GP surgery - standing room only?

[shouldnthavesaid]

Is this normal - AIBU to be surprised? Went for an emergency appointment this morning at my new GP surgery and there were no seats left - it was absolutely jam packed. I and about 6 others had to stand against the wall waiting - felt a bit awkward. I did notice one man move a seat over that was unoccupied for his child to sit on and the receptionist told him to put it back , that seat's left in corridor for a specific reason apparently.

I had a routine appointment last week after registering (on long term meds so needed to see the doctor), was the same then.

Admittedly I've moved from a practice in an area mainly populated by students and flat shares to one that seems much larger . Maybe there's much more demand for appointments. Was just a bit taken aback and wondering if I have led a sheltered life/ been very lucky in the past!

I didn't say anything to anyone as seemed rude/pointless, plus I was there for a self harm injury and just wanted out asap (as it goes I was out of doctors room within 3 minutes) but surely most surgeries aren't busy like that? Thank goodness the doctor was on time, my previous GP had a record of being 45 mins late usually ...!

That could be right.. I think I would always be against anyone who wasn't my old GP surgery at the moment anyway, because miss the support so much.. wrong to get so attached to someone.

My lecture finishes in 30 minutes. I'm on brink of a panic attack so cant wait to get out. There's a student wellbeing centre here so will head there after.

You're doing absolutely brilliantly. Please keep in touch and let us know how the rest of the day goes. You could just pack your things and quietly leave. Just say you are feeling unwell or give lecturer a note on yr way out. If I could get to you in half an hour I would and if I were your mum I'd be so proud of you for seeking help.

If you are feeling like you are going to panic then sometimes slowing your breathing down can help. If you can't leave your lecture you could try this gif
www.duffthepsych.com/stopanxiety/

@shouldnthavesaid thinking of you and hoping you are ok.

Sounds like you have a plan OP - excellent work. Student wellbeing centre is a great first move. If you are in halls, many have an older student mentor in residence, just as someone to chat to as you are settling in. Wellbeing centre should be able to point you towards people who you can talk with, and there may be many more support networks available than you are aware of at the moment. Might also be worth asking if the centre run any sort of "drop in for coffee and a chat" sort of sessions if that might suit you. All the best - you are doing exactly the right thing in seeking a bit of support.

Yay, austerity!

Nothing to do with them cutting down theirs hours to avoid the 60% tax then?? There was a time when GPs worked full time - now because of the tax lots of experienced older GPs are cutting their hours or retiring completely to avoid the crazy 60% tax rate and to avoid their pension schemes being too high which triggers another penal tax. A classic case of the unforeseen consequences of raising taxes on "the rich"!

It's not just austerity...

In our GP surgery, 241 patients missed their appointments in August, and didn't let the surgery know, costing £7122 and wasting 52 hours of practice time.

That might be why people find it hard to make GP appts.

I think surgeries should be able to fine people who don't show up for appts. Some people don't value things when they're free, unfortunately.

"Nothing to do with them cutting down theirs hours to avoid the 60% tax then??"

What 60% tax rate? The highest in the UK is 45%. If the GP is earning over £150,000 a year to hit that, I doubt money motivates them to do more hours.

But how is the op. The thread turned out to be about her being very vulnerable and not coping during her first weeks at uni.

Hope you are getting some help now lovely.

I keep having the horrible feelijg that I'm going to collapse. It's like I worry its a premonition. I've never felt it so strongly before in my life until I moved :(

Previously I would have had people to talk to, distractions, familiar places to be but here there isnt anywhere sort of safe or familiar feeling yet. My aunty lives twenty minutes away on the train but I don't want to bother her, she has two teenage kids and a busy life.

I've made an appointment to see a more senior GP a week ob Thursday. If I want counselling - I checked - have to go to the university on Monday between 12.40 and 3 and wait for a session. GP surgery told me to ring a number for NHS help but they can only offer group therapy the other side of Glasgow . Not sure about that at all.

I can't do anything really as so anxious and scared all the time. Even getting to corner shop is scary just now. I couldn't get home even if I wanted to.

Have manages to get tea in the oven though so thats a start at least.

What 60% tax rate?

There's a marginal tax rate of 60% between income levels of £100k-£123k due to the tax free personal allowance being removed. As that's exactly the income range of most experienced/senior GP's it's causing many to reduce their hours to avoid it by reducing earnings to below £100k. I'm an accountant with numerous GPs and dentists as clients so I see this on a weekly basis.

I keep thinking I've made a dreadful mistake and I'm not cut out for this :(

I am sorry. I am not great at practical advice but I know how you feel. Ask for help from everyone. It really isn't unusual. Lots of love

Going away to university is stressful for most people, so your reaction is not unusual. The severity of your reaction is greater because of your MH concerns but having a reaction is normal.
Well done for sorting out food.
Take things slowly and accept you need time to adjust to the change. Celebrate the what you have managed rather than beating yourself up over feeling anxious or struggling.
You made it to the GP, you made it to your lecture, you are identifying sources of support. These are all positive achievements and plenty for one day so give yourself permission to stop for tonight.

