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AIBU?

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Original poster

I’m in so much pain I feel sick but my GP won’t see me

304 replies

SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 17:23

I injured myself five months ago. I’m seeing physio but it’s a two month wait for a face to face appointment and every night doing the exercises the video physio set me is leaving me in agony.

It’s to the point I feel sick and can’t concentrate on my work, I’m taking the highest dose of ibuprofen and paracetamol I can but they’re not doing a thing. The GP keeps pushing me back and saying it’s a physio issue and because of that, they can’t prescribe me anything.

I have been in this pain for five months now and I just can’t keep doing it. WIBU to sit in my GP’s reception on Monday until they’ll sit me in front of a doctor and let me explain the impact it’s having on my life?

OP posts:
Canonlythinkofthisone · 14/11/2025 18:10

SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 17:37

I need something for the pain. I’m maxed out on what I can take (I don’t get on well with cocodamol and you can only take it for three days), I cant concentrate on my work, I can’t walk now without pain. I can’t go on like this

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Out the box. Make an appointment for something else, then when you have your face to face. Pounce.
I have a chronic back condition and can barely even get naproxen anymore, it's disgraceful. Drs are so afraid of being sued for addiction, that they barely prescribe anything. I hope you get some help soon

Lostuser · 14/11/2025 18:10

IkaBaar · 14/11/2025 18:00

If you work for the NHS can you access physio through occupational health? We can self-refer for staff physio. Some physios can also prescribe.

Good point 👍🏻

Original poster
SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:09

Violetmouse · 14/11/2025 18:07

I can totally understand that this is utterly miserable and horrible and have a lot of sympathy for you. But unfortunately your GP can't fix the long wait and it isn't necessarily their fault.

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I know they can’t fix the long wait and I don’t expect them to, but surely at the very least they could see me and see if there’s anything they can do for the pain?

OP posts:
Newname71 · 14/11/2025 18:08

In your shoes I’d just lie!! Fill in the econsult with some random issue. Get an appointment then tell the GP you had to lie because it was the only chance you had of getting an appointment. I work in a dental practice and folk lie to our receptionist quite often. Will say they’re in pain when they’re not to get an appointment same day. We don’t hold it against them.

Tink3rbell30 · 14/11/2025 18:08

Scarfitwere · 14/11/2025 18:06

Request an appointment for something vague and unrelated then explain about your knee when you get in front of the gp. Half the time the gp won't look at the reason put down at the time of booking, they say what can I do for you today.

This is a good idea.

Randomlygeneratedname · 14/11/2025 18:07

SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:05

I can bet if I’d posted this thread but said a&e rather than my gp everyone would be telling me that I was being overdramatic.

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No, they really wouldn't have. Christ you are on your 20's and can't walk around your house because of knee pain? You've probably broken something! Sitting around on video chats with physios and them giving you exercises after not even seeing it in person has probably made it much worse.

This is an emergency, go to a&e now, before you do anymore damage to it.

Violetmouse · 14/11/2025 18:07

SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:05

I don’t think you understand how isolating and lonely it is to be unable to do anything in your mid 20s? I feel like I’m in my 70s

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I can totally understand that this is utterly miserable and horrible and have a lot of sympathy for you. But unfortunately your GP can't fix the long wait and it isn't necessarily their fault.

KneelyThere · 14/11/2025 18:06

I tore a ligament in my knee - completely and had to have surgery. knees are complex and a partial tear can cause agony.

Did you get X-rays and ultrasound of your knee at any point in time? Im assuming no MRI?

It sounds like you should not be fully weight bearing on your knee. My physio is very clear my pain should not exceed about 5 out of 10 during exercise or I’m risking injury. I do not regularly take painkillers at all.

You need crutches for day to day. Go on your local Neighbouhood FB or other SM and ask if someone locally can lend you adult crutches for a couple weeks until you can see your doctor again

Original poster
SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:06

Soontobe60 · 14/11/2025 18:05

If you have indeed torn your ligaments around your knee, it will take a long time to heal.
Why will the GP not see you?

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They say it’s a physio issue. I totally agree that the treatment of the actual knee issue is a physio issue and I’m waiting for the appointment. But I cannot continue in this pain and they don’t seem interested in helping with that at all.

OP posts:
Scarfitwere · 14/11/2025 18:06

Request an appointment for something vague and unrelated then explain about your knee when you get in front of the gp. Half the time the gp won't look at the reason put down at the time of booking, they say what can I do for you today.

