to wait until Thurs to see GP re foot instead of A&E? (pic)

[Twolefttoes]

I posted in health but thought I would try here for traffic.

WWYD - wait to see GP on Thurs or get it looked at today, which means A&E? DH has health anxiety and wants me to go to A&E, I think although its very painful it can wait until Thursday.

Pharmacist thinks possible fracture, I don't remember hurting it though and surely I would if there was a break, she was quite positive it wasn't gout...

Can't get in to the GP until Thurs, should I wait or go to A&E (it's not an accident or emergency but no walk in's around here)?

Very painful on the ball of my foot, big toe joint and big toe. Can't bend my big toe, limping etc. It came on over the weekend and getting worse, suddenly developed swelling today and the colour is different to my other foot.

Ibuprofen doing nothing, but if it was broken I don't think they could do anything anyway.

The star on the pic is to hide my hairy toes , it's the left foot.

Do you have a walk in centre near you? They could have a look at it there and would refer you to a and e if needed.

Gosh that looks just like the cellulitis that hospitalised my DS when he was younger.
I'd take that straight to A & E.
He never complained of any pain or injury prior to it coming up a bump just like that one and had no visible skin break on the site of the swelling but it was cellulitis and he was very sick indeed for a few days.
Hope you get it sorted OP - straight to A & E with you!

Gout.

If no GP appointments available (did you ask for an urgent one?), and no minor injuries unit/walk in centre, then yes, this is an A&E case. Potentially it's an emergency (ie septicaemia), and it needs assessed by medical staff who can advise if it requires emergency treatment, or can wait.

I would not be happy to leave it with the symptoms you describe. Have you told the GP it is an emergency? Most do find you an appointment if you state this. Otherwise a long wait up A & E. Most departments do have a Triage Nurse to decide whether you are worthy of a consultation with the doctor and so if they thought it was nothing too serious you would be told.
As others have stated if it is cellulitis you will need antibiotics as it can spread quickly and be dangerous. If it is becoming blue at all then you need it looked at to check your circulation. Personally I would not leave it until Thursday just in case.

Looks and sounds like my DHs gout, when he had his first flare up. Came on suddenly, felt like he'd fractured it but hadn't done anything to it. It's unlikely to be broken if you haven't done anything to it.

I have just come back from a walk in centre, none near where I live but someone from work knew of one near our office.

They think it has been caused by trauma and have prescribed strong anti inflammatories. She said it's quite swollen and discoloured but didn't send me for an x-ray so mustn't be too concerned. Kept checking I couldn't remember hurting it, I really can't.

Thanks for your advice etc. Glad its been looked at and hopefully the tablets will kick in soon.

I certainly don't want to scare you, but here is my story...

I had similar happen on my leg just above my ankle. Swollen and hot, getting more and more painful each day, but with no memory of hurting myself and no broken skin. Eventually, after a few days it got so painful that I went to the hospital, where they gave me x-rays and an MRI scan, then admitted me to hospital the very next day.

It turned out that I had an infection in the bone of my leg (osteomyelitis) and I was in hospital for over a week, had an operation, and was on antibiotics for 6 months. 10 years later I still have no idea how it happened, but the district nurse told me that these things can be dormant for years before they take hold.

Please take this seriously and go to the hospital. It will probably be nothing, but it just isn't worth the risk.

X post! I'm glad that everything is ok, nothing too serious! Get better soon!

When I had a swelling like that on my hand (cellulitis) I walked into the GP's surgery, showed the receptionist, and hey presto, I got an appointment within the hour (followed by 24 hour hosp stay!). Maybe try it? If they are concerned, they'll get you right in.