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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wait until Saturday to see a female doctor?

63 replies

cherryburton · 28/06/2011 13:38

I'm a bit worried about my left breast; I had a really sore nipple the other day and I've got an intermittent dull ache. There doesn't seem to be a lump or anything but it's starting to worry me.

I've just made an appointment but I can't get in to see a female doctor until Saturday and I don't know if I'm being a bit daft not wanting to see a man? I could probably get an appointment more quickly but I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea.

But am also worried in case it's something serious and might get worse, and should be seen sooner?

AIBU to wait for a female?

OP posts:
KurriKurri · 28/06/2011 14:53

I hope you get on fine cherry, in the grand scheme of things, a few days probably won't make any difference, but if you are understandably fretting, I would go as soon as you can to set your mind at rest.

In the event that you may need further tests - they often do send you to the breast clinic just to be on the safe side, or if they suspect a cyst for instance. The likelihood is you will see various different health professionals, some of whom will be male.

I have frequent breast examinations at the hospital, almost always by male doctors, (always chaperoned) they've always been extremely professional and made me feel at ease, and the important thing is expertise in the field, not gender.

Good luck with your appointment Smile

StellaSays · 28/06/2011 15:04

I would stick my neck out and say YABU, if its worrying you enough to be unsure about waiting till saturday then go have it looked at. I had a male doctor examine my breasts when I was 18, it was fine, before the examination he went and fetched a nurse as a female chaperone without me even asking him to and was professional throughout, I was very pleased with my appointment. A doctor is a doctor, you will be fine.

MrsKwazii · 28/06/2011 15:10

Y are NBU, but it would worth your while biting the bullet and seeing a male GP. Like others have said, I think it is standard practice to have a female chaperone in the room when you have a breast examination.

I've had an examination for pain before, male doc was very professional adn receptionist was there as well (behind curtain and to babysit). I think the referral timeframe for breast issues is within 14 days, so by waiting until Saturday, you may have longer to wait until any other action can be taken.

Hope doc can put your mind at rest and that you are ok

Bast · 28/06/2011 15:12

'It is not BU to expect both female and male doctors to be just as available as each other, Betty.'

You seem to have misunderstood/created an abstract factor to enable yourself to attempt to initiate an argument ("I fail to see how a surgery can possibly keep female/male docs free just in case someone has a preference."), so, I reiterate, just as available as each other.

I retain my stance ...and recommend specsavers.

Bast · 28/06/2011 15:14

The last was to Betty Smile

rollonby · 28/06/2011 15:16

YANBU to prefer a female doctor but I would recommend that you get checked sooner rather than later as its obviously worrying you. Plus, if you do get referred you may be seeing a male consultant and at that stage I'd rather be seeing the person who was the best in his/her field than which gender I'd feel more comfortable with.

Original poster
cherryburton · 28/06/2011 15:17

Right, sod it, have phoned back and am waiting for the duty doctor to call and fit me in sooner. I'm just sitting here stressing so I might as well man up and get on with it.

Thanks for the nudge. Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
cherryburton · 28/06/2011 15:20

Have an appointment for 4pm. Doctor sounds perfectly nice. Wish me luck.

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 28/06/2011 15:21

You seem to have misunderstood/created an abstract factor to enable yourself to attempt to initiate an argument .......def not trying to initiate an arguement, I have better things to do Hmm

I genuinley dont understand how the surgery can make the doctors equally available..sorry!!

My dads an optician but thanks ..and I wouldnt touch specsavers with a bargepole :)

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 28/06/2011 15:22

and good luck Cherry!

Bast · 28/06/2011 15:24

Smile nor would I.

I'm with a surgery who does make doctors equally available. It seems I'm fortunate and I'm not crowing, I just wish everyone was able to access the same.

Original poster
cherryburton · 28/06/2011 15:27

Hey Kurri - I've spoken to you about this on a different thread a while back I think, but then I buried my head in the sand and stopped thinking about it. Blush

OP posts:
GothAnneGeddes · 28/06/2011 16:12

Good luck Cherry.

KurriKurri · 28/06/2011 16:57

Oh good luck cherry, well done for getting the appointment. - sorry I disappeared, a thunder storm came on and th electricity went off!

Let me know if there's any way I can help over this Smile

PinotsEvilTwin · 28/06/2011 17:01

Oh I'm too late to say YABU.

I have had my boobs manhandled by female and male Dr's and both is equally embarrassing.

If it's medical, leave your shame at the door and get on with it, as a rule.

stoatie · 28/06/2011 17:15

Glad you are getting it sorted

Bast - our GP practice has 6 Drs, 2 female, 4 male. One of the female doctors is vile, appears fairly incompetent and I would not want to see her , ever. Therefore in situation like the OPs I only have a 1:5 chance of getting an appt with female Dr (and so far she has been fairly well booked up). That said, I would prefer early appt with any of the male Drs (who are lovely and appear competent) rather than wait for the one competent female Dr

LolaRennt · 28/06/2011 17:18

Yanbu, but I don't agree with some posters who think the surgery is being unreasonable. Saturday isnt long to wait really

Insomnia11 · 28/06/2011 17:25

I'd have waited for the female doctor I think.

pointydog · 28/06/2011 17:45

I think I'd wait to see a woman doctor.

Flisspaps · 28/06/2011 17:52

Hope all went well at your appointment OP :)

Original poster
cherryburton · 28/06/2011 18:33

Back again - glad I just went and got it over with. It wasn't too bad as these things go. Apparently there is some tissue that is tense but it might be hormone related (especially as I came on this morning) but I'm supposed to take ibuprofen and go back in two weeks to see if things have improved, and if not he'll probably refer me up to the breast clinic. Am less worried about it now though and he said there's no sign of anything sinister at the moment so hopefully it's just period related?

Thanks for all the support, much appreciated. Smile

OP posts:
PinotsEvilTwin · 28/06/2011 18:42

The bastard hormones! It's always the bastard hormones!

Glad you're OK :)

squeakytoy · 28/06/2011 18:45

Sorry, but I think you are being very unreasonable to possibly risk your health simply because of the sex of the doctor.

Flisspaps · 28/06/2011 18:47

Pleased for you OP Grin

KurriKurri · 28/06/2011 18:53

I'm so glad you went today Cherry, and he was able to reassure you, well done for being brave and overcoming your embarrassment Smile

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