Struggling to get diagnosis
I am currently experiencing a lot of symptoms of MS, and I have been to multiple doctors and I am being told that it is just in my head and that it is just anxiety.
The symptoms I am experiencing include;
Joint pain
Back pain
Dizziness upon activity or standing
Ear numbness
Numbness in the sides of my hands and feet
Extreme fatigue (I can barely wake up in the morning and I have trouble staying awake all day. I usually need at least 3 mountain dews to function daily)
My joints pop constantly. I can twitch and everything will pop. Every step I take my ankles pop.
Along with the dizziness, I get shaky.
Insomnia
I get black spots in my vision, sometimes things go out of focus when they shouldn't, and I see residual images after looking away.
Severe headaches
Night sweats, and just all around sweaty throughout the day
Heat makes symptoms worse
Palpitations upon standing or light/minimal activites
Heart rate spikes up to 130-140 upon standing or minimal activity (regular walking)
Neck pain that radiates
I am tired of continually getting dismissed. Just because I have mental health issues, that does not mean that everything is related to that. Some test results that I have gotten are:
Sedimentation Rate: 41mm/h
Constant high WBC: between 12.99 and 14
MPV: 8.6fl
Neutrophil: 73.2%
Lymphocytes: 19.8%
Neutrophils Absolute 9.51 10*3/uL
Immature Granulocytes: 1.3%
Immature Granulocytes Absolute: 0.17 10*3/uL
I had one doctor at an urgent care take me seriously and said that this could be MS, but since he is not my primary care doctor, was unable to do anything further. He sent me to my GP and she told me that this is just anxiety and to see my therapist. I am unable to go to a specialist without a referral due to my insurance. I am so lost, frustrated, and annoyed. Does anyone have any advice?
Hi
. Personally, I would find a new GP. Something is clearly going on with you and your symptoms deserve more investigation, preferably by a neurologist or a rheumatologist. Sadly, you are not alone in this situation. Many people with chronic illnesses are dismissed as hypochondriacs initially or told their symptoms are all in their heads. Some go years before finally getting an accurate diagnosis. If you really believe these symptoms are not psychological, you need to advocate for yourself and get the care and attention you deserve. We're here for you whenever you need us. Gentle hugs. - Lori (Team Member) 
Catmom....I am so sorry you are going through this and that your doctor isn't taking your symptoms seriously. Please keep us posted. I really hope you can get some testing done asap. Personally, I do not see how anxiety could be the cause of all your symptoms! Oh don’t you just love when doctors give you answers like this. I have had MS for decades, I am 79 and happy to still be alive. I have been to doctors in at least 3 different states and get the same run around. I have constant dizziness and have passed out too many times to count. I have Cervical Spinal Stenosis and am slowly getting paralyzed in my arms and hands. I even was told by my neurologist to not come back, and deal with it. So much for compassion.
, oh, my goodness. I cannot beleve that your neurologist said that to you. Deal with it?!?! Really?? You're already doing that and it's his job to help you do that to the best of your abilities. I am hopping mad he said that you. Stories like this make me lose hope in our medical professionals at times. That said, I know some of our members have been lucky enough to find good doctors and nurses. I hope you find one of them, too!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
