Helpful strategies for GPs seeing patients with MUPS

I read with interest the article by the Norwegian research group.¹ I have only recently become aware of the diagnostic label MUPS, despite suffering from such symptoms for over 40 years.

In 1975 I was prescribed nitrazepam for myoclonic epilepsy, and suffered an adverse reaction to the drug that went unnoticed by doctors. I tried to commit suicide and was referred to psychiatry. I consumed antidepressants for 40 years. I discussed my symptoms ad nauseam with countless doctors for four decades. I cannot fault the amount of time that was spent with me at great cost to the NHS. I also suffered from IBS symptoms for 10 years. Exclusion diets and tablets made no difference. I then consulted a chiropractor who resolved my IBS problems in 6 weeks. My spine had been pressing on the nerves leading to the gut.

Six months later I was advised by my GP to stop taking nitrazepam. It very soon became clear that I do not suffer from depression and have not suffered from it for decades. My brain had been suppressed by the drug, resulting in many MUPS. I am now disabled physically and cognitively due to a horrendous withdrawal but am unable to achieve a diagnosis of protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome or other accurate description of my condition. Other diagnostic labels are preferred that do not implicate the drug. And so most of my adult life has been devastated by prescription drug side effects. My doctors adopted all the strategies suggested over the years. However, what would have helped me most would have been an understanding of the cause of my symptoms so that these could be properly addressed. Perhaps the questions should be ‘Why is the label MUPS used at all?’ and ‘Why is it being discussed and promoted at this particular time?’ And why have I been offered four referrals to psychiatry to discuss my current MUPS, which are neurological in nature and directly related to benzodiazepine withdrawal? I would be happy to hold a focus group with GPs that addressed these rather more probing and perhaps contentious questions.