Misdiagnosis (ED trigger?)

Lindsey · 16-05-2010, 05:06 PM

I've been unwell for nearly 6 weeks now. Fainting, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, forgetfulness and generally feeling weak all of the time.

I couldnt make it to the doctors at first so i phoned NHS 24. The woman asked me about 5 times if i was SURE i wasnt pregnant. Then started asking me about weight loss. I've not had any. But she kept going on about it. And in the end told me to see a doctor.

I went to the doctors and he was very sceptical about it and asked me if im eating enough. I told him yes. He clearly did not believe me. And he wouldn't examine me because he'd obviously made his mind up.

However he put me in for blood tests the following week. It was a female nurse who read my notes and asked me if I wanted to discuss anything. She asked if id lost any weight recently. I said I haven't and she just raised an eyebrow at me. She took the blood (which took 3 tries because apparently i have NO VEINS) and I fainted when she started removing the blood. She'd asked if id had breakfast and I said yes, and she made a face. As if she didn't believe me. Then before I left she said she thinks I should talk to someone. I was like "who" and she said "something that specialises in this sort of thing in girls of your age".

I'm getting the results this week and im scared there wont be anything there because then no-one is going to believe me. My family and friends know im ill and going to the doctors but i cant tell them whats been going on because if i say "oh they think its an ED" thats going to put the idea in everyones head.

I have not lost weight and im scared because I think I am seriously ill and Im sick of feeling unwell all the time. I know i could change doctors but thats the nhs woman, the doc and the nurse all implying its an ED so I dont see why anyone else would be different :(

So i now find myself desperately hoping my bloodwork is abnormal so they can have proof of whats actually wrong with me :(

Stellata · 16-05-2010, 08:51 PM

You can always get a second opinion from another doctor.

This all sounds worrying and confusing. I hope you get some clarity soon.

Putain · 16-05-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsey

"something that specialises in this sort of thing in girls of your age"

Grrr i HATE that sort of attitude.

Here's a thought: start keeping a food diary, for a while. Whilst i believe you when you say you're eating properly, as someone with an ED myself i know that kidding myself i'm eating better than i actually am can sometimes be part of it.
Hopefully a food diary would prove that you're eating properly. Therrefore, if your blood tests come back 'negative' then you have evidence to show that it's not what they think and that they need to give you some proper attention instead of guessing a diagnosis based on statistical probabilities. I'm sure there are plenty of other possible causes, however rare they might be compared to EDs.
It occurs to me that anaemia might be a possible cause of your symptoms. But blood tests should show whether or not that's the case.

LozzyGirl · 17-05-2010, 10:56 PM

Im no doctor.
But I am slightly animic. im not sure if Ive spelt that right.. but its where you dont have enough iron in your blood. And when mines low I tend to feel tired/dizzy/weak. Maybe you could have a more severe form of it?
Like I said, Im not doctor. Its just an idea.
But if it was that it'll come back in your blood tests.

shadow-light · 17-05-2010, 11:04 PM

I agree with the food diary idea.

Also the animia idea is a possibility, I've known of people fainting and all sorts due to anemia, as well as a lack of other things (not only iron). In fact there are literally hundreds of things that could cause the symptoms that you're describing

. A second opinion may be an idea, or maybe even take someone with you who can vouch for the fact that you have not lost weight and have eaten?

xx_hope_xx · 18-05-2010, 12:35 AM

Those doctors are so stupid. It's their job to take test and keep working to find out what's wrong with you. That kind of sounds like anemia to me. I'm not saying it is ,but those are symptoms of it; it runs in my family. It could also be something else so they should just do their job and stop being so ignorant.

Lindsey · 18-05-2010, 06:47 PM

It's not anemia :( I was so hoping it was, i know thats one of the things they were testing for. But all my blood came back normal and the receptionist told me the doc was happy with the results and didnt need to see me. I insisted i see him because its not normal for me to still feel this bad.

I feel he maybe took me a bit more seriously today, he thinks it might be "chronic daily headaches" which is apparently a real thing and not just stating the obvious. He gave me new pills but

The following content has been hidden - Reason : maybe a trigger for SI/Suicide

shadow-light · 18-05-2010, 08:26 PM

try not to panic about that as a side-effect. That's listed on a lot of pills (including anti-depresents), not everyone gets the side-effects. Just maybe be aware of it and it you feel it's effecting you go back to the doctors

XxXflowerfairyXxX · 18-05-2010, 09:17 PM

This is so weird, I've been having *exactly* the same thing... it started of with migraines and now I'm disorientated and feel unwell all the time. I put it down to anxiety and stress but I'm not sure.

I'm sorry your experience was so bad :(

Putain · 18-05-2010, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadow-light

try not to panic about that as a side-effect. That's listed on a lot of pills (including anti-depresents), not everyone gets the side-effects. Just maybe be aware of it and it you feel it's effecting you go back to the doctors

Yeah, remember that these are possible side-effects. If very many people experienced them, they probably wouldn't get a licence.