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AIBU?

To visit GP tomorrow or potentially call 111?

62 replies

DontTouchTheMoustache · 12/01/2017 22:52

I'm posting for advice because I'm on my own so don't have anyone to ask. I have severe asthma, just under 2 years ago I had flu that developed into pneumonia which led to a very severe asthma attack which hospitalised me for 2 weeks and it was touch and go whether I would survive it. It has obviously left a very scary lasting impression on me.
All this week I've been coughing and sore throat, I think it's a chest infection (as coughing heavily, in a lot of pain, very wheezy, coughing up lots of green phlegm). I've been putting off going to the doctor because I know if it's a virus there isn't much they can do but my asthma is getting worse and reliever inhaler not really working on it so I think I might need some steroids to help breathing. I have a young DS (11 months) in bed (also with same bug as me) so a&e would be very tricky as I have no one who can take him (single parent, no family close by). I feel if I call 111 they will tell me to go to a&e as a precaution but I'm not as bad as I was last time so.I think I can manage until tomorrow to see GP but I don't know if it's stupid to wait until it gets worse. I don't know if going to GP is even an overreaction as prior to the pneumonia incident I wouldn't have even gone to them and would have just stayed at home but I think it's made me paranoid and over anxious. If I sit really far forwards it doesn't seem that bad, just tight chested so I'm wondering if I would just be wasting time by going to GP, especially as I say if it's a viral infection. I've been debating getting an appointment all day today but then I think I might be fine in a few hours but then if I don't go tomorrow the GP will be shut for the weekend and I'll have try and find some OOH care.

OP posts:

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SadTrombone · 12/01/2017 22:55

You need to be going to your GP, at the very least.
Call first thing for an emergency appointment

DontTouchTheMoustache · 12/01/2017 22:57

I'm worried that i'll ask for an emergency appointment only to be told it's just a cold and feel.like an absolute time waster

OP posts:

ImperialBlether · 12/01/2017 22:57

I think you should see the GP first thing in the morning but get a bag ready tonight in case they make you go to hospital. What will you do with the baby, OP? Is he really unwell, too? Do you have any family or friends you can call on?

PlayOnWurtz · 12/01/2017 22:59

What's your peak flow like? What does your action plan tell you to do?

PlayOnWurtz · 12/01/2017 23:00

Also the fact you're saying the reliever isn't working is concerning me. Do 10 puffs over 10 minutes and see if that helps if it doesn't then call 111

No medic will say you're time wasting with asthma

PurpleWithRed · 12/01/2017 23:00

I Am Not A Doctor.

But I would say you certainly need to see someone soon: it might be viral, but then again it may well not be and you might benefit from antibiotics and either way benefit from a review of your inhalers. So the question is call 111 and very likely get sent to hospital now, or wait to see gp in the morning. Only you can tell which is the right route for you - it will really depend on whether you are having trouble breathing, or you are just in a lot of discomfort and coughing a lot.

WantToRunAgain · 12/01/2017 23:01

I don't think someone with your underlying medical condition will be told it's just a cold. Definitely see a doc tomorrow.

PlayOnWurtz · 12/01/2017 23:01

It might be if you get seen tonight and get some steroids into you then you'll prevent a potential inpatient stay

SortAllTheThings · 12/01/2017 23:02

Do you have any prednisolone?

SortAllTheThings · 12/01/2017 23:04

You have green phlegm. It's quite possible it's a chest infection.

How is your breathing, how much are you struggling?

Amethyst81 · 12/01/2017 23:05

I had this last week. I was given steroids and antibiotics which helped massively. You may well need a nebulizer which some GP surgeries have. Don't leave it any later as you may become even more unwell over the weekend. Asthma is seen as an emergency so they wont think you are wasting their time. Good luck OP.

SortAllTheThings · 12/01/2017 23:07

Agree. Medical attention as soon as feasible. Obv if breathing gets nasty it's 999 time though.

