How do I get my Dr to take me seriously?
Hello all, first of all I have been trying to start this thread twice and it doesn't seem to be posting so if you see this more than once I apologize.
A little about me. I am a 46 (F), 4 kids, married 21 years and in the US Army. This post will not be short but I will get to the point. I have started writing down all my symptoms to take to my Dr. The problem is, my Army Dr is a general practitioner that only deals with Army personnel so I am afraid he will not take me seriously. Here are my list of symptoms. If anyone has any insight it will be greatly appreciated.
1. Muscle spasms
2. Frequent urination (every 30 to 60 minutes whether I have taken in fluids or not)
3. Tingling in hands and feet (especially feet)
4. Tinnitus (so bad it's all I can hear sometimes)
5. Migraines that last for days at a time (at least that is what I am told but they don't go away even with amitriptyline and Sumatriptan)
6. Memory Issues (forgetting what I am doing while I am doing it, forgetting what I am saying or forgetting what words to use)
7. Eye Issues (extreme pain when trying to open them in the morning, floaters, blurred vision)
8. Irregular periods (could be perimenapause)
9. Mood Issues (hubby says I am moody and mean at times)
10. Electric shock pain (most recently behind right ear and under ribs)
11. Sleep issues
12. Dropping things
13. Sharp pain under collarbone
14. Legs below the knee go numb when walking or running (have to drag left foot)
15. Random pains all over
16. Weird ear issues (swelling of inner ear and excess swelling)
17. Freezing feet that I cannot warm up (especially at night)
18. Diagnosed with a Meningioma on tentorial portion of brain
19. Diagnosed with brain aneurysm but then told it was an artifact (could it be a lesion)
20. Head goes numb or very sensitive to the touch (like my hair hurts)
I know this is a lot. My main concern is that my Dr will not take me serious and think I am trying to do something to get out of the Army, which I am not doing.Some of the symptoms come and go and some are consistent. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I feel your pain. I'm not in the army, but am struggling with my own doctor trying to be heard and still seeking a diagnosis. I don't have any answers for you other than to push on and be assertive. That's the road I'm traveling now, and looking to schedule my follow up appointment tomorrow. The best advice that I can give is to give yourself grace, believe in yourself, and take a list of symptoms with you to the doctor (preferably with a copy to just hand over) so nothing is skipped. I missed so many symptoms in my last appointment because I felt rushed and was so foggy.
And think of everything as a possible symptom. Don't leave it off the table. There are so many things I've been writing off for years that I am finding out now could actually be related. Gut, vision, stability, confusion, exhaustion, pain, inflammation. The nervous system drives everything, don't discount anything that you experience.
I'm wishing you the very best and hope that your appointment gives you some answers.
And please, request the testing if they don't recommend it. I didn't the first two times. Get the full spine, cervical and brain MRI with contrast. Request the lumbar puncture.
Much love and respect!Thanks so much. As I look back I keep thinking of things that may be related. It's weird. Trying to make an appointment is crazy cause it takes forever.
