Is this an urgent issue or GP? worried about wasting time

[lookingforsomeadvicepls]

Hi, I was just wondering if this is something that should wait until the GP on Tuesday, or whether it’s something to get seen more immediately. Really don’t want to BU in going to A&E and wasting anyone’s time!

Basically, over the past year I have had issues with headaches and dizziness, which I went to the doctor for a few times but just kept getting fobbed off so I started thinking it was in my head.

As time went on, every time I stood I’d feel dizzy and get a thundering sound in my ears which literally makes me feel like my ears are pulsating, I can’t hear through it properly and what I can hear is muffled like underwater. It generally lasts for a 30 seconds - 2 minutes. My vision has got worse, and I had zero energy and was sleeping all the time. I put this down to being very overweight and depressed. I started to struggle with my memory, literally things like forgetting where I was when I was in the car (not driving, and I have stopped driving since it started out of fear, my partner drives). But I have been on a lot of mental health medication over the last 10 years (such as diazepam, lithium, chlorpromazine, pregabalin, lamotrogine and lurasidone which are the main ones long-term (others I’ve been on for a while and taken off because they weren’t effective), and my doctor put it down to that.

One time I went to A&E for a severe headache after sleeping for over 28 hours. They asked if I suffered from headaches before and I said yes, and they gave me a CT scan. They didn’t see anything on it and said because it’s an ongoing issue it’s something to see your GP about. Honestly I just gave up at this point.

Anyway, long story short it’s got worse over the last two weeks, I am struggling to wake even with my partner trying relentlessly to, last week, I slept for 30 hours twice throughout the week. I’m pretty much living on the sofa because even walking to the fridge my head is dizzy and I need to hold the side so as not to fall.

Last night I walked up the stairs and onto the landing and nearly collapsed, I had to sit down there and then and couldn’t get up for a while.

Over the last week I’ve been vomiting on and off with nausea, but the main reason I’m asking about the GP is I’ve got a crushing headache on the front left side of my head and my left eye is blurrier than my right and it’s the most painful one I’ve had yet.

But as you can see, I am able to somewhat concentrate and write properly so it’s not like I am dying. Sorry for the long message, I am scared but also been fobbed off so much not sure what to do.

Over the few months I have lost a lot of weight, going from a size 28 to an 18 and still losing really well, so I thought surely I’d have more energy now, not less.

Sorry if this is jumbled

Maybe try calling 111 and see what they advise?

Can I ask, how have you been losing such a big amount of weight - could this be a cause?

@Soontobe60 I’ve been dieting but still eating a healthy amount, but because I was so big I’m losing quickly with the calorie deficit

A friend had similar symptoms before being diagnosed with Addisson's diseases. It's rare so may not be it, but you should absolutely get yourself checked with symptoms like that.

Is the headache generally worse first thing in the morning?

@fallinlovenothate there’s not really a theme, sometimes it is in the morning, sometimes towards night time

Do you have neck/spine issues? I get the pulsating thunder in my ears when I stand.

When was the CT scan in A&E done?

@SquashedSquid no, I don’t x

@Hufflemuff summer 2024

I put all your OP and the update on the clear CT scan into AI and asked for their top diagnosis based on symptoms and whether you should attend A&E. It said you should go to A&E!

Tbh, you will wait ages for a referral through your GP and the hospital will also see your history on this matter so it should support a faster track appointment/admission etc...

What you’ve described includes several serious and complex symptoms, and while I’m not a doctor, I can help you explore some possibilities based on what you've written. But to be clear: you need to push to see a doctor urgently (ideally a neurologist), and not stop until you're thoroughly investigated.

Here are some possible conditions that could be related to your symptoms:

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1. Intracranial Hypertension (Idiopathic or Secondary)

Symptoms fit really closely: headaches, vision problems (especially in one eye), pulsating tinnitus (the thundering sound), dizziness, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion.

Often missed unless a lumbar puncture is done to check pressure.

Common in people who are/were overweight, even after significant weight loss.

A CT scan might be normal; often an MRI and eye exam (for papilledema) are better at spotting it.

