wait or do something else?

[thegrumpallo]

just wondered: have had ovarian cyst -like symptoms for a few months: dull ache in pelvic area on left became gradually worse, until this last w/end; cycle seems short (18days this last). In the last week or so have also had indigestion/ feeling nauseous, needing to wee /or feeling like it; some leaking - don't want to TMI...

anyway -saw GP on Tuesday afternoon and was referred for a scan. Not sure how long this will take to come through though.

in the time since, I've felt worse. I can now feel a swelling in the area around my left hip, it feels warm to touch; today i feel tired and light headed. nausea of course..., but weirdly, still want to eat. definitely NOT pg...

I'm a very impatient patient... should I chase the hospital to find out when the appointment is? Should I call the GP to tell her I feel a bit worse still?

[Oh and of course - have all three dd's at home for hols...woohoo. totally unrelated I know - but it's quite hard being so listless and they are so BOOORRRED (ages 8, 6 & 3)...]

And of course I'm worried it's something more sinister...am I being silly to want to do something dunno what?!

[MoaningMingeWhingesAgain]

Totally reasonable to speak to GP again, your symptoms ahve changed and got worse since you were seen.

See if they can squeeze you in for an appt.

[thegrumpallo]

thanks - just tried to get to speak to the GP. The one who saw me on Tuesday was only there for the day; my regular doctor isn't in today and the surgery is full... they offered me an 'emergency appointment' (''is it a medical emergency'' ; how do i know??; if I thought it was I'd go to A&E?!??'')
anyway. i guess that's that...!

apologies for rant-esque nature of post...

[cafenoir]

I would say 'yes' to that if asked if was an emergency on the basis you don't know what it is and you feel unwell. Sounds like it could be an infection (usually sensation of heat = inflammation) as does feeling sick, light-headed, tired etc. With the weekend coming up, I think it would be advisable to see the GP tomorrow as you might need antibiotics and if there is an infection you don't want it to get worse).

I think a GP 'emergency appointment' is different to A&E emergency. For GP I would take it to mean not 'routine' and something that shouldn't really be left to see how things go.

[thegrumpallo]

thank you - saw GP today. [ of course I also felt better today ] even so: she's asked me to come for blood tests in addition to the scan. helpfully she mentioned that i might want to try to take my scan request to the hospital to see if the scan might happen quickly. I went there and instead of being offered an appointment at the end of Sept (!!) they had a cancellation on Monday which is really a relief. i'm not really succeeding in not worrying too much...
thanks v much for posting; makes sense re A&E v GP emergencies - will bear in mind!

[cafenoir]

Really glad you feel a bit easier today and glad your scan will be on Monday. The worst thing is worrying and having to wait and wait for an appointment when you just need your mind putting at rest.

I wouldn't have any guilt etc at all in answering yes if the receptionist asks if it's an emergency with the symptoms you've been having. If it was a medical emergency, ie blood loss, breathing problems, non-fading rash, then of course it would be an ambulance jobby, but GP-wise something that has the potential to become problematic if not attended to promptly - things like UTI's, acute ear-ache, would I think be reasonable to request an emergency appointment for.

I just don't think they want people with routine problems - veruccas, hot flushes, general aches and pains etc, taking up urgent slots and making it hard for those who really need to be seen sooner rather than later, to get attention.

Hope all goes well on Monday. Try not to worry too much (easier said than done). I had all sorts of weird and wonderful bits of bleeding, discharge, disruption to cycle, pain etc, with both polyps and then a cyst.

[thegrumpallo]

thanks very much for posting again. you're right : waiting is hard! i'm very grateful to have been given this earlier appointment, though. sorry to hear you've had much experience in this! but thanks for reassurance.

[digerd]

Were you informed to attend on a full bladder as usually is the case?
Don't forget, like I did once and went to the loo beforehand
and they couldn't do external scan.
Good luck tomorrow.

[digerd]

OP. How did you get on today at your scan?