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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What counts as "urgent" for a same day doctor's appointment?

81 replies

NovemberRose90 · 17/10/2019 23:44

Fully up for being told that I'm absolutely being unreasonable! I keep getting bad headaches / feeling sick and throwing up, can't look at light and so on, over the last month or so... just rode it out the first few times, but it's really getting to me now. I was trying to get a doctor's appointment, but they are all booked up till next month so I've called a couple of times in case of cancellations. This morning one of the receptionists told me that I could call tomorrow first thing for an urgent appointment if I feel that it's urgent, but I am not sure it is! I don't want to waste appointment time when it really probably is something that could wait, but I'd rather not wait another 3 weeks at the same time! I know I sound a bit overdramatic about a few headaches, but they are getting to me and it's so debilitating!

What do you think- be cheeky and beg an emergency same-day appointment or just wait it out?

OP posts:
puppyconfetti · 17/10/2019 23:45

Migraine? Have you tried OTC meds?

Original poster
NovemberRose90 · 17/10/2019 23:46

Yeah, I've tried all the OTC painkillers and they really haven't worked at all. Not even the extra strong ones, lol.

OP posts:
KellyHall · 17/10/2019 23:48

Urgent appointments are for debilitating conditions adversely affecting your life that cannot wait until the first non-urgent appointment.

If you really can't cope, get an urgent appointment.

If you can wait 3 weeks, do.

Feel better soon Flowers

SimplySteveRedux · 17/10/2019 23:49

Could be migraines, in which case triptans will likely be your best friend. Or it could be something more serious. I'd be going in tomorrow morning.

PurpleWithRed · 17/10/2019 23:49

book a non emergency appointment, but keep trying for cancellations and if they get more frequent or worse book a same day appointment. Depending on your surgery they actually may have plenty of availability for same day appointments. And in the meantime keep a diary of them - time of day, events leading up, symptoms, severity, how long they last, whether otc medication works at all.

CharlotteFlax · 17/10/2019 23:50

Ring up first thing and get an urgent appointment (it's subjective but definitely more urgent than waiting a month!) If there's no urgent appointments available ask if the oncall GP can ring you for a phone consultation. Failing that, wait till your surgery is closed and ring 111 to be assessed over the phone and they may get you in with the OOH GP (or advise of walk in centres or A&E depending on your answers)

WoesFromAuntFlo · 17/10/2019 23:51

This definitely sounds like migraines, my husband gets all of the time and has even ended up hospitalised. By urgent appointments, do they just mean that you NEED to be seen on the same day? My doctor says the same but they basically mean anyone that can’t wait for weeks. I would recommend that you say that it is urgent and hope that you get the medication that you need to help prevent these migraines. I know they can be hell on Earth and you really need some kind of prevention measures to stop them really affecting your life.

Caledoniahasmyheartforever · 17/10/2019 23:51

Go for the urgent appointment- migraines are horrifically debilitating and you don’t actually know for sure that’s what is going on (although it sounds very like it).

IHaveBrilloHair · 17/10/2019 23:52

I always get same day/fitted in as I have brittle asthma.
Your issue sounds bas, but as it's been ongoing, not an emergency.
That said I think your GP surgery policy is crap.

Original poster
NovemberRose90 · 17/10/2019 23:53

I'm not sure how many same-day appointments they have. Tricky one! When I have the headache, I definitely feel like it's adversely affecting my life! When I don't, there's nothing wrong at all. If I rock up tomorrow perfectly fine and well and tell the doctor "I've had a few headaches recently" it may well piss them off...

OP posts:
GrumpyHoonMain · 17/10/2019 23:55

If this all started over the last month then it could definitely qualify as urgent. Migraines don’t start sudddenly out of nowhere and actually a GP will be very interested in your symptoms. Not to worry you but this is pretty much how a friend’s brain tumour presented

Original poster
NovemberRose90 · 17/10/2019 23:56

(I did look up on NHS website myself and it sounds like migraine to me too - but is it odd to get it for the first time in your late twenties?)

