Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To think this is a waste of NHS time?

20 replies

Thisnamechanger · 20/09/2018 14:31

I'm think the waste of time.

Over the past couple of years I'd estimate I've been to the doctors about once every three months with a different 'thing', each time.

I always find myself saying "I know this is probably nothing at all but it's been worrying me and I just want to get it checked out".

There have been some actual things like persistent belly pain and breast lump (both tested, both real but not serious) but other little tiny things that my doctor looked quite surprised that I'd bothered to come in for (think tiny skin lumps, swollen glands, general ill feeling).

Each time I go I swear to myself I'm not going to go in again for something tiny that I've googled but I've just noticed a black stripe in my finger nail that wasn't there before and I once read something about this being a potential sign of melanoma.

I don't want to waste more of their time and firmly cement the feeling I'm a hypochondriac but I also know I'll be waking up at 4am worrying and doing googling.

It's really tiring.

My DM died of cancer 18 months ago and DF had cancer in his 40s; Daunty has cancer and duncle had it - and they were all under 60! So that all my blood relation in that generation. I think I've got all paranoid because I feel like odds are I'm getting it too.

Can anyone relate to this at all? Feel like I'm going mad.

OP posts:

BloodyDisgrace · 20/09/2018 14:39

You are not wasting NHS time. If you have concerns - you just go to see GP. That's what they are here for. A healthy person popping in to see their GP to ask if they have experience of growing clematis successfully is wasting time. But no one does it, right?

I came to GP about a verruca (which I didn't know what it was) - and they were brilliant, treated it. I came for a emergency contraception - and they gave the prescription.

I get angry at this "culture" of doubting if you're worthy of seeing GP. it's all to do with newspapers peddling the myth of worthy vs.unworthy, dividing people, setting them against each other, when the real problem is tax avoidance by the rich, resulting in cuts to NHS.

Original poster

Thisnamechanger · 20/09/2018 14:41

A healthy person popping in to see their GP to ask if they have experience of growing clematis successfully is wasting time

Thanks, that made me smile.

It's definitely a real black line, so I suppose in that sense it's definitely real even if it's nothing IYSWIM!

OP posts:

muddlingalong42 · 20/09/2018 18:10

Don't think you are wasting time. Sometimes if I'm not sure a drs appt is necessary o think to myself ill still see if it's a "thing" in a week, and if it is make a guilt free appt. quite often the thing has gone away in that time!
Also switch your phone off at night, so it's not so easy to google.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 20/09/2018 18:15

Having a new health issue every three months seems excessive for a person in good general health.

AnneLovesGilbert · 20/09/2018 18:21

Breast lump obviously right to go. Swollen glands? Hmmm. How long had you left it to go? There’s loads of useful info on the NHS site explaining self care, do you try that before booking an appointment?

I have to get a jab by the nurse at the GP every ten weeks and feel bad about that. But it’s unavoidable and I can’t do it myself and make sure I’m in and out as quickly as possible.

It’s a massive faff trying to get an appointment at my GPs so I actively avoid it. They also insist on a telephone call with a doctor before you’re allowed to see anyone which must help filter out some people’s concerns.

abacucat · 20/09/2018 18:28

I talk to the pharmacist about small things. Your nail is the kind of thing I would discuss with them if I was worried.

Pollypanda · 20/09/2018 19:01

It sounds like you have a bit of health anxiety, which isn’t surprising given all you’ve been through in the last couple of years. That in itself may be worth a chat with the GP over. Are you an anxious person normally?

Please don’t worry you’re wasting anyone’s time. I watched that programme on channel 5 about life in a GP surgery once (sorry can’t remember the name!) and they said some patients see the doctor daily. So once every 3 months is tame in comparison.

Don’t be so hard on yourself.

💐

abacucat · 20/09/2018 19:24

If you can find a decent pharmacist, you don't need an appointment. So much more accessible for small things. They will tell you if you need to see a GP.

mumsastudent · 20/09/2018 19:34

our doctor's surgery have nurses/paramedics/etc so you could ask to see them - if they think its something that needs more advice/treatment than they can give they will refer you onto doctor - however I think you sound like you have anxiety & that itself is something you may need help with.

