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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask for a GP appointment today for this?

117 replies

lalalalyra · 03/01/2017 08:55

My surgery does on the day appointments only. Today is going to be manic as they were shut yesterday. They are also not opening phone lines until 9am when it's usually 8.30am.

My right foot is swollen - the top of my foot from the end of my toes to just before my ankle. It looks like I've burnt my foot in hot water or something. There's a perfect red mark on the top of my foot - ankle, sides and toes are normal colour and size - and it's all tight, like when you get sunburn, but it's not sunny, I've not burned it on water and I've not fallen or twisted or anything.

It's not painful, but I've had to take my slipper off because of the swelling so I'm wondering what I do if it keeps going? Or what could possibly have caused it.

I have absolutely no idea what has caused it. I know they'll be struggling for appointments today, but I'm a bit alarmed. It wasn't swollen/red at 5am when I got up (thanks to the baby the day starts early) and I've done nothing to it.

The other thing putting me off going is that I have a cold. I don't want the Dr to think that's why I'm there (it's not that bad, asthma is controlled - absolutely no need ot see them about it) and nor do I want to pass it on.

WTF could it be??

OP posts:

KitKat1985 · 03/01/2017 08:57

I'd go. Sudden swelling isn't normal. You may have a blood clot in your foot or the start of cellulitis.

Skang · 03/01/2017 08:57

Why would they think that's why you're there if you talk about your foot?

Iits a perfectly reasonable thing to make an appointment about.

Lilaclily · 03/01/2017 08:57

Yes you should go, stop over thinking and ring

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 03/01/2017 08:59

Could you have been bitten by anything, a spider possibly? Draw round the red area and keep an eye on it, if it starts to increase I would get it checked by someone,

PuntasticUsername · 03/01/2017 08:59

You should get it seen to. Not least because it sounds as if it's come on really suddenly?

SquedgieBeckenheim · 03/01/2017 09:01

Yup, that needs to be seen today! As others have said could be cellulitis or a blood clot.

SloanePeterson · 03/01/2017 09:01

My foot went like that in the summer last year. I was told it was a bite and it would have been very serious if left. Course of antibiotics and all was fine. There are still mozzies about here, I was bitten a few nights ago, they've gotten in because I've had the windows wide open when I've been cooking.

Original poster

lalalalyra · 03/01/2017 09:01

Why would they think that's why you're there if you talk about your foot? Because if you sound the least bit cold-y the receptionist (one of them - it's pot luck which one you get) tends to assume that you are exagerating anything else just to get in.

Good idea re drawing around the redness. I can't see any bite or anything, neither can DH. It's really weird, DH has asked three times if I'm sure I haven't burnt it on the radiator (I haven't)

OP posts:

SloanePeterson · 03/01/2017 09:02

Just seen how quickly it's come on. Scrap what I said about a bite, but yes this definitely needs seeing to today.

Skang · 03/01/2017 09:03

But what would they do? Say you can't have the appointment? Surely you could just say 'I want to see the doctor about my foot' if it really came to it and that would be the end of it?

Original poster

lalalalyra · 03/01/2017 09:04

The hang up and redial game of attempting to get an appointment has begun.

Cats are quiet and still so haven't noticed any spiders, but they are quite lazy.

It's the suddeness that is bothering me more than anything. I've had my slippers on since 5 and it's only in the last short while it's become uncomfortable.

Thank you

OP posts:

SparklyMagpie · 03/01/2017 09:05

Agree with the drawing around the area, as it's a great indicator to see if it continues to swell etc.

I've had similar happen but this was on my knee, it trippled in size over the space of a few hours. I'd been for a walk though the day before so know I'd been bitten. I'd gone to work ( at the airport) and popped into see the pharmacist at the boots opposite my shop, he took one look and told me to get to A&E, I was seen very quickly and was told it was cellulitis. Was put on antibiotics for 2 weeks and told not to stand on my leg and keep it raised.

Whole point I'm trying to say is, considering you said you've not hurt, sprained your ankle etc, could you have been bitten? The swelling and redness do sound like cellulitis

I was told if a red line starts to appear it's urgent

Definitely go to the GP!

KitKat1985 · 03/01/2017 09:06

I hope you get through quickly OP. x If you can let us know how you get on later. x

SparklyMagpie · 03/01/2017 09:06

Sorry just read your update. Fingers crossed you get through soon, the swelling needs to be checked out, definitely!

Mouikey · 03/01/2017 09:07

You need to see a dr today. You don't actually have to tell the receptionist why just explain you need to see the dr urgently today. If they refuse go to your local walk in clinic or a&e. It could be a blood clot which they can easily check for through a blood test or ultrasound (so be prepared to goto hospital if you do see the gp).

Pineapplemilkshake · 03/01/2017 09:08

I'm a GP, I would definitely get seen today as it could be cellulitis. Maybe mention that on the phone when asking for the appointment, just in case.

onmybroomstick · 03/01/2017 09:08

Deffo get an appointment today

KitKat1985 · 03/01/2017 09:09

I should possibly add that I'm a nurse and if you were one of my patients I'd definitely want you to see a doctor today, so please don't think you are wasting anyones time. x

AndShesGone · 03/01/2017 09:09

If for some reason you can't get in you do have to go to urgent care or A and E. Sudden swelling without tripping over is not going to be good !

queenMab99 · 03/01/2017 09:09

I had this problem, last year, however it was really painful. Dr said it was a small embolism in my foot, treatment was support stockings and anti-inflammitary gel, but said if it got worse or calf swelled up, to go back immediately or to go A and E. I think you should go to doctors.

Pineapplemilkshake · 03/01/2017 09:09

Also, yes while it's true you don't need to say why you need an urgent appointment as another poster mentioned, it seems daft not to, as no doubt they will be triaging today on the basis of clinical need.

Original poster

lalalalyra · 03/01/2017 09:13

You can't ever get an appointment without giving some detail. If you don't then you get a big long spiel about them not being able to triage you to the right person and by the time they finish there is no appointments left and you have to play the game again tomorrow.

I'm still playing the redial game.

OP posts:

Pythonesque · 03/01/2017 09:23

How easy is it to get to A&E, how close is your GP surgery? Depending on logistics this may be one that is reasonable to turn up at your surgery and ask for an urgent appointment, if you can't get through on the phone and if it is viable to sit and wait there for a bit. Or potentially appropriate for A&E, especially if it is actively getting worse. Set a deadline for your attempts to get through by phone after which you do something else to get seen.

BakeOffBiscuits · 03/01/2017 09:32

Hope you get through and get an appointment.

The redial thing is ridiculous, our surgery keeps you in a queue and tells you what number you are in the queue. Why can't they all do that?!

Original poster

lalalalyra · 03/01/2017 09:35

I'm still trying. If I don't get one by 9.45 I'll give up and call them for advice after 10 when it'll be quiet.

They don't do the queue thing because people complained about the cost of being kept on hold for 20/30 minutes.

A&E is about 25 minutes away. If I need to go there I need to do it today. DH is going back offshore tomorrow. It never rain, but it pours atm.

OP posts:

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