OP, do you have any friends there you could meet? Is there pastoral care? Uni chaplain?

How about practising mindfulness or relaxation? Listening to a peaceful CD and trying to breathe deeply and let the anxiety go?

What makes you feel calm and less panicked? Could one your family come to stay?

@Kazzyhoward

"There's a marginal tax rate of 60% between income levels of £100k-£123k due to the tax free personal allowance being removed."

Excuse my scepticism. I can't believe anyone was stupid enough to design a tax system with a tax free allowance that then gets removed above a certain threshold. Not only does it create the disincentive you describe but it adds complexity.

I don't think this in any way invalidates the idea of taxing the wealthy- it's witless planning whatever the top rate is. The problem is that the number of doctors the UK trains is so low. At north of £100K a year a GP can afford to cut back their hours if they want and there simply aren't the people to replace them

Previously I would have had people to talk to, distractions, familiar places to be but here there isnt anywhere sort of safe or familiar feeling yet. My aunty lives twenty minutes away on the train but I don't want to bother her, she has two teenage kids and a busy life.

I'd urge you to phone your aunty, say the terrible state you're in and ask if you can come over and maybe sleep on the sofa for a night. I have two teenagers and a busy life but if my nephew (I don't have a niece) turned up feeling the way you do I'd move hell and high water to support him. I know my sister would do the same for my girls.

It's very tough being away at uni for the first time. Most people feel it, but people don't let on and so everybody looks to be having a great time except you. This won't be the case. It is harder for you as you have a mental health condition already, so maybe will struggle more - but others will be feeling like you do. It will get better, honestly, but in the meantime you need real life support to get you through. Please go and see your aunt if you can.

Hugs and support

I'm dithering over jumping on the train home tomorrow. It's 2.5 hours to get back up the road. My worry is if I did that though I'd struggle massively to come back here.

My uncle - mum's side of the family, previously mentioned aunt is my dad's - phoned me. My anxiety seems to latch on to worries that I feel I can fix if that makes sense. Every time I get anxious I start feeling 'missed beats'. My uncle was diagnosed with a genetic condition a while ago (ARVC , don't understand it much), and I was worried this is what's wrong with me and fuels fear further of leaving my bedroom/being away from home.

Uncle said he has a hunch I'm worried over nothing but could tell I was upset, said he can phone me any time - see GP again about palpitations and try to relax for now. Not easy but desperately trying , I think sometimes the more you try the worse you feel.

There is a chaplaincy support, I've signed up for a writing group via them that starts on Wednesday called 'writing to recovery'. I'm looking forward to that. I am enjoying the lecture content too, it's a subject I really did/do want to do.

I'm waiting on my mum phoning me back just now, she's on phone to my sister.

Kazzy, donquixo, please take your rants somewhere else. shouldnt is looking for support, if you're not here for that reason then sod off.

Can I recommend the app Pause shouldn't? I think it costs a few pounds, it's on Android and iphone, but is amazing at helping with panic attacks and that feeling of collapsing. Take care of yourself, I hope you have a restful weekend.

((((Shouldnthavesaid)))))
You are doing brilliantly seeking help. GP surgeries can be daunting. Do stay and chat here or you could start a thread in mental health or Chat. I’m so glad you are seeking support.

(I’m suggesting it because AIBU can get heated and people don’t always read the full thread so it may turn into an argument, possibly not with you, betwern other posters, I can see a couple of discussions already.)

OP was going to add

If you jump on a train tomorrow don't you think a bit of home might help you with your confidence and if your mum's on side and you give permission she can help by being your advocate. Saying that as a mum of course.

My dd was due to go to Edinburgh but decided to have a gap year. We're in SE. I'd say she's recovered but could have wobbled. If you have a good mum who loves you she'll be pleased to see you and pleased to know.

It's early days shouldnt.

A CPN phoned me , gave a number for crisis team and said I can phone anytime tonight until 9am tomorrow. He said of course can go home tomorrow (at a cost of £60!) but would I feel able to come back, is the issue. Can see a GP tomorrow at Stobhill hospital too if very concerned they said.

My mum said she'd happily have me home too but also worried I'd not go back .

Every palpitation I'm getting I'm panicking, even though my uncle said just to chill out tonight and that ARVC tends to be a problem in bouts of intense, competitive exercise and also tends to be seen at ECG in some way.

Was going to take advantage of fact old GP has asked to remain in touch - have emailed back and forth a handful of times over last fortnight - and see if can 'talk' to her but not sure she'd be very happy, and she certainly wouldn't/can't hand out any clinical advice anyway.

Anxiety is a horrible feeling

Thank you all

Hope you're ok. It's a big change going from here to Glasgow. Once you get a new support system in place I hope you realise that it's a great decision you have made in moving and living your life for yourself!

shouldn't
Palpitations are rarely the sign of something serious. I get them when I am tired or stressed and have done so for years (I'm nearly 50). I also have a heart murmur. I've been checked by cardiologists and there is absolutely nothing wrong at all.
Focus on slowing your breathing.