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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to A and E because I can't get a doctors appointment?

157 replies

SheThinksShesPeople · 02/02/2015 19:08

I have the contraceptive implant, had it put in in September. Since then I have put on two stone, got spot all over my face and back, feel like killing myself and bled constantly.

I decided to give it a few months to see if it would settle down but it hasn't. Beginning of Jan phoned gp surgery for app to have it removed. Surgery works on a system whereby the doctor, rather than receptionist calls you back to make appointment. The doc that can remove implants only works Mondays. Three mondays in a row now I have booked with reception for doc to call me to make appointment, they haven't. I went into surgery at 5.30 today to try and speak to said doctor to make appointment as they hadnt called me but she'd already left. So arranged another phone call for next monday.

How the fuckity fuck do I get this out of my arm? Sexual health clinic only open to under 25's, walk in centre shut down, 101 tells me to see gp. Can i go to a and e? Perform surgery on myself? Any other ideas?

OP posts:
SaucyJack · 02/02/2015 19:11

YABU. It's not a medical emergency.

NerrSnerr · 02/02/2015 19:11

A&E will turn you away. Shit situation though. I would call your GP, ask to speak to practice manager and tell them the problems you're having.

Bair · 02/02/2015 19:12

You have my sympathy. I had to fight to get mine taken out, they're expensive so they made me wait to see if it'll settle, never mind my having autonomy over my own body.

Complain to the practice manager in writing. Make an appointment with any GP, just to get seen. Maybe the nurse can take it out? Mine did.

ToastyFingers · 02/02/2015 19:12

Are you obviously over 25?
Could you go to the gum clinic and lie about your age?

TheFairyCaravan · 02/02/2015 19:12

You would be incredibly unreasonable to go to A&E for that! Whilst it is very frustrating and completely wrong that the GP hasn't rang you back, it is neither an accident or an emergency.

Call your GP again in the morning and insist on speaking to the practice manager, if they refuse request their email address. Tell them what has been going on and it should get sorted.

LaurieFairyCake · 02/02/2015 19:12

I think they won't help you.

And I also think it's quite worrying given your symptoms.

I do think you should complain to the pct - that is terrible service

Sirzy · 02/02/2015 19:13

Certainly not an a and e issue!

But I can see your frustration, I would phone the practice manager and complain and keep complaining until you have it sorted!

Momzilla82 · 02/02/2015 19:13

If you're having suicidal thoughts then YANBU- that is what A&E is there for.

However, for having the implant removed have you considered changing GPs, as the access to your current one seems woeful. In this day and age having a GP working one day only, and being the only person available to deal with implants seems ridiculous.

GwenStacy · 02/02/2015 19:14

I'm almost certain A&E would just send you away with a flea in your ear - it's not an accident or an emergency

makeminea6x · 02/02/2015 19:14

Sorry that's a total pain for you. Yes, speak to the practice manager. Also (sorry if it's patronising but it happens so easily) check that they have your mobile correctly as it's surprising they haven't called.
No point going to A&E I'm afraid, they won't be able to take it out.

toobreathless · 02/02/2015 19:14

Go if you want. If you get lucky they'll turn you away from triage otherwise you'll wait 4 hrs for then to say go away.

YABU.

SardineQueen · 02/02/2015 19:16

Agree with momzilla that if you are having suicidal thoughts and considering cutting it out yourself then A&E is the right place to go.

PtolemysNeedle · 02/02/2015 19:17

Obviously you shouldn't go to A&E, but you know that. It would be a waste of your time, and more importantly, that of the staff that would have to tell you to go away.

Put in a complaint at the surgery.

Sallystyle · 02/02/2015 19:17

How bad are your suicidal thoughts right now?

That could well be an emergency if you are suicidal.

I got that way with the implant too. It made me very mentally unwell and my husband had to go to the clinic and demand they take it out of me.

Pensionerpeep · 02/02/2015 19:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DoJo · 02/02/2015 19:19

YABU - I can completely understand your frustration, but this is neither an accident nor an emergency. Much as it might feel like you're sticking two fingers up at the inefficiencies of your surgery, all you would really be doing is costing the NHS money and taking up time that should be used to treat people who are really ill.

Next time you call the surgery, ask about their complaints procedure - it might help light a rocket under them, and it will give you a legitimate forum to complain about their poor treatment of you.

Patilla · 02/02/2015 19:19

Could you go to another GP surgery using the temporary patient system and explain your issues and see if they will do it for you?

Sallystyle · 02/02/2015 19:19

There is nothing unreasonable about going to A&E if she is suicidal.

I don't know if that was a glib comment or not, but we should all be encouraging her to if she is indeed suicidal.

SardineQueen · 02/02/2015 19:19

Pls can people take into account the OPs possible state of mind before telling her she will be wasting everyone's time by going to A&E and that it would be totally unreasonable of her to do so.

If she is unwell then A&E might be the correct place for her to go.

nocoolnamesleft · 02/02/2015 19:20

A&E aren't going to remove it. Are there other GP practices in your area?

Pishedorf · 02/02/2015 19:20

Go to A&E to get an implant out? Seriously? The clue is in the name this is neither an accident nor an emergency

I'm sorry you're in a shit situation but you're going to have to wait until you see your GP. To go to A&E for this would be a disgraceful abuse of an already over stretched system.

YABVVVVVU.

(Check with the sexual health clinic as some do under 25 clinics AND over 25s but they don't advertise them very well)

whatmess · 02/02/2015 19:20

Take the first available appointment with any doctor at the surgery. If you feel like killing yourself then ask for a same day emergency appointment and explain your situation. The contraception may not be linked to your feelings and it shouldn't be up to you to decide if it is or not.
As for the bleeding, I have had the same. They do not automatically remove the stick in your arm. They will probably put you on the pill until your periods settle down. I was on the pill for months for this reason and have only just come off it. The stick is still in place and the bleeding appears to have settled down.

MoanCollins · 02/02/2015 19:21

Could you go to a family planning clinic?

kewtogetin · 02/02/2015 19:21

Go to a different walk in centre in the next town, register with a new GP or if it's that bad go private and you could have it removed tomorrow. You do know what A&E is for don't you? How long til someone starts banging on about being a taxpayer blah blah blah.....

Sallystyle · 02/02/2015 19:22

If she is suicidal they just might remove it.

I have been where the OP is with the implant, I was so ill with it I could not function. Telling me to stay at home when I was in that state would have been really stupid. Maybe wait until the OP comes back and explains how her mental health is before you try to put her off getting medical help that she may well be entitled to.

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