Would I be wasting everyone's time going to a&e?

[DaliaDay]

I've already posted about this. I've had some odd sensations in my right arm. Over a week progressed to my right leg. In the bath tonight, so about 2 weeks from onset has now progressed to my left leg. I feel that my vision has deteriorated over the past couple of months, to the point that I've been told to visit an ophthalmologist by a relative who is a GP (assumed possible kerataconus as runs in my family). He is abroad atm so cannot talk to him properly due to poor signal and no wifi and dont want to worry him. Also had some white lights in my vision the other day, like something reflected off jewellery. Asked my mum if she could see them in case it was the sun reflecting off something but she couldn't. Reduced reflex in right knee. Been to GP twice, both times sent me away and said not to worry. One told me trapped nerve in my neck however basic physiology tells me that a trapped nerve in my neck isn't going to cause weird sensation in three limbs. I am incredibly worried but my GP just doesn't seem to be taking me seriously. Unless this really isn't something to worry about?

What do u expect A&E to do?

Did you see the same GP both times?

No I don't think A and E would help but I agree that the GP hasn't been helpful. Is the condition you mention something an optician could see?

Ideally you need your relative to advise what tests you need to have done or what specialty you need to be referred to if you want to see a consultant privately.

Basic physiology says that the nerves carrying sensations to your brain all pass through your neck.

That's not to say nothing is wrong, but a problem with your spine can indeed affect different extremities, depending upon the level at which an issue occurs at.

I'd suggest a return to the GP and the eyetest your relative recommends.

I have bulging discs in my upper spine and they do cause sensations/pains in my arms, so it is possible it could be a trapped nerve somewhere.

A&E isn't the right place. This is an ongoing problem, rather than a sudden emergency.

That said, I am sorry your GP has not been more helpful. Can you get an appointment with a different doctor for a second opinion?

Have you been to a normal optician? They can look for any issues with the eyes and refer on if necessary - mine has just referred me to neuro-opthalmology for something.

Are you able to afford to see a private physio? If there is a trapped nerve somewhere in the neck, they will likely be able to find it and help.

You could check with 111 to see what they say.

It’ll also be worthwhile booking appointments with an optician and a physio.

I don’t think the GP should have dismissed your symptoms, and certainly shouldnt now they have progressed and you have eye involvement. In honesty I would be wondering about something neurological going on and I think you would be totally justified in asking GP for a referral to neurology. I think you should also get your eyes checked with an optician (in the first instance) to check all is well there.

I don’t know what it is you have but I do know that nerve pains, muscle spasms and cramps can also be because of low electrolyte balance and or low vitamin b, vision can also be impaired due to low vitamin intake, so is your diet good, does it include all the good stuff?

Hound your gp for a neurology referral. And yes also make an optician appt and ask them about a referral too. Suggestions about diet and physio aren’t appropriate until a neurologist has seen you to rule out anything more serious. Plenty of innocuous things it could be but worth ruling out more serious causes first, and as soon as possible.

Optician for the eyes. You can do that tomorrow. Walk in and tell them the visual issue. They'll likely say you need an ophthalmologist. I'm not in the U.K. so don't know the referral system, but where I am the optician wouldn't even look. It was a straight, immediate note for referral. I got the referral faster because I'd been to the optician and they wouldn't deal with me.

I can't talk to the other issues, but this may be a help to get seen by at least one type of specialist sooner.

Try primaryeyecare.co.uk a lot of opticians offer urgent appointments now they'll do an assessment and refer as necessary if needed.

A and E is for emergencies. You need to go back to your GP and push for some help and a diagnosis.

Sounds like you need to go back to GP and ask for a referral to neurology, as it sounds like it’s brain or nerve related or maybe both. If you ever have a situation where you wee or poo yourself without being aware, that is an A & E situation. Cauda Equina is a real medical emergency.

If it's not effecting your breathing or your heart then I wouldn't go to A&E as it is neither an Accident or Emergency by the sounds of it.

I'd start with an Opticians appointment tomorrow.
Followed up with another GP appointment. - Write down all of your symptoms and a timeline so that you can hand it to them.

Specsavers fitted me in as an urgent appointment, then rung the Eye Ward and got me a same day appointment at the hospital too. The swiftness of it all was a little bit scary - although the issue was resolved with Steroid eye drops. So don't write off how helpful they can be.

I definitely agree you need a neurology appointment

Agree with others that the optician is the first port of call. They are very efficient at referring you on if they think you need it.

I can tell you that your basic physiology theory is wrong. A trapped nerve in your neck can certainly cause proplems in all your limbs. A trapped nerve in your neck can cause issues that mimic a transient ischemic attack including vision issues. My Mum had a bad scare a few years ago and it was, indeed, after seeing a consultant, diagnosed as her neck.

However, as far as your vision issues are concerned, why are you waiting for the 'overseas GP'? Just go to an optician. Most are able to refer urgent cases to the hospital.

Definitely deal with the eyes as a priority. If the opticians are worried about your vision they'll refer you to the hospital. The eye department at the hospital can also loop you into neurology if needed. That's how my friend's MS was ultimately diagnosed as the eye department suspected a neurological cause. It meant she was seen a lot faster than she would otherwise have been.