If my GP is blowing me off... who should I see?

[AimeeM]

For almost 3 years now, I've had issues with my legs "not working" in the middle of the night, randomly. By "not working", I mean that I will wake up, go to get up (to use the restroom or for a drink, etc) and the legs... it feels like they aren't even there. I can't really describe it. I'll fall back onto the floor. They don't tingle - I just can't feel them (although I can feel my hands touching them, I think - kind of foggy at the time). This started during my last pregnancy, and was chalked up by my OB as a pinched nerve - perfectly acceptable dx, except that I haven't been pregnant now for almost 2 years, lol.

At other times, I'll wake up in such pain (knees/legs) that I scream.

Right now, my arm is "asleep" - tingling and a bit clumsy. It's been this way since about 9 am (when we woke up). Nothing else hurts and I feel fine.

 

I'm 29. Fantastic weight, not diabetic, good shape, good health overall. I've heard "arthritis", "allergies" (that one makes me scratch my head), and any number of things - but there's never been any real "checking". I've been ridiculously blessed in that I've never had a babe or sleeping toddler in my arms when I go to roll out of bed in the middle of the night (because I do usually have a babe IN the bed with me).

 

I was going to call my GP if the arm tingling doesn't go away by this afternoon (I *did* sleep on that side last night, so I'm not going to freak out about it, lol), but remembering my last visit (wherein he insisted that EVERYTHING could be chalked up to allergies and - what do you know! - he has a brand new allergy clinic on site that can help me! I'm not feeling good about seeing him again :P

 

I do NOT need a referral to see a specialist, but I'm not sure WHO to see - is it worth it to go through the hassle of another GP (I'll have to make an initial "get to know you" appointment, then a "sick" appointment... and my sitter's availability is limited), or should I find a specialist to call?

[Jean in Newcastle]

An internal medicine doctor is better than a GP at helping adults find the right specialty.  If you wanted to try a specialist from the start though, I would go to a neurologist.  

[AimeeM]

An internal medicine doctor is better than a GP at helping adults find the right specialty.  If you wanted to try a specialist from the start though, I would go to a neurologist.  

 

Internal medicine. Check! I'll call one today and see if I can score an appointment for next week. Thanks!

[unsinkable]

I'd try Internal Med, too.

 

Aimee...I'm too lazy to find your other thread. How is your DD? How are you doing? Will she be home soon?

[AimeeM]

I'd try Internal Med, too.

 

Aimee...I'm too lazy to find your other thread. How is your DD? How are you doing? Will she be home soon?

 

I haven't heard from her in THREE days!!! We're being kept updated by the admin at the school. She is coming home today!!!

 

[AimeeM]

Well, internal med is a bust. One office can get me in around end of June... for a new patient appointment... the other office can't get me in until November for a new patient appointment, lol.

[readwithem]

Well, internal med is a bust. One office can get me in around end of June... for a new patient appointment... the other office can't get me in until November for a new patient appointment, lol.

I would make an appt. with both doctors and ask them to contact you if they get a cancellation.

[Seasider]

Here's a random question for you - what's your intake of artificial sweeteners? Do you happen to drink a lot of diet sodas?

 

Not trying to diagnose you, just remembering that this was one of the reported symptoms of too much aspartame. Hope you get it figured out soon. I believe a neurologist is where you'll end up, but via an internal med practitioner may help rule out other things.

 

In your shoes, I'd also be looking around for a new GP, get that lined up before you have a need for a future GP appointment.

[SKL]

Chiropractor.

[AimeeM]

Zero intake. I do not allow artificial sweetners in the house, if I can help it (my husband does enjoy the occasional diet soda, though).

Here's a random question for you - what's your intake of artificial sweeteners? Do you happen to drink a lot of diet sodas?

Not trying to diagnose you, just remembering that this was one of the reported symptoms of too much aspartame. Hope you get it figured out soon. I believe a neurologist is where you'll end up, but via an internal med practitioner may help rule out other things.

In your shoes, I'd also be looking around for a new GP, get that lined up before you have a need for a future GP appointment.

 

[gardenmom5]

hie thee to another dr. pronto.  have a very thorough physical - including blood work.  

 

I agree with the nuero.  this doesn't sound like "just a pinched nerve".

