Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How many times have you seen your GP/doctor in the last year?

149 replies

Bookridden · 30/03/2019 20:51

Four times for me, which feels like quite a lot. Twice to report bleeding in between periods, once to check prescription medication and once because I was worrying that leg pain might be caused by a dvt (it wasn't, and I was embarrassed to waste their time). So really, I take up a lot of NHS resources in spite of being a basically healthy middle aged woman. All I can say in my favour is that I don't bother them with colds or sore throats or the joint pain I get that I assume is OA. Just wondered if this is typical of how others use their GP. Do you think 4 visits a year makes you one of those nuisance patients that they dread seeing?

OP posts:
Equimum · 30/03/2019 23:01

I’ve seen my GP once in the past three years (for myself), and a had one telephone consultations I have also recently had a cervical smear test conducted by the practice nurse.

I took DS2 to the GP last summer regarding hearing concerns, and she made a referral.

DS1 has not seen a GP since moving house (& surgery) two years ago.

We have been very lucky lately, but there have been periods when we have all needed to see GPS much more frequently.

Four times in a year is certainly not excessive.

FrustratedTeddyLamp · 30/03/2019 23:07

Once, i have health anxiety and went loads i went 6 times in 1 month for all different symptoms and got told it was just anxiety and to stop. Went 2 weeks ago and she totally dismissed me whilst also saying don't blame it on anxiety...which has me on edge and ill be making another appointment because the issue i went there for last time they thought was diabetes, i did the tests and im not diabetic so...

Gingerkittykat · 30/03/2019 23:20

Several times. I have bipolar and went through a horrible episode last year, I saw my GP frequently who was amazing and did her best to get me the psychiatrist appointments I needed. I eventually saw the psychiatrist but by that point was extremely unwell, I saw the psychiatrist very frequently until November when I was promised a follow up appointment in Jan.

2 GP appointments this year have been involving needing my meds tweaked, GP won't touch them and has tried to chase up psychiatrist appointments for me. I've got another appointment next week for the same reason.

Anyone spot a pattern here?

Also diabetic but currently no problems so just had my 6 monthly bloods and nurse check ups.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health
PlatypusPie · 30/03/2019 23:26

Once for a scheduled review of some ongoing gynae stuff. I do need to see my GP about something else - non urgent - but I haven’t wanted to go into the Petri dish of cold and flu germs that is the waiting room over the winter months. I have escaped unscathed thus far ......

domton · 31/03/2019 05:21

I don't think that's excessive op. As you say, if you'd been 4 times for a cold/stubbed toe etc., then that would be different. I've been to surgery more than a dozen times I think, to see different clinicians. I have a chronic condition which seems to be flaring now than settling atm. I had hospital appointments and physio on top of these, so in my eyes 4 is perfectly reasonable...My GP would rather you than me I'm sure ;)

LaurieFairyCake · 31/03/2019 05:26

Not once in 11 years

I don't even feel particularly healthy Grin

FrenchFancie · 31/03/2019 06:33

For me or dc? Do we include nurse visits?
I’ve seen gp once with another appointment due Monday. I had early stage skin cancer so there’s been two hospital visits and several wound dressing visits with the nurse.
Dd has been once

BibbityBobbityEars · 31/03/2019 07:59

4 times - a lot for me, I can go for years without seeing them.

To seek a referral to a neurologist (ongoing thing)
Infected finger splinter inside, turned green
Chest infection
Smear test

Andonandonan · 31/03/2019 08:05

Not at all for me, once for one of the dc. But it’s just down to luck really isn’t it?

Faster · 31/03/2019 08:10

Once for me and twice for DS. It’s just luck of the draw really, we try to self manage and seek appropriate care when needed.

WhoWants2Know · 31/03/2019 08:21

I've seen GPS 3 times this year, having spent the last 3 years working up the nerve to go. Two of those GP visits were actually appointments with the nurse where she escalated and went to get a doctor.

For me, it's alarming how one or two bad experiences can put a person off going when they actually need to.

junebirthdaygirl · 31/03/2019 08:37

I don't like people feeling bad about seeing the doctor. I am in lreland so as said 50 euro.
In the past week l have 2 good friends who were very obviously ill but refusing to see a doctor as so dam stoic they were determined to battle through. I had to get angry with both of them. When one eventually succumbed the doctor got a shock as she was extremely bad with pneumonia. It's taking her far longer to recover.
So go to a doctor if you need one and make no apologies. For years l never saw a doctor as l think after pregnancies you have a good few years of good health normally and as you get older things can hit.
But calling them nuisance visits never touches the real nuisances but stops genuinely sick people going.

NoWordForFluffy · 31/03/2019 08:55

More than normal as I fell down the stairs last year and tore my shoulder tendon, so I've seen the GP and nurse practitioner, as well as the physio and consultant a fair bit with quite a few appointments still to go now I've had it surgically repaired.

Other than that I tend to only go to the local sexual health place to get my pill. Next time I go I'll get 48 weeks' worth, so I won't go have to go there too often now.

I also had my smear last April, so that's not due for ages.

Hopefully I'll be back to going infrequently once I'm discharged by the physio and consultant.

DH hasn't been in years and after quite a few appointments for the DC as babies / toddlers, they don't go often either.

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 31/03/2019 09:07

I have lost count. I have lots of medical problems. One of which needs every other month injections.

For a while I was pleased when I got a week off of going. The doctors, receptionist and I are on first name terms.

Lungelady · 31/03/2019 09:09

None.

SeaViewBliss · 31/03/2019 09:12

I’d sa

SeaViewBliss · 31/03/2019 09:14

I’d say 4 or 5. I have developed symptoms of diverticulitis and have had a few bouts. I’m waiting for tests. Also went for a medication review as I’m on ADs.

On an separate note, I work in the NHS and have to go to a meeting once a month that is held in my GP practice so I’m actually in there a lot!

megletthesecond · 31/03/2019 09:14

GP only once. Headache that's lasted two years.
And Out Of Hours doc once for a possible chest infection.

That's not much for me. Since I've had kids I usually go a lot more.

pink412 · 31/03/2019 09:15

Too often so much I don’t need to say my name when I ring up or I go in to reception.

I’m expecting an invite to the Christmas party

tomhazard · 31/03/2019 09:20

Been to the nurse for a smear and the GP once to get treatment for a nail fungal infection. My DS has been once for intense abdominal pain that turned out to a grumbling appendix, and my DD once for what was molluscum contagioum. I like the think we are light users and I try to go to the pharmacy first where possible. But, I don't think 4 times is excessive for genuine reasons.

KnitterOfSocks · 31/03/2019 09:25

Not at all in the last 3 years, but maybe 3/4 times in the year before that as I was suffering badly with anxiety and it took a couple of goes to get the medication right.

KnitterOfSocks · 31/03/2019 09:26

Oh apart from smear test and a coil change but they are handled by the Family Planning here so not a GP appointment.

RuthW · 31/03/2019 09:29

I go about twice a year.

Four times a year is below average. We have some patients coming four times a week!

soulrunner · 31/03/2019 09:31

I have 6 monthly pelvic scans due to ‘cysty’ Ovaries that the gynae likes to keep an eye on, so been once and then I need to go one more time. Get coil check and smear at the same time on one of those

2rachtint · 31/03/2019 10:26

Smear test (nurse), implant removal (dr) and an online consultation where I didn't even speak to the dr but got the prescription I needed (for something straightforward).

Swipe left for the next trending thread