I don't know what to make of this anymore

Mental health
1

Hi all. About 8 months ago, during my last. Months of pregnancy I started experiencing strange flashes of light in my eyes. I had various tests including an eye exam at the hospital and nothing was found.

About 6 weeks after my baby was born the flashes got worse and so much more regular.happe ING throughout the day accompanied by seeing stars, lines and patches of colours.

I got myself in a real state. I paid to see a private ophthalmologist surgeon at the hospital who carried out various tests and concluded there was nothing wrong with my vision at all and no signs of and brain tumour, raised intercrainial pressure or "anything else of any other concern". She thinks it was consistent with vitreous age related changes and possibly Lydia a little dehydration and anxiety.

A few weeks later, I suddenly started twitching ALL OVER. I twitch in my toes, feet, valves, thighs, knees, bum, torso, hands, fingers, arms, eyes, neck, lip, chin. It is so random and happens all through the day. This has been about a month now.

I was very worried that I had MND/ALS but my Dr, who is supposed to be very experienced /head GP says that in no way does she think it's either of these things are the symptoms just don't present themselves in that way. A second GP at the practice has concurred. I was worried about MS but the ophthalmologist said she saw no signs of optic neuritis and my GP(s) have done a physical examination of me and are both very sure that due to my symptoms (or lack of for that matter) that I do not have MS, ALS/MND.

In myself I feel well, it's just these strange things that are happening are putting me on edge. I have no other symptoms but worry it may develop into more.

It has been decided I'm suffering with anxiety. However, I'm finding this incredibly difficult to believe. They will not refer me to a neurologist as they think it'll make it worse.

Can this really be anxiety with such real symptoms? I just don't understand it.

2

Hi Mind my asking did you have any gas and air aka entonox, laughing gas, nitrous ooxide during labour?

3

Yes, I had the gas and air as usual. Was having it for several ghouls, throughout evening/whole night through the to lunchtime the next day.

4

Hours, not ghouls.... Auto correct!

5

I do typos all the time!!

I know you had some signs and symptoms prior to labour but they may have been the start of a B12 deficiency disorder which is not routinely tested for during pregnancy or if it was then if you were taking iron or b12 the results may have been skewered.

Havee you had Nitrous oxide in any previous labours or during surgery or as an analgesic?

I have sent a PM with a link to the long term side effects of nitrous oxide.

It can cause a vitamin  B12 deficiency with neurological signs and symptoms such as the ones you have that is tingling, twitching, numbness, etc.. If you log onto the pernicious anaemia society you will get masses of info on this. It is reversible. May  need injections if there is a malabsorption problem. Are u eating healthily?

​Sometimes with a small child  mum can forget about herself and her dietary needs as  busy focusing on children etc.

​Your dr may decide to do a full blood profile to include Vitamin D  and B12 NB.

If you take B12 supplements PRIOR to blood test it  can skew the B12 test results giving a false reading.

Also have you a family history of Pernicious anaemia or vitb12 deficiency anaemia or thyroid disorders?

​Sorry about all the questions.

​Take care  Jane xx

6

Thank you Jane.

I have had a full range of blood tests carried out. Including B12 and my haemoglobin has come back up too as I was borderline anemic during pregnancy.

All blood tests have come back normal except my inflammation which was borderline. The Dr said it was so close to normal that she'd expect to see that result from someone with something good a simple aa a cold.

I've had a full blood count, thyroid, vitamins, diabetes, liver, kidneys. All fine.

Never had a baby before so cannot remark on anything from that.

MY diet consists of healthy foods, nuts, lean meat, plenty of fruits and vegetables. Low alcohol I take and I don't smoke.

I've just started doing yoga most days and taking my dog out for longer walks to get some air.

My Dr is so sure it's anxiety, based on me getting in a complete frantic state about it. I was out on sertraline but I stopped taking them as I just don't want medication. The Dr is happy for me to come off of them.

