"12 months of lower leg neuropathy without proper diagnosis"

In May 2021 I started to experience severe dizziness and vertigo attacks. My GP referred me to the Haematology Clinic at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. An appointment was scheduled for October 2021. During waiting period I began to develop numbness/neuropathy in my lower legs. I told the haematology consultant about the problems I was having with dizziness, vertigo and neuropathy. The consultants opinion was that there was no connection to any blood disorder, and referred me back to my GP.

My symptoms continued, and my GP could not determine the cause. Gabapentin was prescribed in November 2021. It was neither effective nor well tolerated, and the severity of the neuropathy progressed. In December 2021 I was prescribed Pregabalin, which was also neither effective nor well tolerated. Intermittent dizziness and vertigo, increasing leg numbness, and now chronic back pain caused considerable concern and mobility problems, and my GP referred me to the Neurology Clinic, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. An appointment was scheduled for March 2022.

I saw a neurology consultant and they asked me a few basic questions such as do you drink or smoke?. They didnt carry out a thorough lower limb neurological examination nor visually examine my legs, back, or gait etc, and did not advise any blood test, glucose tolerance test, or any of the other additional tests available for proper neuropathy diagnosis. The consultant told me they would refer me for an MRI. When I asked whether they thought my leg neuropathy or related to my back pain, They informed me that they did not have a clue. And that was that; very disappointing. I don’t think the ‘consultation’ lasted more than 10 minutes.

To deal with the neuropathy and progressively severe back pain, my GP prescribed Co-codamol.

I had an MRI of the Lumbar Spine in April 2022, at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline.

It is two months since my visit to the Neurology Clinic, and a month since the MRI. I tried to contact the neurology department on several occasions without success. Finally, a week ago, I did get through to my consultants secretary’s office. To cut a long story short, I was assured that an email would be sent to the consultant stressing the urgency of delivering their letter/report to me without further delay. A very brief letter from the consultant was received today. They have not presented any diagnosis, but has referred me to a neurosurgeon!

Now over 12 months has passed since I first consulted my GP with symptoms - which have progressively worsened. I am taking Co-codamol, and spending a good deal of time lying down, as the continuing numbness and pain often limits my mobility. Over the course of the past year I have discussed my condition with several GPs at my local practice and seen two consultants at Victoria hospital. No thorough clinical assessment nor neuropathy diagnostic tests have been carried out, to date.

I would have thought that accurate and timely diagnosis of any debilitating neuropathy is important to avoid progression of nerve injury and permanent nerve damage. Surely there must be someone within Fife NHS who possesses the necessary experience and skills to assess, recommend appropriate tests, and accurately diagnose my condition and advise a course of action. If so, who should I be seeing?