AIBU to be very upset GP wont see me for a week despite me being really worried (plus WWYD)

[owlelf]

Apologies if this is TMI, and possible AIBU is wrong place but I am hoping for a few responses fairly quickly.

I have been experiencing a pinky discharge for a few weeks. Its not my period, or ovulation and I am not pregnant. This weekend it got worse and I am now bleeeding lightly.

Called GP at 8am this morning, this is the earliest you can call for an appointment. I was held in a queue and by the time I got through there were no appointments left. Receptionist agreed to ask GP to call me.

I spoke with GP on the phone, he said they need to see me to take a look at cervix and take some swabs etc. He said to speak to receptionist to make an appointment.

Receptionist said the earliest I can be seen is next wednesday. She said that I can't attend a standard morning appointment instead (thses are given out first come first served over the phone from 8am) as I need a longer than standard appointment, and that he would put in my notes that I should be given an appointment.

I am scared and uncomfortable. It feels wrong that I should have to wait for a week. I have explained this to the receptionist, she was very nice but said there was nothing she could do.

DP thinks I should go to A&E, and be seen today. I would love to do this but I think that would be wrong of me.

AIBU to be tempted to complain?

Do you maybe have a GUM clinic near you, I think they are self referral, I'm sure they would see you?

you don't need a&e, its not an accident or emergency. Have you got a well woman or family planning clinic nearby?

You could go to minor accidents at your local hospital? Not as long a wait as a&e

Look on the Internet for the nearest walk in centre, you just go and wait to be seen, don't need to be registered. Or gum clinics are also walk in, long wait usually but worth it to put your mind at rest

I've found a gum clinic with a walk in clinic that I could go to this afternoon.

Sorry for the stupid question but are GUM clinics for concerns about STIs? Or do they do more?

I realise there is a chance that this is STI related (although I am in a monogamous relationship), but I'm also concerned that it could something else .....

They do the whole region not just STIs, go and put your mind at rest.

Dont panic. I had breakthrough bleeding and after a smear, swabs and check up doc came to conclusion it was nothing to worry about. Change of pill later and it's stopped. Are you on the pill? Just don't panic cos it might be nothing.

Thank you. Am heading to GUM clinic now.

I'm not on the pill, I have a copper (non hormonal) coil which has caused no issues in 4 years.

Trying not to worry, but got a nagging worry.

I'm convinced I can't have an STI, but I know I wouldn't be the first to have one hell of a shock.

YABU, A&E WBVU, but if you aregoingto the GUM clinic you are doing the right thing.

The GP spoke to you and would have seen you sooner if he thought it was urgent, but he didn't.

well you know what it is -it's blood tinged discharge (and now blood) from your womb. it's hardly a&e worthy. so no i don't think you should go to a&e and say 'i've been spotting' obviously.

bleeding/spotting between periods can be hormonally caused (such as taking hrt, the pill, implants etc), can be caused by stds or just one of those things.

really don't think you have anything to be worried about or that needs urgent medical attention.

please tell me noone goes to a&e with spotting?????

I think u are being a bit unreasonable to want to complain. Its not an emergency and its not like u have to wait months. Its a week. I phoned the docs about my small child and the first appointment i got was for the end of this month.

I am sure u will b fine. Sometimes we jus bleed for no reason.

if you are concerned then the gum clinic is good but it is likely that the week wait would do no harm - if you were bleeding heavily then maybe greater concern and bleeding so you are filling a pad every 1-2 hours would be hospital worthy

It could well be a cervical erosion, which is harmless and common. I would wait the week, you have spoken to the GP, and if they thought it was an urgent same day matter they would have squeezed you in.

OP I don't know - I went to a GUM clinic with a serious issue and was told by the rather shocked doctor that it was a gynaecological issue and she wasn't a gynaecologist. She did a sexual health screening but as I also knew I didn't have an STD it wasn't much use! She said they were just for STIs, not gynae things.

As for A&E, I would never have considered going either, but recently when I experienced a slightly unusual symptom a few weeks after an operation, I was told by the hospital drs that I should have gone to A&E with it. It wasn't actually a bad symptom, as it turned out, but they said that was the fastest way to get referred to the specialists. I was rather surprised and thought it v wasteful, but it seems to be the way they operate.

Fanjo I have cervical erosion but don't bleed for weeks on end with it. This sounds more serious?

Sorry similar issue, NOT serious!!! It wasn't.

yes i am saying it COULD be, of course she needs checked out, i dont think in A and E though. Obviously she needs checked to see if it IS a cervical erosion, but they CAN cause bleeding for weeks on end.

OP, you have probably already left for the clinic but fyi

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003156.htm

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/FemaleSexualHealthSelfCare/VaginalBleeding

sorry didnt mean to SHOUT there :)

Blimey, I had bleeding like this for nearly 6 months before I even considered going to the doctor!!! Having a week's wait for your appointment is really not unreasonable.

revolting oh dear maybe I am in the wrong place. I do think my GP will probably want to Check for STIs just to be sure, so at least getting checked out today will rule them out (I hope).

To clarify, GP did say he wanted someone to see me soon- but receptionist explained there are no appointments for a week.

I'm not going to A&E, I realise it's not an emergency. I'm just a bit scared and worried.....I didn't realise bleeding outside of a period isn't particularly unusual- it hasn't happened before, hopefully it's just one of those things as someone suggested.

OP if you aren't in pain I wouldn't worry too much I have cervical erosion like I said and bled for approx 4 mos on and off before I saw someone.

However - I was bleeding steadily and only a small amount - and I wasn't in pain. If this suddenly increases OR if you experience pain I'd consider A&E. As an interim you might ring NHS Direct if you are worried and ask if you should see an OOH dr or go to A&E.

But if it stays like it is you are probably okay. I just posted what I did to show you I don't think YABU for just considering A&E.

Also you are right, good to get one (remote) possibility crossed off. And maybe your GUM dr will be nicer than mine was!!!