I've been guilty in the past of thinking certain things are wrong with me when they weren't. However nothing a 'real' as this. I'm just finding it so hard to believe!

7

Donna Have u  googled the side effects of sertraline?

I think that you should ask for a printout of all your blood resultsesp the anaemia  screening and then post them on here or on the pernicious anaemia society forum.

You need to see the values and the ranges of your blood tests.

Have you ever been prescribed antibiotics?

Have you go a health visitor ?

​Please do get a print  out of your results and then post them here or elesewhere.

This is important.

Keep eating healthily. Can you eat yogurt?

8

I read the leaflet for the side affects. Which is one of the reasons I stopped it so quickly. I literally only took a 50mg dose for a week then cut them straight out. I just felt I didn't need them.

I can ask for my blood test results, but I know they'll want to know why I want them. They're upset because I went 'over the top' thinking I had a brain tumour, MS or ALS. I didn't really know how the diseases presented themselves and that my symptoms weren't enough to warrant investigation for these things.

My GP said in all the years she has been a Dr she's has never ever seen someone with any of the things I 'thought' I had, presented in that way.

I'm trying to accept their diagnosis. But I just have a real gut feeling they're wrong.

I do have a health visitor, she phoned me the other day. Someone must've told her I have anxiety as she started asking me about it. To which all I could say is I've never felt better or been happier! Just weird symptoms!

9

Yes, I can eat Yoghurt

10

Donna

Personally I would go to another surgery where they have  a sympathetic GP. You  do not have to give a reason.

You do not need the stress and worry of trying to convince a dr of your signs and symptoms.

I know how vulnerable a mother can feel but if you are genuinely coping then try not to worry.

​I assume that you are not thinking of self harming or harming anyone else and so on. You sound as though you are a caring mother and doing all the right things, going for walks etc. I assume that you take the baby as well or someone looks after the baby.

HEALTH VISITOR.

I asked if you had a Health visitor as I felt that she may support you with your GP.

However after reading what she enquired  about I would continue to reassure her that you do not have any anxiety issues.

Personally I would refrain from using the term weird as it is open to misinterpretation .

If she asks you again I would continue to reassure her that you are happy with your GP etc. Th dr/patient relationship is supposed to be confidential anyway.

As I said previously I would definitely change surgery but shop around first by asking friends etc for their opinions on their drs.

If you can afford it I would by pass the GP and have blood tests done privately. These are sent directly to yourself and you do not even have to give the name of the GP  or which surgery you are under.

Try not to feel afraid. There is nothing to be afraid of.

Your GP.

Please try to put what she said behind you. The important person in all of this is you.

​You made the correct responses so try not to worry.

​Do not feel afraid of asking for a print out of your results. Remeber you do not have  to give a reason. The dr made inappropriate comments.

11

Thank you Jane.

I'm loving nothing more than being a mummy. I've had no thoughts of harming me more anyone else. I'm just simply bothered by the symptoms I'm having and feeling like I should get an opinion from a neurologist.

I'm considering paying to see a private neurologist as other tests have so been conducted with nothing found. I have a follow up appointment in a month, I'll request my blood test results then if I feel like I'm still not getting anywhere.

I feel very well in myself, even on the little sleep us new mums have! The symptoms I'm having are not restricting me from carrying out my normal everyday tasks, however they are upsetting.

Thank you for your support ☺

12

Hi again

What tests have been done with regard to the neuropathy pain?

​Has anyone mentioned having an MRI scan of your spine ?

Have u seen a physio for an assessment?

Has anyone mentioned about any possible strain on your back during the birth of your baby?

Sometimes an episiotomy or sutures can cause some problems .

​This really does needs sorting. Is your obstetrician  willing to get involved?

 

13

I have been discharged by my midwife so there is no involvement in that side of things anymore.

I'm not in any pain. As for physio and any other tests (MRI) these would all be carried out under a referral from my GP. But my GP doesn't want to refer me because she thinks it's all caused by anxiety.

