Hello,

I’ve been trying to get medical help for close to five years now. I’ve seen many different doctors, and have done all the standard tests — but I still don’t even have a clear diagnosis or effective treatment.

Something is clearly wrong, but because it isn’t "life-threatening" and doesn’t show up cleanly on the usual tests, it isn’t being properly prioritised. I know I have autism and ADHD and that can complicate a lot of mental health symptoms but none of what I’m experiencing is explainable by just that. Mental health support in the UK really can be atrocious, unfortunately.

The main symptoms keeping me out of work are the chronic fatigue and debilitating brain fog, and because “brain fog” isn’t a recognised medical term, doctors often dismiss it outright — rolling their eyes, raising an eyebrow: “mhmm, mhmm, mhmm… oh really?” Is the usual response.

The medication they're giving me isn't doing much at all and I've told them this and they simply say "let's give it another 3 months and see if we need to increase the dose" This is the third medication I've been on and it's still not doing anything to combat my symptoms!

I’m thinking my next step is to seek specialist care outside the public healthcare system, potentially overseas. I don’t yet know exactly which specialists or clinics will be appropriate but I’m guessing it won’t be cheap.

I’ve already spent a significant amount of money trying to get help, much of it while unemployed or under-employed due to ongoing symptoms. These symptoms have made it difficult to stay in consistent work, which has created increasing financial strain over time.

This fund is to cover the costs of specialist consultations, diagnostic testing, and any treatment required once I finally have a clearer understanding of what’s going on.

My goal is to try to get in front of a specialist who has the time, experience, and tools to properly investigate this, rather than continuing to cycle through inconclusive appointments and just get more and more frustrated.

I know the economy is in the gutter right now and a lot of people are struggling.

If you could share this with someone who might be able to donate that would mean the world to me.

Thank you! x

...

I’m choosing to remain anonymous to protect my privacy and future opportunities, I prefer for people (particularly employers) not to even know that I have autism because that tends to make people treat you differently. I don’t think I need more people condescending to me like I’m a child. Don’t love that for me.

Once something is on the internet it’s there forever. I don’t yet know what direction my life or career will take once I’m well enough to plan properly, and staying anonymous allows me to focus on treatment now without creating unforeseen long-term consequences.