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1. Chiari Malformation

Structural issue at the base of the skull where brain tissue pushes into the spinal canal.

Can cause headaches, dizziness, memory issues, blurred vision, balance problems.

Often missed on CT; MRI is better.

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1. Brain Tumor or Lesion

A CT might miss small or slow-growing ones, especially in certain locations.

Focal symptoms like unilateral headache and blurred vision in one eye, memory problems, severe fatigue could all point toward this.

Again, MRI is more definitive than CT.

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1. Temporal Arteritis (Giant Cell Arteritis)

More common in people over 50 but not impossible in younger people.

Symptoms: severe one-sided headache, vision issues, jaw pain, and fatigue.

Needs blood tests (ESR, CRP) and possibly a biopsy.

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1. Severe Sleep Apnea or Narcolepsy

Could explain the extreme fatigue, memory issues, headaches.

Sleep apnea is more common in those who are/were overweight.

Sleep study would be needed to confirm.

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1. Endocrine Disorders (Adrenal Insufficiency, Hypothyroidism, etc.)

Can cause fatigue, dizziness, low energy, nausea, cognitive issues, and weight changes.

Blood tests can often catch this.

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1. Medication Side Effects or Interactions

Lithium and some antipsychotics or mood stabilizers can cause neurological side effects or toxicity, especially if levels are not being monitored.

Withdrawal or dosage changes can also wreak havoc.

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1. Vestibular Disorders / Inner Ear Issues

Might explain dizziness, muffled hearing, and balance issues.

But wouldn't explain the level of fatigue or unilateral headache.

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1. Autoimmune or Neurological Disorders (like MS)

Fatigue, balance issues, vision problems, brain fog, and weakness could align.

Needs full neurological workup, often with MRI and blood tests.

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Next Steps You Should Absolutely Take:

1. Go to A&E or Urgent Care again today—especially because the headache is worsening, you're vomiting, you nearly collapsed, and your eye is blurry.

1. Insist on an MRI (not just a CT) and possibly a lumbar puncture if intracranial pressure is a concern.

1. Eye exam with an ophthalmologist—they can check for papilledema or optic nerve swelling.

1. Bloodwork, including inflammation markers (ESR, CRP), thyroid function, and electrolytes.

1. Ask for a neurology referral ASAP.

1. Bring a written symptom log, like this message, to your GP or ER doctor—this will really help make your case.

You should always seek medical help if you think you need it.
Since you’ve lost weight have you had a meds review. It may well be beneficial to do that at some point soon.
whatever you decide to do today, please think about an appointment with your gp and psychiatrist to review your meds and overall y mental and physical health.

Fucks sake, You've slept for two 30 hour stretches this week?

I would have someone load me in a vehicle and drive me to A and E, and importantly, stay with me to help advocate for me.

@MascaraAndMintyChocolate Yes, the time I did go to hospital for it before, they refused to even do bloods and said I was wasting time. I actually started crying and the doctor walked out.

Your bloods are probably ok, but I'll ask anyway. How are your iron and ferritin levels?

The reason I ask is that I had very similar symptoms but without the headache. Honestly I could not walk up the stairs in one go and my legs felt like lumps of lead. Slept all day and night (when I could), weak and very out of sorts, no appetite, losing weight.

It turned out I had an internal stomach bleed due to a perforated ulcer. The ulcer was caused by the H Pylori bacteria. I got blood transfusions and iron infusions and the H Pylori was successfully treated. OMG I've been so much better ever since.

I know the fact that you have headaches is one symptom I didn't have. I had no other symptoms anyway besides the dizzyness, weakness and blurred vision. I went to A+E (was dragged there TBH) and while there I used the loo and my poo was black. That was the first time I had any physical symptoms. Handy as they rushed me through!

I do hope you feel better soon, it is awful to be weak and dizzy. I'd go to A+E. Now.

These symptoms sound very similar to what I experienced over about 8 months before I was diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Two questions -

have you had a lumbar puncture to test opening flow pressure of CSF

have you had someone look for swelling of your optic nerve? (Eye)