She's sees no need to see a neurologist as I'd "have other symptoms"... After all my blood tests being OK I had another Dr who also examined me physically : reflexes, coordination, strength which were OK. I can understand their standpoint however I'm worried deep down that things will just get steadily worse. They said that was part of my problem.

It's a real worry, having just had a baby. I'm just trying not to dwell on it.

The Dr surgery im registered at its a very good one, I feel going to another would not be as modern and beneficial.

I think I'm going to see how things go over the next few weeks and at my next appointment if I'm still suffering in going to ASK for a referral. I believe legally in the UK they cannot refuse. I'd like to see a neurologist as if nothing else, it could help put my mind at ease. Considering posting to see one privately for an initial consultation.

14

Hello everybody, i think im also suffering the same. On the last week of April i had been doing exercise for four straight days 1 hour each day, and the 5th day, after eating lunch i decided to take a nap. I woke up at 6pm and then when I woke up I felt that I cant breathe, i beacame nervous and hadnt slept until 2am. The next day after i woke up i tho had felt that everytime i bend my head towards my chest my back hurts a lot but when im just standing or in my normal position it doesnt hurt, so i decided to go to the doctor since I think i have any lung issues because i also have a cough and stuffy nose. When I went to my doctor she just diagnosed me with acid reflux coz just a day before, I had stomach pain and had a diarrhea but it just went off, however i dont have any symptoms of having a chest pain or heartburn. I thougt it was really just acid so i took the medication for a week. She gave me antibiotics, dolcegas, antacids, and a cough syrup. After a week, my cough was beginning to heal but still, i feel like its difficult to breathe and my back still hurts. I waited again for another week if it would go off and then its still there. Then, i went to another doctor and he recommended me to have x ray. I took an x ray but the result was just fine, he even listened to my back but he said theres nothing. And so after that, i became more doubtful and even with the normal x ray result i try to think every night that what if im having pulmonary fibrosis? Or what if its not acid after all? And the x ray result was just not true. I became really more anxious and after it I went to an ortho if it was my back that causes it because ive been having this back pain near the scapula for already a month. He said it was just muscle sprain bcos ov over exercise and my shortness of breathe is just maybe psychological. Right now my back pain doesnt seem to go off and I still experience difficulty breathing, has a runny nose everyday, cough, and when i wake up i feel like theres something in my throat and when i gargle, i spit phlegm but in the afternoon or noon the phlegm goes away. I constantly clear my throat and thats it. Everyday i become anxious about my health and afraid if Im going to die esp. That I think if im having pulmonary fibrosis. Can you please help me if this is just post nasal drip with anxiety or any serious condition? Thanks M 16 -sorry for my english.

15

Thor, I am not a Dr, however, if I was experiencing your symptoms I myself wouldn't be worried.

Feeling something in your throat is very common when you feel anxious and can take some time to resolve. I personally know 3 people all who have experience with this strange feeling.

I think you should be kind to yourself and give your body time to recover. I think you'll be fine.

16

I reealise that you arenot nder the care ofthee Midwife any longer but if these signs and  symptoms came on after giving birth the obstetrician who you must have been under may have an idea what is wrong and intervene on your behalf and possibly rfer you to a neurologist.

You are right you are entitled to a second opinion.

I really think you need to get a print out of your blood results to check the values and ranges. You do not have to give a reason for requesting them. It  is your right under the Accesss to Medical Records Act and DPA. Youshould rigup and ask  or send a brief e mail.

Then you may have something to go on by way of evidence. If you are anaemic this should be treated as  it is a serious condition but easily treatable.

I am unsure if you have looked at the Pernicious anaemia society website.

​There you will see the neurological signs and symptoms of anaemia even when people are told that their blood results are 'fine'.

​Can you see another dr at your surgery who is willing to refer you to a neurologist or rheumatologist?