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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Original poster
lalalalyra · 03/01/2017 11:03

They don't do online appointments either. I'm actually laughing at the thought. They've only recently started letting you do repeat prescription requests online.

OP posts:
SquinkiesRule · 03/01/2017 11:03

I hope you've gone quiet on here because you either got and appointment for now, or are on the way to A&E.
If you go to A&E can you pop in the Doc on the way past and tell the receptionist whats happening, they may slot you in instead of going over to A&E. Worth a try, tell them it looks like cellulitis or a bite and it's still getting bigger.

SantaIsABastard · 03/01/2017 11:03

Doesnt sound good I mean. No idea what auto correct is doing today!

Glad you are getting a call back.

SquinkiesRule · 03/01/2017 11:04

Cross post OP, get yourself to A&E.

TeaCakeLiterature · 03/01/2017 11:04

Hope it all gets resolved - I think if it's getting worse I'd head to A&E now...it's been a few hours already that it's been getting worse

insan1tyscartching · 03/01/2017 11:07

Can you get to a pharmacist? I once went with the same symptoms (which turned out to be cellulitis) and the pharmacist phoned the GP surgery and I was seen immediately. Hadn't bothered phoning GP myself because of wait for appointments and it didn't hurt then although it did very much so later.

MrsKCastle · 03/01/2017 11:09

Hope you manage to get seen OP.

Katy07 · 03/01/2017 11:12

Go into the surgery, stick your foot on the receptionist's desk and say it's only turned like this since you got up - they can't ignore you then.

crashdoll · 03/01/2017 11:18

I really hope you get seen! Your surgery sound archaic to say the least. Wish you better.

CryingShame · 03/01/2017 11:25

OP, whilst you're waiting to hear back, lie on the sofa with your foot raised against the sofa back, so it is elevated. It will help you be more comfortable and reduce further swelling until you can get an appointment.

C8H10N4O2 · 03/01/2017 11:34

"Explained what was happening to the receptionist, she knows me from DD3's recent appointments [..]and knows I'm not one to come in unneeded.*

But this is so wrong - you should not be reliant on the good will of an unqualified receptionist to get access to a doctor. If they normally have a triage nurse that is good but maternity leave is hardly unpredictable and at peak time of medical year why have they not called in locum/temporary support?

Seriously this is something that patients should raise with the practice (or at least ask what the plans are for triage cover whilst the nurse is on leave). As others have said one of the commonest reasons people give for taking minor issues to A&E is the inability to see their GP.

MountainPeaks · 03/01/2017 11:44

C8H10N4O2

Totally agree with you - my GP surgery usually operates with four salaried GPs, one GP registrar and four GP partners. Right now due to maternity leave and a missing registrar (not sure what happened there) they have 1 locum, 1 salaried GP and 4 GP partners.

Therealloislane · 03/01/2017 12:00

I hope they call back OP.

I'm leaving my current surgery due to never being able to get an appointment. They diagnosed a family member with sciatica over the phone (it was in fact a tumour which went undiagnosed as she was never able to get an appointment)

Nquartz · 03/01/2017 12:01

Already been mentioned but is there a pharmacy nearer/more convenient than A&E? They can write prescriptions if necessary & advise on what you should do

guiltynetter · 03/01/2017 16:44

did you get an appointment OP?

KitKat1985 · 03/01/2017 17:10

Any news OP?

QODRestYeMerryGentlemen · 03/01/2017 17:15

Bloody hell what a nightmare!

Any joy?

EweAreHere · 03/01/2017 17:17

They GP surgeries do feel the wrath if their patients go to A&E and it was viewed as unnecessary. We got a letter once after taking a child in for an x-ray; not broken; suggesting we shouldn't have gone in. But the GP had suggested we take him in for the x-ray, after checking him over himself, and they still sent the chiding letter.

2dogsonthesofa · 03/01/2017 17:24

I think a lot of doctors receptionists ask what is wrong and triage.To be fair in our previous practice the reception realised my dh was a cardiac emergency and an ambulance was organised for him. He also, on another occasion had unexplained swelling to his calf and 111 arranged for an out of hours gp to see him. We ended up in a and e and it was a muscle tear bleeding into his leg.

Ohb0llocks · 03/01/2017 17:24

Hope you've managed to get seen by someone Op

Janey50 · 03/01/2017 17:31

Just as an aside,who in their right mind goes to the doctor just because they have a cold?! I understand that if you have a compromised immune system,are very elderly or very young you would,but most normally healthy adults wouldn't bother,surely? If my doctor's receptionist thought I was trying to wrangle an appointment for a cold by saying I had something else wrong,I would be most annoyed and insulted!

BarryTheKestrel · 03/01/2017 17:33

I hope you've been seen by now OP.

Friendinneed2016 · 03/01/2017 17:38

How did you get on?

chaplin1409 · 03/01/2017 17:43

Hope you are ok?
We have the same in our doctors they just don't have enough doctors with only 1 full time and 1 part time for the whole valley.

Becles · 03/01/2017 19:19

All those saying that the practice don't squeeze in etc. It is a legal requirement that ANY practice must accept ANY patient where the clinical circumstances mean 'an immediately necessary appointment' is required.

I could be visiting Penzance from Liverpool and walk into a practice and request an appointment. However, it's a clinical decision as to if the symptoms meet the criteria and doesn't mean that you will be seen immediately. Any GP would be in breach of the NHS contract not to run the system and a lot of them rely on lack of knowledge.

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