Been given a face to face appointment at my GP… AIBU to call and push back?

What other reason could you have for thinking they will judge you for being emotional about your medical problems?

When I was taking Naproxen for joint pain it was regularly reviewed face to face because it can cause fluid retention and kidney issues. Since you mention swelling it might be why they want to see you.

Incidentally I ended up on the day unit of the hospital with acute diverticulitis and have been told that I can't take it any more. I had to manage on paracetamol after that for a while.

I've now had a hip replacement.

You don’t need to add it. It’s there on your record in existing conditions, you can see it in the App.

He has to safeguard himself by seeing you

That.

The only bit about this that would annoy me is the time off work element. But in general I prefer my GPs to be cautious and thorough, given that as a family we lost someone to a casual misdiagnosis.

It's a bit worrying that you work for the NHS but would judge someone for being emotional about their medical problems.

Just go. The appointments are like gold dust in some areas x

Hi OP. In the nicest possible way. Stop arguing. You've asked the question and I've never seen a thread so unanimous. Even the contrarian trolls or absent on this one. I hope it goes well.

just bloody go and see the GP

Let them be the judge of that. They think it warrants being seen to in person, and want to check you out.
Better safe than sorry.
They can't win, can they?! On the one hand you have people moaning that they can never get an appointment, when they give appointments you get people complaining they don't really need one;
At least they're bothering and care.

Being in so much pain you think you might cry at the appointment (despite having been taking Naproxen) is a very good reason to go! Especially if AI says no without a face to face. This is on their system if not needed and not on you. For future ref, try sending an email rather than using e-consult. I find it can be a good way to avoid all the unnecessary questions.

I know you say you don't want opioids but codeine is absolutely the best thing for me for bad pain. I have shoulder pain (frozen shoulder/osteoarthritis/chronic pain) and it is the only thing that helps me when it is bad. I take them sparingly and take OTC co-codamol when I can manage with it as codeine makes me constipated! I can't take Naproxen however because of stomach issues so I guess it is swings and rountabouts.

I hope they can give you something to make you feel better.

I don't understand why you think you'd 'look like a knob' or be wasting their time when the AI system the GP themselves installed to assess you and the human being receptionist has told you you should come in to a face-to-face appointment? They've made that decision for you and are happy with you coming in.

From your updates it sounds like you are in an awful lot of pain and really need some help, assuming you are not a trained GP or chronic pain specialist or rheumatologist or whatever consultant you are under, I would, in your shoes assume they all know what is the best action rather than you. If it turns out you don't have a DVT or any additional issues on top of the pain, then great, one less thing to worry about. I'd be grateful they are making the time to see you so quickly and take the opportunity to explain how much pain you are in and please don't worry about crying, that's completely normal and will help them see how bad it is. Perhaps there is better medication for you? It's a pain in the neck having to take time off work for appointments but I really think you should take this appointment, with zero concerns about wasting anyone's time.

I was young & healthy when I had my first pulmonary embolism. I was a bit less young and a bit less healthy when I had by second, but still far from an old lady. Clots might be more common in older people but they can strike at any age, so please don't assume age or fitness rules them out.
You're in so much pain you can't sleep and the situation is so bad you might cry at the appointment - this is in no way wasting NHS resources or your time. Keep the apointment as is and use it to discuss if there is anything more effecting they can offer instead of/ as well as the meds you're requesting.

I would personally go because they will add the note that you’re all clear for future prescriptions to be had. Surgeries are inundated with calls from people saying I don’t want X and Y when that’s really not the receptionists job to determine. Yes I understand what your point is but they have a system to follow and your words won’t change that they’ve been told to use this system so it’s a waste of time calling to cancel. The only thing that will happen is you won’t be seen and you won’t get your meds renewed.
I work in a pharmacy and hear this kind of thing day in and out. I can only listen - I cannot change the system.

This! ^

In Covid times I had a recurring hip pain that needed naproxen and cocodamol. I ended up seeing my GP 3 times before getting it on repeat. Even now my GP sees me every 6 months for a check and blood test to make sure everything is okay to be on them. You just need to go to the appointment. At the appointment you can ask about it on repeat

Jeez give it a rest now, Ive cried at endless medical appointments over the years, no one has judged me, just been kind and helped me. Just go to the appointment will you.
As a pp said, NHS and teachers can’t win sometimes, damned if they do, damned if they don’t.

Sorry I wasn’t suggesting drug dependency, the opposite actually.

This. It would be irresponsible of any physician to prescribe a drug long term without having seen and assessed the patient.

Especially cases involving pain meds.

But why would they judge you? They’re doctors, they see patients upset and in pain all day long I imagine. Do you know them professionally?

I don’t think you’ve read the OP correctly. She’s not been given an appointment to discuss her request for painkillers, she’s been given the appointment because AI thinks she might have a DVT or arthritis. OP is not concerned about this as it’s a long term
problem that she’s been seen about before and has already been referred to secondary care.

Nothing about this thread suggests dependency/drug seeking, she’s just wants some anti-inflammatory for her inflammation!