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Pre diagnosis worries

KLM0527
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Hi all, 

I am currently going through a bit of a health scare and struggling not to google and worry. I'm 34 and generally pretty healthy and fit - yet currently can't take the dog round the block without being out of breath! 

I've been feeling unwell for about 4 months, short of breath, pain in my ribs and back along with losing 7lbs in weight in a few months without trying. I've also been getting strange shooting pains in my glands, especially if I drink any alcohol (which isn't very often!) 

I've been struggling to get tests done due to Covid, seeing a GP has been a challenge and Ive had anxiety due to feeling unwell which the GP seems to think is the cause of my symptoms not the other way round. 

I haven't had bloods done, but I have now been sent for a chest x ray which I'm waiting for an appointment. 

If anyone has any tips on getting your symptoms across and being listened to, and dealing with the health anxiety that comes with it all i would be really grateful! 

 

  • Offline

    Hi [@KLM0527]‍ 

    Feeling worried is easy to do, and staying off google is very difficut!!!!

    It can be so frustrating when you yourself know how ill you feel, know something is wrong but can't convey it across.

    I have learnt from past experience to take emotion out of it, stating the facts alone.. for example

    years ago I was very ill, like you I knew something was going on, I went to the doctor time and time again, in the space of 6 months I had several different viral and bacterial infections, my body was wiped out, when I saw a locum doctor and he told me I had a virus, I burst into tears, he wrote I had psychological problems!! This comment was later removed by another doctor, as the locum had failed to look at my notes to see that this was my 6th infection and it was just too much for me. Back then I didn't deal with explaining things very well and would spew out everything including how it was making me feel.

    Move forward to the telephone conversation I had this morning with a Doctor, I told him just what I had, how long, the type any other symptoms, he prescribed me antibiotics over the phone with no need to see him, but if I was no better in a week get back in touch with him, he will see me and send me for a chest x-ray. (he did give me the choice to come in today to see him)

    Doctors aren't good with emotion! I'm not saying they don't have feelings or emotions, but when they are in work mode and trying to figure out the puzzle of your illness they don't work well with emotion..

    I am surprised that they haven't suggested blood tests. but glad you are going to have a chest x-ray done. Anxiety does of course have an impact on our health, I understand that completely. But I also understand that just because you have anxiety doesn't mean all of your symptoms can be explained away as an anxiety related illness. There is no quick fix for the worry, unfortunately you get through as best you can, but if you are able to take yourself out of the illness right now, and look at it from a different perspective and write down exactly what the main symptoms are, not how it makes you feel just the bare facts and see how it reads, then relay that information to the doctor and see what happens.

    I hope you get it sorted, and please feel free to message if you want to vent or chat.

    Take Care

  • Offline in reply to Kay-D

    Hi!

    thanks for your reply - I've had my x Ray appointment and going this afternoon which is good. I need to book bloods with the GP too. 
    I fully appreciate the lack of emotion when talking to them but it's so difficult as I've been upset at feeling unwell. The last few times at the GP my partner has come with me and we've had a list and talked everything through. 
    Did you ever get a diagnosis? Apologies if you already said that but I couldn't see it on your comment. 
     

     

  • Offline in reply to KLM0527

    Hi [@KLM0527]‍ 

    I hope your appointment went well, and that you won't have to wait too long for your blood tests.

    I know it is easy to write about holding back emotion, but when your feeling ill and drained and emotional of course it is difficult to hold it together, you just want to know why you are feeling so blinking awful..

    The boyfriend and the list is a great way to go, it helps keep you calmer and means you cover everything... 

    Yes they did eventually figure out what was wrong with me, thankfully.. I still get ill and I get given antibioutics like sweets sometimes. I know Doctors don't like to give out antibiotics these days because of our bodies get used to them etc, but they know with me, if I don't get given them I will become very ill very quickly and would need hospital treatment so as soon as I show any kind of infection, even a cut on my finger!!! In the last 4 months I have been on three different courses of antibiotics!

    I hope you get sorted soon xx Please let me know what happens..

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