Symptoms worsening, no luck with GP and yet to see Gynae

[eloisejm]

Hiya,

I hope everyone is ok. I so understand the stress of being poorly around/in the lead up to Christmas and it's been worrying me, as my symptoms are likely to be worse around Christmastime. For anyone feeling the same - you are not alone, sending massive hugs.

My symptoms have been getting progressively worse every month. For context, I've attended the GP so many times and I think they just don't know what to do with me. I had to beg for my gynae referral - all I had in the 2.5 years of symptoms was an ultrasound to rule out an ovarian cyst and despite me constantly presenting with worsening symptoms overtime, nobody took me seriously (I have severe OCD/anxiety and depression and I do think the mental health card was played a lot). I've attended out of hours time and time again with strange symptoms and have cried after feeling so dismissed by doctors and as though I'm "making it up" (one kind of eye rolled to my partner). On one occasion I did see my own GP at out of hours after a night of terrible symptoms, and I had some promises made, but all were forgotten and it now brings me that much anxiety to keep chasing given previous trauma and my ongoing mental health issues.

Having been a student in the NHS for a while I so totally understand the pressures, and I empathise with every single professional, however I just feel helpless as my symptoms are majorly affecting my life. I do not have a single day where I wake up feeling "well" and I try so hard to push through, but I often skip out on things and feel very isolated going through this alone as nobody truly understands how it feels to have comorbidities and no clear answer/plan of action to help improve life quality.

I was wondering if anybody had been in this position, patiently waiting for the specialists to see them with worsening symptoms, and if they found anything helped them. Any advice would be much appreciated. I'm so anxious for another year to be ending with no guidance or support, so any kindness would really help.

[Mindfullness4791]

I'm sorry you're going through this. Have you thought about paying to see someone privately? I did as a one off and he took me on as a NHS patient. X

[eloisejm in reply to Mindfullness4791]

Hiya, thanks so much for your reply. Yes, I have thought about it. My partner and I have weighed up so many options but I am reluctant in case I pay for it and don’t get a positive experience. If it keeps getting worse I’m definitely going to have to reconsider it!

I’m so glad you had a lovely specialist who took you on. That’s the kind of support we all need. X

[PunkyPeanutButterCup]

Sorry to hear your struggling, it's difficult trying to be patient whilst symptoms are persisting and worrying about your body I understand. Sometimes unfortunately you have to keep pushing with the gp to be heard. I have constantly been referred for ultrasounds, seems that's all they know how to do. Personally I've had like 3 or 4 ultrasounds this year alone and going for them at different stages of my menstrul cycle have helped them to get a better picture of what's going on. Could they maybe refer you for an MRI or potentially to see a pain consultant? I know it's not ideal for everyone but maybe look into and ask for some pain relief if you're not already on some.

Hope your gyne appointment comes through soon xx

[Lucyfield11]

Hello,

Im in the same position as you. I was told I have to wait over a year for my gynae appointment and the GP won’t get back to me with my ultrasound results. Every time I call to tell them that my pain is getting worse they just up my meds without even seeing me. I work for the NHS so I know how pressured it all is but we shouldn’t have to be in pain all the time with no answers. I was told by a colleague that if you go to A&E they can help push the gynae appointment to hopefully make the process quicker.

Hope this helps!!