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 ...!

OP Is there any chance you could transfer to a uni nearer to home? First time I went to uni I ended taking an overdose after months of self harm and then suddenly stopping my meds. My dad found out and dragged me home where I restarted uni and graduated. It's such a massive thing to move away, and to do uni, and to have all of that on top of existing troubles is not good. Take care and do what you need to do, not what you think you should

I will do.. I've emailed previous GP . Probably shouldn't have but its sent now and I did say I dont want her to feel she has to reply to me.

I'm shattered and sore eyes , option still stands of seeing a doctor for a face to face chat tomorrow so will probably do that. I really wanted to go shopping too but not so sure.

I cared fot a girl a couple of years ago who Od'd at uni, I think its more common than we think. [Flowers] Squidgey I'm so glad your dad was able to help xxx

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Shouldn't (and you should always say by the way) please please please look after yourself. I know it can be dark, and if you have good support there then brilliant but please don't try to be brave. I only posted because you kept saying you wouldn't go home because you thought you wouldn't go back to uni if you did. Please don't stay if you need to go home xx

I fell asleep eventually somewhere around 2am . Think I just exhausted myself. Going to try to be gentle with myself today. I really want to go to the shops. My anxiety says I can't in case I collapse , am ill, have a panic attack, get lost, spend too much money ! But I really want to go. Have to buy smart clothes for uni placements.

Squidey thank you

Its so silly , this is something I wanted to do for a long time. Why am I so stressed.

I wish I hadnt emailed GP last night , I said to her I dont want her to feel she has to reply to me - like work on a Saturday - don't know if she will.

Otoh I am managing to pee very well after catheter taken out Thursday night , they used one 2 sizes larger to sort of dilate everything. That process hasnt helped hugely as its brought on flashbacks but I can pee at least.

The university disability advisor was telling me all services they offer -

Mindfulness , attention skills training , anxiety management , hypnosis, 1-1 counselling, writing to recovery. I've got the first writing group on Wednedsay afternoon which I am looking forward to a lot to be honest.

Palpitations are horrible. I feel if I could talk to a cardiologist I'd feel somehow reassured. My uncle said my symptoms don't really match his at all. He said hospital told him a skipped beat is totally normal in a healthy heart. My GP told me on my 24 hour ECG my skipped beats were totally normal. I must have had 20 ECGs now . My mum has had dozens and dozens and an echo. I don't know how ARVC works if she can be an unaffected carrier or something? I dont know. My uncle said he was told it mainly affects males (has come down male line with my grandad they think) and strenouous atheletes and less so females with a sedentary lifestyle. Its very confusing.

Hope your day is going ok shouldnt. You have been incredibly mature and sensible in the last 24 hours and are a young woman to be very proud of.

If you want to go to the shops are there any steps you can take to help with your anxiety?
Fear of getting lost - print out a map to take and photograph it with your phone.
Fear of spending too much - decide your limit and take it out in cash and only spend cash not use a card.
Feel like you might collapse - agree with yourself that if you feel like that you will sit in a cafe with a drink and a biscuit for a few minutes.
You won't get rid of your anxiety with any of those things because anxiety isn't like that. However, getting on with your life despite the anxiety might help. Don't set the bar too high, going to one shop and buying a pair of socks is an achievement if you weren't sure if you could even get out of the door.

Shouldn't, it's not silly, nothing is silly. It's an enormous change in your life and people without anxiety can struggle. You are really doing phenomenally well by the sounds of things. I hope your day has gone ok.

Ive done the laundry , and folded it up , so nice clean pyjamas for tonight :) . Made beans on toast for brunch , and then an odd concoction of baked tattie , avocado and feta cheese for tea. Divine. Craving something sweet though and nicked my thumb on the avocado knife!!

Mood has been up and down, but calmer than yesterday so thats good.

Been watching TV a bit .. not done much else. Had a shower and washed hair etc.

Tomorrow going to go to the shops I think. The crisis team wanted me to make a priority of phoning GP surgery first thing Monday regardless of any lectures etc, not sure if I should do that as course requires 80% attendance but maybe I am better to go !

Chazs that list is fab :), going to write that out and go with it :)

GP emailed back and set me off crying again , says she has every faith in me and thinking lots of me.

Flatmates have invited me to go to Botanical Gardens tomorrow :) meeting at 11am ish :)

So pleased you are being cared for OP

Thank you xx bawled my eyes out reading letter from GP earlier , she said I am bigger and better than my fears which means a lot.

So tired tonight, botanical gardens sound lovely tomorrow and I know waitrose is just across rhe road too (another new thing for me, we don't have such posh stuff at home!)

Gosh never been standing at the gp nope there is plenty of room, although not individual seats benches so maybe hold more people.