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Original poster

GP appt rule only one issue to be discussed

24 replies

99problemsandjust1appt · 18/08/2019 08:29

My surgery no longer offers double appts

I have serious childcare issues and have been very unwell lately.
Dh has booked some time off I have an appt but can’t discuss more than 1 issue although I have a variety of symptoms I think are all linked and I’ve felt very unwell daily.

How do others get round this I feel like I’m going to burst into tears and just beg the gp to let me quickly tell her everything as this is the only chance I have

OP posts:
superram · 18/08/2019 08:32

I always have about 3 things to discuss, I talk fast.

MajesticWhine · 18/08/2019 08:34

Tell them all the symptoms. I think what GPs want to avoid is if you go in with completely separate things. Eg acute urinary tract infection and also chronic sore knee.

fromthefloorboardsup · 18/08/2019 08:34

Can you say you have a few symptoms that you think might be linked? I'd assume the one issue thing is more so you can't go in and say I have really bad period pain and also my toe hurts (for example)

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Original poster
99problemsandjust1appt · 18/08/2019 08:35

I think I’ll have to do that as otherwise they’ll say it’s sep but I think how I’m feeling is all connected and has one source but it’s a set of symptoms so they will say it’s sep issues and I need some help

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 18/08/2019 08:35

Write a list and just go in and say you think they may be linked.

Original poster
99problemsandjust1appt · 18/08/2019 08:37

Daily abdominal pain and bowel issues, plus period issues and exhaustion headaches and nausea every single days for weeks and oddly on really bad days lumps the size of marbles in my armpits

They are going to say it’s sep issues they are so strict but I’ll end up crying

OP posts:
SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 18/08/2019 08:40

I agree, it’s to stop you from trying to cover completely unrelated issues in ten minutes eg stomach ache and a twisted ankle. If you have a number of problems that you think could be related take in a list and show the GP. It may be that one has to take priority and that will be tackled in your appointment, and the rest left for next time, but at least then the GP will know what’s going on.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 18/08/2019 08:44

If you think the symptoms are linked then just treat them as one thing and list them off in one appointment.
Make notes of what you want to say before you go in, to avoid waffling or forgetting something.
Got to say, I've always understood "no double appointments" to mean "no appointments longer than 10 minutes" not "no talking about more than 1 subject"
I had a single appointment recently and managed to cover "Can you refer my kid for an aspergers assessment?" and "Can you run some tests on my abdominal pain?" with time to spare. It's not a problem if your concise and stick to the point.

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 18/08/2019 08:46

Wow, OP, your symptoms sound horrible Flowers
I hope you get a sympathetic hearing and appropriate investigations done. X

Original poster
99problemsandjust1appt · 18/08/2019 08:54

Thanks I will write a list. I just need some help because I actually feel like my mind is foggy being unwell constantly is really affecting my thought process I’m trying to stay awake/not be sick/put up with pain etc etc all the time.
I’ll do a list and talk quick I think

OP posts:
Punxsutawney · 18/08/2019 08:59

It's a months wait to see any gp at our surgery so if I would just tell them the issues because it would be over 4 weeks until I could see anyone again.

OrangeSwoosh · 18/08/2019 09:07

Daily abdominal pain and bowel issues, plus period issues and exhaustion headaches and nausea every single days for weeks and oddly on really bad days lumps the size of marbles in my armpits

Tell the doctor exactly that, it could very feasibly be linked and they need to know it all. This is one problem. They don't need to know the abdominal pain in one appointment and the nausea in another. If you had tonsillitis, athlete's foot and conjunctivitis, that'd be 3 separate appointments (well, it'd be one as you should see the pharmacist for the athletes foot and conjunctivitis, but you know what I mean!)

You'll be absolutely fine discussing this in one appointment, list the symptoms exactly as you have here, it's nice and clear and concise and the GP can work out if they're linked or not

Flowers
Wereonabearhunt · 18/08/2019 09:08

My gp has the same rules, but fact is when youre in there and clearly distressed theyre not gonna push you out the door as soon as youve finished a sentance.. just reel it off and the dr will tell you what he wants you to do next.. my last appointment i mentioned 2 very different things that the dr very quickly linked at 1 despite VERY different symptoms. The rules are a guideline to stop people taking the piss, not to make unwell people keep stuff back. Hope youre feeling better soon!

OrangeSwoosh · 18/08/2019 09:08

Also if there's any possibility whatsoever that you could be pregnant, I'd take a test in the day or so before you go as that'll save even more time if they want to know that

Fillipe · 18/08/2019 09:09

Crying is good at the GP's. DD (adult) never got listened to properly until one day when she burst into tears.

So my advice would be, don't be afraid to cry, let it all out and tell ALL the symptoms at the same time. Good luck, hope you get sorted. Flowers

Original poster
99problemsandjust1appt · 18/08/2019 09:25

Definitely not pregnant but oddly the nausea is like hg which I’ve had before but I’m not as 1) on the mini pill 2) still bf and 3) having too frequent and very heavy bleeding

OP posts:
goodgodlemon · 18/08/2019 09:27

Wow didn't even know that was a rule!! How ridiculous - surely your GP should be concerned about your whole health and not just sorting out issues one at a time. Plus, as Orange swoosh mentions - they could even be linked. Seeing a GP really shouldn't be this stressful!

OrangeSwoosh · 18/08/2019 09:38

Definitely not pregnant but oddly the nausea is like hg which I’ve had before but I’m not as 1) on the mini pill 2) still bf and 3) having too frequent and very heavy bleeding

Do a test anyway, just a cheapy £1 one. At least then when the GP wants to send you off to do a urine sample, you can say you've already done one that morning/day before and it was negative. That'll buy you more time to discuss things

OrangeSwoosh · 18/08/2019 09:40

Actually, GP may even want a urine sample to rule out UTI etc. as that's a quick and easy thing to rule out as a cause of abdominal discomfort. Take a sample with you if you can.

TemporaryPermanent · 18/08/2019 09:43

You have got one problem- a group of new symptoms that you dont have an explanation for.

mumwon · 18/08/2019 10:30

do bullet point list to start with. then fill the details on each point - complete list in order of how it affects you
If you have typed list it is easier for doctor to read & understand & it maximises time the gp has to help you -you can say while he is reading list how you are (emotionally) feeling so he understands how these issues work together.

Thatsalovelycuppatea · 18/08/2019 10:33

Oh my! Could you move surgeries? I wouldn't cope if mine did that. I have at least 4 of 5 things to go through each time.

goodgodlemon · 18/08/2019 11:35

He?

lazymoz · 18/08/2019 11:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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