Getting GP to take tiredness seriously

[Jellyjumpers]

I have had a range of symptoms over the last two months from pain in my stomach on the left, a hip pain diagnosed as sciatica, random constipation and a general feeling of not being well. While I appreciate that symptoms healing keeping me awake at night will lead to tiredness I do not think the way I feel is normal. I can sleep on my train journey to work, again in the toilet at work he bearly able to keep eyed open in meetings etc

This weekend I have slept well at night for at least nine hours, then had a five six hour sleep yesterday and two hours today. In my last appointment I mentioned this and was told tiredness is normal with pain. Does this sound right particularly as I feel a bit unwell all the time as if I am about to get a cold, with the same sort of tiredness

first born and jelly and anyone else suffering from extreme fatigue, please ask specifically for a B12 blood test. It's not done as part of a full blood count, it's a separate test. B12 deficiency anaemia is horrendous and can cause that extreme fatigue where every movement is like battling through treacle. If I'd gone to bed and forgotten to turn the light off or something, it used to reduce me to tears the thought of having to get up and move again. It's chronically under-diagnosed and under-treated but not treating it leaves you at risk of permanent neurological damage. I'm a few years down the line from diagnosis now and inject myself with B12 twice weekly and am back to about 70-80% functionality of a normal person.

@PetuliaBlavatsky thanks for the advice. This actually runs in my family but when I had it tested recently it was normal - low end, but normal. I think it might take a few years to fully show up?

PetuliaBlavatsky
Banks I will ask for this to he texted. I have previously had it show up as kit at the low end of normal.....
Do you expect to gain full functioning back?

First born could supplementing he helpful in bringing your level up. I have heard spray can be good.

Supplementing helps if the lack of it is caused by dietary deficiency but that's usually fairly obvious (ie, you'd be vegan, essentially). It may also help if your absorption is still happening but impaired - I have a relative who lost part of their bowel and they need extra B12 because it's not absorbed as well as it should be.
When you say 'low end', do you know the actual figure? The low end of the range varies around the country. I was 'lucky' in that when mine was tested I had very clear macrocytic anaemia and very very low B12 so it was never in doubt for me but I know a lot of people struggle with levels within range but still causing major issues. There's a good FB support group for pernicious anaemia and B12 deficiency with loads of useful information

Oh sorry, I didn't answer the full functioning question. Honestly, I don't know. I didn't improve more by taking more frequent injections. But feeling mostly normal is still such a massively vast improvement on how I was feeling 2 years ago. I couldn't get through a day without falling asleep. I wasn't working and would still fall asleep on the sofa after just dropping the kids at school. I had to stop and rest at the top of the stairs every time I went up them. I was having palpitations all the time, and was permanently out of breath. I had nerve pains and random pins and needles every day. I am not quite at the stage of being able to do much exercise but I can take my kids out for the day without worrying.

Sounds like you should have a colonoscopy, extreme tiredness, change in bowel habits, stomach pain should be investigated.

My b12 level hdeclined from 800 in 2010 to 400 in 2014. I am concerned that if this continued i may be defficient.

@PetuliaBlavatsky the number was 229 6 months ago. Having read Jelly's response, I'm now wondering if that could be the culprit, although my GP didn't seem concerned!

Also several of my female cousins and a few of my aunts have pernicious anaemia... Could be worth looking at.

First born have you got any other blood results from six months ago.

I am frustrated as have been woken by a pulling pain in my stomach and wish I was comfortably asleep I hope the GP has a plan tomorrow.

First born did you go to work yesterday? How did you find it?

@jellyjumpers so sorry that your stomach was so sore it woke you up!!! I bet you're getting majorly annoyed. It's so frustrating when you just can't seem to get answers and nobody wants to help you!

I've attached my blood results from April... Maybe someone medical and magical will come along and tell me what my problem is. They did show low folate levels so I've been on folic acid since.

Thanks first born. I hope someone will find a answer for you soon.

I am really frustrated after seeing the gp she thinks it's ibs as previous ct scans and mris have been normal. I do not think this explains tiredness, they waking he up. Intermittent bad pain which stops he going to the toilet hair loss etc. I also feel that the pain is more pulling rather than cramping and ibs medication, cutting down fodmaps and exercises which would usually help have not helped. I have been told I do not need blood tests and I should go back to the gp if things eye are not better after three months of using anti spasmodics. I can not wait this long if things do not intrude.

@Jellyjumpers I really feel bad for you. I know it's not an option for everyone - it certainly isn't for me - but I know a relative of mine was having a similarly difficult time and had good results from a private consultation.

Thanks my plan is I may consider going private if this does not yet better soon. I would like to see the gynachologist who did my surgery privately but need a referral from a gp.

First born how has work been?

Well. I threw up in my desk bin and got sent home because apparently I'm a "health hazard" lol!

First born that is one way to he able to get done test. To you plan to be in tomorrow?

Sorry grant left with z I

In my experience doctors are very quick to write off fatigue as "everyone gets tired sometimes ". Then I was dx'ed with M.E, Fibromyalgia and Myasthenia Gravis (had over 10 years, discovered due to worsening symptoms).

Write a diary of sorts including sleep amount, how you feel when you wake up, after you've done something (school run, shower, work, food etc), and how you feel at bedtime. Include times too.

@Firstbornunicorn

Just looked through your blood results and your liver Serum Gamma GT is really rather low. Any problems with gallstones, nausea/vomming? I'd ask for that to be tested again.

@SimplySteve that's tested low for as long as I can remember. My liver is in tip top condition and my doctor told me it's likely low because I don't drink and I have a good diet. From my own research, I can find no negative implications of low Gamma GT.

Has anyone suggested fibromyalgia OP? I had similar symptoms and was sure fibromyalgia didn't fit but after reading up on it and being diagnosed via a rheumatologist I think the symptoms do probably fit. I don't feel happy that there is no known cause as such and fibromyalgia is probably just a collection of symptoms caused by something which is yet undiscovered but getting the diagnosis has helped me to understand the symptoms a bit better. Do read up on it.

Before accepting a fibromyalgia diagnosis I would want everything else ruled out though. Ask for a rheumatologist referral or try and see someone privately.

Hope you get to the bottom of it.

I have endo and those are my symptoms. All greatly improved by a cyst removal and the endo diet.

Good news about the blood then First. It's also very possible you have M.E, fibromyalgia, or even both. I hope your GP, or other medical professional, is able to give you a considered dx and start you on medication. I've both M.E and Fibro and am taking around 40 pills per day...

Thanks all
What is the endo diet?

I am struggling so much now. I have had twenty minutes sleep but have been awake ever since with pain. The antispasmodics paracetamol and codeine are not really helping. Its such a pain as had a really good day on Saturday including some jobs and a bike ride. I am not sure how I can wait three months before a follow-up with the gp. I feel I need something like amatriptiline or an antihistamine to help me sleep when in pain.