Page 2 | To go to GP with the flu?

CoughyGoLightly · 2024-10-09T22:34:23+00:00

I'm 3 weeks in to feeling rough, 2.5 weeks of intermittent high fever, aches and pains, productive cough, and I've now seemingly in the last few days developed a sinus infection. I'm a 35 year old otherwise healthy mum of 3 but I've been really struggling with this. The fevers have been quite bad and I've been getting those Horrid electric shock pains in my joints and back. The last week or so I've been really struggling with coughing, wheezing and not being able to catch a breath. I'm so weak I can't get up the stairs normally now, but still trying to soldier on with 3 kids and a wfh job (& a dh who's begrudgingly picking up extra school runs etc when I ask) Is this just the flu? Im not sure if I'm justified in calling the GP tomorrow morning or not. I have bad judgement with these things (when it comes to my own health) as I have long term health conditions that make me anxious about seeking medical help.

BlaiseBaileyFinneganiii · 10/10/2024 15:33

CoughyGoLightly · 10/10/2024 14:47

Back after a long trip to urgent care, I've got pneumonia 😳 oxygen sats are 90% which they said was borderline so if I don't start picking up by the weekend I've got to be admitted.

Oh no! Have you got antibiotics?

Original poster

CoughyGoLightly · 10/10/2024 14:47

Back after a long trip to urgent care, I've got pneumonia 😳 oxygen sats are 90% which they said was borderline so if I don't start picking up by the weekend I've got to be admitted.

OP posts:

Flugelb1nder · 10/10/2024 14:27

Nat6999 · 10/10/2024 00:28

Can you check your blood oxygen either on your phone or smartwatch if you don't have one of those things that clips on your finger, if it is below 90%, chances are you have a chest infection. Are your lungs creaking or crackling?

if its below 90% you need to go to a&e

pizzaHeart · 10/10/2024 14:26

I agree about 111, hope you’ll get help quickly.

LemonyCoughSyrup · 10/10/2024 13:12

Meadowfinch · 10/10/2024 08:37

You've just described my exact symptoms. I tested positive for Covid on 11th Sept.

Get as much rest as possible. Keep warm. Lemsip or similar will help with the general grotty feeling. Warm lemon barley water will sooth the sore throat. I put a tot of whisky in barley water before I go to bed. Sleep propped up on pillows to avoid coughing and get as much sleep as you can.

I'm just starting to feel better now. 🙂

I'm not sure there's much the doc can do unless he'll prescribe anti-virals.

Edited

They can provide supplemental oxygen if pulse ox is less than 90% and they can provide antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia (often happens after a bad viral infection) among other things, and only a GP/Doc can check this for sure. 👍

CeruleanDive · 10/10/2024 09:03

There has been very little flu around in recent weeks (it's very seasonal) but plenty of Covid.

Definitely ring 111. Your GP surgery's response is appalling.

AutumnalCosiness · 10/10/2024 09:02

Call 911
If you can't breathe you may require oxygen op.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 10/10/2024 08:55

Ring 111 and tell them you can't get an appt, they will book one for you. Doesn't your surgery have emergency on the the day appts?

porridgecake · 10/10/2024 08:48

Call 111. A family member who is a very fit young man got flu and subsequently pneumonia. The GP surgery sounds hopeless.

travelallthetime · 10/10/2024 08:41

go to a walk in clinic. I was the same a few years ago, it was 'just flu'. 'Just flu' meant I avoided the doctors and ended up in hospital with pnuemonia

BlackToes · 10/10/2024 08:41

Chest infection will need antibiotics

overindulged · 10/10/2024 08:39

CoughyGoLightly · 10/10/2024 08:18

Called the GP bang on 8am, was fourth in the queue waited on hold for 15 minutes and they have no appointments "all were booked months in advance", earliest available is 4th November 😳 she suggested to go to a local pharmacy.

wtf, that is shocking. They are supposed to keep some appointments back for urgent appointments! You could have a nasty chest infection going on there. Do they have an online system? If so I'd send a message saying you're very concerned about infection/pneumonia and want an appointment urgently.

