Are there any doctors on here, or does anybody recognise this?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

If you are a doctor, how would you feel about a patient presenting you with a written list of symptoms? Previously, I don't think I've explained myself very well, and what the doctor has told me to do so far based on what I've said hasn't really helped.

Does this combination of symptoms sound familiar to anybody? I'm honestly at my wit's end now.

Get tired really easily, to the point when I can barely walk after being out for just ten minutes. Even a walk to the local shops exhausts me.

Chest feels tight, I'm short of breath and get palpitations.

My fingers and toes are really cold and tingly a lot of the time.

Standing up makes me very lightheaded and sometimes I fall straight back down again.

Going up stairs exhausts me and makes me very wobbly.

Sometimes even changing position, such as turning around from the kettle to the cooker in the kitchen, makes me really wobbly.

Often I have episodes of almost-fainting, where I don't actually pass out but have no control over my body. Can't walk as my legs turn to jelly; feel drunk; start leaning to one side; even fall asleep. This happens especially if I'm warm, or if I've been sitting down for a while, or standing up for a while, or eating.

This has been going on for months. If I'm resting and just sitting or lying about, I mostly feel okay. I'm used to being fit and healthy, and I feel like I've aged about 50 years in the last six months or so.

Sorry it's so long.

Could be pernicious aenemia, which relates to low vit b12 rather than low iron. It can be easily treated with regular injections, but can be tricky to diagnose so worth mentioning to make sure they do the right sort of blood test. It's possible to have both sorts of aenemia so if they test for iron ad its low, they give you iron tablets but it doesn't help because the low vit b12 is also causing symptoms but going unnoticed iyswim.

I was also going to mention pernicious anaemia. If you suffer from this, taking B12 supplements doesn't help as you lack the enzyme which allows you to absorb the B12 from the supplement. Only treatment is by injection

You need to get them to check your vitamin D levels, your GP also needs to check your blood pressure when you're sitting and when you're standing.

I've been taking iron supplements for over a year and still have v low ferritin. It takes forever. And GPs often don't register a low ferritin level as anything particularly interesting. Mine was 9. Now 14 after all those supplements. And apparently, according to posters on here, you feel right at about 70 (the reference range minimum is much lower).

Also check out vasovagal syncope. Basically low bp which doesn't correct properly when you stress it (eg standing up). I spent a year having what I called "blackout head" every time I moved. Got tests (tilt table test where they basically try to provoke a faint and see what your BP does - mine doesn't correct, it collapses). Not serious but good to know it's that not a heart condition. Got told to drink more water, less caffeine and eat more salt!

Thanks all.

B12 is 'fine' I'm told.

Blood pressure is generally on the low side, but has only ever been tested when sitting down. Last ferritin was 13, up from 7. Having it tested again this week. I don't think they've tested Vitamin D.

I have low vitamin D and anaemia and I get a lot of the symptoms that you have so it may be worth popping back and asking for them to check your vitamin D levels and doing a sitting/standing blood pressure.

Thanks, LadyS.

Does anybody know if D is tested as part of a, 'Full blood count?'

No. They don't routinely check this

Vit d isn't part of a full blood count. It's a specific test. Hope you get sorted Remus.

Thanks, both. :)

I have a friend with POTS I think she used to get 'attacks' in check with salt and water She would often eat crisps and drink a bottle of water and it would straighten her out I am not sure if she is on medication now but will ask her if I see her anytime soon.

Ferritin still low can cause tingling hands and feet sometimes and tiredness.
Low blood pressure causes light headed ness especially on standing up or when warm.
Things GP needs to know from you;
Any bleeding from anywhere or v heavy periods?
Any relation between the bouts of palpitations and dizziness or actually losing consciousness?
Any complete loss of consciousness?

Things to think about..the cause of the anaemia.
Also...to rule out a cardiac cause of the dizziness with ECG/ monitor
Are you on iron?
Blood pressure lying and standing.
Are you n medication such as fr high blood pressure?

I have pretty much all those symptoms, I have a rare type of anaemia. Can I just point out that anaemia means low haemoglobin, which can be caused by lots if things other than iron deficiency.

Have you any idea what your haemoglobin level is? I would definitely go back with a list of your symptoms, tell the gp how awful you feel and how badly it's affecting your life. Ask for another full blood count, and get copies of all your blood test results (this is a very reasonable request) then do lots if googling the results.

I have haemolytic anaemia, which means my body destroys too many red blood cells, then makes more very quickly to keep levels up, it took a year to be diagnosed because gp's don't do the right type of blood tests, so it's worth asking for a referral to haemotology.

Of course it could be something else entirely, not anaemia related, but just thought sharing my experience might help you a bit. Good luck, and keep going back until they help you.

Taking vit D supplements is no bad thing in this country anyway, hardly ever enough sun. My little boy has low vit D and takes supplements but he didn't have any of those side effects, or any at all really.

I am surprised re the b12 as the tingling hands and feet and sore mouth were pretty much what diagnosed me and were the first things to go once the treatment kicked in.But the level at which we treat it in teh UK is much lower than other countries

Thanks everyone.

I haven't got a sore mouth, Noddy, though I have a sore throat a lot of the time. I've always had that problem though.

.

Get your vitD checked - many (most?) people in the UK are deficient.

Oh sorry i thought you did Hope it gets sorted you have been unwell so long it is so draining I have been there and it starts to affect you in every way eventually x

Thanks, both. I know, Noddy - it's really dispiriting. :(

Might be worth getting tested for Addison's disease.
It's rare but a lot of the symptoms fit

Definitely get your BP tested sitting and standing.

Out of interest have you ever had glandular fever?

A friend who has Addison's mentioned that. I haven't had Glandular fever, as far as I know.

Anemia was my first thought.
Lupus, Raynaurds, fibromyalgia and Sjogrens all have some of your symptoms.