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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
macdoodle · 04/09/2010 12:57

Oh I see THEDAILYMAIL, that bastion of excellent, non biased, good accurate reporting...hahahahaha - you idiot !

thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 04/09/2010 12:57

I had a lump in my breast 5 years ago and I mentioned it to my GP. I had an appointment in the breast clinic less than a week later. GPs in the UK do make referrals.

firefliesinjune · 04/09/2010 12:59

Thanks all! I just rang NHS Direct and they think it sounds like tonsilitis. I have white bits on my throat. Ive got an emergency appointment with out of hours doc at 3pm. I have found all your replies very helpful. I probably would have just battled on if it wasnt for your replies so youve actually helped me greatly!

OP posts:
Onestonetogo · 04/09/2010 13:01

www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/health/452923/uk-women-have-worse-death-rate-than-albanians.html

www.telegraph.co.uk/health/7756387/UK-child-death-rate-twice-as-high-as-Sweden.html

the list goes on. Sorry gals, let's be objective. The NHS is a great institution (gave me the fantastic experience of an elective c-section, although the ward was filthy) but, considering that the UK is such a rich country compared to the rest of Europe, we should be doing better than this and have the best doctors and the best surviva rates, not be mediocre like countries such as Albania.

macdoodle · 04/09/2010 13:06

Gosh a loon, and a hypocrite to boot!
slag the NHS off, worst in the world, crap crap crap, but more than happy to take take take what you want, I have an idea why dont you just piss off to Europe and get ALL your healthcare there!

chimchar · 04/09/2010 13:07

hope you're feeling better soon op... just a thought...its not mastitis is it? yukky fluey symptoms with that and you're bf...

Anniegetyourgun · 04/09/2010 13:11

Wait - the UK IS in Europe last time I checked. Has been for decades.

Hope you soon feel better, firefliesinjune.

Onestonetogo · 04/09/2010 13:12

macdoodle, who knows, you could be one of the good ones, like they have in the rest of europe. I can't say the same about the 3 different GPs I've had in this country, who have failed me on several occasions.

(want a tiny example? For 2 years I complained to my GP about hip and knee pain, I was limping most days. The GP always refused to refer me to see a specialist or investigate. I couldn't go abroad at the time, I was too busy with the new baby, etc. Finally I've managed to convince him to x-ray me and after that (x-ray showed there was definitely something wrong) he had to refer me to a specialist. I have since been abroad to see a specialist, who was gobsmacked at how bad my hip is and couldn't understand why my PG refused to refer me when I was visibly limping and in pain). This is to cut a long stoty short, with a few more blunders on the GP's part along the way. Honestly, my GP is now for me just useful if I need a prescription. I wouldn't dream of trusting my GP's opinion on any symptoms etc, let alone trust him when it comes to curing my DCs.

Onestonetogo · 04/09/2010 13:15

macdoodle, I pay my taxes here. If anything, it should be the continental-europe doctors to tell me to fuck off back to the UK.

I am grateful for what the NHS has done for me, it doesn't make me blind to their cockups tho.

Onestonetogo · 04/09/2010 13:17

I have to have hip surgery btw. I really want to have it done in Italy or France, but there is a very long recovery period and can't be away from the dcs all that time, etc. So, I'm terrified I'll have to have it here.

Algebra18MinusPiEquals16 · 04/09/2010 13:19

ignoring all the NHS slagging off (ICBA to read it) I just thought I'd say, I thought I had flu, similar symptoms to you OP, turned out to be tonsillitis and I was allowed penicillin while BFing. :)

littleshinyone · 04/09/2010 13:21

Onestonetogo, I find your attitude very offensive.

It's a shame that you site evidence from sources such as Marie Claire and The Daily Mail.

It is true, that many diseases such as ovarian cancer have symptoms that can be hard to spot, and can mimic hundreds of other illnesses. This is why a good relationship with your GP is so important, not one built on being angry and confrontational about FLU...

Its a shame that someone who on the surface might potentially be quite well informed has such a rubbish way of processing the information given to them.

Can I ask what a paediatrician actually does on a 'regular' visit when seeing a well child?! I'd suggest that the ones who are taken regularly to see someone, are the ones with tuned in parents, and likely to be higher on the health scale than others anyway.

Having worked in A&E and general practice, and paediatrics, I can say that a GP problem turning up in the wrong place (with our current system, even with all its flaws) actually makes that problem HARDER to deal with, as A&E departments just don't have access to OP clinics or such like.

I'm going to hide this thread now, as I have found it so sad and infuriating that you have hijacked OPs genuine appeal for advice with such offensive and unhelpful comments.

By all means, avoid GPs who you feel to be less able than they should be, but do not tar them all with the same brush.

OP I hope you get well soon, and I'm glad your DH is concerned for you!! Just a thought- even if they do suggest antibioctics, sometimes these can upset baby tums and cause thrush when feeding, so it may be worth asking for a 'delayed' script that you can cash in in a few days if you're getting worse. Hope you feel better!!

littleshinyone · 04/09/2010 13:24

plus, onestonetogo, will you be paying for your own physio/ rehab/ care if you are unfortunate enough to get complications??

hypocritical in my opinion, but I hope it goes well for you, can't imagine having any kind of surgery with DCs to look after!!!

Onestonetogo · 04/09/2010 13:34

litleshinyshoe, I'm a New Scientist mag subscriber. Those links (Guardian, Daily Mail and Marie Clare) are what came up on google among others.

A paediatrician carries out a thorough physical examination, asks questions, observes child's behaviour, language, the way the child walks, etc. They give individualised advice on nutrition and on anything that might be brought to their attention. I don't think I should really explain what a paediatrician is supposed to do? They're expert when it comes to children, they only see children, they are better at recognising childhood related illnesses than GPs, that is for sure.
And no, it's not just "tuned-in parents" who take their kids to a specialist regularly; it's ALL parents from all background, since it it a free service.
Btw most hospitals in continental europe have a paediatric A&E. Imagine that: your child is ill/injured and instead of being take to the general A&E (where they will be seen by a nurse and a GP if they're lucky), they get seen by a paediatician instead. Again, I can't stress enough how this must sound weird to you all, yet it is the norm abroad.

Onestonetogo · 04/09/2010 13:36

littleshinyone, I will have to have physio, months and months of it, that's why it's impractical to have it done abroad (it would be free tho).

I'm off to play with DCs. OP, apologies for the hijack! Get well soon x

MrsCadwallader · 04/09/2010 13:38

fireflies glad you've got an appointment. IME once you get hold of the antibiotics you should feel very much better within 24 hours. Hope that's the case!

TonariNoTotoro · 07/09/2010 01:57

Onestonetogo - I too had horrific pain in my hips and knees (I still do, mostly in my knees though). My GP initially referred me to physio, which didn't help, so I got referred back, and then sent for an MRI. Nothing serious was found, but the speed that I was dealt with was amazing, the skill of the psysio, the MRI tech, even the frigging receptionist (and I know how beaten they can be on here) was excellent.

There are enormous faults with the NHS. One of the worlds biggest employers is bound to have some issues.

Your attitude is fucking offensive. I'm glad you have the mean to piss off to another country for your treatment, it means you're not bothering the doctors/nurses here with your shitty attitude

Rosedee · 07/09/2010 07:48

I think saying go abroad whenever you need to see a doctor is laughable. Who on earth could afford to do that even if they wanted to? What a shitty attitude to have. Gps don't always get it right but they don't always get it wrong either.
Op I hope you feel better.

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