Posted 3/9/2015 8:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I'm currently at a loss for what to do and am pretty terrified right now. My name is Beth, I'm 19 years old and have been ill for the past 7 weeks. Doctors have been unable to explain it and started off by giving me antibiotics for a kidney infection I thought I had. Something strange happened whilst on these antibiotics. I reacted to every single one of them. Bar one. Amoxicillin. I initially felt miraculously better after taking this... of course this only lasted a day, and I started herxing (I believe that's the term?) which brought on a whole mess of neurological symptoms, all of which were attributed to an allergic reaction to the things. I was asked to come off them because they could see no signs of a kidney infection, I was in disbelief. Why did I still feel wrong? Was diagnosed with hyperventilation syndrome as an explanation for the neuro symptoms and was sent away.
Two days later, I was hit with several fatigue, a pain in my right hand, lower abdomen and head. I thought I'd contracted the flu because I was so run down. Hypervigilant as ever, I galloped to the doctors. I looked fine, glands were swollen though so they suspected perhaps glandular fever. Blood's were taken. Came back fine, slight inflammation, so was told to, effectively, get over it. That I'd been to the doctors so many times it was likely anxiety.
Tried to deal with that diagnosis, was experiencing stabbing pains in joints and muscles randomly. Was then woken by extreme vertigo in the middle of the night. Continued to experience weird seizurey type episodes, usually at nighttime, with tremors, muscle spasms and strange sensations. Parents were completely discarded at the night I'd take off work, unable to see what was going on.
I've since been referred to a general specialist (contradiction I know) who happens to officially specialise in infectious diseases. That won't be til next Tuesday. After wondering for a while now if I had lupus (sun sensitivity, rash on face) I happened across lyme disease. Kinda saw the similarities and have spent the last few hours cross referencing the events of the last few weeks with the progression of lyme disease.
Currently I'm sitting on the floor of my room, experiencing heart palpations, chest discomfort, tingly extremities, burning face etc. Looking to book an emergency appointment with a gp tomorrow in light of my recent discovery. Considering also whether it'd be helpful to cut out the middle man and go to a and e today, as I'm not sure what stage of the disease I'm at and I know a and e are often able to deal with these things in a more timely fashion.
Can anybody recommend the next step? I'm seeing a GP at 10.40 (2 hours time) and am concerned I won't be taken seriously. In which case, for the UK people, should I hop along to A&E? Any doctors you'd recommend in the North East? Terrified and alone currently, parents don't understand.
Thanks.