some may remember last year I fell out of my stair lift from the top of a steep stairs and landed on my head in the hallway causing a brain bleed, fractured skull . Since then my memory has been really bothering me. Not of events but of words I want but can’t recall. Example “can you pass me the thingie there please?” When asked repeatedly what the thingie is I say “the round china thing you eat food on!” Then the word plate comes to me! It’s not all the time but sometimes in the middle of a sentence and I’ve seen my family giving each other looks. Anyway I fell twice in 4 days and one of these was flat on my face on our wooden floor. My spectacles became slightly embedded in the bridge of my nose but most damage was to both knees. Right knee recovered and bruising went. Left knee was bright red just below the knee cap and was throbbing. I’d had this before over a year ago on the other shin and it seems I had a hematoma there and the throbbing was the infection trying to get out according to the consultant. So I explained this to Gp who sent me for X Ray. All was good with X Ray so a week later went to see Gp who gave antibiotics. Still didn’t go so three more lots of antibiotics and two doctors later I had to see another GP. She looked at my leg and said it’s not infected. I explained what happened the year before and that the Gp then refused to see me but what consultant said, explaining I was concerned. She told me there was nothing wrong but prescribed naproxen for my hip pain and “the knee” as she felt there could have been a strain on the tendons. She then turned her chair around closer to me and in a soothing voice said “now I’m very concerned that you think something is trying to get out of your knee. What exactly do you think is trying to get out?” I suddenly realised that she thought I had mental issues going on! I pointed out that I had no psychological issues, just one of pain. Since then I am so worried that they think I have mental health issues and I’m getting really sensitive about it. I realised later that the doctor who refused to see me before after my fall was her. I’m so worried my file will be marked that I’m a “psych case”. I still have pain in my knee!
no support from GP ignoring Lupus!: some may... - LUPUS UK
no support from GP ignoring Lupus!
If you can afford it, perhaps go and have your knee joint scanned (ultrasound) at a private clinic? I have used one near me several times over the last five years for various tendon issues just because l couldn't be bothered to wait for a NHS one/15 mile faff getting there. It costs me £130.00, but that's in London so could be cheaper elsewhere. They'll write a report for your GP as well.
What a lot to contend with. I am sorry. It seems to me that you have several concerns. One your cognitive concern re word finding, secondly your knee and finally, that your GP is putting down your concerns to a mental health issue rather than your Lupus. I hope I am right in this, if not please do correct me.
Re- word finding. I find that when my disease is active that this is an issue for me too. It's as though I am in the right topic filing cabinet but I keep selecting the wrong word - e.g wet instead of water. Thingie becomes my favourite word too! I do understand the looks between people but I put them on the straight and narrow and blame both the Lupus and it's subsequent fatigue. The more I worry about finding the right word the worse it becomes and I have recognised that with rest it reduces. So, you are not alone in this and it is well documented in research about Lupus.
Your knee sounds very painful, is there another GP you can see? Are you still under rhuematology- would it be possible to contact them?
Finally, your concerns that she has put you down as a 'psych case'. Have you got the NHS App? If you have then look under consultations and a precise of your appointments should be on there. If not request to see your notes. It is very annoying when a Dr treats us as less than intelligent - I had one ( a newbie) say "sadly, every year we have a birthday and get a year older" when trying to understand all my aches and pains. I pointed out that my problems were not related to sudden onset ageing but my connective tissue disease- honestly, I thought I deserved a medal for keeping my cool. Try not to over worry about it but do check your notes and seek a second opinion. It's worth reminding Drs that sometimes we have battled for a diagnosis because our concerns were dismissed.- It took several years for my endometriosis to be diagnosed and like yourself by the time it was, I had a large chocolate cyst - lost part of my ovary and had adhesions all over the place. So.. the message to them is - please listen.
I hope this helps a little. x
Thank you. You understand correctly. When I fell last year I landed on my head and fractured my right temporal bone and had a small brain bleed. Since then my memory has been worse and I seem to have lost my filter for stupid people (except for GPs!) . I have read that the hippocampus is located there and is responsible for cognitive capabilities and balance. I have had impairment of both since the accident and have lost my sense of smell- also connected to the hippocampus. I darent mention this to the GP or they will think I am crazy. But nobody has listened to me saying about the problems I’m experiencing. Imagine saying - the right side of my neck going into and including the base of my skull has been acutely painful since the fall, I’ve lost my sense of smell and taste, my memory is worse, I am dizzy most of the time , as if I’ve just got off a child’s roundabout, my right hip and groin are keeping me awake at night throbbing, my left knee is throbbing after a recent fall, I have a rash over my legs and torso which I have had for months that hurts sometimes, my ribs, hands, arms and sacrum all hurt more than ever. My rheumatologist seems to have lost all interest in me. He refused to look at my rash saying my GP had referred me to a dermatologist, and I should let them see it! I found out then that the GP had send photos of the rash to the rheumatologist not dermatologist and the dermatologist returned the referral saying there was no photography to support a referral. That was in July and it was only discovered when I pressed it with GP receptionist in October! I feel so let down. When I saw the rheumatologist he gave me a local anaesthetic in my hip for pain. He saw I was on my mobility scooter. On the way home from there I flipped over my scooter on a busy road and was trapped. Bus drivers stopped and got me up and I had damaged my elbow. I read about the injection he had given me . It said I should have had someone with me, I should have to wait there for half an hour later, and that I should not drive! None of that happened!
On the subject of " thingmy" it's a Lupus thing! I just had a mild flare and it's really been bad, getting better slowly . Hope you can resolve the other worries, it's a constant battle . ❤️
My GP does not seem to think Lupus has anything to do with it. She’s old school and I think she thinks there is no such thing and that I’m a malingerer!
If you write an account based on the text in your post and forward it to the practice manager. There might be other people experiencing the same thing. You can then always ask to see another GP.
I have done this a couple of times following meeting with practice manager, all prompted by a nurse after I burst into tears having a blood test, who said to have a chat with the manager straight after and arranged the meeting. Made realise how easy this was and how many other patients avoid certain GPs.
If need be tell staff you don't have business with her and that what she said you didn't relate too. Unless she was not being clear what she was on about, and came across in the wrong way.
It didn't help the consultant saying "the throbbing was the infection trying to get out" as that statement is complete rubbish.
It was the increased the blood flow to the area causing the throbbing
Medical profession have a lot to answer for when they can't explain things accurately.
Thank you. I’m just at a loss. I’m frightened now that they will all think I have psychiatric problems. Will they even think that if I ask to see the practice manager?? The amount of NHS cock ups I’ve been on the receiving end of is just unbelievable and that’s what I think they will think - it’s unbelievable. I’ve heard other people here though with similar experiences. I’m glad you got things sorted out. I don’t think I’m as strong as you to face them. X
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