Meadowfinch · 10/10/2024 08:37

You've just described my exact symptoms. I tested positive for Covid on 11th Sept.

Get as much rest as possible. Keep warm. Lemsip or similar will help with the general grotty feeling. Warm lemon barley water will sooth the sore throat. I put a tot of whisky in barley water before I go to bed. Sleep propped up on pillows to avoid coughing and get as much sleep as you can.

I'm just starting to feel better now. 🙂

I'm not sure there's much the doc can do unless he'll prescribe anti-virals.

Lifelover16 · 10/10/2024 08:34

111 or go to urgent care/ minor injury centre if you have one nearby. You need to be seen.

Enko · 10/10/2024 08:32

You sound like me back in July op I ended up on 2 lots of antibiotics for the ear infection I got and then later another antibiotic for my chest. I'm still coughing daily and dh wants me to go back to gp.. I don't think my current cough will respond to antibiotics so haven't.

I would go to GP if I was you.

LemonyCoughSyrup · 10/10/2024 08:32

Yes call 111

Flu can be nasty! I had it a few years ago (pre Covid) and had to go to hospital for supplemental oxygen for a night, that really helped!

Suhbataar · 10/10/2024 08:30

That's crap OP, the 4th November is ages away. Given that you're breathless to the point of having to rest after going upstairs and still feeling breathless when seated and have a noisy chest, I would suggest you call 111 for advice. Hopefully you will eventually get a callback from someone who can make an informed decision about whether you need to be seen to rule out a chest infection.

Original poster

CoughyGoLightly · 10/10/2024 08:18

Called the GP bang on 8am, was fourth in the queue waited on hold for 15 minutes and they have no appointments "all were booked months in advance", earliest available is 4th November 😳 she suggested to go to a local pharmacy.

OP posts:

thistlepiedpiper · 10/10/2024 01:07

I definitely agree with seeing your gp and getting your chest listened to
My mil had what we thought was a chest infection over Xmas last year but it was a heart condition that was missed and almost left too late. I don't think I'd leave anything more than a week now
Always best to get checked over if not getting better

Sorry you are poorly op I hope you get some help tomorrow xx

Nat6999 · 10/10/2024 00:32

I had pneumonia last year & like you, I was breathless moving around, I couldn't walk from the bathroom to my bedroom, which is about 10 steps without feeling like I was doing to pass out.

Original poster

CoughyGoLightly · 10/10/2024 00:31

Nat6999 · 10/10/2024 00:28

Can you check your blood oxygen either on your phone or smartwatch if you don't have one of those things that clips on your finger, if it is below 90%, chances are you have a chest infection. Are your lungs creaking or crackling?

I'm not sure if my phone can do that (if it can its news to me!) I will Google

My lungs are so noisy it's a bit of a joke atm my 3 year old has been telling me off at bedtime for being too loud 🙃 😅

OP posts:

Nat6999 · 10/10/2024 00:28

Can you check your blood oxygen either on your phone or smartwatch if you don't have one of those things that clips on your finger, if it is below 90%, chances are you have a chest infection. Are your lungs creaking or crackling?

Starlightstarbright3 · 10/10/2024 00:24

I agree . You need to see Gp , you need your chest checking at the very least

Anonymous2224 · 10/10/2024 00:20

Yes go to the doctor. You’ll get lots of people telling you the flu is a virus therefore nothing can be done.not true. Yes it’s a virus but it can be very nasty and can cause complications requiring treatments. You may been supplementary oxygen for a bit, salbutamol if youre wheezy, possibly steroids, possibly antibiotics for a secondary bacterial infection. 3 weeks with no improvement and a worsening of respiratory symptoms and increased work of breathing needs checked out. I work in ICU and every winter we are filled with patients with flu, unlikely to end up this unwell due to your age and lack of co morbidities but you should still get checked out.

pizzaHeart · 10/10/2024 00:04

I wonder if you’ve got pneumonia then you need antibiotics.