Should I see if I can get a private GP appointment?!?

[Spaceunicorn6789]

I have pain in my arse cheek and a numb leg. Pain varies from a 4 when doing nothing to an 8 when I get up or walk around.

Ive been stupid and didn't register at the doctors when I moved a couple of months ago, submitted my forms on Friday so will have to wait at least until Wednesday before I will be registered and can make an appointment.

I have also just started a new job last week so can't really take any time off for a doctors appointment so it will likely be at least 4 or 4 weeks to get a Friday afternoon appointment.

I can't keep this up for that long, I am in agony.

There is a private hospital near me that might be able to see me today but it is £100 for a consultation which neither me nor DP cna afford this month so will be a credit card job.

I can't make my mind up - what should I do?? I'm being horrible and mean to DP because of the pain and crying intermittently

Oh god and before anyone calls it THIS IS NOT A BEGGING THREAD I DO NOT WANT YOUR MONEY AT All literally just a WWYD in my situation - wait or pay?

Is there a walk in centre you could access today?

Sounds like sciatica to me. You can asked to be seen as an emergency at a GP you're not registered with, I've done it before. Or if the pain is really that bad call 111 and they'll send you to out of hours.

Sounds like sciatica. Tbh the go won't give you anything apart from painkillers and a physio. If I was going to pay for anything it would be a physio appt.

Sounds like sciatica which frankly you can't do much with anyway. There are excercises which can ease it. I am not a doctor though so up to you if you see a go to diagnose properly.

Personally I rather spend the money on a chiropractor

I live in Scotland and I don't think we have walk in centres up here?

Would there be any normal not private GP practices open on a Saturday?

Oh OP I know how it feels! I’ve been wanting to go private to have a melanoma removed and receive cancer treatment as my doctors are horrific. What an awful state this country is in when we feel like we can’t even use the healthcare service we pay for! There needs to be more GP surgeries and hospitals as I know full well there’s enough staff. Especially with an influx of people moving into the country. It’s such a disgusting mess that my daughter might lose her mother due to the state of the NHS and the government that runs it. I’m absolutely terrified of dying of skin cancer and have no trust in any NHS service. Sorry to bring the tone down! Are you looking at Bupa? I’d definitely pay if I could. At least you know you will get good service and if not then your complaints will be listened to/you may get a refund

111 for an out of hours/weekend appointment.

In Scotland you need to call NHS 24 for advice.

With what you are discribing my first port of call would be a good Osteopath rather than a doctor

I've moved a couple of times and needed to see a gp before my registration is complete. I just phoned the surgery and explained and they set me up with a same day appt (not necessarily at that clinic, but one nearby) it's the same set up for if you were a visitor to the area.

Not sure if it's the same in Scotland, but just phone and ask, there will be solution

Just go the the Chemist and ask for the best painkillers for sciatica. There's little you can do quickly to 'treat' it, it's a case of managing the pain. And self-refer for physio.

You can get an OOH GP appointment in Scotland without being registered at a GP. Call111. They can't refer you for an MRI or a physio though without being registered with a GP. But for decent pain relief and assessment call them!

What pain relief have you tried? Have you looked up some exercises for sciatica?

I'd be trying to see a physio.

I have been to an osteopath last week who advised me to go to my GP as there was evidence of nerve damage he was worried there was something more serious going on as the pain got exponentially worse during my period. Up until a few days ago the pain only flared up a couple of times a day but its now become constant.

I'll try NHS24 and see what they say or maybe go to the pharmacy and see what they can drug me up with until I cna get soemthing sorted. I haven't been to a doctor or anything for years apart for contracepton prescriptions so I'm a bit lost!!

If it's not so severe that you're taking time off work, it probably doesn't warrant an emergency GP appointment tbh, as above sounds like sciatica, but does need to be seen at some point to get onto a physio/msk spinal pathway.

Take paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly and keep mobile.

If you get any leg weakness, numbness around the perineum, loss of control of bowels or difficulty passing urine, just go to A&E, immediately.

Hi, that definitely sounds like sciatica. I had it in my twenties and it's excruciatingly painful at times. I'd try some paracetamol and ibuprofen together and see how that goes. Otherwise you can call the NHS direct and find out how to get an appointment. Best wishes!

If the GP suspects nerve damage they'll need to make a specialist referral, so you're not going to get any faster treatment going today than in the week. Do you need stronger pain relief? What have you tried so far, and have you spoken to a pharmacist?

I would have it looked at as sciatica is the result rather than the cause. I’m sure many cases ease with physio/time but my husband is currently recovering from a spinal operation which was needed to relieve pressure on his sciatic nerve. It’s probably very rare, but his symptoms would not have resolved untreated and would in fact have worsened. If you can manage the pain with painkillers it would wait until you are registered with a GP though. He had to manage his symptoms this way for several months waiting for scans etc.

I'm not sure I understand.

You took time off and paid privately to see an osteopath (and before everyone shouts evidence remains controversial) but you are debating doing the same to see an actual doctor????

I think the problem is private services are expensive. What if they recommend an MRI?

I didn't take time off - the osteopath is open late in the evening and weekends? And the Osteopath appointment was £35 and we had just been paid... The private GP appointment is £100?

I was thinking that chances are it will need to be a referral and there will be nothing achieved by not waiting to see a normal GP.

DP has been shipped of to the chemist to find the best painkillers (paracetamol and ibeprofen aren't touching it) and I'll try and ride it out until I can see my normal GP.

I wondered if it was piriformis (sp?) syndrome as opposed to sciatica. No back pain or pins and needles which is common with ciatica I think?

Anywua my bloody arse cheek hurts like buggery and I need somebody to help fix it ASAP.

I agree this sounds like Piriformis syndrome.

Simple stretching will help- loads of videos on YouTube. Avoid sitting for prolonged periods of time and regular brufen.

PS are you a runner?

Go to a sports therapist, they will be able to do more for you :)