I really feel like giving up and have no idea where to start :(.

[RainbowBelt]

I am only 28 and I feel like my life is falling/has fell apart. I had a mixed childhood and while nothing massively traumatic happened, I feel I carry a lot of tension around and have done for years.

There’s so much going on in my body and I’m always at the doctors but never finding answers. I’m on the waiting list for countless specialists and they’re all such a long wait.

I feel like I need EVERYTHING, I can never work out what’s wrong.

To put a long story short:

• I have extremely chronic back pain which is starting to impact my whole life
• i have really bad skin
• i am really really inflexible and tight (my whole body)
• my hair doesn’t grow past a certain length
• I have pain during sex and painful periods
• i am constantly bloated
• my knee is injured and I can’t run
• I am always tired
• My mental health is pretty poor
• my hair is extremely oily

I have had basic vitamins and thyroid tested, and all is fine.

I feel so lost, I don’t know where to even start. I feel like I could try and benefit from all of the following:

yoga, Pilates, massage, acupuncture, therapy, physio, dermatology, nutritionist, etc etc…

I’m always looking and I literally can’t afford all this so I just don’t know where to start

someone please help :(

Forgot to add - adding endocrinology onto this list. My hormone blood tests came back all over the place and whilst this might not be accurate I am extremely worried

Can I start by asking are you on any form of hormonal contraception? X

I have only just started the pill again, a couple of months ago, due to skin issues. I wasn’t on it for years and I’ve had these problems for years x

Have you been checked for ovarian cysts or endometriosis? X

Research gut health and leaky gut. It might be a good place to start given your wide range of symptoms which can be a sign of a gut problem.

Honestly I think endometriosis is a big possibility but they just don’t seem keen on testing for it :( I had an ultrasound for ovarian cysts and they said I have PCOS but a “mild form” haha

I'm certainly not medical but what you describe sounds very hormonal. How's your diet too, some one has already mentioned gut health and that may be something to think about.

Ahh OP you're in a really difficult spot. Having chronic health problems that are undiagnosed is so difficult. Unfortunately the fear and uncertainty is probably making you feel worse.
It sounds from your post that your back pain could be the worst thing?
If so,while you wait for a specialist referral can I make two suggestions?
One is Pilates as you suggested it. This is an excellent form of movement and if you find a specialist studio the instructors will be very knowledgeable. But even a basic class at a leisure centre should help you.
The second thing is the book The Way Out by Alan Gordon. Its about chronic pain and how it can be perpetuated and exacerbated by our fear. It's very easy to read,funny and wise. Hes on Instagram too.

Finally your mental health sounds bad. The NHS should have CBT through Let's Talk? It would be worth a try to just generally help you feel less awful?

Some of those things you can sort:

greasy hair - wash it more often
hair not growing : get a really great short haircut that you can easily style yourself, so much of our sense of well being comes from great hair!
lack of mobility / running fitness: baby steps, little and often stretching, yoga, walk/jogging (couch to 5k?)

It sounds like you’ve got into a bit of a slough of despond OP - a bit of motivation will create some discipline and vice versa to tackle the things you have control over

PCOS can account for quite a lot of those symptoms....
I'd be repeatedly requesting testing for endo. If that GP won't refer you, ask to see another GP.

In the meantime, for skincare have a look at 'The inkey list' you can do a skin questionnaire and they'll suggest products to try. Stay consistent with it, morning and night.
They also do scalp treatments which may help with the greasy/oily hair.
As for it not growing past a certain length, that's quite common. My hairs always grown to a certain length and not much more. But, you could try taking biotin vitamins which help skin, hair and nails.

Could you do a self referral to physio for the back pain and knee pain?
However if your period are causing you misery in the meantime, ask to be moved onto the progesterone only pill. I was on this and it stopped my periods. X

Someone who’s trained in different modalities maybe? There are yoga therapists who have a background in different areas of medicine, or nutrition or something. Good luck, it sounds really challenging.

How can they say your PCOS is mild if you have so many symptoms that look hormonally triggered?

With PCOS have you seen an endocrinologist or a gynaecologist?

Unfortunately you have to be incredibly pushy with some GPs to get the healthcare that you need.

For your back - can you afford to see a private physio?
Prices vary but average £35 a session, which I appreciate isn't cheap. However, if you can have a few sessions/save up for a few in the near future, I would highly recommend.

I wash my hair every day or it looks/feels greasy to me. Always been the same.

Can you start small with exercise? Even short walks will help and fresh air will also be good.

I’m on the waiting list to see a gynae but I’ve only just got an appointment and it’s not until January!!

be careful advocating running to someone with a dodgy knee. I’ve been advised by my GP never to attempt to run as it could cause massive problems to my chronically hyperextending knees.

Try ‘Yoga With Adrienne’ on YouTube. She will feel like a best friend, and you’ll find so many workouts - all free!

Thank you all so much!

im tempted to just book a private endocrinology consultation but it’s £200 and realistically I don’t have this 🥴 but I just want answers…

Although January seems a long time away, it'll soon be here.

Try and focus yourself on some of the things you can maybe help improve yourself (skincare, hair, your mental wellbeing) in the meantime. One step at a time and the problem won't seem so huge. X