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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not go to the Doctors with this...

44 replies

firefliesinjune · 04/09/2010 07:13

Ive got the flu. At least it seems to be. Body aches all over. Cant sleep. Throat feels like I have broken glass in it. Its the worst Ive ever had.

DH says Im being unreasonable in not going to the doctors as I have children to look after Hmm DS is 2.6 and DD is 4months. Im breastfeeding so am I right in saying the doctor couldnt prescribe me anything anyway?

Yes I feel terrible but surely its also unreasonable to go to the docs and possibly infect everyone there. I think I just need to get on with it.

DH says Im being ridiculous. Am I???

OP posts:
Prinnie · 04/09/2010 07:15

Yanbu, there's very little they can do for this kind of illness and you'd be better off just taking it easy at home with lots of fluids etc.

moaningminniewhingesagain · 04/09/2010 07:17

Well if it is flu, they wouldn't give you anything regardless of breastfeeding etc. Usually its fluids, paracetamol, rest, and wait for things to ease off.

But if you think it seems to be a bacterial infection - eg start coughing up nasty green phlegm, or sore throat lasts more than 5 days or cannot drink, then yes, see a GP or walk in centre.

I don't think you are being ridiculous. Unless you want to go see a doctor to tell you to rest and take paracetamolSmile

Original poster
firefliesinjune · 04/09/2010 07:23

Thanks for replies. I didnt think I was being unreasonable but DH went on and on yesterday. Ill look out for green phlegm! Hopefully it will all be over soon its horrid!

OP posts:
SallyinSwitzerland · 04/09/2010 10:59

Are your glands up? If so where?

TonariNoTotoro · 04/09/2010 11:03

Of course YANBU. People shouldn't go to the GP with flu (unless it gets worse, as moaningminnie said)

I'm sure all the people in the waiting room will thank you for not giving them your lurgy as well Grin

Swine flu is still about though, so if you do feel really awful give NHS direct a call. 0845 4647

megsophandemma · 04/09/2010 11:05

YANBU

If he had been saying it simply because he is worried then I would have thought "Awww bless him" but what a nonk. Why can't he look after the children?

You need to get yourself rested (if possible), drink tons of fluid and take painkillers.

Get better soon :)

Onestonetogo · 04/09/2010 11:18

YANBU. Besides, uk doctors are generally crap so even if it was something more serious they wouldn't spot it. Stay put. Or go abroad and see a proper doctor.

TrillianAstra · 04/09/2010 11:25

UK doctors are not crap, and I hardly think 'go abroad' is a sensible recommendation for someone with flu.

If you have flu, it is a viral infection, it will go away on its own. You just need on-the-shelf or over-the-counter meds to deal with the symptoms.

Your DH is an idiot for thinking that flu = go and waste doctors time. It's nice that he sees you suffering and wants to fix you, but that's not the way to do it. He shod be supplying you with drugs, hot drinks, and making sure you can spend as much time as possible lying down.

banana87 · 04/09/2010 11:37

YANBU. The flu is a virus, so GP would not prescribe anything anyway. And they would tell you to stick to paracetemol anyway due to bf. Your youngest will be protected via breast milk anyway. Maybe your DH and your older DC can vacate and stay away? Hope you feel better soon!

Starbuck999 · 04/09/2010 11:37

Onestonetogo - Of course UK doctors aren't crap. Compaired to most of the rest of the world we have an excellent (FREE) health service!

Op if you're sure you have flu then tough it out at home, unles syou get any odd symptoms or are worried about yourself. Ignore DH.

weegiemum · 04/09/2010 11:39

Onestonetogo - don't talk crap.

banana87 · 04/09/2010 11:40

Forgot to add! IF you start running a fever as high as 41 or feeling alot worse then DO go to A&E. Last weekend my friends collegue thought he had flu, dr's fobbed him off, and he died. A bit extreme, I know, but be very wary if you start feeling its more than just 'flu'.