MountainPeakGeek · 20/09/2018 19:38

OP - See this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/3166249-Black-line-on-thumbnail?msgid=80451276

You would not be wasting the GP's time. To save you stressing before you read the full thread, the OP of that thread did not have melanoma, but it was something that needed ruling out and not just ignoring.

someonekillbabyshark · 20/09/2018 19:40

I go to my pharmacist first and if I don't like there answer I go to the doctor

ENormaSnob · 20/09/2018 19:47

Yabu to not go with the black line.

Does sound like a touch of health anxiety. Understandably after what you've gone through. Maybe mention this to gp? I have similar and my gp has been amazing.

flumpybear · 20/09/2018 19:51

Don't worry - it's 5 mins of their time and I'll bet they're pleased you're anxiety and stress levels are also alleviated after a visit - go
With the nail problem if it's just appeared with no other damage that may have caused it

Ollivander84 · 20/09/2018 19:53

I went every month at least at one point, for the best part of 8 years. They did finally pick up my underlying condition! But yeah I was in and out with coughs, chest infections, tonsillitis, tiredness, night sweats and a million and one other things
I did feel like I was going mad and when the GP rang me and said we have found something in your bloods, I burst into tears. I had around 50 blood tests and the same result was on each one but they didn't spot it
So I had some health anxiety but mine was because I knew something wasn't right if that makes sense? After that it's improved

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 20/09/2018 19:54

Does it go across the nail or vertical? I think vertical is more concerning. You could go to Boots pharmacy, they have a mole checking service.

Gertrudethestag · 20/09/2018 19:55

I felt like this to the extent that I left cystitis go on for 6 weeks. In the end I felt worthy enough to make an appointment after it became unbearable and the GP told me off and made me promise that I won't do it again.

I was worried about wasting their time as it's something that can be treated at a pharmacy (usually) and I didn't want antibiotics!

My GP said "it's my job after all". he also said if I'm unsure if I need an appointment in the future then they can do callbacks. I was quite suprised considering they're a busy city centre surgery but really happy to know it's available if needed. (i know that some doctors surgeries dont have capacity for callbacks though)

CaledonianQueen · 20/09/2018 19:56

I agree with above that you seem to be very anxious, I would book an appointment with your GP and tell them what you have told us. Particularly your family history of cancer. Anxiety is utterly debilitating, it can take over your life completely and yet with the right medication you can feel so much better.

I had anxiety, I grew up with an incredibly anxious Mother, both of my brothers have anxiety issues and I thought that I had escaped it. I have serious health problems, I was visiting a psychiatrist to discuss the impact of the health problems, as a pain relief she decided to put me on duloxetine, which is also an anti anxiety medication. She thought it was likely that I too had anxiety so we agreed that I would try it. I can honestly say that being prescribed that medication was life changing!

What I believed was a normal state of mind, was actually anxiety infiltrating every part of my life. I became much more relaxed, my relationship with my husband and my children became so much stronger and life was so much more enjoyable. Only once since starting the meds has my anxiety returned, my GP increased my medication and I have been fine ever since! As a plus, I am not in pain as much either!

Please do confide in your GP! It could be life changing!

Rumboogie · 20/09/2018 20:01

If both parents had cancer relatively young, and at least one other close blood relative, you may be right to be worried. Were these cancers of the same organ systems (eg gut, or reproductive system)? Is your GP aware of your family history? You should discuss it with him/her - partly because there may be a familial cause (without knowing any more it is impossible to say, and of course, this may be a complete red herring), but also because it is clearly giving rise to anxiety.

Iwantaspangran · 20/09/2018 20:02

You ANBU and you should go for anything you think you need to. A pharmacist option is great- but I think they generally tell you to go to your doctor anyway. Please don’t feel bad about it- it’s not like you are phoning an ambulance each time or going to AandE. You pay into the NHS and should go anytime you feel there is a health problem- I have known too many people in the past who didn’t want to “bother their doctor” and died from cancer ( that could’ve possibly been cured if they had have visited their doctor- older people in my life)

RosemaryLemonxx · 20/09/2018 20:05

If you are worried about something, then it's important enough to see your gp. I get how you're feeling at the mo. I've been to the doctors 4 times over the last 6 weeks for the same problem and getting nowhere so will be going back. But honestly, that is what they are there for if it is a genuine concern x

Flip