So been to the GP's AGAIN...

[Downsouthdevil]

And have been referred to a Neurologist?

I am now a little concerned as I had been trying my best to attribute all of my sensations to Anxiety instead of what I currently fear which is CJD.

I have had incessant jerks and twitches as well as dizziness and pins and needles on and off for 8 weeks. My GP has maintained that it is just anxiety and has been treating me with Mirtazapine.

I went back today for a regular check up and explained that I was still feeling dizzy and had developed aching pains in the top part of my legs. He, for the first time, gave me an examination, including balance and reflex tests. He said that he thought that I was fine, BUT, that he would refer me to a NEUROLOGIST to try and reassure me with an EXPERT opinion.

Again he said my fear of CJD is going to be way off the mark but he understands why I feel that fear when I am exhibiting the symptoms that I complain of.

I am now so stressed as I wonder why he is refferring me and wasting money on this when I am "FINE" and also wondering what to expect when I go, Can anyone enlighten me?

Cheers for reading.

[nomorepanic]

I was referred to a neurologist once. I think it is just to reassure you and nothing more.

It wasn't very exciting and I was told all my problems were anxiety.

[tag]

Hey,

I also get very suspicious when Doctors refer me for reassurance, but I know that my GP is very aware of my severe health anxiety & therefore that cast iron reassurance from a specialist who can categorically state that I am ok is often the only way I'm going to accept nothing sinister is the matter.

A long time ago I made a private appointment to see a Neurologist as I was utterly convinced that I had a brain tumour.

The appointment lasted no more than 25 minutes, maximum & involved questions about my lifestyle, if & when I experienced certain sensations/symptoms & he had me do a number of manual dexterity exercises before stating categorically that I did not have a brain tumour.

This was 18 years ago so I presume he was right.

I very much hope that you will be able to gain the same reassurance from the Neurologist when you get your appointment & see the referral for what I believe it is, a reassurance exercise.

Very best of luck, please let us know how you get on.

[Downsouthdevil]

Thank you both for your replies, it seems logical that it is only for reassurance based on the fact that he seemed to do a thorough physical examination of my posture, gait and balance and said he thought I was fine.

I will keep you up to date.

[tag]

Thank you both for your replies, it seems logical that it is only for reassurance based on the fact that he seemed to do a thorough physical examination of my posture, gait and balance and said he thought I was fine.

I will keep you up to date.

Not at all - I'm sure you know as well as I (and the vast majority of the people who post on here) do that logic is not an easy thing to recognise when we find ourselves in the midst of anxiety & stress.

In your case, I'd say you are definitely being referred for your own peace of mind - sounds very much as if you have a most understanding GP - congratulations..!

[Gemma T]

Im sure he wouldnt lie to you.

My dentist has recently referred me because I was on the verge of tears. Its obvious when we are scared. Your GP noticed this and does not want you to feel this way. At the end of the day when we are that convinced of something we need to on paper from the expert that we have nothing to worry about. You wont move on from the health anx and no theraphy will help when you have doubts. x x x

[Christers]

Like most who have replied here, my gp also referred me for a CAT scan as he said it was the only think that would probably convince me that i was suffering from nothing more than anxiety. It worked!

[debs71]

I know I it may not be a popular viewpoint here, but I actually get quite cross that anxiety sufferers or anyone else is referred just to 'reassure' them even after a thorough examination by their GP.

I'm sorry, but I do think this is a waste of resources and an appointment for patients with genuine neurological symptoms actually seen by their doctor.

For starters, any kind of scan is like gold dust....those appointments are very hard to get and if you do, you have to wait ages usually.

I do sympathise with you however, Downsouthdevil, I just feel that this is NOT the way a GP should treat anxious patients.

