depressed over physical symptoms

[bluecheese]

I have had physical symptoms in the last 3 years which remain undiagnosed.  I have been borderline harassing about 3 doctors at a major university hospital to reach a diagnosis in my case.  I have so many different symptoms that when I complain of something new I think they think I'm just a chonic complainer and they try to attack each symptom independantly,   I am treated like a reject and an annoyance,  nobody wants to try to think outside the box and put everything together...I'm treated like I'm one of those batsh*t crazy people and I'm not...I only appear nervous because when I've been out of bed for a while I'm apt to fainting spells...that would make anyone nervous to leave their house.     How can I escape this "black cloud" of hypocrondiosis that I have "earned" in this institution?  (every doctor i see there probably sees that insenuation in my files and never takes me seriously)..thats how I feel it's become, and I have no oother hospital I can attend due to my insurance.     I just want to be taken seriously for once,  how can I get them to take me seriouslY?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You are in a difficult situation but if you have had a lot of symptoms and have no physical signs most doctors will fall into a trap him that you suggested is happening to you.  If you are convinced that you have a physical disease problem you might want to take a paradoxical action which is to say to your doctors that if they think you have an underlying anxiety disorder that they should refer you to a psychiatrist who can treat the disorder and see if some of your physical symptoms diminish.  By making that offer to your doctors you will be starting with a fresh relationship.

[kimbykat]

I agree with Dr. Gould completely! I have been suffering numerous issues myself for almost a year and a half. I've seen tons of doctors and specialists and been seen at the Mayo Clinic. While I do have clinical information to backup my claims, they still all seem unsure of what is causing my issues so I too keep going back and demanding assistance.

I have said from the get-go with all my doctors that perhaps I am nuts, though it's doubtful from my xrays and tests but if they truly feel that these problems are manifesting themselves because of mental disorder, then I have invited them to refer me to a mental health professional who can evaluate me and perhaps get these symptoms to abate. At that point, they are generally reassuring. My regular doctor, who I'm sure is getting sick of my tearful visits, has said numerous times that if I were creating these issues for myself, I wouldn't be suggesting it.

You might do some research on somatoform conversion just to balance things out (which is what I did) but also keep on top of any information that your doctors give you and do your own research. You are your own health care advocate. No one will take you seriously if you don't. Hang in there. Perhaps therapy would be a good move too, not because people might think you're nuts but to help you cope with these symptoms and with your treatment. Talk therapy can do wonders for you during a time like this and I have found my therapist to be supportive and a good source of ideas on what I can do and also very educational about things I should look into. It's worth a shot perhaps!

Best of luck!

[amanda77rainbow]

Would it be possible to get an independent consultation? I know insurance can be difficult to navigate through, but if you can afford to pay out of pocket or negotiate a price with someone else you might get some answers. You may have to write off the current doctors. Being labeled is no fun and can get in the way of a helpful diagnosis. You shouldn't have to suffer because of comments in your chart.

Good luck.