GP refusing to refer anywhere

New diagnosis and before diagnosis
1

Hey :wave:
For the past 3 years I’ve had on and off reoccurring symptoms that have been making me feel pants.

It started with some numbness in my arms and legs (pins and needles) and over the next 3 years symptoms appeared such as:
*Brain fog
*Clumsiness and banging into everything (constantly bruised)
*pins and needles in arms, legs, feet, hands (one of the main symptoms that fluctuates dramatically)
*aching joints, clicking in joints
*weird electric shocks that feel like they’re inside my head that almost has a tinitus ring time bang to it…
*extreme fatigue. Sometimes even at work, I can’t physically keep my eyes open.
*sometimes just feels like my knees or ankles just give way when walking
*tinitus (had since a child)
*pressure behind my eyes, just as bad when I close them.

I’ve been to my GP numerous times. And all she talks about is ‘Fibromyalgia’.

The thing is, other than some routine blood tests to look at vitamin levels etc and a hip X-ray to look for signs of arthritis (something I pushed for as it is something there’s a strong family history of), I have had NO further tests.

I’ve seen several GP’s and they just keep telling me to go home and consider the fibro diagnosis.

Surely they should be referring me to rule things out prior to pushing that sort of diagnosis?

I just feel like no one is listening to me, and every day is so tough at the moment anyway, let alone the times I feel worse. I just don’t know how much longer I can do this?! I feel so rubbish.

Am I being ridiculous wanting MS looked into? Should I be pushing harder?

I’m just running out of energy.

2

If the GP’s you’ve seen are all in the same practice, perhaps you need to change practice.

If you can afford it, get a private MRI done on your brain and cervical spine. If you’re feeling belligerent, notify the GP practice that you’re going to get one done privately and will sue them for recovery of the cost if proven positive.

1 Like
3

My understanding of things that can’t be proven with tests is that you can’t just assume it’s those until you’ve ruled everything else out. So yes I’d want a brain and spine MRI as a start.

4

Hi Bunni,I’d make another appointment and ask to be referred to neurology put the ball back in their court

5

Hi Bunni,

Sorry to hear that you are so frustrated, it doesn’t help the symptoms at all. So with this in mind ask your GP to refer you to a neurologist privately -it’s what I did and it’s made a huge difference. Firstly, the neuro recommended an MRI of Head and Spine, then a lumbar puncture and blood tests which have led to the MS diagnosis, but secondly and I have to admit this makes me smile a lot - the GP surgery now treats me sooo much better than before. I’m no longer treated like a time waster, they are super helpful - so they can do it when they want to.
Don’t give up! And don’t let the GP fob you off - you know you better than anyone else.
Best of luck!