How many times would you visit the GP before giving up?

[Catk34]

I’ve been 10 times in the last 3 months.
I have a list of symptoms as long as my arm. Ranging from daily blood crusting in my nose, ear pain, loose bowel movements, joint pain, rashes, itchy skin, lump in throat feeling…and more
Basically nothing that really points to anything specific. I’ve had blood taken, which hasn’t really shown up anything significant and it gets left at that.
i have had a referral to ENT, but it’s an 18 month wait.
I get told things like ‘hormones’ (even though they haven’t checked my hormones) or ‘you’ll just be tired coz you have a baby’ (I’m not)

I really feel like I’m at a dead end now. I’m so exhausted from it all. The mental load of feeling and knowing something is wrong but not knowing how to get help. The constant appointments taking time out of my life but getting no further at getting an answer. Or just the insane waiting times.

I feel now that I’ve officially given up and will just wait until either - 1. Everything eventually gets better or 2. Everything eventually gets worse

How old are you? That is relevant to some conditions, especially if you have fatigue and itchy skins

It could be that you have a number of underlying conditions - such as allergies can cause lump in throat feeling and croaky voice. If you try a nasal spray that might reduce symptoms.

Are your joints swollen? Bowel movements, could be gut health so trying probiotics might help. There is screening for bowel centers but does tend to be older.

You mention BP are you now on medication action permanently? Did they find an underlying reason? High BP will make you feel unwell.

Im 35, been in good health and no issues up until now, regular at the gym - 5 days a week for 10 years. (Less now I have a baby)
BP went back to normal around 8 weeks PP and I was able to come off the meds. I still check it on occasions just to make sure.

I have one more blood test in 10 days which is to check for specific joint issues. I will wait for the results of that and if all normal then I think I will just leave them alone and hope things will just get better with time. If things get worse I’ll go see someone privately.

I think I would start by categorising the symptoms.

which ones are persistent and how long firm which have been short term.

Some of the symptoms you’ve described could actually just be nothing, I get nosebleeds, crusty nose and sore ears when I’m in centrally heated/dry environments so obviously in the winter they can be frequent but not worrying or treatable beyond avoiding heating and keeping hydrated.

I would also keep a food, water and sleep journal to understand if there are any likely deficiencies in any of those areas and to enable a confident and evidence based conversation with the GP.

Post natal hormones can do all sorts to you. (You did say you had a baby recently?)

I remember after my youngest daughter was born, I had horrendous health problems and lots of awful symptoms like dry eyes, palpitations, gingivitis, tinnitus, and other things that I didn't collectively believe were connected but in hindsight, they were all to do with the huge dtop in post natal hormones.

My perimenopause symptoms are now a milder version of those, hence why I suddenly realised that the pregnancy probably triggered the start of perimenopause for me at aged 39.

It could be hormones possibly, but obviously it needs to be checked properly.

Were you breastfeeding?
I wonder if breastfeeding is causing even more hormonal issues.

Yes, I was breastfeeding and I had to give up as I felt so unwell..

I also had a very low ferritin iron level of 11 (!) and the minimum numbers to feel at least functional is around 70... no wonder I felh so terrible 😳

I would say that stress and anxiety could be to blame for almost all your issues OP.

The lump in your throat feeling is typical - it's called Globus. I've had it before.
My OH used to get frequent nose bleeds due to stress/anxiety.
Loose bowels - stress/anxiety really affects your digestive system.
Psychogenic itch is itchy skin caused by stress.

I think what you need help for is stress and anxiety OP.

Has vasculitis been mentioned @Catk34?

Do not let the surgery fob you off, ask to see a different Dr. within the practice (if you're seeing the same one each time) Either way, do persist @Catk34

Good luck.

Early hyperthyroidism signs include
anxiety, irritability, trouble sleeping, rapid/irregular heartbeat, heat sensitivity, weight loss despite eating more, increased sweating, tremors, frequent urination/bowel movements, and muscle weakness, often accompanied by a visible neck swelling (goiter).

Some symptoms could be that.
common after pregnancy