I attended the ED after my GP advised I go in. The GP observed involuntary muscle spasms in my foot and reduced sensations to temperature. I also had lost feeling in my toes, and pins and needles in my legs as well odd sensations and the leg being 'dead'
When I went to ED they took my history and assumed it was due to B12 deficiency. They took a blood test and wanted to send me home before the results had come back, adamant it was due to that. I felt uneasy about this and asked to wait. I was made to feel bad for taking up space.
It turns out it was not my B12, but the drs were still not interested. They did not repeat the tests that gave my Gp red flags, and ignored warning signs of Hyperreflexia. I asked for them to do imaging of my spine and they said no. The Dr told me my symptoms did not make sense and told me I could even wake up one day and itll have gone away. They seeingly justified their lack of concern by saying I had not lost true power to my legs. Whilst that is true, that does not mean the other symptoms were not a concern in themselves.
Concerned about my health I went back to GP who ordered an urgent MRI. This showed I large syrinx and I have been diagnosed with Syringomyelia, a rare neurological condition affecting the spinal cord. I had a further MRI dedicated to the spine and im currently waiting the results. If left and not monitored this condition can leave you paralysed.
The Dr's at ED also put on my discharge summary that I had 'dizziness and fainting spells' which i categorically did not say.
In my opinion, its very clear that the drs in ED thought i was fabricating my symptoms or were due to anxiety. Drs should trust a patients intuition and if the patient feels there is something very wrong they should listen. Especially with sensations around the nerves/loss of feeling, as it is hard to show a dr this so they must listen to a patients account seriously.
"Dismissed symptoms turned out to be rare condition"
About: Fiona Stanley Hospital / Emergency Department Fiona Stanley Hospital Emergency Department Murdoch 6150
Posted by moonbc73 (as ),
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