Ice3 · 12/01/2017 23:08

I usually get an awful cough/asthma set off after a cold that needs steroids. I know what you mean about not wanting to go in for a cold but I make sure I go in early now after ending up in hospital a few times. I've never been told off or made to feel I'm wasting their time. I would go in.

Hope you feel better soon.

lougle · 12/01/2017 23:08

Straight to the point:

If it's green phlegm and you think you're coughing it up from your chest (as opposed from just snotty throat/nose) then you know you have a chest infection.

Whether it is viral or bacterial isn't really important to you right now, because it's affecting you enough that you're having to use the tripod position (leaning forward on your arms) to get to 'just' feeling really tight chested.

Your reliever inhaler isn't working. So your asthma is out of control.

You need to see a doctor and I don't think you should be waiting because of childcare. You need to phone 111. They can send a GP to you. Or they may advise A&E. But if they do, you should listen.

DontTouchTheMoustache · 12/01/2017 23:08

Thank you for responses, really appreciate the advice. I moved 3 months ago and I haven't seen my peak flow metre since then so I can't check that annoyingly. I think I will hold out for the GP, last time I couldn't talk or move without being unable to breathe and certainly isn't that bad this time, very uncomfortable but not life threatening so don't think it would fall under emergency but I'll definitely get an emergency appointment first thing just in case there is something they can do to help me. I honestly don't know what I'd do with DS if I went to hospital imperial that's why Im probably more anxious than I should be and want to try and sort it so it doesn't come to that.

OP posts:

seventhgonickname · 12/01/2017 23:10

See your GP,make sure you don't get fobbed off as your asthma worsened by your cold is the issue.Viral or not it's the asthma you need help with.

ninjapants · 12/01/2017 23:10

Call 111 for advice or at the very least call your GP in the morning. They take people who have asthma and the symptoms you're currently suffering with seriously and won't take any chances, especially in view of your medical history. Don't play it down and don't compare all chest infections/viruses to the time you nearly died, it shouldn't have to get to that stage!
FWIW I was prescribed antibiotics over the phone before Christmas for a chest infection because I take immunosuppressants and have an inhaler for mild asthma. I was better within a week.
Hope you feel better soon

PlayOnWurtz · 12/01/2017 23:11

I'd urge caution and ring 111. 11 month old are portable and won't mind being taken out too much if you need to go to a clinic or hospital.

DontTouchTheMoustache · 12/01/2017 23:11

Thanks all, I think I just needed some reassuring that I'm not wasting people's time going to the doctors, I'm not very confident at the moment so I always doubt my decisions but I will let 100% call first thing.

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ImperialBlether · 12/01/2017 23:19

I think it's really important then that any treatment is sooner rather than later. I'm so sorry, it must be a really difficult situation. Get to the doctor as soon as you can in the morning. I hope everything goes well.

hazeyjane · 12/01/2017 23:20

How much salbutamol are you having?

You soiund like you need steroids at the least, and possibly antibiotics. If the salbutamol isn't helpunbg you will need a nebulizer too.

I would ring 111. You also need to see an asthma nurse afterwards to re jig your asthma med plan. Good luck.

WantToRunAgain · 12/01/2017 23:20

Donttouch, I had to be taken to hospital with my then 6 month DS in tow and the staff were amazing - he will be looked after and he needs his mum in one piece and healthy

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Foxysoxy01 · 12/01/2017 23:23

I think you should phone 111 now tbh.

nocoolnamesleft · 12/01/2017 23:23

Um. I think you are falsely overly reassuring yourself. You appear to be saying "It can wait until tomorrow, because I'm not quite as bad as last time, when I was in hospital for a fortnight and nearly died". You do realise that you could be quite a bit less bad than that and still be sick enough to be in hospital? And that the longer you leave it, the more likely it is that you get worse and end up needing admission? Please contact someone tonight. Asthma can kill.

DontTouchTheMoustache · 12/01/2017 23:26

Thanks again for all responses and really helpful advice. I'm going to try and hold tight for now and plan to visit GP first thing but if I feel it's getting any worse at all I will call 111 immediately. wanttorun thank you that does make me feel a lot better knowing that

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