PuppyMonkey · 14/11/2025 18:06

Surely A&E wouldn’t send someone who can’t walk home? Confused

WonderlandWasAllAHoax · 14/11/2025 18:06

SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:04

Yet if I was to go to a&e I’d be told to go home!

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You don't know because you haven't tried.

All you've done on this thread is come up with a never-ending list of reasons why you can't or won't do anything to help your situation.

Original poster
SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:05

Randomlygeneratedname · 14/11/2025 18:05

Who has told you that?

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I can bet if I’d posted this thread but said a&e rather than my gp everyone would be telling me that I was being overdramatic.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 14/11/2025 18:05

SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 17:30

We don’t have a walk in centre in my town. I need them to understand the impact this is having on my life and the fact I can’t workout etc anymore because I am in agony

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If you have indeed torn your ligaments around your knee, it will take a long time to heal.
Why will the GP not see you?

Justputsomeyoghurtonit · 14/11/2025 18:05

How can your parents possibly leave you in this state, dependent on asking strangers for advice.

I followed your other thread the other day.

Do you have a credit card? This is a point where I would go and see a consultant and have an MRI.

Original poster
SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:05

ScaryM0nster · 14/11/2025 18:04

Your GP is not the solution to the physio appointments being a long way away. If the info given by the physio is making things worse then that’s something you need to follow up with the physio. The referral to physio sounds like an appropriate course of action from the GP.

You’re now under physio care. Hassle them. Your GP really can’t do anything else for you at this point, as prescription painkillers for an unknown course of pain is irresponsible prescribing.

I don’t think you understand how isolating and lonely it is to be unable to do anything in your mid 20s? I feel like I’m in my 70s

OP posts:
Randomlygeneratedname · 14/11/2025 18:05

SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:04

Yet if I was to go to a&e I’d be told to go home!

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Who has told you that?

nomoreforks · 14/11/2025 18:04

I have so much sympathy for you! I suddenly got knee problems and it got so bad that I literally could not walk. My GP gave me some physio exercises and said I had mild arthritus. I could not walk at all and eventually I paid and I got an MRI. I have bone-on-bone arthritus and need a knee replacement. I was under 50 and fit and healthy and a normal weight. there are still days that I cannot walk. You need an MRI and a proper diagnosis.

Original poster
SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:04

WonderlandWasAllAHoax · 14/11/2025 18:02

So go to the hospital and get yourself some help. You're not helping yourself by putting all these barriers in your way.

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Yet if I was to go to a&e I’d be told to go home!

OP posts:
Original poster
SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:04

TheVeryThing · 14/11/2025 18:02

Am I understanding correctly that you haven't even seen a physio yet?
If so, how have they set exercises if they don't know what's actually wrong?
That seems bizarre to me but I am not in the UK so don't understand the system.
I would stop doing the exercises, at least. Can you complain to the GP?

I’ve seen one via video consultation

OP posts:
ScaryM0nster · 14/11/2025 18:04

Your GP is not the solution to the physio appointments being a long way away. If the info given by the physio is making things worse then that’s something you need to follow up with the physio. The referral to physio sounds like an appropriate course of action from the GP.

You’re now under physio care. Hassle them. Your GP really can’t do anything else for you at this point, as prescription painkillers for an unknown course of pain is irresponsible prescribing.

Lolasyms · 14/11/2025 18:03

If they think you’ve torn your ligaments is that not an A&E job? I tore the liganents in my knee and dislocated my knee cap and it was incredibly painful, I had to have an x-ray, MRI and was in a special cast for around 6 weeks. Surely if they are torn, you need to focus on healing before you strengthen etc?

TeenLifeMum · 14/11/2025 18:03

PuppyMonkey · 14/11/2025 17:46

Uber is a thing. Book one.

*waits for OP to come up with a reason she can’t get an Uber.

I love how everyone assumes each town has uber. We don’t hear within an hour radius at least. Bath would be our closest place with Ubers.

Randomlygeneratedname · 14/11/2025 18:02

SweetSilverLark · 14/11/2025 18:01

I know how pressured they are and I feel like it’s only for life and death at the moment. I’d hate to take up time from someone else

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Well then you are putting your own barriers up. Stop being a martyr and go to a&e.

Violetmouse · 14/11/2025 18:02

If you can't tolerate cocodamol what are you hoping the GP will prescribe? It's miserable that you're in this situation but it may well be that the GP advice to go back to physio is the best option, especially if they are the gatekeepers for further musculoskeletal input in your area.

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