Wwyd, Dr wants me to go to a&e

[Alpacathebag]

I've been feeling a bit off colour for a few days, with a bit of a temperature, headachey, sore throat and needing to pee more frequently. Was pretty sure it was a UTI or possibly even a kidney infection, but also maybe a virus of one kind or the other.

Been to walk in centre this afternoon because I thought if it's a UTI I should get it checked really. Did the usual dip test, no infection apparent. Have got a bit of an ache in the kidney region and it was a bit sore when he pressed on my bladder and upper stomach (around the bra line) but otherwise nothing much else. My BP is fine and he recorded my temp as 37.1c (although my skin does feel warmer than usual)

He can't decide what's wrong with me so wants me to go to a&e. I don't think I need to, I don't feel THAT ill. Husband of the opinion I should go if GP said so.

Wwyd?

If you sought medical advice from a professional, why did you waste their time, if you're not going to take that advice?

I totally think you should ignore the advice of a trained health care professional and instead rely on the advice of a bunch of randoms, who could possibly just about rub together a GCSE in biology and a degree in Fine Art between them. I'm sure we'll manage though.....

I know you have probably been reading the MN threads in the past where legs need to be hanging off or arteries sawn through before you go to A and E but that is not my experience in the real world. I have been to A and E twice in the last month, once for me, over a dangerously low unexplained blood result received back from the hospital by my GP (11 hours wait for that one in A and E) and 2nd for my DD having a seriously long period, over a month - not remotely an emergency - but needed to see Consultant more urgently than a referral would facilitate. That was a pretty quick visit as DD was triaged pretty high up on the list.

So I am of the view if your GP sends you, you go.

I’ve clearly said she should expect a GP letter explaining that

What makes you think the GP hasn't done a letter? These days they are often sent electronically, sometimes via an urgent care referral centre, rather than being given to the patient. Or, if the A&E department and walk-in centre use the same software, you don't need a letter at all - they can just see each other's records. Perfectly standard (speaking as a GP).

Go - there's no harm in it. Nowadays with phones etc, waiting is less boring. Feel better soon xxx

Well that’s why I was asking @XXcstatic

Yes, I've got a letter. It says all the stuff I've posted above and then in suspected diagnosis it says, temperature with shivering (not today, that was yesterday) and that I have mild pain when he pressed on my stomach. It says suspected abdo abscess, but he didn't mention that at all!

In general I'm not in actual pain other than what I said, which is a slight ache in the kidney region and feeling a bit hot with a slight sore throat. Am perplexed. Just taken my own temp orally and it says 36.7c

And fuck off the lot of you saying I'm a dithering idiot or natural selection is at work.

I'm confused why this Dr says I'm more ill than I say I am. What are a&e going to do for me? Say "Yes Mrs alpaca, you have warm skin and a sore throat even though your core body temperature seems absolutely normal"

Could be sepsis. Go to A&E.

oh FFS why wait hours until you feel worse and all the Friday night drunks turn up. If it might be an abcess it needs checking

Yes go it will help rule it out.

We have had it twice with DS, at a&e you can be sat in a cubicle and tests run and a diagnosis given that he simply doesnt have the time to do. First time it was HF&M but in a&e was ruled viral not bacterial (the blisters came out the next day) and the second time scarlet fever.

I dont get why you are perplexed. He cannot explain the symptoms you have in a short 10 minute appointment and believes it needs further investigation for a diagnosis and treatment.

Well the only thing I can think of that sounds more fun than a suspected abdo abscess is a ruptured abdo abscess so get thee to the hospital! Also early Friday evening at a&e will be considerably more pleasant than late on Friday night imo! Get well soon!

Just go!!

I would get there ASAP. You don't want to be in A&E on a Friday night once everyone's pissed.

I hope you are replying from a sticky plastic chair in A&E Alpaca?

I'm confused why this Dr says I'm more ill than I say I am.
Maybe his medical training and experience is better than yours?

you know what? If you have sepsis or abdominal abcess, and it spreads, you would be wishing you got to A&E while you felt well enough to get there. Once you start getting the bad symptoms then time is absolutely crucial.
Having seen my child go into septic shock twice (and luckily in hopsital being monitored on each occassion) its not something you want to risk messing about with. If an abdominal abcess is suspected, it could be treated. If it bursts, or if it spreads, it happens fast.

The doctor is simply covering his arse. He doesn't know what's wrong with you so if he tells you to go to A&E, he then passes the buck (and of course you notes will reflect that).

They did a pee test and no infection. You would know sure as hell if you had a UTI or Kidney infection. I'm not a Doctor so I'm not saying whether YOU should go or not however if it was me, I wouldn't go and was their time when they have seriously ill people to deal with.

Alpaca - I would be wondering just like you. You are not a dithering idiot, of course. I went to A&E last week (only time in my life), they were great and very efficient - I was there a long time as they did a lot of tests, but it was worth it. I guess the question you might ask yourself, is that you were sufficiently concerned to see the GP, so it might be useful to put your mind at rest.

I'm confused why this Dr says I'm more ill than I say I am.

Because he has examined you and that is his professional opinion.

What are a&e going to do for me

Conduct tests and find out what is really wrong with you. Your doctor clearly thinks it could be something that will require urgent treatment.

It wasn't 10 minutes, I was in there at least 25 whilst he questioned me about my anti-depressants, then took my temp and BP (both apparently normal) and then prodded me hard in the stomach, to which I understandably winced. He did a dip test of a urine sample which he said is fine, no infection, no blood, no excess protein, definitely not pregnant.

Seriously do not think I have sepsis, I have no indicators of sepsis. I went to the GP because I thought I have a UTI or possibly a virus and simply wanted to know either way.

The letter suggests I've spun him a tale saying I'm seriously ill. I have a slight headache and sore throat and need the loo a bit more than usual and feel a bit warm.

Wish I'd never fucking posted now. Thanks for all the replies.

Alpacathebag

Can I suggest you do as requested please?

This sounds like it may well be something more serious, but until furhter diagnistics are done we won't know, thats why your asked to go there they have vastly more rescouces than what the GP has at hand.

If nmy daft bro in law had s done this he'd be in a much better place then he is now:(

There I've asked nicely, and its in your best intrests so will you please just go?.

Thanks:)

Don’t worry Op I am currently you a week on and know what you mean.
I had stomach pain but had nothing specific.

Couldn’t get a appointment. Took a day of work to get a GZp appointment and he “ couldn’t say” and sent me the hospital to an assessment unit which is a non emergency A&E. Lots from A&E end up there if it’s serious but not life threatening - hernias etc.Had surgery the next day.
However if I had gone that first week the hoppital would have done absolutely nothing. It was only because my symptoms progressed .And it’s bloody expensive with parking and taxi’s and childcare. I can see why you question it.

Chat is a bit feisty tonight

Dear God, what sort of idiot ignores a Doctor and listens to advice on MN instead?

If you have an adbominal abcess, it could burst and kill you.

A & E will soon send you on your way if you're wasting their time.