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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To bother the GP with my never ending list of ailments?

35 replies

Prettysureitsnotok · 29/08/2018 09:51

So yes I will at some point be attempting to get a GP appointment, but living in London and having a full time job means it will take weeks to be seen.

I've gone from being a relatively fit and healthy 25 year old to a limping wreck within the last 6 weeks. It started with joint pain, mainly my knees and hips, which made it painful to walk. Followed by a stinking cold which hasn't left. My achilles tendon is incredibly sore, creaks when moving and painful to touch. Due to hip, knee and heel pain, even standing up is total agony and a short walk will leave me sweating and nauseous from pain. Last night I slept with shoes on as I couldn't reach to take them off.

As of this weekend I've also started developing painful, hot lumps on my legs, around the size of 2p coins. They aren't itchy but are red and raised and don't look like boils or insect bites.

This is mostly just a whinge but I'm completely exhausted and feel like I'm falling apart. Have I just been really unlucky or is there any chance these symptoms are all related?

OP posts:
Ilovecamping · 29/08/2018 09:53

Just get an appointment as soon as you can, working full time is no excuse

CherryPavlova · 29/08/2018 09:55

Take time of work and ask for a full rheumatology screen.

BarbarianMum · 29/08/2018 09:56

They may well be related. And yy to seeing a gp - you can hardly walk!

thaegumathteth · 29/08/2018 09:57

Stop being a martyr get seen

maZebraltov · 29/08/2018 10:00

"We can't do anything about soft tissue" is probably what they will tell you. I'd go in with very low expectations.

xJessica · 29/08/2018 10:02

I'd mention everything, in case it's all connected. You could always ask for a double appointment, and I'm sure you're entitled to time off work for medical appointments. Hope you get sorted out, all that sounds awful Flowers

Xenia · 29/08/2018 10:03

Have you been doing a lot of running? It all sounds horrible. Yes see your GPO and you need to mention everything as they may be linked. Just type a short list of the 5 points - bullet points to remind yourself on the day.

If you are really busy but have a bit of money there are very good and not very expensive inner London private GP services (£75 15 minutes in the City walkin-clinic.co.uk/pricing. Might seem like a lot but if it means you don't get sacked from your London full time job and preserve a career and only take 30 minutes out of work rather than half a day it might actually save you a bunch of money

Originalsaltedpeanuts · 29/08/2018 10:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MimsyBorogroves · 29/08/2018 10:07

I hear you, OP. I work in a school, go back next week and the next available appointment is in 3 weeks, middle of the day. I work 8.30-4.30, don't get home until 5.30 then have to pick up my children. We can't have time off unless it's a massive medical issue (surgery, specialist etc). Looks like I'll be waiting until half term.

Our GP keeps saying about offering evening and weekend appointments, but nothing ever comes of it, which is understandable.

WhirlyGigWhirlyGig · 29/08/2018 10:08

Sounds like you need to see a rheumatologist, I'd ask for a telephone appt firstly because they're going to want a full blood panel done.

Original poster
Prettysureitsnotok · 29/08/2018 10:09

No running - it's all gradually got worse over the last 6 months or so.

In terms of working, I have been leaving early so that I can hobble slowly and take breathers, then sit as still as I can at my desk for as long as I can Grin

I should have a day next week where I can work from home and try and nab one of the same day appointments, it's just such a gamble as to whether they'll have any left by the time you get to the front of the queue.

Although in my experience they will probably tell me there's nothing that can be done..

OP posts:
Original poster
Prettysureitsnotok · 29/08/2018 10:09

six weeks or so *

I was working out 5 days a week before this started, but mostly yoga and weights, nothing high impact

OP posts:
WhirlyGigWhirlyGig · 29/08/2018 10:10

Should have said I have psoriatic Arthritis and other autoimmune diseases so some of what you're saying is ringing bells with me, big clonking bells.

Belleende · 29/08/2018 10:12

You need an appointment asap. Take the day off if you need to. Go private if you can afford it. Your symptoms need to be checked out.

vitaminC · 29/08/2018 10:14

Sounds like it could be sarcoidosis. You do need to go to the GP.
Have you tried taking ibuprofen? And has it helped at all?

maZebraltov · 29/08/2018 10:18

Please update us how this turns out.

Original poster
Prettysureitsnotok · 29/08/2018 10:21

Ibuprofen really helps - with my knees especially. I've been cautious not to over-use it though.

Sarcoidosis is definitely ringing bells with me - the skin lumps and cough/shortness of breath especially. I was connecting the shortness with breath more with the joint pain than the cough as it's much worse when I'm walking, whereas the cough is worse when I'm still.

OP posts:
vitaminC · 29/08/2018 10:26

I hope you manage to get in to see the GP quickly. Please do let us know how you get on.

TomHardysNextWife · 29/08/2018 10:26

Phone your GP and get the soonest appointment that you can.

DarlingNikita · 29/08/2018 10:27

Get on the phone to the surgery immediately and say you need an emergency appointment.

Don't muck about with your health, please.

SheldonSaysSo · 29/08/2018 10:29

With the lumps on your legs this could be erythema nodosum. This causes painful lumps and can also cause severe joint pain too. Definitely see the GP about it and get seen by rheumatology if it doesn't resolve

DoraDont · 29/08/2018 10:30

The bumps on legs sounds like classic erythema nodosom, and that can be connected with sarcoidosis.

I have had en a few times and my aunt has sarcoidosis, so it all sounds familiar.

I hope you manage to find a treatment that works for you.

GoatWoman · 29/08/2018 10:32

Bloody hell, just go to the GP! Why the hell are you tolerating this?

MereDintofPandiculation · 29/08/2018 10:32

GP is for things you can't solve yourself - you need to go. This is impacting on your ability to carry out your normal activities. If you can take time off without getting the sack, then you need to do this. If you've been leaving early because of this then any reasonable employer should be happy for you to see a GP in work time if it gets you beck to full efficiency quicker.

Crunchymum · 29/08/2018 10:36

Do they do same day appointments? If you call first thing?

I wouldn't go to a walk-in as they don't offer referrals (well mine doesn't for things like rheumatology and physio but I guess they of course do emergency referrals!!)

I have recently been diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis and early diagnosis is important so they can medicate you and protect your joints (not saying you have arthritis OP but the sooner you are seen the sooner they can figure out what is wrong with you!!). With my condition - even though diagnosed - they are still trying to find the right medication for me and I've been seen relatively quickly!!

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