 

[gardenmom5]

I would make an appt. with both doctors and ask them to contact you if they get a cancellation.

 

also let them know you have some "really weird symptoms" where your legs stop working for no reason and unexplained tingling.  this is not "just" a new patient appointment.

[AimeeM]

hie thee to another dr. pronto.  have a very thorough physical - including blood work.  

 

Trying :( It isn't looking like I'll be able to get in before end of June. I'll put myself on a cancel list, but it isn't looking good.

[AimeeM]

also let them know you have some "really weird symptoms" where your legs stop working for no reason and unexplained tingling.  this is not "just" a new patient appointment.

 

I did tell them that I am having problems. They said that I could mention any problems at my "intake" appointment, but that I still had to wait for a "new patient appointment" to be available - problems or no.

Somewhat recently it seems that all of the internists were taken into the hospital and are now working as large clinics, instead of solo practices. I'm considering going for another GP, instead of an internist, just because there are still several solo practices in the area for GPs.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Once you get the names of a few doctors look for online reviews.  That should tell you a lot about how responsive they are to patients and how good they are at diagnosis.  

[magnificent_baby]

Trying :( It isn't looking like I'll be able to get in before end of June. I'll put myself on a cancel list, but it isn't looking good.

 

I would try another GP or even a nurse practitioner. Just keep calling around.They can start off with testing while you are waiting to get into whomever they refer you to. A lot of times, they can get you into a specialist faster than you could yourself. 

 

Hope it's nothing!

[Momof3littles]

Neuro for now. Wait may be worse than for internal med though.

[Momof3littles]

Another option is ER when you are having acute symptoms. They can test reflexes and look for other diagnostic cues while while your symptoms are aggrevated. Their diagnostics may or may not be terribly helpful but based on what they see they may recommend a followup with a specialist. Not ideal but imo better than waiting.

[Spryte]

If the waits are too long for the internal med docs, keep those appts but in the meantime try another GP.  That person might get you started on some new testing, etc, and may even be able to call the internal med docs, or neurologists (or whoever they feel you need) and help you get an earlier appt.

 

FWIW, you absolutely need to have this checked, so keep on top of getting appts - even if you have to wait for them.  

 

I would think you'd need a neuro, personally, but internal med sounds like a good place to start, and they can advise you better than we can here.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

Another option is ER when you are having acute symptoms. They can test reflexes and look for other diagnostic cues while while your symptoms are aggrevated. Their diagnostics may or may not be terribly helpful but based on what they see they may recommend a followup with a specialist. Nog ideal but imo beyter than waiting.

Sometimes going via ER can get you an appointment sooner with the necessary doctors.

[AimeeM]

If the waits are too long for the internal med docs, keep those appts but in the meantime try another GP.  That person might get you started on some new testing, etc, and may even be able to call the internal med docs, or neurologists (or whoever they feel you need) and help you get an earlier appt.

 

FWIW, you absolutely need to have this checked, so keep on top of getting appts - even if you have to wait for them.  

 

I would think you'd need a neuro, personally, but internal med sounds like a good place to start, and they can advise you better than we can here.

 

I think I'm going to have to find another GP. The waits for internal are far too long than I'm comfortable waiting. I might even check around and just *see* if the wait for neuro is shorter - can't hurt to ask. November is a long, long way off (even end of June makes me uncomfortable).

[Spryte]

I think I'm going to have to find another GP. The waits for internal are far too long than I'm comfortable waiting. I might even check around and just *see* if the wait for neuro is shorter - can't hurt to ask. November is a long, long way off (even end of June makes me uncomfortable).

 

End of June does feel like a long way off, but please do consider keeping that appt, just so you have it on the books.

 

In the meantime, it won't hurt to find another GP!  

 

I hope you find the answer, and that it's a benign one.  

 

As someone who's been known to pass out in the night several times when getting up for the bathroom or drinks (aack!), make sure your DH knows when you're up and about at night, just in case you fall and need help.  I *never* tell DH, as I don't want to wake him, and too often he's heard the crash and had to come to my rescue - out of a sound sleep!  Better to wake him and give him warning, LOL.

