I posted this before, however as I am new I had to wait a while for it to be published, I don’t think anyone saw it so will try again… I do hope someone can give me a little guidance on what I need to do or say to my doctor next. I have been having quite weird symptoms for around four years, everything from just a numb lip and chin to the most excruciating pain on one side of my ribs to numb leg(s) among a whole smorgasbord of other odd things that if I listed I would just sound like a complete hypochondriac! So after two years of dealing with it I went to my doctor. And there lies my problem, every time I go to see my GP I get “the look” and the encouraging question of “what’s wrong with you this time?” I’ve had blood tests, scans etc, all turning nothing up of any substance, my neurologist (the last one I saw after a scan) intimated the he believed I could have MS however as there was nothing on my scan to back this up he could only assume it could be ME but doubted it and told me to go back to my GP if I felt any more symptoms. I last saw my GP (a locum this time) about July last year when I was signed off work for a week and prescribed Neurontin (I can’t say I noticed a difference in anything while taking it) no referral just a very there there attitude and packed off on my way. It’s worth noting that at this particular time I was almost crawling into her office and my whole body felt as stiff as a board and my one leg in particular did not want to move in time with the other, in fact I could barely lift my foot up, causing me to trip up repeatedly. I need to go back as I am not coping very well with the every increasing regularity of my symptoms but I dread being fobbed off again. I am a well balanced (of mind at least!) woman, 38 years old, only ever been to the doctor for two pregnancies and a couple of chest infections, other than that I have never needed to go and never bothered them, I feel like they think I am seeking attention, I’ve even been told to think happy thoughts as I am not helping myself!!! Has anyone else had this attitude from a doctor and what did you do/say to make someone listen? While I hope it’s nothing, I am old enough and wise enough to know that this isn’t the case, I really would appreciate any advice and guidance. Xxxxxx
Hi I dont know how much help or advice i can give other than i can certainly share your frustrations as my last visit to gp on monday i was told it could all be in my head. Before nov i cant remember the last time i was at the gp other than with my kids. In 2 years of work i had never been off sick til now. Anyway. It sounds like you have symptoms that need investigating. Is there a ‘nice’ gp you can see? I am going to make sure i see the same gp all the time even if it means waiting. You are entitled to a 2nd opinion so j would definitely make another attempt at your doctors and ask them if they can have further investigations as it is impacting your life. as i said until nov i was an active busy working mum of 2 but now i am in so much pain. I hope you get the answers you need and it is definitely not attention seeking!!!
Hi Mrs Stubbs and welcome to this wonderful site… Ive had this problem for many many months, went from doctor to doctor!! And yes had the same reaction every time, that dreaded look OF WHAT NOW!! I must have seen every gp in the surgery. … Ive had many issues over the last 6 months or so and it took a trip to a&e for my gp to take me seriously after the a&e doc said I needed to see a neurologist. . But still my gp wasnt to keen on referring me, gp words" nuro won’t do anything more than whats he’s doing now" luckly I took my mother to this appointment. . My mums reaction " well we sit here until my daughter gets a referral… im so glad my mum came with me 
I got my referral. … Now I take my mum to all appointments just for support and also if I miss anything she steps in … my memory is rubbish. . I would not give in !!! Do you take anyone with you??? Hope you get some help soon… Take care Vickie x
I actually went back last Friday as I had fallen in the middle of a very main road and as one leg wouldn’t wake up I was stuck there, cars, buses and the like whizz ing past me, the GP has referred me for more blood tests as she thinks it’s B12 deficiency even though every blood test previously to this says I’m fine. I have no family other than my husband and children, my husband has a fiery temper and the last time I took him with me he basically told the neurologist that he was a jobs worth, more worried about the numbers than the person (worth noting he is an analyst ) I think it made it worse really xxx
My GPs attitude was terrible, I went there terrified with pins&needles and numbness in my tummy, hands and feet, it felt like I was walking on sponges. I’d googled it and found MS. I told her my fears and she said I was worrying about nothing and even if it was MS I wouldn’t find out for ages. She did a load of blood tests which all came back normal, but luckily still referred me to neurology. Three months later (she put me on low priority referral) I saw the neurologist at Oxford JR who believed me! Now 5 months later I have a diagnosis of RRMS. Keep persevering and insist they help you, do you have a friend to go with you? Or someone from here?
I saw a locum doctor about my hand (beginning of my symptoms). The person I took with me mentioned ms and the doctor said it can’t be ms unless you have eye pain (which I never have had). Six days later I was taken to hospital by ambulance as my whole left side had gone numb and they diagnosed ms (later changed to CIS and then back to ms). Doctors really should listen to patients more. You need to insist on a referral as it sounds like you need an MRI if it is not a vitamin deficiency. Good luck!