Should I be going to the doctor?

[BWrose]

It's been about 18 months since I last went to a doctor. When I feel I'll or sick I usually help myself with over the counter medicine and drink plenty of fluids.

Earlier in the week I came down with a cough that got worse. My throat is now very, very, very sore. I suspect from the coughing.

The night before last, I had a terrible time. I was hardly able to sleep. Some coughs take up so much energy and force. My throat is killing me. I was hardly able to talk last night.

More often than not, I battle on but I was floored last night.

I'm off for a few hours this morning. Should I be trying for a doctor's appointment?

Good luck getting an appointment! Do you have a walk in centre near you?

Yes you probably need antibiotics. Don't be a martyr. You could cause yourself long term problems

If you can't see someone (and even if you can) try ultra chloraseptic spray, which you can get from the chemist or a large supermarket. It's great for a very painful throat

I’d probably try antihistamines for a couple of nights first. And / or nose spray like otravine. Actually sometimes this is reflux so some ranitidine or gaviscon might be worth a try. All available over the counter.

@Monty27 I don't think the OP was trying to be a martyr...

If you find yourself having a long wait for an appointment then speak to a pharmacist they can advise you on self care and whether they think you need an urgent appointment. If they think it's urgent then tell the surgery that.

I would recommend speaking to a pharmacist first.
It is very unlikely you will be able to get a GP appointment.

I agree with pp about speaking to a pharmacist

Could be strep throat, so yes, I'd try to get an appointment.

Phone now (well in a few minutes) and get an emergency on the day appointment. Your cough is now an emergency.

See a pharmacist. If they say you need GP then tell GP receptionist that pharmacist says requires doctor so you need an emergency appt. Don't hang round, do this today.

I don't know why PP's are saying OP will never get a same day appointment - that's not the case everywhere. Plenty of areas still have enough GP's to provide a same-day service. I've never not been able to get one where I am, even if it's not been an emergency.

Don't ignore it. If you're coughing that badly you need to be seen. I always manage to get an appointment.

9amTrain maybe not a martyr but I don't understand why you would wait when you feel ill.
OP did you see a pharmacist? Or go?

Thank you so much for all the replies. I'm someone who defers going to the doctor and waits it out and try natural remedies.

I read all the replies and I decided to go before the weekend, otherwise I would only be suffering. I was actually in a very bad way. Not sleeping properly with an aggressive cough making my throat sore
During the days the cough had me stopping dead in my tracks and hunched over gasping for air and tearing up in pain with a sore throat and sore eyes. Sinus problems too.

I went to the doctor and I was very lucky I got an appointment. I'm from an area where appointments are hard to get if not booked in advance.

It's hayfever setting off the sinus and it's all connected. The doctor was saying asthma, sinus, hayfever is all connected. She said there is an epidemic of this summer of hayfever problems. Many people suffering from pollen.

I was on a nebulizer for a while and prescribed some medicine - steroids, nasal spray, antihistamine. I was taking an over the counter antihistamine for some days previous to that suspecting hayfever but clearly weren't strong enough or maybe I started taking them a bit late in the episode.

I'm doing a lot better and the cough isn't as aggressive. I bought a jar of local honey too. I read that can help. I also found a hayfever band in the local chemist for wearing on the arm. I don't know if that's helping.

Excellent news. I believe you have to start the local honey some months before hay fever season so may work next year. Keep it up, glad u feeling better.

Glad you feel better op. Phew. I have really bad lung problems because I ignored coughs for years. Sorry if I sounded aggressive or anything. I always just didn't want you to get worse. Take care of yourself.