Emergency doctors appointment or not?

[spacecadet1]

Hi, hoping someone can help me. I'm showing all the symptoms of having an overactive thyroid & have been feeling rotten (more than usual) since last week & losing weight even though I'm still eating.

I obviously need to get to the docs for a chat & a blood test & was just wondering (knowing how long it usually takes to get a normal appointment) should I call up tomorrow & get a same day appointment. I've never used up an 'emergency' appointment for myself before but am starting to get quite panicky & don't think I can wait a couple of weeks to get a regular appointment & then wait for bloods on top of that.

So basically what I'm asking is do you think it's ok to get an appointment asap & try to get this sorted or will the doc frown on me for this?

Thanks in advance for any help!

have also posted on health board!

[Vallhala]

This isn't what emergency appointments are for and to do as you suggest would IME be more than frowned upon.

Generally speaking, as long as you don't insist upon seeing one particular GP, you should get to see a doctor within far less than a couple of weeks under the normal system - and nurse for bloods likewise.

If I were trying to get an appointment for a sick child or when I was suffering from cancer-related problems I would have been less than impressed by someone asking for an emergency appointment for a condition which could wait a few days if necessary, and so would the GPs at my surgery.

[spacecadet1]

thats what i was checking on here for to see what others would do. i'm assuming i need to see the doc first before they'll send me for bloods rather than just booking in with the nurse, but i don't know. will try to phone tomorrow & see what the receptionist suggests.

Thanks

[seeyoukay]

At my docs you can only get same day appointments. If you ask for one in a few days you're told to phone on the day.

[spacecadet1]

that's what i mean see you kay, thought the same day appointments were classed as 'emergency' & you either phone on the day for one of these or book one for a couple of weeks. maybe these aren't emergency appointments then if other surgeries do the same

[gobbledegoop]

Just phone and and say "i would like to see a doctor today please" if they ask if it's an emergency, say "no but i would like to be seen as soon as possible please". Job done!

[ElspethDiggory]

Oh, if it's the same as my GP, go ahead and get a same day appointment. With mine it is either weeks ahead or same day. My blood boils when the receptionist says 'it it an emergency' to which I would LIKE (but never do) reply 'of course it's not otherwise I would be in hospital...you eejit'

[spacecadet1]

thanks gobble & elspeth. thought my docs had some sort of crazy system but seems semi normal. will call tomorrow & explain to receptionists! (glad i'm not the only one who gets wound up when they ask if it's an emergency

[Animation]

Well I would say you DO fit the category for same day appointment. If you have Hyperthyroidism you need to have blood tests and start treatment as soon as possible. An overactive throid puts additional stress on whole body, particularly the heart.

On top of that you must be very worried. Well done for figouring out what might be wrong - that's half the battle with these endocrine problems and GPs can be slow off the mark.

[macdoodle]

"and GP's can be slow off the mark"
well why bother going then, I'm sure Animation can sort it all out for you, I'm sure she knows how to diagnose it, what tests to order and what treatment to give you, there you are, no need for those "slow GP's" at all is there?

[macdoodle]

FWIW, OP I wouldnt mind seeing you in a same day appt, though not strictly an emergency.
At my surgery, though you should be able to get an appointment with a GP (as long as you arent insistent on a particular one) within 3-4 days. This is NOT because some are rubbish, but because some of us work PT/do other work in sessions etc so have less free appointments.

[spacecadet1]

thanks animation - i seem to have many of the symptoms (including i think vitiligo). never been checked for the vitiligo cos thought it was just something i had to put up with & it was only when i was looking at some info on vitiligo that it said it could relate to thyroid problems. it was like finding the last piece in a jigsaw (i hope). also just had ds2 in june & know this can happen postnatally so whether it has or i had it before,m who knows! & also my brother has had thyroid problems (cant remember which) & know it can be genetic. oh it's a minefield!

[spacecadet1]

not criticising docs at all but just not sure what to do for the best with our docs sytem. not bothered who i see so hopefully that'll make it easier

[emskaboo]

Actually macdoodle lots of GPs (from personal experience) are rubbish with thyroid issues, and the resultant health impacts. You may be a notable exception (have met one of those before) but if animation's had my experiences, or those of my mum or best mate then I'd say she prob does know more than the average overstretched, non specialist GP, and that her slightly barbed comment wasn't has unreasonable as you seem to have found it. :)

[Animation]

Macdoodle.

I'm just talking from expereince - when my husband had hyperthyroidism. The GPs in our practice did not pick it up - and we ended up diagnosing it ourselves - after about 18 months.

[noddyholder]

I think feeling terrible and rapid weight loss is an emergency!

[Animation]

You have vitiligo as well. I wonder if pregnancy did trigger your symptoms. My husband's thyroid problem seem to be triggered by a trauma.

Yes - you need a thorough examination ASAP. Good Luck. :)

[Ilythia]

You can only book one day ahead max in my docs as well, normally you ring on the day you want to be seen.
An emergency appt would be when they hold the surgery open a bit later or open a bit earlier to fit you in (which they have done a couple of times for dd's)

Am really surprised that people have to wait 2 weeks to see a doctor for anything tbh.

[macdoodle]

No problem, I have been around MN long enough to know how little GP's are considered. That's fine, you all go ahead and self diagnose, while you're at it, why bother with the GP at all, I'm sure you're more than capable to self diagnose, test, manage and treat, feel free, less patients for me to see

[Animation]

Good grief Macdoodle.

How about you get your mind off YOU and your GP status a moment - and think of something more useful to say to the OP.

< I'll give you rolled eyes - you silly thing.>

[LadyViper]

McDoodle, I have addison's disease. It took my GP 6 months to diagnose it even though my mum had asked him if it could be that right at the start.

Endocrine conditions have vague symptoms and can be hard to diagnose. I went into Addisonian crisis as a result of late diagnosis which could have been avoided if the GP had listened to my mum's suggestion.

You are very knowledgable and highly trained but you are still human and fallable.

[A1980]

I have endocrine problems and even during tests I always asked for non emergency appointments.

I wasn't going to drop dead, I could wait.

[4plus1]

The hyperthyroidism will also increase any feelings of anxiety you have, which is probably why you are feeling so panicky now. I have been diagnosed with graves disease since july but was suffering the symptoms for many months beforehand. Make an standard appointment at your gp and list all your symptoms for them. Write it all down because part of this condition can make it difficult to remember things!
You can then go from there. They will know straight away if you need put on beta blockers. Things like thyroid storm are extremely rare. But I did what you are probably doing, googling and freaking out! A little knowledge and all that. It is a very treatable condition and I feel like a different person since starting treatment.
Try to do things to relax yourself and I hope you get sorted.