my family who caught it from me were given antibiotics straight away as soon as symptoms started which meant they didn't develop the cough luckily.

I had many of these symptoms and was severely anemic. My ferritin was 3.7! Blood tests needed. Honestly Dr's should gave done this 1st.

You need blood tests

thyroid…tsh, thyroid antibodies and free t4
b12
iron
ferritin
vit d
magnesium
calcium (tingling lips specifically)
parathyroid hormone
red blood count
white blood count
kidney and liver function
inflammation markers
potentially lyme disease, but that is a bit of a stretch
glandular fever

you also need a chest xray and a neuro work up

then the GP will be able to assess what is or isnt happening

until then, its guess work and fobbing you off

I’ve had whooping cough and I would be shocked if you could have it and not realise. The cough was very unique and not one that could be passed off as a regular cough and cold.
I don’t know anything about your most recent birth, but if you used the gas and air I understand this can deplete your B12 too.

Thank you for this. I've had Glandular Fever before, not sure if you can have it more than once? It stays in your system though doesn't it?

I think I definitely need to be pushing for some bloods to be done at a minimum don't I. Much appreciated. Thank you.

Did you have an epidural? Google CSF leak and see if it fits x

The problem is everyone thinks you make a 'whoop' sound which about half of people don't. I agree it's a distinctive cough but OPs sounds just like it. Her DH also thought it could be whooping cough.

Maybe try and record your cough so they can hear it? I luckily was at the stage of every time I moved I had a coughing fit when I saw my GP so I started coughing straight away and they said 'you've got whooping cough'.

No epidural, baby made her mind up that she was coming so there was no time for any interventions at all apart from a midwife to catch her and check her over!

I did come across CSF leak when I was googling and a lot of the symptoms fit, especially the headache that gets better when I'm lying down, but I think I'm maybe just panicking about things.

Thank you, I'll do this and play it to them. That's a good idea.

You’re not in the UK are you? 😂

The GP will not be doing all that for a cough and headache.

I mean I know it's me so I'm biased, but I'm not normally one to rush to the GP, and it feels much more than a cough and a headache! In fact the cough isn't even really what was bothering me, as irritating as it is, it was everything else.

No, you're right to have considered it. It's very rare, but worth mentioning that severe coughing can sometimes cause cranial CSF leak. If the fluid coming from your nose is clear and watery, not like normal mucous, particularly if it runs out when you bend forward (eg tying your shoelaces), it's worth mentioning to your GP.

This won’t happen in the uk

@Kitkat1523 it can
I changed doctors and my new GP did all those bloods as a baseline (I do have some medical issues) and it came back as 2 sheets of A4 paper there were so many results

It sounds like sinusitis OP and antibiotics don't always clear it if it's got entrenched. You probably need steroid nasal spray. The night coughing could be nasal drip - when you lie down at night, mucus drips into the throat and makes you cough. Try propping yourself more upright with pillows. Go back to the GP and ask about the steroids. It's rotten to be feeling so unwell with little ones to look after. Is there a friend or relative who could give you a few hours childcare to get some rest?

Hi OP I had similar symptoms a few winters ago whilst breastfeeding and on and off fighting infections dd would bring me. I fainted twice in fact that year. Being a mum and nursing can make you very run down and dehydrated so hopefully nothing more sinister. I think the NHS is useless and dismissive and second a previous poster detailing the bloods you need. On medi checks you can get full bloods done and if you can afford it I would do it at least every couple of years whilst kids are young. Then take report with you to GP with findings. Bloods is the first place to start. You will have to see the GP so many times and they will only tick off a few bloods each time. With a comprehensive blood test it just saves so much time and helps ensure your blood levels are optimal. They won’t even check vitamin d without asking. Then educate yourself on optimal levels also as the bottom end of some of these ranges is not as fine as the NHS wants you to believe.

I didn’t mean to minimise your symptoms but the lost the poster proposed costs thousands and is out of proportion. A full neurologist work up would include an MRI and a referral to a consultant - which is a year long wait.

I didn’t even get a vitamin D blood test until I went privately to a rheumatologist. My GP was just going to diagnose me with rheumatoid arthritis. That one blood test by the way was £600 ten years ago - excluding consultant fees.

It won’t happen for the symptoms you been experiencing for just a few weeks.

Get some blood tests asap.

By the way OP full bloods at one of the private places out there cost me £172 - but comes with a full report of what's concern and what's not etc- my GP had done full bloods 6 months before showing me as high cholesterol and pre diabetic plus bit D deficient and raised ferritin ( although only just). I had these done to see if I had rectified anything within 6 months (which I had) - the GO said I couldn't have them more than once a year.

Update:
I saw my GP today, she was really lovely and listened to me. She's done some bloods, although I don't know what, and she's referred me for an MRI scan of my head to check it all out.

Just got to wait now. 🙏🏻🤞🏻

Oh well done. MRI straight off is definitely no palm-off. Stick with her.

I hope you get it sorted. Life is hard work when you're sub par.