Re: Useless Doctors
 

update -
I am rather annoyed to hear that the main reason for requesting blood tests last week has not been tested :mad:
I will have to go again for another test for B12 deficiency (pernicious anaemia)

At least it is nice to know that I don't have- ordinary anaemia, diabetes or thyroid problems.

They commented that my cholestrol is high at 7.2 and that I should switch to skimmed milk and cut down on butter and cheese.

I suspect that I have pernicious anaemia due to food absorption problems as a result of pseudomembraneous colitis (E-coli) many years ago.

I have been breathless and exhausted for a year now.
I suppose another week like this doesn't matter much :(

Re: Useless Doctors
 

why didnt they test you for that in the first place then Margaret?

Re: Useless Doctors
 

She said the blood would be sampled for anaemia, and since we discussed a possible B12 absorption problem I presumed it would be
... seems that a seperate test is needed and she didn't ask them to do it :mad:

I take a daily B vitamin pill that has B12 in it.
If I take double dose, I find that I am not as sleepy the day after.
I am convinced that this is my problem.

The only other things I think it could be are-
narcolepsy (been thinking that was it for past yr)-incurable
or, emphysema (incurable)- which doesn't seem to fit because I don't wheeze.
My blood pressure is normal, and my heartbeat/pulse rate is OK

I am impatient to find out what it is.

I have websearched B12 deficiency and it fits my symptoms and history.
I have also found that it is not toxic when overdosed, so I have ordered, online, some B12 patches, which work like nicotine patches, and after I have given another sample tomorrow, I will get them soon after, and will start using them.
Vitamin B12 pills have a limited use because, if I am right, the problem is in poor gut absorption.

OK - you can all call me hypochondriac :)

Re: Useless Doctors
 

After a blood test proved that I was anaemic, I had an appointment the next day at hospital when a doctor took a bone marrow sample from my breast bone which proved I had pernicious anaemia. I then had 3 B12 injections in the first week, then one per week for a month, now I only have one every three months. I believe that injections are more effective than pills or patches as B12 is not easily absorbed by the body. Good luck, Margaret.

Re: Useless Doctors
 

Thank you for posting in this thread earlier.
It was that which made me consider the possibility that I had misdiagnosed it as narcolepsy
Karma sent

Re: Useless Doctors
 

Another side-effect of pernicious anaemia was that my finger nails became flat or even curved upwards - it's very strange.

Re: Useless Doctors
 

Margaret are you going to make another appointment to have the other test done?

Re: Useless Doctors
 

Going tomorrow - another week to wait for result, but in that week the B12 patches will arrive, and, if I am right, I should see an improvement within that week

Re: Useless Doctors
 

ah thats good then, i hope you get it sorted

Re: Useless Doctors
 

I hope you do too.
I hope I haven't scared you with what it might be.
At least with you, they can't say 'old age' :D

Re: Useless Doctors
 

Margaret...have a look at the post under NHS report in general....It seems to have got lost.

Re: Useless Doctors
 

I have read that thread - nothing 'lost' that I can see :confused: - about operations.
This thread is about useless GPs who don't manage to make a diagnosis.
When I told my doc that I was struggling to stay awake, and was sleeping 10 or 11 hours a day, his response was "drink lots of coffee" :rolleyes: I have done web research and visited the district nurse 'off my own bat'

Re: Useless Doctors
 

I am struggling at the moment with a dodgy keyboard...I was trying to draw your attention to an old man who has had to have his leg removed because the plaster was too tight.

Re: Useless Doctors
 

I have just had another blood sample taken today.

What alarms me about this testing process is the fact that when I phoned yesterday for last week's test results I was told that the anaemia test done last week was negative, and if I had not done research on the subject I would have just accepted that and stuggled on with my debilitating wearyness and breathlessness, and needing to sleep 11 hours a day.

Pernicious anaemia is due to vitB12 deficiency which can result from several causes.
The red blood count can be normal but the size of the red corpuscles indicates the deficiency. That size was not checked which is why I have had to provide another blood sample.

If I had not researched - I wouldn't have had this second test
I can only conclude that I would have been fobbed off with the usual 'old age' excuse.
If untreated, pernicious anaemia can wreak havoc on your body, and increase 3 fold the risk of stomach cancer (which incidentally is what both my mother and her sister died of)

The lesson I have learned is that we have to take responsibilty for our own health because others cannot be relied on to care, and will fob you off if it is the easiest way for them.

Re: Useless Doctors
 

If it's any help Margaret, my mum ( Ossylass) seems to be a lot more full of beans now she has her B12 jabs !