Confused after GP visit

[puffinnuffin]

I have just been to the GP about a breast lump I have had for 20 years. I think it has changed and is now painful if it is bumped. I can't sleep comfortably on that side. My Mum had breast cancer last year.

GP was very blank and non committal and just told me I needed to get it referred and checked at a breast clinic. She didn't tell me how to go about this or what would happen next. I have private health insurance. I don't know if I have to wait for a letter or phone someone or what. At this point she stood up and I was ushered out the door!

I have just got home and burst into tears and am now in a state. GP wasn't caring or friendly and I am now thinking maybe it is really awful.

Please can anyone advise me what is supposed to happen next?! Thanks.

[Sparklingbrook]

Oh puffin how horrible. Could you phone the Receptionists and check that the GP has referred you?

[puffinnuffin]

Thanks Sparklingbrook. I phoned them and apparently I have to wait for a letter and appointment which should arrive within 2 weeks.

I'm still abit confused though as I thought that if you had private health insurance it would make things move faster?

[notapizzaeater]

Most NHs cancer referrals are within 2 weeks so going
Private might not save any time (my lump from doctor to all clear was 8 days )

[Sparklingbrook]

Would it be worth giving your Health Insurance a ring and asking them? I wonder if they could sort it out for you to be seen more quickly?

[mercibucket]

sorry to hear that puffin

what do your private health insurance say?

[CMOTDibbler]

You can ring your health insurer and ask them who they cover in the area for a one stop breast assessment, but tbh, as your GP has to write a letter to refer you first, it prob won't be any quicker than the NHS service

[puffinnuffin]

Thank you all.

I have just phoned the private health insurance and have to wait for a referral letter and appointment from my GP. Apparently it doesn't speed the process up and you have to pay £150 excess. Maybe I should just stick with the NHS?

For some reason I thought you could just go to a clinic within a few days. I felt really silly as they asked me which hospital I wanted to go to. I don't have a clue as my brain is all over the place!

[fedupandtired]

If you want a private referral you should mention it at your GP appointment and they'll do a referral letter straight away.

With suspected cancer though you'll get a referral within two weeks so there won't be a lot to be gained by going private. The NHS is pretty efficient with breast lumps I've found so personally you probably wouldn't gain much by going private.

Private hospitals are nicer though!

[Sparklingbrook]

Good luck puffin. You are going to be seen, and hopefully the two weeks will go quite quickly. x

[Lovemynailstoday]

Does your GP understand that you have private insurance? TBH you may well end up seeing the same doctor as most have clinics in both NHS and private. Hope you get info soon. I had a referral once for similar and it was all clear--just a funny bump. It's stressful, though, I know.

[puffinnuffin]

Yes I told the GP I had private health insurance and she said something about I need to get a code from somewhere?? No letter in the post today. How long does it take for a referral letter/appointment to come through?

Children break up from school on Friday-I hoped I could get seen before then if going private. DH is going away for work too. It's such rubbish timing. I wish I hadn't waited over a week to see a lady doctor now.

[eurozammo]

The painfulness is actually a good sign. It's more likely to be an infected cyst than anything malignant (I've had one of these - owie!). It's definitely a good idea to get it checked out though.

[TheSmallPrint]

Normally you ring the insurance company and they give you a code for when you book your appointment at the local private hospital. My local BMI hospital would let you book before you got the letter and BUPA would always give the code without having seen a letter.

[TheSmallPrint]

Hope it's nothing serious.

[Lovemynailstoday]

A private referral should come through very fast--it's all electronic now. I would call the gp surgery and check it's been done. The admin staff there will be able to tell you.

[puffinnuffin]

Thanks will do that first thing tomorrow.

[Wolfiefan]

Hoping you get reassurance soon. Both DM and I have had lumps checked this year. All clear. Huge weight off my mind. I too had heard painful lumps aren't usually bad news. Fingers crossed.

[puffinnuffin]

Thank you all.
I still haven't had a referral letter/date through yet despite saying I could go through private health care.

I phoned the GP surgery and the letter was written on the same day I saw her. They said to phone the clinic directly if I hadn't heard anything by next Thursday. Is is normal to wait this long (it feels like ages!)?

[Fragglewump]

I got my GPS surgery to fax the referral letter through to the private consultant. Saves waiting for the post!!

[Montybojangles]

Please don't panic. The breast clinic have to see you within 14 days. You may only get your appointment letter a couple of days before your appointment, but you will get it.

Stick to the nhs. You will get a full MOT, mammogram, review etc (ultrasound or needle biopsy if necessary) all sorted in one go. Private really isn't the way to go for this right now.

Hope it all goes well (the vast majority of lumps are perfectly normal).

[puffinnuffin]

Thank you. I'm now regretting saying I had private health insurance. I really thought it would be faster. Still no letter in the post or anything- grrr.

[puffinnuffin]

Finally received a phone call. Appointment booked for tomorrow- phew! Thanks everyone for your words of support and help.

[Montybojangles]

Hope it all goes well puffin, thinking of you

[Sparklingbrook]

Good news puffin. Thinking of you today. x

[jchocchip]

All the best puffin