My doctor thinks I'm mad please help?

Question

Hello
Just under 5 months ago I began with a tremor down my left hand side, I was admitted to hospital where they did a MRI, EEG and blood tests. They couldn't find any reason for the tremor but refused to run more tests and said it was psychological. I really don't understand this I wasn't under that much pressure just day to day living stuff and if I do get stressed I talk about it so that it doesn't get bottled up. I'm really confused the tremor isn't my only symtom though I can't concerntrate, I have postral gaite (stuffle), and some slight memory loss, this is scary and my doctor just won't believe me. Please help

Just to let you know I am under a specialist neurologist already.
My other physical symptoms are:
severe headaches
back pain (the whole back hurts)
blackout
severe fatigue
loss of appetit
loss of sensation in the hand and foot
no control of balance
hope this information helps

Answer 1

Hi Maz,
I know exactly what you mean, you have my full sympathy.My symptoms were put down by drs as being all psychological for years. At least you are still seeing a neurologist.
My story began 11 years ago, when I had a bad attack of what I thought was flu, except I could not stand or walk. About 6 months later, I developed an eye problem, causing a hole in my middle vision with a curved distorted area round it. Eye dept said it was permanent retina damage. Then I started having difficulty walking and stumbling, I got sent to a rheumatologist, who found nothing wrong with me, and announced that It was psychological and that I was a hypochondriac who should have no further tests done.I had bad electric shock like spasms down my arms and sometimes my whole side. I developed bladder incontinence, and used to regularly pass out for a minute or so, I also had incredibly bad back pain.
I moved house and a new GP referred me to a neuro, but he was rubbish and took the word of the rheumatologist that it was all psychological. I had to deal with my relapses mostly without medical help.The following year a pain specialist referred me back to the same neuro, who still refused to perform any tests on me. I complained but the hospital refused to acknowledge there was a problem. I had to change GP's and got one who would listen to me, he got me a 2nd opinion, that turned out to take the other neuro's point of view and sent me to a psychologist. My GP complained and I was sent to neurologist no 3, who looked at my notes and said you have not had various tests done by your previous neuro so let's do them. Within a year or so, I had a lumbar puncture which confirmed a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. The MRI had not shown this up, because they only work within 3 months of a relapse.
The problem is that psychology is a big cop out for doctors. Even Freud,who trained first in neurology but was the creator of psychology, had treated women with MS as suffering from hysteria (the wandering womb illness) because he could get more money out of his middle-class patients that way, than by admitting they had an incurable neurological illness.
It took 11 years for me to get a diagnosis of MS. I hope it does not take so long for you to get a diagnosis. My advice is to persist, persist and to get other members of the medical profession to support you. Keep a record of any symptoms and any bad relapses you may have, and report them to the neurologist. If your GP does not believe you, then change GP.
Don't bother trying to figure out the stress etc that might have caused this,there probably isn't any. In fact my experience of psychologists is that they are a pile of con artists, and chancers who should confine themselves to dealing with depression and real psychological illness, if there is such a thing. All I know is they are a distraction to the diagnosis and treatment of real illness. You have a genuine illness, it is your right to have a proper diagnosis and treatment, insist on it and complain where necessary. I am not a doctor or a neurologist, but these psychologists will try and deny you the treatment you are entitled to given half a chance.
There is a possibility that you too have MS, there is a lot of support about on the internet. The MS society website has lots worth reading and they also have a message board and there are local groups.where you can meet and talk to real people with MS. There is also a wonderful chat room on a website called Jooly's Joint, that has been my lifesaver when things have got tough.
Wishing you luck

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I haveing this happing to me to. Excepted for slight memory loss, my arm plays around. So I look it up and found this.

Tremors of the hands can be a lot of different things, but muscle cramps at odd times other than exercise are often caused by chronic dehydration and an imbalance of electrolytes. People who never drink water or who live on sodas and high caffeine or energy drinks will often have them. Rapid heart rate, pounding heart, dizziness, weakness, general malaise, and thirst are symptoms of chronic dehydration. Memory "fog", forgetfulness, and failure to rest when sleeping are also signs of electrolyte imbalance. If this is your problem it will resolve when you rehydrate and get your electrolytes in balance. A simple blood test will tell you if this is your problem. In the meantime stop all caffeine and substitute sugars including Splenda. These chemicals attach to electrolytes in the gut and prevent them from absorbing into the body. You need to drink water, or mostly water. You can drink sports drinks like Cytomax sports drink (powder), tea, even coolaid if you must have sugar (not sugar free). Put a little salt in your water. Sea salt is the best, but iodized table salt will do. This will satisfy a lot your body's electrolyte needs. Take a good multi-vitamin with Calcium, Magnesium, vitamin D, and folic acid.

I Hope you found this helpful, if I was you. I would go to another doctor. Good luck with this.

Answer 4

You need to do your research online for your condition. If you feel that you have a problem, then you need to find a doctor that won't think you are mad. You have to make sure everything is fine.

Answer 5

You do need a sympathetic doctor, no matter what the cause. The symptoms you describe could be lymes disease, among many other things. With lymes there is no definitive test. I have talked to people that have had it and they had no knowledge of being bitten by a tick and no rash that is sometimes seen as a bulls eye. Lymes is a disease that is found in 49 of the 50 united states.

Answer 6

Go and get a second opinion, like the guy earlier who was fobbed off with some really nasty symptoms. you know there is something wrong, don't give up but get somebody else's view - even if it means going to A&E.

Answer 7

Find a new doctor. If that doesn't help, go to a psychologist to see what his thoughts on it are. It doesn't hurt to try.

Answer 8

My Dear Lady
Let me reassure you that you are not going mad. You have want is known as a Stufflehengar a condition well known in the area where you live and is instantly curable. Firstly remove the small pebble that you will find in your left shoe and then put the shoe back on or else you will walk in a very funny way. As regards to your concentration I would suggest that you go on a diet of concentrated orange juice which will alleviate the problem of this I am sure. Tomorrow you will be cured

Answer 9

Find a new doctor. Always trust your instincts. If something tells you that this is not right then get another opinion until you find the cause.
Best wishes
LC

Answer 10

You've absolutely got to get a second oppinion and make sure you're taken seriously. good luck.