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AIBU?

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Original poster

Stop telling people to go to A&E!

454 replies

Miriad · 26/05/2024 13:39

I see it on here a lot. Someone is getting fobbed off by their GP and not getting diagnosed. So they get told to go to A&E, where they have the ability to do blood tests and urine tests and scans to figure out what’s going on.

I’ve been sobbing in agony for three weeks and my GP isn’t helping me, and I can’t get another GP appointment for a fortnight, so posters advised me to go to A&E.

I waited six hours only to get yelled at by an angry doctor, saying my condition is neither an accident nor an emergency. According to him I don’t need urgent treatment even if I’m crying with pain - because pain isn’t urgent. If I’m stable and not at risk then I need to go home and see my GP.

A&E can not be used to bypass a useless GP and access tests and scans. They will not diagnose you or refer you. Their job is to give you the minimum care to make you stable so you’re not at risk, then send you home.

So stop telling people to go there. Maybe in the olden days you could go there for help if your GP was rubbish, but not any more.

OP posts:
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IroningThrone · 26/05/2024 16:09

Miriad · 26/05/2024 16:02

I’m not kidding. I don’t want to be seen at an STD clinic because there’s a stigma attached. I don’t have an STD, I have a UTI or something.

Edited
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Did you even read the link about the interstitial cystitis? It matches your symptoms closely and the other poster is bang on about trying the d-mannose.

bluetopazlove · 26/05/2024 16:09

Miriad · 26/05/2024 16:02

I’m not kidding. I don’t want to be seen at an STD clinic because there’s a stigma attached. I don’t have an STD, I have a UTI or something.

Edited
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Sorry did you just say you wouldn't say just say you wouldn't go to sexual health clinic in case someone saw you ?

CantPoopWontPoop · 26/05/2024 16:08

BeaRF75 · 26/05/2024 15:16

Really?! Even if it was a toothache or an ear infection? This, right here, is the problem with how people misuse services.

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But a toothache or an ear infection can be fatal if they develop into sepsis.

Routine medics issues can become emergencies without treatment.

Mrsttcno1 · 26/05/2024 16:06

I second going to a clinic, they can take a look, they aren’t just for STD’s and if you were truly in that much pain I can’t imagine you’d be the slightest bit bothered about who might see you somewhere- surely at the point you’re at risk of losing your job and in constant agonising pain you try anything.

WetBandits · 26/05/2024 16:06

I was also going to suggest sexual health (I work in that field!).

It is not just for ‘people who sleep around’, we see all kinds of people for all kinds of things. We can probably help you but the onus is on you to put your prejudices aside and come through the door for help, I’m afraid. We are probably better placed to examine you intimately seeing as that is our speciality, rather than wait two weeks to see a GP who might have had a bit of urology or gynae training somewhere along the way. However, it is your choice.

Eviyanne · 26/05/2024 16:05

So MNers didn’t advise you to go to A&E, it was 111?
And you start a thread to berate MN?

In your shoes I would be turning up at the GP practice prepared for a long wait, ask to speak to the practice manager, be clear that you’re staying put until you’re seen because you’re in intolerable pain. Squeaky wheel and all that.

IroningThrone · 26/05/2024 16:05

GUM clinics aren't just for STIs. They can be really helpful with gynae/bladder stuff too. You're being daft about someone seeing you too - you're dismissing every suggestion but claim to be in agony? If I was suffering that badly I'd go wherever I could for potential help!

Original poster
Miriad · 26/05/2024 16:02

QuestionableMouse · 26/05/2024 16:01

Okay, starting to think you're on a wind up now.

Good luck, @Miriad

I'm out.

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I’m not kidding. I don’t want to be seen at an STD clinic because there’s a stigma attached. I don’t have an STD, I have a UTI or something.

OP posts:
Meadowfinch · 26/05/2024 16:02

So if the paracetamol worked, just take two every four hours up to the maximum daily dose. If the pain is still bothering you, take ibuprofen at equal intervals between, and pester your GP surgery for an earlier appointment.

QuestionableMouse · 26/05/2024 16:01

Miriad · 26/05/2024 16:01

Aren’t they full of people who sleep around? What if someone saw me!

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Okay, starting to think you're on a wind up now.

Good luck, @Miriad

I'm out.

Original poster
Miriad · 26/05/2024 16:01

dreamingbohemian · 26/05/2024 15:59

Have you tried a sexual health clinic?

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Aren’t they full of people who sleep around? What if someone saw me!

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 26/05/2024 16:00

Did you see my post about the cystis?

