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Original poster

Hospital today or GP tomorrow?

14 replies

Whattodo1602 · 31/03/2019 15:44

I'm not thinking clearly because of lack of sleep.

I have what could be a DVT. But it might just be cramp, pulled muscle....

I've been unwell recently so have spent a lot of time in bed and been pretty much completely inactive. Achy bruised feeling around ankle. Had this on and off for months but it usually goes away quickly. It's now been painful for 2 days and goes up and down leg intermittently. Limping as very hard to walk on that leg. Today, the pain has spread all the way up my thigh. Ankle feels slightly swollen. Could be just that I slept funny, mattress is a but old, etc.

I have private healthcare. The nurse-led helpline suggested hospital, but perhaps they're being over cautious? I've tried looking online and it looks like DVT can initially be seen by a GP and hospital immediately only if suspected PE?

I so hate going to hospital, I'm very tired, and I'm on my own today with no family or friends nearby. And I don't want to waste a&e resources and look like a hypochondriac if it's nothing serious.

111 had a clinician call me. Popped to the loo for a minute after waiting 3 hours and missed the call. Voicemail said they'd try again in 15 mins. No 2nd call an hour later. I understand NHS overwhelmed and I'm not complaining as urgent cases will have to be first in the queue, but I'm thinking if (when they call again) they say I do need to go hospital today, I'd rather get it over with as I'm braced for a long wait.

Ideally I'd wait until tomorrow. Am I taking a silly risk?

OP posts:
donajimena · 31/03/2019 15:46

Out of hours GP?

Darkbaptism · 31/03/2019 15:49

My DD had a suspected blood clot recently. The GP sent her to A&E to have a blood test, we should have just gone straight there. Thankfully she didn’t actually have a clot.

Se7en11 · 31/03/2019 15:50

a PE can be fatally serious, the only way of knowing is to seeking medical help asap. My sister nearly died from one, she was lucky a friend found her unconscious..... i wouldnt risk leaving it tbh

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Namenic · 31/03/2019 15:52

Out of hours gp or hospital. They Can give you the treatment (they will need to balance it against your past medical history and other factors) and then u probably won’t have to stay in hospital. It is not a waste of time. Better treat dvt than have it end up as a pe.

gamerwidow · 31/03/2019 15:52

Go to your nearest Urgent Care Centre now, it's one of those things that probably isn't serious but if you got unlucky could be deadly.
Sorry, I know it's a pain in the arse but you'd be silly to leave it.

Todaythiscouldbe · 31/03/2019 15:53

You need to ring 111 back. They will either put you through to the clinician who tried to call you or refer it back to them.

Original poster
Whattodo1602 · 31/03/2019 15:54

Unfortunately my area goes through 111 for Out of hours GP... I'm waiting for their clinician to call me back. Just thinking if they're going to tell me to go to hospital I'd rather leave sooner rather than later. I know I should just wait for their call.

OP posts:
OhDiddums · 31/03/2019 15:57

I'd go to an urgent care centre if they feel A&E is necessary they'll refer you. You tend to be seen fairly quickly too. Hope you feel better soon. 💐

wigglypiggly · 31/03/2019 15:57

I would go to hospital, if you have a DVT it wont be treated by a g.p.

3luckystars · 31/03/2019 15:57

I would see someone today. If you get short of breath call an ambulance immediately.

The gp will probably send you to get a blood test anyway, d dimers it's called and there is another one too. Today would be my advice.

Best of luck.

Fairylea · 31/03/2019 16:05

Go to a and e. With the inactivity etc I would be worried.

Original poster
Whattodo1602 · 31/03/2019 16:14

Oh, I didn't expect so many replies here so fast! Thanks so much to everyone for the advice.

Sorry, new poster (have lurked on and off for a while) and don't know how to reply individually. Tried calling 111 back. Was initially told I was next in queue but then told it might have been retriaged. They had no idea how long I had to wait for call and no log if my previous call.

I guess I probably should just get it checked today just in case. I'll feel like such a time waster if it's just cramp...

I've got a hospital appointment tomorrow anyhow (routine for something unrelated) so was hoping to go there just once. I looked up their DVT services and they have a Mon-Fri DVT rapid access diagnostic clinic there. Which makes me a bit nervous weekend staff won't be as experienced or be able to perform all the tests but hopefully all will be fine.

OP posts:
MitziK · 31/03/2019 16:16

You've already been told by a specialist helpline that is probably better staffed than 111 to go to hospital, taking into account your symptoms and history.

Go to hospital.

wigglypiggly · 31/03/2019 18:19

Hospitals are staffed by experienced and knowledgeable staff at all times, they can do a blood test and scan if they need to.

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