Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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

Wwyd, Dr wants me to go to a&e

219 replies

Alpacathebag · 25/10/2019 16:30

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?

OP posts:
Latteaday123 · 25/10/2019 18:22

just go so you can tick that you've done it. It could be something or nothing. Hope it's the latter. Smile

Tistheseason17 · 25/10/2019 18:27

Better to go to A&E and be told it's nothing than stay at home and suddenly deteriorate... isn't it???

Alsohuman · 25/10/2019 18:27

For the love of God, if you’re not already in A&E, go now. Why go to the GP if you’re going to defy their advice?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
EdWinchester · 25/10/2019 18:27

You should go, but your gp should’ve given you a bit more info - ‘we want to rule out...’, ‘I’m concerned it might be....’

MinTheMinx · 25/10/2019 18:30

Why did you go to see your GP if you don't respect his opinion?

sovereign333 · 25/10/2019 18:30

Nah I wouldn't go....too much loitering in A&E's these days cos GP's just covering their backs. You can catch stuff just waiting there.
Had your GP thought it urgent, he would have given you a referral and dispatched you to A&E immediately.
Lots of folk have a little abdominal discomfort on examination. Perhaps try peppermint tea? Mum always swore by that.
If you are generally well, not immunosuppressed, drink lots of clear water to flush it out of your system. Eat lightly and often, and take Paracetamol for aches and pains and check skin for rashes and make sure your bowels are working normally.
If any infection is developing your temp will shoot up towards evening,(always goes up at night if you're poorly)
Snuggle up in bed with a hottle bottle, have an early night....Cherish yourself

cakeandchampagne · 25/10/2019 18:41

Heed your doctor’s advice and go to A&E.
Your husband is right.

Silvercatowner · 25/10/2019 18:42

Sometimes doctors are a bit tick boxy and litigation aware. I used to have endometriosis and went to my dr for a regular check. Endo symptoms can be similar to those of appendicitis and the doctor told me that I ticked all the boxes for acute appendicitis - I should go to A&E and did I want her to call an ambulance. I declined the ambulance, walked home and ate a delayed breakfast as I was very hungry.

PicsInRed · 25/10/2019 18:43

Some medical professionals develop an "eye" for the very unwell. This GP may have seen something in your appearance, a particular pallor for example, which along with the other symptoms made them feel you needed further investigation.

It's a total ballache, but I would go.

MilkGoatee · 25/10/2019 18:49

Well, they've been doing a lot of awareness work with primary physicians on sepsis the last few years, as it has been so underdiagnosed, leading to significant issues and death. Obviously you felt it imporant enough to see your gp, and agree with a previous poster that deep touch shouldn't actually feel painful - the fact that it did was a clear warning sign there might be more going on.

stucknoue · 25/10/2019 18:52

Go! Whilst 95% it's a mild self limiting illness your gp is concerned enough to suggest a trip to a&e. There's scary things that present as mild illnesses in the early stages, listen to them to be on the safe side

HillRunner · 25/10/2019 18:53

Your medically qualified and experienced GP, who has actually seen you in person, says you should go to A&E, but you're taking the advice of internet randoms instead? Hmm

Righty-ho then

chuck7 · 25/10/2019 18:54

I'm assuming your GP is thinking if your symptoms are bothering you enough to make an appointment then you must be feeling so unwell and they are not able to diagnose you with the resources they have at the surgery. Personally I wouldn't have made an appointment for a sore throat and a tummy ache but because you have, i can see why your GP is assuming you feel worse than you do.

ISawyouinTescoyesterday · 25/10/2019 18:54

You should take the advice. I am always hesitant about a&e because of the wait but from my experience earlier this year, It is always worth getting checked out.

InglouriousBasterd · 25/10/2019 18:55

I don’t think you’re an idiot at all OP - the prospect of a cold rainy night in A and E isn’t pleasant! I have to be honest that last time the GP sent me to A and E I didn’t go (long story but it cleared up itself within 24 hours) but I think, once you mentioned the potential abscess, you probably should. Take a warm coat and bag with PJs / toothbrush etc just in case. But go sooner rather than later because - Friday night!

