I need to vent because I was given the "phantom pain" diagnosis this morning. My family is dealing with an emergency and I cannot bother them with my issues right now.
I do not have a MS dx. My sxs include pain, itchiness, vertigo, memory and cognitive issues, etc. My father has MS. I am bipolar.
After 4 months of being told the problem was osteoarthritis, that diagnosis was debunked by an orthopedic surgeon who recommended I be referred to a neurologist. I met with a different doctor this time at my primary care physician's practice to discuss the referral recommendation.
This doctor's opinion is that my symptoms are most likely bipolar-induced hysteria. In other words, "imaginary". However, as long as I agree to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, she will order a MRI to rule out a much less likely neurological issue.
As I am bipolar, she refused to prescribe any pain killers. (I have had a bad reaction to Gabapentin.) She recommended that I try stretching. I do not understand how "stretching" is going to help with itchiness, for example.
My frustration is that she would not listen to my full list of symptoms and refused to read a one page summary that I had prepared for her.
She asked "where is the location of your worst pain?". I replied, "neck, shoulders and arms".
I then tried to elaborate about the pain and other nerve symptoms that I have in other areas. She said, "If you have other issues you need to set up a different appointment."
I replied, "But I believe they are related as they appeared at the same time."
Her response, "I've already asked you the questions I need you to answer."
She never asked any questions to determine:
* if symptoms are chronic or intermittent
* if symptoms are affected by temperature, position, physical activity, etc.
* if I have any weakness in hands, arms, or legs
How can she settle on a "most likely" diagnosis of "bipolar-induced hysteria" if she will not take into account all of the symptoms?
This is my fourth doctor's appointment since the symptoms began in Aug 2014. I have yet to find anyone that will actually listen to me without jumping to conclusions and then shutting me down because "they have heard enough".
Now I have to meet with a psychiatrist and try to prove that my bipolar disorder has not devolved into full blow psychosis. Lovely.
I do not want to have MS. But I dislike the idea of being flat-out crazy even less. And the refusal to prescribe pain killers is driving me to despair.
I do not have a MS dx. My sxs include pain, itchiness, vertigo, memory and cognitive issues, etc. My father has MS. I am bipolar.
After 4 months of being told the problem was osteoarthritis, that diagnosis was debunked by an orthopedic surgeon who recommended I be referred to a neurologist. I met with a different doctor this time at my primary care physician's practice to discuss the referral recommendation.
This doctor's opinion is that my symptoms are most likely bipolar-induced hysteria. In other words, "imaginary". However, as long as I agree to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, she will order a MRI to rule out a much less likely neurological issue.
As I am bipolar, she refused to prescribe any pain killers. (I have had a bad reaction to Gabapentin.) She recommended that I try stretching. I do not understand how "stretching" is going to help with itchiness, for example.
My frustration is that she would not listen to my full list of symptoms and refused to read a one page summary that I had prepared for her.
She asked "where is the location of your worst pain?". I replied, "neck, shoulders and arms".
I then tried to elaborate about the pain and other nerve symptoms that I have in other areas. She said, "If you have other issues you need to set up a different appointment."
I replied, "But I believe they are related as they appeared at the same time."
Her response, "I've already asked you the questions I need you to answer."
She never asked any questions to determine:
* if symptoms are chronic or intermittent
* if symptoms are affected by temperature, position, physical activity, etc.
* if I have any weakness in hands, arms, or legs
How can she settle on a "most likely" diagnosis of "bipolar-induced hysteria" if she will not take into account all of the symptoms?
This is my fourth doctor's appointment since the symptoms began in Aug 2014. I have yet to find anyone that will actually listen to me without jumping to conclusions and then shutting me down because "they have heard enough".
Now I have to meet with a psychiatrist and try to prove that my bipolar disorder has not devolved into full blow psychosis. Lovely.
I do not want to have MS. But I dislike the idea of being flat-out crazy even less. And the refusal to prescribe pain killers is driving me to despair.
Tira
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