To feel guilty about the number of times I've visited a GP this year

[AbsolutelyNot90]

I'm 29 years old and I've been struggling with a few health issues this year.

Long story short a lot of lady, urination and digestion problems and unexplained pain. I actually ended up being diagnosed with endometriosis and had to have a surgery a few months ago. Things have improved but I'm still having problems.

I checked online on my GPs appointment site and I've seen a GP 11 times this year. It makes me feel really guilty like I shouldn't be doing that at the age of 29 and I feel like I'm one of those people that the media talk about who are "draining the NHS".

Trouble is it's stopped me going to GP for other health concerns and making me wait it out as long as possible. For example I've had a throbbing shooting pain in the tip of my left breast for a week now but I saw the GP about 9 days ago for my urination issues so feel like I can't go back again so quickly and am waiting it out to see what happens, whereas if it had been longer since I saw my GP I probably would have rang first thing on Monday for an appointment.

I just feel so guilty about it and wonder if the people at reception see me and are like "oh not her again". I'm actually tempted to change GP surgery just incase this is what's happening and start fresh somewhere new although I'm not sure if the new GP will know how many times I've visited the last one anyway.

AIBU?

Don't worry.

I had one year where I suggested to the GP that I just made the appointment for the next day rather than wait and take an emergency one. He laughed and suggested a tent on the grass outside.
I had just visited him for the 6th time that week (and they were only open 5 days) between me and the dc-all on urgent unrelated matters.

I don't think I've taken me or the dc's to the doctors more than three or four times in the last couple of years and at least two of those were routine ones.

It's alright, I've not been at all you can have some of my appointments.

God don't feel guilty.

I'm a massive drain n NHS finances and am a frequent flier in Gp and hospital clinics.

I don't feel guilty, I'm chronically ill but my many appointments and very expensive drugs allow me to have a reasonable quality of life and Mir importantly work and pay tax back in to the system.

Hope you get sorted soon.

It’s really not about paying taxes. Most people do not pay anywhere near enough tax to cover their use of public services.

www.gocompare.com/health-insurance/the-bill-of-health/ This tool shows you roughly how much you cost the NHS.

If you need the GP, you need the GP! See it as using some of my unused potential appointments - I've not been for over 10 years at least. And prior to that minimal, probably visited a GP less than once every 5 years.
Indeed last time I tried to make an appointment they were trying to tell me I wasn't registered....new computer system. Didn't bother in the end.

Dear OP,

Firstly do not feel guilty. The NHS is free at the point of need, you have a need so you should go. Prior to last December I had visited the GP a total of 5 times in 5 years. Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer and between that , a suspected PE (thankfully not) and a two and a half week admission for sepsis it feels like I am always in one healthcare facility or another. But that is precisely what the NHS is there for and as a HCP I would much rather someone came and saw a Dr than sat at home worrying about it.

Secondly and most importantly please do not delay seeing your GP about your breast pain. It was breast pain that sent me to the GP and led to my cancer diagnosis. Now whilst your pain is unlikely to be anything so serious, if it is then the sooner it is diagnosed and treated the better for everyone (including the NHS). If this pain is unusual for you or different from any menstrual type pain you may have then please see your GP early this week.

I've seen my GP 5 times since July (can't see further back than this). I've probably been way more than 11 times since the start of the year. I have a chronic health condition like you. I don't feel guilty as that's what the service is for. It's not as if you are going just because you fancy a trip out. I am sure you only book appointments if you feel unwell which is what GPs are there for.

I had about three years where I was at the GPs at least monthly, often more frequently, and I ended up feeling like you, OP. And that was just for one problem, I didn't even bother going about other, more minor issues as I'd have had to move in there!

But that's life, many if not most of us go experience health conditions which mean we need frequent appointments at some point in life. Fortunately, after my health issues were (mostly) sorted, I only had to see my GP a couple of times in the last five years since. My kids have barely ever need to see the GP (thank goodness) and my parents each have multiple appointments there every month to monitor ongoing health conditions despite not needing the NHS much until the last few years themselves. That's normal, don't worry you are somehow breaking the NHS!

Of course, YABU! You have health problems. I didn't go for years and years, then I was in and out about 20 times in one year after my gallbladder went bammy and ended up having to be removed in an emergency with stones stuck in my duodenum and another duct and pancreatitis as a result. Then the wound got infect.

Finally free for a couple of years then I wound up going back and forth this year for what turned out to be stomach ulcers and then my smear test came back with CIN2 so I had to have further treatment.

Swings and roundabouts.

Guilt is a completely wasted emotion and does nothing for anyone.

Why on earth would you feel guilty about needing to see a Dr? That's just bizzare.

I've been under the NHS for most of my life, for a chronic skin problem, infertility, appendicitis, tonsillitis, birth of babies, 3 or 4 autoimmune diseases. I am 58, I couldn't begin to add up all the Dr, Nurse, Phlebotomist and Consultant appointments I have had, not to mention lengthy in patient stays and that's without all the 'usual' things people go to the Dr for.

I (half) joke that I have used up all my own, my parents, my 5 siblings and all their family's portion of NHS use as well as my own DH and children - all of whom are rarely seen by a Dr thankfully.

It is what it is. I'd rather be healthy, but I'm not.