From Mystery to Diagnosis: How the Right Questions Changed Everything
Sometimes patients come to me after seeing several doctors but still don’t have an answer. It can be incredibly frustrating to live with worrying symptoms — pain, weight loss, fluid around the lungs or heart — without a clear diagnosis.
One patient shared their journey:
“I went to see Dr. Singh in Chiswick after both my GP and my local NHS hospital could not figure out what was wrong with me. He undertook a thorough history and examination and asked the question that no one else had — why? Why had I lost weight, had pain around my hips, fluid around my lung and heart?”
By asking the right questions and arranging urgent investigations, I was able to make the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA). Treatment was started immediately, and within just 24 hours, this patient felt significantly better.
“I started off as a medical mystery and flummoxed both GPs and consultants at my local hospital. It shows the expertise and skills that Dr. Singh has that he was able to give me a diagnosis virtually instantly and set me on the path to recovery.”
This story highlights three important lessons:
Persistent symptoms need joined-up thinking. Weight loss, pain, and inflammation in different organs may look unrelated — but often they are part of one underlying condition.
Rapid diagnosis saves quality of life. PMR and GCA respond quickly to treatment, but delays can cause serious complications if left unchecked.
Clear communication matters. Patients feel more in control when they’re kept informed and know what to expect at each step.
If you have unexplained symptoms or a mix of health concerns that don’t fit neatly into one box, rheumatology expertise can help piece the puzzle together.
Please note, these posts are for general information only and do not constitute medical advice. Dr Singh would encourage you to speak to your healthcare professional to be assessed and managed for your specific symptoms.