Layoverlife · 25/10/2019 18:57

@sovereign333

You're advice 😂🤣....... Seriously?

You're advice is the very reason people ignore Gp's and stay at home with a letter they have been given. As other posters have said people are discouraged to attend A&E unless they really need to, the fact the Gp wants the Op to attend with a letter says something.

You're advice is also the very reason people become very unwell during the night/day as they've stayed at home and then need to ring for a 999 Ambulance as they have now become really unwell and end up being rushed to A&E / Resus

🤷🏻‍♀️

northerngirl2012 · 25/10/2019 19:04

oh FFS, how many people do you need to tell you to go to A&E?

WickedGoodDoge · 25/10/2019 19:14

I would go. The only time I have ever gone to A&E was after being up all night with a sore stomach, but sore in a way I’d never experienced before. It wasn’t crippling bad but I just felt something wasn’t right. DH drove me there at 6:00AM and I genuinely thought they’d roll their eyes at me and tell me I had indigestion, except for a little niggling worry at the back of my head. Turned out my gall bladder was badly infected with gangrene starting to spread (found once they cut me open!). I was in agony by lunchtime and it was removed the next morning after 24 hours on antibiotics.

Yoohoo16 · 25/10/2019 19:14

I would absolutely go. If you’d asked me 3 weeks ago I’d have said no. However a close relative of mine has just had sepsis following a uti and discovering kidney stones.
She was minutes from death.

Yoohoo16 · 25/10/2019 19:15

Sorry gall stones not kidney stones.

AgnesNaismith · 25/10/2019 19:23

Just. Go. To. The. Fucking. Hospital.

Hope you’re ok Flowers

puppymouse · 25/10/2019 19:26

I rang 111 a few months ago. Thought I had trapped wind or cramps but was a bit concerned it wouldn't go away all night. Felt a bit sick. They said it was probably fine but to see my GP. DH didn't even want to take me to the doctors as he thought I was overreacting.

GP thank God said "go to A&E." So I went. Good job she did really as my appendix had ruptured.

You have nothing to lose by going.

Original poster
Alpacathebag · 25/10/2019 19:37

Right, those of you frothing at the mouth to call me stupid or share your horror stories;

I went to a&e as advised. I was triaged and the nurse said she thinks it’s a virus and not only are my obs fine, but I look well too. She also said she thinks the dr took a wild stab in the dark and sent me to a&e without really needing to. I signed paperwork to say I understand the risks and left under my own steam.

I am now home. I am not dead of sepsis, I am not seriously ill and I was correct to question whether this doctor actually was just guessing at something. When the nurse read the letter to me it actually says he wants me immediately investigated for a surgical reason, none of the symptoms of which I have!

Perhaps those of you who called me a dimwit or a Darwin Award candidate could think about how you respond to others when they are telling you something and querying it. I had, and still have, good reason to query this afternoons interaction with a medical person. I know all too well that actually just because someone has a medical degree does not mean you should trust them blindly. My uncle died in a case of serious medical negligence, and so those of you saying I should trust a doctor because he knows better: sometimes a bit of critical thinking applies, especially when that doctor has written a letter full of false information as I said on my previous posts.

So to sum up, I am not dead, I don’t have sepsis, I don’t have abdominal abscess, I don’t have a rare kidney disorder. My temperature is normal, my BP is normal, I have no indicators of bacterial infection, it is probably just a virus. And no I don’t respect a doctor who wastes their colleagues’ time with a letter full of incorrect information.

OP posts:
Justaboy · 25/10/2019 19:38

Nowt heard so lets hope shes plucked up the courtage to go and sometimes isnt that the reason for not going?

Its medically a very good idea to nip a condition in the bud but who wants to hear such news?

Only human nature anyway.

OP, hope you have gone and let us know the outcome :)

thanks..

puppymouse · 25/10/2019 19:44

You're really not coming across well OP.

A trained medical professional told you to go to A&E. You had nothing to lose by doing that - of course you can question it but nobody on the internet is going to tell you to ignore that advice. It could have been anything and you could genuinely have been in danger.

Good to hear it was nothing after all and you can quietly revel in feeling vaguely off-colour for a bit longer knowing you aren't about to snuff it.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.