OP posts:
Vampyress · 17/10/2019 23:59

Headaches and migraines are very different. Sickness and light sensitivity and prolonged pain which can last days sounds more like a migraine rather than a bad headache. My colleague gets them very severely and can be off days at a time, I thankfully only get them rarely but they are nasty. If you think you are having migraine attacks then see your gp urgently and keep an eye on triggers (my gran would be triggered by chocolate or red wine for example).

Original poster
NovemberRose90 · 17/10/2019 23:59

(And of course I looked up brain tumours too....! I've tested myself cycling my hands, walking in straight lines with my eyes shut and tapping my nose on either side and so on, and according to my absolutely expert medical knowledge - not! - I am ok, lol.)

OP posts:
shearwater · 17/10/2019 23:59

A bad headache and throwing up which hasn't gone away with OTC treatment certainly is urgent. Definitely phone them first thing tomorrow and get yourself booked in.

Vampyress · 18/10/2019 00:00

Also you might want to consider an eye test to eliminate eye strain, you eyes change as you get older and hormones can even play a part too.

GrumpyHoonMain · 18/10/2019 00:02

You need to see a GP. My friend was 30, started to get migraines with light sensitivity and was diagnosed with a brain tumour only a few months later. Obviously that’s rare but anything that occurs suddenly or is new needs to be investigated.

Original poster
NovemberRose90 · 18/10/2019 00:02

@Vampyress thanks for the suggestion - actually had to get eye test done for work a couple of weeks back and it was fine, so can't be that. Not sure about the migraine thing- the only thing I can think about is that the first time it was around when I was getting my period and during, and now the same again this month.

OP posts:
Vampyress · 18/10/2019 00:07

Ironically menstrual migraines are a medically known issue although normally they appear in your teens. I would definitely get checked up to be on the safe side, I don't think you would be over reacting unlike quite a few people I am sure use those urgent appointments for the cold!

TARSCOUT · 18/10/2019 00:15

Definitely sounds like migraines. I had my first one aged 18 and had another three over next 25 years, I can remember them all!.Two ladies at my work and two men are also bothered with them regularly and have prescribed medication. Have you told the receptionist you are having repeated migraines and see what they say?

leafyygreens · 18/10/2019 00:17

Definitely sounds like migraine op, which many GPs aren’t very up to date on.

All the advice on the National Migraine Centre website is excellent, if you are able to get to London I really recommend any of the doctors there. Hope you feel better soon!

greenlynx · 18/10/2019 00:21

I would say that it’s urgent. It obviously affects your life, you can’t cope with over the counter medicines and in reality it could be a sign of something serious (hope it’s not).
Phone earlier, urgent appointments are limited as well. They probably will ask you about your symptoms again, our surgery always does it so they could offer nurse appointment if it’s appropriate or next day appointment or phone consultation.

pigsDOfly · 18/10/2019 00:30

This sounds very much like something that qualifies for an urgent appointment so phone in the morning and get an appointment.

Lhastingsmua · 18/10/2019 00:36

Suddenly feel like I have hit the jackpot with my GP as same day appointments aren’t just for urgent issues at my practice!

I think due to the length of time that you have been suffering with this, try for a same day appointment. Waiting to see if it would naturally pass clearly isn’t working and you have already exhausted OTC medicine, possibly pharmacists, and online guidance etc so you wouldn’t be taking the piss.

Lhastingsmua · 18/10/2019 00:41

Also it sounds like you haven’t called first thing for a same day appointment before? Be prepared for the line to be constantly busy as soon as they open, not being able to get through or getting through like 5 minutes after they open at which point all the appointments will already be taken🙄 it can be frustrating!

Absolutely worst case scenario if your GP can’t fit you in is to call 111. They will take note of your symptoms and have a doctor call you back if necessary. From there they can either fax your GP and request that you be seen within a certain period (hours/days etc) or get you seen elsewhere.