no help from the gp

[SODbigtime]

I have not been diagnosed - my doctor has no idea and can’t find someone to refer me to. I have a few questions and feel this might be the best place to get answers as mu GP is no help. I broke my hip 2 years ago and walked around on it for 6 months before I got to the stage I couldn’t get out off bed so I called the dr and she refused to come out so I called an ambulance and two days later had a partial hip replacement. But when I got home my blood pressure would drop whenever I got up and it would drop until I felt faint and siting down at that point wouldn’t help. So I spoke to the dr and 18 months later I still have no answer.

having worked in the medical field I decided I would research my symptoms and the only thing that comes close is MSA- C. I have had problems with my waterworks for a few year - no infections thank god - but have problems emptying my bladder completely and initiating urination - at times it has been so bad I’ve had to really concentrate on the mechanism to empty my bladder. But it can be easier for a while than get difficult again. Recently I’ve felt urgency

that disturbs my sleep. I’ve had problems with sleeping and vivid dreams and I’ve woken myself up physically reaching for things in my dream or throwing things in my dream. I also have dreams that I can’t breathe well. I’ve had problems swallowing for some time - I can choke on saliva. And the other evening I was half way through a pudding and lost the ability to swallow completely. I had to take a tiny amount and really concentrate to get my swallowing back - but that too eased after a while.

as you can see I have symptoms but they vary with intensity and I’m not sure if I should try to point the dr in a direction or put it down to old age ( I’m 57 as of January). I have other symptoms but they are minor and I as I cant get help I thought I would ask - is this possibly MSA or am I clutching at straws because the dr isn’t helping me at all at the moment. I hope it is ok to ask you because I can’t find anything else to explain my blood pressure problems and the sudden inability to swallow is alarming.

[Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your symptoms and I hope you have spoken about all of these to your GP.

You have the right to see another GP and this is where I would start first.

MSA is a diagnosis by elimination as other conditions can cause similar symptoms which need to be eliminated first. You aim is to get referred to a neurologist.

The MSA trust web site is packed full of information and the nurses there have a lot more knowledge of how to get diagnosed so also make contact with them.

Good luck and I hope that you find out what is wrong.

Paul

[SODbigtime in reply to Paul_and_Sue_Wood]

I tried to change GP when my hip was ignored but was told I’m in that catchment area so I couldn’t change surgery and I have seen all the drs in that surgery - it’s like they can’t be bothered to look into anything difficult! So I’m stuck with them. I don’t know - they don’t seem to realise how debilitating this is - I can’t get out of bed for longer than ten mins before I get breathless and I get a terrible pain across my upper back. I’m really clutching at straws speaking to you because all the dr keeps doing is taking blood and giving me supplements that don’t change the problem!! I don’t even think we have a neurologist in this area - I live in north wales.

[Paul_and_Sue_Wood in reply to SODbigtime]

Contact MSA trust they may be able to help more

[Helenhooter]

Hi

I would ask to be referred to a neurologist

Good luck

H

☺️

[chester2107]

i would contact the msa trust , i’m sure they will be able to point you in the right direction , it took a couple of years did my dad to get a diagnosis, luckily for us our GP had knowledge of it , or go and see another GP

elaine