Worried about a health complaint but can't see a dr

[claret3189]

Hi all,

So like many i am really worried about a health complaint i have right now. I eventually got a phone call with a dr and sent pictures in but i don't think he can truly advise without actually seeing me.

Are dr's seeing anyone for example serious health concerns. Just wanted to know how everyone else is getting on either with worries about illness or managing to get medical treatment

Thanks

[ExD1938]

You can phone your surgery and ask for a telephone consultation. A doctor will ring you back later. It helps if you can give a short summery of your problem, not the whole thing - because you're just talking to a receptionist but it will help her refer you to a suitable doctor who can help you.
Something like 'its a womens' problem, or my foots swelling up, or I have headaches that won't go away' ...... nothing detailed so you don't need to be embarrassed. If you don't want to tell a receptionist then just say 'I'd rather not say', these people are just ordinary people trying to help.
If you really need to be seen, they will see you.

[Imboredinthehouse]

Our drs are doing video consultations, photographs and yes, they are seeing some people and even doing house visits but they will only see people they absolutely must see. Every extra patient they see is an extra chance to be infected so if it isn’t something they feel needs a face to face appointment they will advise over the phone.

Anyone they do see is spoken to on the telephone first to ask the problem, will put mask on on arrival and have already been instructed they must not speak in the room just have the examination then leave & the dr follows up with a phone call later.

Why do you think they cannot truly advise? Was the information given by the Dr you spoke to vague? Or is it that you just feel unsettled because you are usually able to see them? I mean, depending what the problem is, they can advise about lots of things over the phone -it’s not ideal but in this situation safety, theirs and yours, is the priority. After all why would you want to go to a surgery where dozens of other people have been seen already when any number of them could have CV?

[Imboredinthehouse]

#they don’t feel

[claret3189]

Thank you both. Yes that is right the drs answer was vafgue so if anything it has made me feel worse and scared really. I worry about waiting for 2 weeks which was what they advised based on what it is.

[claret3189]

Does anyone else have any health concerns right now?

[ExD1938]

Well yes, I do because I normally have an injection into my eye every 6 weeks because of a vein which is bleeding at the back of the eye. The eye clinic is closed just now and my sight is deteriorating in the affected eye. There's nothing I can do except to accept its better to lose the sight of one eye than to lose my life. or for a doctor to lose his/her life because I've passed on an infection.
Perhaps you could ring the surgery again and tell them how you really feel - exactly as you've explained to us?
Do you feel you really NEED a face to face consultation with all the risks attached concerning your own and your GP's health?

[claret3189]

I'm sorry to hear that. I know what you mean in the grand scheme of things