MrsCadwallader · 04/09/2010 11:44

YANBU if you are sure it is the flu.

BUT...... having been on the receiving end of some truly awful throat infections myself, my tip would be to try and peer at your throat in the mirror. If it is covered in white / yellowish flecks / pus then you have an infection and need antibiotics and should go to the doctor asap! NOT, however, so that you can spring out of bed immediately and look after the children, but so that you will start to feel better!

(I had a throat infection and anti-b's while BFing, BTW - it caused no problems).

Hope you feel better soon.

Kewcumber · 04/09/2010 11:47

crap UK doctors saved my life (diagnosed by GP and whisked off to A&E immediately) so I am pretty fond of them as a rule Hmm

Have a look at your throat just to be sure it isn;t tonsilitis but other stay at home wrap up warm, pretty of fluids and regular pain killers as everyone has said.

junkcollector · 04/09/2010 12:32

As others have said you probably should go if your throat gets worse.

I'd say your DH is being more unreasonable in not being more supportive! You'll need a bit of recuperation time if it's serious flu anyway!!!

Onestonetogo · 04/09/2010 12:34

I have experienced both the NHS and equivalent abroad, and GPs in continental europe are much, much better than her un the UK. It isn't a coincidence that we have very high cancer mortality rates (our GPs can't spot the early signs of cancer and do not refer us to see specialists, unlike their european counterparts).

I always take my DC to see a padiatrician whenever I'm in Europe (it's the norm there for all kids to be seen by a paediatrician regularly! I know this sounds alien here in the UK). Oh and that's free too.

Kewcumber · 04/09/2010 12:45

my mums cancer was detected by her GP and she was referred to a world leading cancer centre and is still alive 5 years later despite having a cancer which is acknowledged around the world to have a 5% survival rate at two years.

Seeing a paediatrician regularly does not make a child any healthier or more likely to be diagnosed with anything it just makes the health service in question even more expensive. France is buckling under the horrendous cost of their NHS and still people end up paying about 30% of their health costs.

Your insistence that doctors in the UK are rubbish is so general that it almost sounds unhinged. No health system is perfect but my experience of the UK system (and yes I have experienced several other countries systems) is pretty good overall.

TheCrackFox · 04/09/2010 12:49

My FIL was presenting for two years with symptoms (in France)and was continually fobbed off and has now just been diagnosed with advanced cancer. Onestonetogo, you are talking rot.

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 04/09/2010 12:50

Does your GP do home visits? Explain to the receptionist that you're worried that it's 'flu and that you don't want to infect others (they'll like that!) but say that you'd like to be checked over in case it's something else and you need anti-biotics - ask if they can send someone out to you.

Feel better soon, though.

Eglu · 04/09/2010 12:53

What does your DH expect the Dr to do. Get you some childcare? That is the only think that would help you really.

Onestonetogo · 04/09/2010 12:53

Kewcumber, your mum was ucky to have a competent GP. Many wouldn't have referred her. (see link below)

Seing a paediatrician regularly DOES indirectly make chidren healthier; it certainly has been the case for mine. I now don't bother going to the GP, imo it's a waste of time. It's A&E for emergiencies or go abroad to see a proper doctor.

www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/mar/30/cancer-blunders-nhs-report

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 04/09/2010 12:53

Yes - actually - I had tonsillitis last year and had very fluey symptoms - achey, shivery with a temp and GP gave me anti-biotics (but I needed two courses in the end) and I was breastfeeding so as long as they know they can prescribe accordingly.

WannaBeMeAgain · 04/09/2010 12:54

Your dh is judging by a manflu standpoint Grin

macdoodle · 04/09/2010 12:56

"Besides, uk doctors are generally crap so even if it was something more serious they wouldn't spot it. Stay put. Or go abroad and see a proper doctor"

Onestoptogo Hmm, are you a loon because you sound like one, dont come into my surgery, see I'm so crap, I wont be able to help you Angry