AIBU to fib to doctor's receptionist?

[lalalalyra]

I think I've got a chest infection. In fact I'm pretty sure (I've had 5 in the last 2 years and have been spot on each time I've gone to the doctors). I can feel it.

The problem I have is that I'm also loaded with the cold. Have been for four weeks, so as soon as I phone and mention anything about the chest she'll ask if I've got/had a cold and then receptionists will give the 'antbiotics don't help colds' spiel. Which I know.

I've got asthma and throughout my cold my peak flow hasn't been too low (normally 500, dropped to 400/420), but yesterday it was 350 and today it's 300. I've been keeping a tight control on my asthma through it (slight increase in ventolin as normal with a cold), but I really don't want my PF to drop any lower.

I know that if you say you need an appointment for 'lady problems' the receptionists ask no questions... WIBU to phone tomorrow say that and then present with a cold/chest infection/asthma playing up? The receptionists say that they need to know as it gives the GP's a heads up on what patients are in for, but anytime I go the GP starts with "What can we do for you today?" so I don't think they read it/take it as gospel.

Dontlike I had a telephone call from a patient who told me he was going to come down to the surgery to rape me. Luckily I was recording the call and the Police charged him and found him guilty of malicious communication. So yes we do get abuse and we are human.

TroysMammy That's horrendous!

Wow.........

How unsettling Troy'smum

That's horrid! Glad the police got him.

Phone triage can be very good (they use it for all urgent appointments where I am) but only if the person on the phone is medically qualified. We don't have receptionists, its always one of the nurses who answer the phones and they are good at telling who needs to come in straight away and who can wait until the afternoon or evening.