Should I go to A&E

[Kim_c_]

We are a family of autoimmune disorders. My sister has lupus and my mum has rheumatoid arthritis. I’ve been back and forth to doctors for a year with strange symptoms. Pin pricks all over my body, circle patches of eczema, pains in my joints, numb things, anemic. The list is endless but all I get told is it’s in my head. I have PND and doctors are saying the depression is causing all these symptoms and the anemia is separate.

Anyways what’s cocerning me is my right arm. It feels like a dead arm. I’ve reported this in the past and had it dismissed. It normally comes and goes but I’ve now had this sensation for days and it’s getting worse. My three fingers index to pinkie feel numb. Spoon feeding my baby feels very strange. The heavy feeling is all over my arm and back of my shoulder. The other day I had leg cramp all day on the same side my right side. My mum has had a stroke and mini strokes. So I’m wondering should I go to a&e, the arm is really bothering me now. I’m not sure what is best.

[weathervane]

Kim if you are worried go to A&E immediately, with the family history etc I think you would be seen quickly. I hope all is well , best wishes x

[LupusKaren]

Hi Kim, you could try 111 for advice, if they do not like the sound of your symptoms, they may advise you go to A & E. I am however of the mind to advise you go anyway, this problem is obviously causing you to be distressed, yes you may be in a for a long wait as you know, but unexplained symptoms, should be checked out. Good luck.

[Hidden]

PND? Peripheral neuropathy disorder? If so I have this as quite a common aspect of Sjögren’s Syndrome - a close relative to RA and Lupus.

I would go to A&E. But if they can rule out stroke or mini strokes then it may well be worth pushing your GP for a referral to Rheumatology or neurology - particularly bearing in mind your family history.

Once you are sure that your symptoms are non acute then it’s worth knowing that A&E is not really appropriate for people like us with chronic conditions because they just make you feel like a time waster. But it is important to get clarification / diagnosis first because sudden dead arm isn’t something to just leave either.

Strokes and TIAs and neuropathy can be associated with other autoimmune conditions, sticky blood syndrome/ Hughes/ APS and this also should be excluded as should Pernicious Anaemia. So please don’t let GPs or other doctors fob you off - particularly not with your immediate family history.

Let us know how you get on please!

[biddy75 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Twitchytoes I have pnd to. From my knees down I’m in constant pain , I am on a cocktail of pain relief that only takes the edge off

[Hidden in reply to biddy75]

Sorry that you have it too Biddy75

[Kim_c_]

Sorry I meant post-natal depression. My doctor is telling me my depression is causing all this things. I didn’t go to A&E because my husband came down with a stomach bug and we had zero child care. I just decided to see how I went because it’s been ongoing for days. I woke this morning and the dead arm has gone but now I’ve got a creepy crawly sensations all over my body. It’s very unpleasant and the occasional pin pricks. I’m going to see my GP tomorrow and refuse to leave until they take my symptoms seriously. One doctor did mention MS but with the circle eczema patches and my sister having Lupus I suspect it is Lupus. My sister also has sticky blood so again we have a lot of family history with it.

[LupusKaren in reply to Kim_c_]

Hi Kim, sorry to hear that your hubby has also poorly, not what you need right now is it. I agree with you on your stance with your GP, and I will say this to you, whilst depression can indeed manifest itself different ways, and yes to include varying aches and ails, with your family history, especially the sticky blood, I would have on your list of requests, that your antiphosolipid is tested.

On a personal note, I am so sorry you are suffering PND, and one of my absolute bugs, is what I call the lazy doctoring, that anyone with depression no matter how derived, is fobbed off as this as the cause of their problems. This is what happened to me, and why it took nearly 12 years to get my diagnosis of SLE and APS among others.

I vehemently correct any lazy doctoring I come across these days, I simply will not tolerate it, always done politely and respectfully, these days it is rare, but one hapless A & E doctor tried that route early this year, and was sharply reprimanded, on that occasion I had a bleeding stomach ulcer, and I made a point of making sure she knew about it later that day.

Good luck Kim, be strong.