Worried about symptoms, but scared of doctors.

[Charcha20]

Ive been having a whole range of symptoms for while now, i am worried about them but i am so so scared of going to see doctors. I want to go but its so difficult, has anyone got any advice of how to get myself prepared to see a doctor ?
I have had regular and intense heart burn for about 4 months, this often causes me to loose my breath for a few moments.
I have not had a period for 9 months, I am not pregnant and I am not on any contraception.
I've been having intermittent pains in my chest for around 3 months.
I have had some pain in my lower abdomen and also dull aches/pains throughout my body (mostly my neck, jaw and shoulders)
I have also started to have some nose bleeds.

Erm that sounds very scary for you and concerning but the only thing you can do is seek medical advice. No one is going to diagnose you on a forum, or tell you'll be fine ignoring your symptoms. Sorry.

hi OP, often stress can cause all sorts of strange sensations in our bodies, including nose bleeds, pain etc etc. the likelihood is your nervousness about going could be making it a lot worse. I used to be the same as you and scared to go with all sorts of weird symptoms. Invariably my experience is the drs are kind and caring and just going is never as bad as you think and it may well be stress causing you to have some of the weird symptoms. just give them a call.

Would it help if the GP was a woman; young/older?
Look at your GP practice website and pick the one you like the look of best/

Ask a friend to go with you to a GP appointment with your preferred GP. Maybe friend can make the appt for you? At any rate, let the receptionist know you are extremely anxious and would prefer to see DR X and bring a friend for support.

Write down a list of all your symptoms to take with you; GP will be quite happy to let you go read from it. So much easier that way.

Get a relaxation CD ( libraries have them; or listen on line) , play it every day to practise calming your thoughts /using breathing techniques. Every time I go to the dentist I am so anxious I have to sit there inwardly doing my relaxation and breathing excercises. It really does help . I always remind the dentist I am terrified and they are really helpful and supportive.

@2bazookas - I realise this is meant to be helpful, but really it's for the birds. Getting a GP appointment is like hen's teeth in many many areas. So suggesting you can chose your GP or be allowed to take a friend is ridiculous.

Its okay i wasnt expecting anyone to diagnose me lol, i just am feeling really worried and anxious right now, im not sure what to do really

A friendly female doctor would be the most comfortable for me, i really would not be comfortable with a male doctor, but im not sure they would give me a choice, they dont seem very accomidating. Also in the same way im not sure i wpuld be allowed to take a friend due to covid restrictions :(

A list would be a must for me, othetwise i would end up forgetting or chickening out of telling them all the symptoms :)
Thank yoy for the advice

Would a phone consultation be easier for you? May be easier to get than a face to face appointment.

You will feel so much better after you see a doctor

I’m Not diagnosing you. But you might have GERD.

I understand OP but your symptoms will persist and ultimately you will continue to feel like this if you don’t act.
A diagnosis can be confirmed and you’ll feel better not second guessing but knowing what is wrong and that it can be fixed or at least managed.
Hang in there and try not to worry.

A phone appointment would make things considerably easier, but last tim when i went to the doctors for my anxiety, they wouldnt give me a phone appointment and im not sure why.

For a while i thought that it was probable GERD and i still kind of do now , but theres another condition i saw in which the lymph nodes can be painful, and i have been experiencing that.

I really want to go tk the doctors because i dont dont want to worry anymore , im scared of my symptoms, but im so scared of doctors and im embarassed tk tell my family those things.

If you write it all down there is no reason you can't just hand it to the GP to read when you go in. I've done that.

Most doctors surgery are doing at least a preliminary phone call before face to face post covid. I’d have your post in front of you and read it out to them. You’ll feel so much better once you’ve shared it with them.

The easiest thing to do is phone the surgery, speak to the receptionist to say you're a nervous patient, ask them if a telephone appt in the first instance would be ok given your extreme apprehension then depending on how that goes, do an in person later after the first one. I am sure they have procedures for this kind of thing and nervous patients.

[quote luckylavender]@2bazookas - I realise this is meant to be helpful, but really it's for the birds. Getting a GP appointment is like hen's teeth in many many areas. So suggesting you can chose your GP or be allowed to take a friend is ridiculous. [/quote]
Not the case in my area or experience. GP's here are available for face to face consults when necessary, they very definitely DO permit accompanying persons for vulnerable patients , and whenever I want an appt I DO ask for my preferred DR . (obviously if I wanted a same-day/urgent appt I'd see whoever was on duty). I have, countless times, been the " friend" who goes with the patient.
Most recently at a hospital outpatient appt; and also at a telephone consult for a friend with hearing problems.

I have never met a DR who refused this even during covid restrictions.

You are not helping  by  discouraging the OP with your negativity.

Okay i live in wales but i am staying with a friend until christmas time so i woild be able to get to my doctor probably until after christmas, but my symptoms are keeping my up at night bevause im scared.
Is there a way that i cpuld see a doctor here in england ?

Can you email your surgery?

Mine has an "ask a doctor" online form and it's great. Has saved me phone calls even and must save the practice time.

It's great being able to double check what I've written and no time wasted on hold etc.

If it's needed a follow up appointment then I've been able to arrange that via email too.

Unfortunately my surgery has no sort of online system to book or talk to doctors, which is a nuisance, ive spent so much time trying to find a way to do it over the internet, it seems my surgery is stuck in the past as to get an appointment i think everyone just has to call up at 8am and hope they get though before everyone else 🤣

Would i be able to call 111 ?

You can register with a doctor nearby as a temporary resident. Write down everything you have here and show it to them. It really does sound as though you need to be seen before you return home. Let them know you are anxious about medical appointments when you book and ask for a double appointment so you don't feel rushed.

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/how-do-i-register-as-a-temporary-resident-with-a-gp/

I did the nhs 11 questionaire and it sad to call 999, i also just found a lump under my boob, ik going to call 11 tomorroow x