Sorry, but that is how I feel.:shrug:

[kirstynic]

I suffer bad from health anxiety, really badly i have paid on 2 occasions to go private to have scans. I am off to the docs tomorrow as been suffering headaches, tingling and twitches. I have also been to the dentist this week who said I have a wisdom
Tooth coming through and a infection of the gum flap, he said this would cause headaches. I am really hoping the doctor says the same thing as if he refers me I will think it's because he suspects a tumour as I do. However if he thinks it's best for me to go then ok but I do not want to be refered due to my anxiety as this will fuel my anxiety even more :(

[Anxious_gal]

I guess if it reassure the person, then it might actually save the NHS money, if the person stopped going to their doctor looking for reassurance so much?
But on the other hand if the person has the kind of health anxiety that makes them worry about a new illness each time then it would be a waste of money.

It does worry me when people look up symptoms and decide they have that one illness rather than looking at the whole picture, but I guess that's the nature of health anxiety.

But I guess the if the person is having symptoms, what can the doctor do?
The anxiety symptoms do match a lot of other symptoms that are caused by certain medical problems.
In a way if would be unethical for the doctor not to refer the person to a professional for more testing.

[debs71]

I guess if it reassure the person, then it might actually save the NHS money, if the person stopped going to their doctor looking for reassurance so much?
But on the other hand if the person has the kind of health anxiety that makes them worry about a new illness each time then it would be a waste of money.

It does worry me when people look up symptoms and decide they have that one illness rather than looking at the whole picture, but I guess that's the nature of health anxiety.

But I guess the if the person is having symptoms, what can the doctor do?
The anxiety symptoms do match a lot of other symptoms that are caused by certain medical problems.
In a way if would be unethical for the doctor not to refer the person to a professional for more testing.

I think that the issue I have Mishel is that referrals cost the NHS far more money than another trip to the GP, and also deny someone else that appointment who genuinely needs it.

GP's are the initial point of call for the patient, and the GP's job is to make a professional, medical judgement about what warrants a referral. If they say to a patient 'well you are fine, but I'll refer you anyway as you are worried' that IMO is not right. If they did that for every person who walked in and said I'm extremely worried there would be no appointments for genuine cases.

It is unethical for a GP to not refer someone they are concerned about, not someone they have a high suspicion it is anxiety driven. It is unethical for them to drive that persons fears even further by referring them rather than addressing their anxiety. I think that is so wrong.

It is only my opinion of course, and I'm sorry if I offend anyone, but if you have worked in the health service you can see how desperately thin on the ground appointments are.

Anyway, I don't want to hijack Downsouthdevils thread.....sorry. That is my last rant, lol.

[Downsouthdevil]

My doctor called me last night to let me know he had made the referral, I spoke with him in a lot more detail about the referal, he did say that a positive result would hopefully reassure me, but that the reason he has referred me is a problem with my ability to walk heel to toe during a tandem walk test. In bare feet I really struggle. In shoes I dont struggle as much. He said a Neurologist should check this out.

Now all through my life I have had week ankles that constantly twist and pop when Im walking, now I am hoping that is the reason for my struggles with the tandem walk. Unfortunatly a problem with Tandem Walking is normally indicitive of some kind of Cereballar dysfunction.... which has really freaked me out. Considering what I fear and how quickly I have become worse.

[tag]

Now all through my life I have had week ankles that constantly twist and pop when Im walking, now I am hoping that is the reason for my struggles with the tandem walk.

If you have weak ankles that would certainly not help with the tandem walking test.

I know this sounds trite & I would do well to take this advice on board myself (oh, if only it were that easy) but try & focus on the logical explanations if you can as more often than not these are the true reasons for what's going on.

Take care of yourself & try & stay calm. :)

[f0rest]

ive been there and done all that, had mri scans etc its really just for ur re-assurance :) and the GP covering their ass (even tho they know nothings up with u) the symptoms your describing are the exct same as mine :( so maybe the anxiety part of things come with the same symptoms :/ which is crap to be honest.. do u see a psychologist on a weekly basis?