[Jeannie in NJ]

at our local ER (and I am maybe assuming they all work this way), they gave us the name of an "on call" specialist which pretty much means that the specialist has to see you within 2 days after your er visit.  I took dh to the er a couple of weeks ago with an extremely painful shoulder, they gave us the on call specialist name and he saw dh 2 days later and he turned out to be one of the best doctors we have ever dealt with.

[AimeeM]

at our local ER (and I am maybe assuming they all work this way), they gave us the name of an "on call" specialist which pretty much means that the specialist has to see you within 2 days after your er visit.  I took dh to the er a couple of weeks ago with an extremely painful shoulder, they gave us the on call specialist name and he saw dh 2 days later and he turned out to be one of the best doctors we have ever dealt with.

 

Well, now that's something worth considering!

The tingling in my arm has all but left, but I'm increasingly concerned about the legs giving out/not working, combined with some other issues I've been having. I think I might just hit the ER at some point.

[LibraryLover]

Keep the June appointment, but look  to make an appointment with a neurologist.  Good luck with it!

[Katy]

Yeah, if you have another episode of not feeling your legs go to the ER. It could be something like TIA...

 

A chiropractor might help, but if you don't feel a difference an hour after the first adjustment don't go back.

 

Random question, but this didn't happen to start a few weeks after a flu shot, did it?

[HollyDay]

Call neuros and see what their timeline looks like.  Can't hurt to find out

[poppy]

I don't mean to sound scary but when I had somewhat similar symptoms in my 20s, the doc sent me to a neuro to get checked for MS.

(I did not have it).

 

The other thought I had is, how is your potassium intake?

[AimeeM]

Yeah, if you have another episode of not feeling your legs go to the ER. It could be something like TIA...

 

A chiropractor might help, but if you don't feel a difference an hour after the first adjustment don't go back.

 

Random question, but this didn't happen to start a few weeks after a flu shot, did it?

 

No flu shots here, but for DS. We all forgot this year, actually, but I haven't had one in... forever? Lol.

What is TIA?

I really can't drive myself to the ER in that condition - and depending on how long it takes me to regain feeling in my legs (sometimes it's minutes, other times quite a bit longer - but never an hour), I wouldn't be able to walk in by myself, so dh taking me would be dependent on being able to get a sitter in the middle of the night.

 

The feeling is kind of like that of having absolutely no muscle or strength. I can see my legs, I can feel taps on my legs when I slap them, but they do not move at all on their own - sometimes one leg, sometimes both (but most often one).

[AimeeM]

I don't mean to sound scary but when I had somewhat similar symptoms in my 20s, the doc sent me to a neuro to get checked for MS.

(I did not have it).

 

The other thought I had is, how is your potassium intake?

 

I'm not sure exactly what my potassium intake is, but I know that my levels looked pretty okay on my last complete workup (he specifically checked thinks like vitamins, etc). My vitamin D was a bit low, but nothing that he was super concerned about, provided I started a supplement.

 

[poppy]

I'm not sure exactly what my potassium intake is, but I know that my levels looked pretty okay on my last complete workup (he specifically checked thinks like vitamins, etc). My vitamin D was a bit low, but nothing that he was super concerned about, provided I started a supplement.

 

 

OK, no worries on that then.

 

What I was thinking of is, my idiot brother ate only hot dogs (literally only hot dogs)  for a while in college and ended up in the hospital unable to move and numb.  Not something  I would worry about for you.

[sbbulliv]

Lyme?

[clemota]

Not Katy, but a TIA is a "mini-stroke": Transient Ischemic Attack.

 

Info here: http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=tia

 

No other suggestions, but hope you find someone who can see you and take care of you soon!

[LucyStoner]

My father, aunt and uncle all have MS. This was one of their early symptoms. See a neurologist ASAP. I hope it is not serious.

[AimeeM]

MS is a concern to me. Last year I had to be seen by my eye doctor because I developed floaters in one eye, I've had increasing issues with attention and memory problems (chalked up to mild ADD) as well. Nobody in my family has MS, though, if that matters.

 

I'll try to see if a straight visit to a neuro has a shorter wait time.

 

I haven't had any tick visits in years, so I'm not sure about lymes, but I'll ask them to test for it? If that's something a neuro can do, otherwise I'll ask whatever GP/Internist I can get in with.