[medicalmystery7]

Hi all, I'll try to keep the description of my background concise. I'm 22/female (almost 23 to be fair) and have been experiencing what I think are neurological symptoms for several years, possibly for the past 7ish years (it's hard to know which problems I had growing up are related). My problems including EXCRUCIATING localized head pain on the back-right side of my head. It has recently begun occurring at the base of my skull and on the left side occasionally, too. I don't really refer to it as a headache because the pain is there almost 24/7. Other symptoms include trouble with memory, difficulty remembering words, smelling burnt smells (This stopped about 2 yrs ago, but is alarming nonetheless), poor balance, difficulty concentrating, ringing in my right ear, heat and cold sensitivity, a feeling like there's liquid in my brain, and sensitivity to certain types of lighting or abrupt changes in lighting.

Recently, I began experiencing this numb sensation all over my skin. It's really difficult to describe. It feels like the blood has drained out of my skin, and it's a sort of scratchy feeling...kind of. I don't really know how to describe it. I can feel it if something brushes up against my skin, but it feels creepy and not normal. Likewise, if I touch something cold or hot, I can feel the temperature. I'm sorry I can't describe it better :/

I've also been biting my tongue in my sleep, which I've read can be a type of seizure. :/ :/

Anyway, I went to a GP this past Tuesday, and she wrote me off as a case of anxiety and handed me a prescription for Xanax without running any tests other than an EKG. I understand why she diagnosed me with anxiety since I *do* have panic attacks and had one in her office complete with a heart rate of 140, but a lot of my neurological problems began before the anxiety attacks started. I told her I was scared I had a brain tumor, and she laughed at me.

So now my dad scheduled me for an appointment with his internist, but he can't see me until May 4th.

What are the chances that I'm going to die before then? I'm trying to relax and not freak out, but it's hard when your whole body feels numb and you wake up feeling really confused sometimes.

[Leesa]

I'm sure you'll be fine -- don't worry. I wish you had an appointment with a Neurologist instead of an internist, just to be safe. I tend to agree that it is probably panic attacks, as they CAN bring on some pretty strange symptoms. I had panic attacks some years ago myself, and had some pretty weird symptoms! But just to be sure, I would have preferred that you see a Neurologist. An internal medicine doctor is not the appropriate doctor to see. Those doctors usually deal with stuff like diabetes, diseases of the organs, etc.

Your doctor should NOT have laughed at you because you suggested a brain tumor or anything else for that matter. You have FEARS and they're legitimate! Just because we're afraid of something doesn't rate being laughed at! That makes me MAD. Your doc SHOULD have referred you to a neurologist, and admitted that she doesn't know what's going on! But she's arrogant and just doesn't like to admit that she doesn't know.

I wish you the very best. PLEASE let us know what happens, OK?? We do care here -- I hope to hear from you when you find out. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

[Dejibo]

agree, you need to book an appointment with a neuro, not a GP. A GP will almost always see anxiety in your case, and want to medicate you for that. if the meds for anxiety dont work, he will then jump to the next conclusion. Its better to go see the big boy himself who specializes in brains and brain disorders such a seizures and other disorders of the brain. Ask your regular MD for a referral to one, tell him it would make you feel better to cover all the bases on this one.

I hope you feel better

[medicalmystery7]

Thanks, y'all. I just don't see how anxiety can be the reason I have such localized intense pain in my head or why I've smelled burnt smells that no one else smelled, a clear-cut symptom of a seizure, if not a brain tumor. If I didn't have the head pain, I'd probably write myself off as anxiety lol.

To be fair, the GP didn't laugh at me maliciously. Just kind of a "yeah, h'okay" chuckle. I dunno, lol.

I can't see a neuro without a referral, so I have to wait until the internist hopefully gives me one.

[Jomar]

If you can make a list of all symptoms and how long they have been going on for you, it might make things cleared for the next doctors that you see.
A time line of sorts.
It is so easy to forget a few things or get distracted when in the drs office, that a list is often helpful.

I'm surprised that a few most tests or a MRI or something wasn't done... but if this wasn't a long time dr of yours then I can see why they might not follow up on a first visit.

If you have copies of any previous drs visits /notes documenting the ongoing symptoms that would speed things along as far as getting a diagnosis.
You have to fill out a form to request copies of drs notes. They have the forms at the front desk. Usually it takes a few days or week for them to get the copies made.

[medicalmystery7]

I did hand her a 1 1/2 page list of symptoms because people on MedHealth told me it would be a good idea, and she basically handed it back to me and said "Anxiety can cause all of this." Made me feel stupid for even making a list since all it did was get me brushed off as a hypochondriac/nutcase.

I hadn't been to a doctor in 5 years before the appointment last Tuesday, so there are no doctor's notes, but thanks for the suggestion

[Jomar]

I don't think I would go back to that dr...

[medicalmystery7]

Yeah, I mean I'm obviously not happy with how the appointment went. Whole thing felt rushed. But I'm trying to give her the benefit of the doubt since, in her defense, I *do* have anxiety problems, especially in medical environments. I was a nervous wreck when she saw me, could barely think straight, had a heart rate of 140, all that good stuff. So I can see how she would see a 22 year old in the midst of a panic attack and think anxiety was the whole story. I just wish I was given more time to talk to her. I had everything I wanted to say planned out in my head, and then the whole conversation kept coming back to anxiety every time I tried to bring up something else.

I don't think I'll be seeing her again since I'm going to the internist anyway, though.

[almondjoy]

You'll make it, May 4th is coming quick. Keep notes for yourself and TO GIVE the dr. for his files. Do you have insurance? If so, keep seeing dr's until someone listens. Good Luck!

[Zipster]

Good for you, Leesa!

And yes, FreeFallin, you're going to be okay!!!