A little concerned

Hi,

For about a year now I have suffered from low iron levels and ibs symptoms. Ibs hasn't been diagnosed because I'm not showing clear symptoms of it whatever that means. I have had trouble with pain in my legs back and hips for months now and a persistent discomfort underneath my arm. This week I have had flu symptoms however I have never felt the way I have when I have had flu before and I was very ill just for 1 day where my legs were weak couldn't walk and the excruciating pain I had. 

I have lumps in my leg that I have been told are probably lipomas as I have had a couple in my arm years ago ultrasounded however the lumps in my legs have come up since low iron started

Also since becoming ill on Friday with what I described as flu like symptoms I have had a discomfort under my ribs where I had my gallbladder out 3 years ago

I have also started to lose weight. I was 13st 11 starting on the Saturday before last and I weight myself through the week. I ended up on Sunday gone at 13st 1. I have never lost that much weight in that amount of time. I haven't changed my diet or increased excersise as I've been extremely tired. My appetite had diminished but what I do eat is still fattening so don't think it warrants such a loss in one week.

I've gone to my gp multiple times saying about my arm and she says it's a gland that's up. She referred me for an iron infusion as the tablets they gave worsen my stomach issues. 

Should I be worried? There is a history of renal cell cancer in the family and I am prone to infections in that area due to horsehoe kidneys diagnosis 4 years ago.

  • Hello and thanks for your post,

    I am sorry to hear about the very difficult time that you have been having.

    It is very difficult without being involved in your care to really be able to say very much. We are a nurse cancer information service but we don't have doctors here that can give second opinions.

    You sound like you have had a nasty viral infection that is taking a while to clear. Often you can get different symptoms and they are not all connected so try not to let your mind run away with you.

    It would be reasonable when you recover from your flu like symptoms to chat to your GP about your on going symptoms and your weight loss. You may find that a lot of how you have been feeling maybe due to your low iron levels but of course I can't be sure. Sometimes patients find it helpful to try and get an appointment with a different GP in the practice so that they can look at you with a fresh set of eyes but you of course you maybe happy to carry on with the doctor who knows you and is aware of all your different symptoms.

    I can understand how frustrating it must be for you feeling unwell and I hope that they get to the bottom of what is causing all your symptoms soon.

    All the very best,

    Catherine