Giving a video appointment a try rather than suffering can't hurt, if you have the money. At least you're going to get to speak to a GP who may be able to give you a decent painkiller until you can get to see your own GP.

dreamingbohemian · 26/05/2024 15:59

Miriad · 26/05/2024 15:58

Thanks. An online consultation won’t help when I need my vagina examined. It seems impossible to see a GP in person!

Have you tried a sexual health clinic?

VolvoFan · 26/05/2024 15:59

QuestionableMouse · 26/05/2024 15:50

The doctor might have been "right" but that doesn't mean they get to be horrible to a patient.

And severe pain can absolutely be an emergency - it can affect your blood pressure/breathing/can result in shock.

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Yes, I absolutely get that. The doctor was bang out of order. I was just clarifying that the doctor, while rude, wasn't wrong.

Original poster
Miriad · 26/05/2024 15:58

Thanks. An online consultation won’t help when I need my vagina examined. It seems impossible to see a GP in person!

OP posts:
Original poster
Miriad · 26/05/2024 15:52

jannier · 26/05/2024 15:51

In my area 111 can make you an appointment with an on call GP

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In my area you just get another nurse 😩

OP posts:
jannier · 26/05/2024 15:51

Miriad · 26/05/2024 13:47

I can’t get a GP appointment for a fortnight and I’m crying with pain. But you can’t use A&E to bypass the inability to get a GP appointment. You will just get yelled at like I did, and told if your condition is stable they won’t do anything, then booted out.

I said I can’t get in to see a GP and I’m in agony. They just shrugged and said “pain is not an emergency”. Gave me a painkiller and sent me home.

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In my area 111 can make you an appointment with an on call GP

dreamingbohemian · 26/05/2024 15:51

Also you can see private GPs for £50 now in some places, I know you say you don't want to pay, but surely it's cheaper than losing your job

QuestionableMouse · 26/05/2024 15:50

VolvoFan · 26/05/2024 15:48

The thing is pain in and of itself isn't an emergency. The cause of the pain, though, could well be an emergency. So the doctor was right.

The doctor might have been "right" but that doesn't mean they get to be horrible to a patient.

And severe pain can absolutely be an emergency - it can affect your blood pressure/breathing/can result in shock.

dreamingbohemian · 26/05/2024 15:50

I think you should call 111 again and tell them what happened in A&E and insist on an emergency GP appointment, maybe it will work

Otherwise if you give your general location maybe people can suggest additional options? eg if anywhere near London the Urgent Care Centre at Guy's Hospital is terrific

Also you say STDs ruled out but was that just a couple swabs from the nurse? If so I would go to a proper GUM clinic they will consider a much wider range of things

VolvoFan · 26/05/2024 15:48

The thing is pain in and of itself isn't an emergency. The cause of the pain, though, could well be an emergency. So the doctor was right.

QuestionableMouse · 26/05/2024 15:48

Miriad · 26/05/2024 15:41

Severe UTI type pain and burning. I’m at risk of losing my job, haven’t slept properly for a month because the pain is so bad I can’t fall asleep till I literally pass out. My 80yo mum is trying to look after DC because I can’t even get up and sit on a chair, I have to lie in bed with my legs open. Tests are all clear for STDs, BV, thrush, UTI, etc. Bloods are normal. Antibiotics and thrush meds haven’t worked.

Show quote history

Has anyone mentioned interstitial cystitis to you?

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/interstitial-cystitis/

You can't go on like this - you need proper help, even if that's only proper painkillers until you can see your GP.

Give d-mannose a try - it can help to reduce bladder irritation.

Which hospital was it? Is there another one you can try?

nhs.uk

Bladder pain syndrome (interstitial cystitis)

Find out about bladder pain syndrome (BPS), also called interstitial cystitis, where you have pelvic pain and problems peeing.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/interstitial-cystitis

oakleaffy · 26/05/2024 15:47

A wild guess, but could it be a kidney stone, @Miriad ?
Only suggesting this as a woman I met was looking after a dog who was crying in pain ( dog sitter) and peeing everywhere while she was arranging OOH vet ( at night) and the poor dog passed a kidney stone the size of a pea.

It was agony for the poor dog.(Female) small breed.

RedHelenB · 26/05/2024 15:46

JustPleachy · 26/05/2024 14:10

I’m sorry you are in such pain.

I think you are misunderstanding the advice though. Advice to go to A&E for pain is not so you can bypass the GP for tests. It’s so urgent issues can be ruled out, and you can be given pain relief (because yes, severe pain is an emergency). I am surprised they didn’t give you pain relief though.

They did

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