Aibu to expect a bit more urgency from gp out of hours?

[ginforthewin4]

First time ever starting a thread.

Fully aware I could be being unreasonable.

Anyway, on Thursday I started burning up, fever of 40°c, shaking uncontrollably all night, thought it was the flu.

This morning, after a really rough night, could not swallow etc, I looked in my mouth and noticed my tonsils covered in white pus.

I rang out of hours at 8.30 am this morning and I am STILL waiting for a call back 12 hours later.

I have put in a terrible day, have barely lifted my head off the pillow, sweating then freezing, cannot eat, forcing myself to drink but is very painful.

I understand that there may be more urgent calls than mine but surely if there is anything much more urgent they should go to A&E?????

I do not mind waiting but it's been 12 hours and I could cry with the pain I am in

If it were you I’d be worried that there was some technical glitch that meant by details had been lost/ missed. Have you chased them?

It sounds hideous

You should call them back, i believe there is an option to press 1(or something) if you are chasing up a call.

Have you tried ringing them back?

That sounds a ridiculously long time to wait for a call. Have you called again?

Could you try 101 for advice?

*111 rather

Have you been in touch with the OOH service at all since this morning? That is a very long time, I would be worried that they might have the wrong number or something, I would ring back.

No, you shouldn't wait that long. Call them back. You might have quinsy.

Yes my partner rang at 430pm.

The lady said there are more urgent calls before me that are life threatening and that there is at least 60 in front of me. That was 4 hours ago.

I can barely speak my tonsils are so swollen. I don't think Northern Ireland has 111.

Thanks so much for replies was feeling incredibly selfish about feeling this way when other people might need it more.

Ring again lovely. It could be Quincy, a worsening of tonsillitis. That is worthy of a hospital admission and a few hour on IV antibiotics, then home on oral antibiotics.

With quinsy you just see a huge lump of an abcess and no pus (unless its burst - shudder)

Id be more concerned about sepsis with a temp that high. FYI paracetomol lowers temperature.

Call 111.

Also if you look and see a massive lump id go to A+E

Yes have been alternating between nurofen and paracetamol which does bring it down to around 37.9. I do not think I have Quincy although I do feel like I badly need an antibiotic asap as throat is just getting worse.

I can feel my temp going up if I miss a dose by even 15 mins.

I just thought that by now, 12 hours on I would of had a call back. I think I will get partner to ring again. Thanks everyone

Can you swallow your own saliva ? If not you need a&e and IV fluids and iv antibiotics

It is not Quinsy, its deff tonsilitis. I have had it before. Theres pus all over my tonsils not just one lump. I don't think it viral either as you would think something had died in my mouth with the smell (TMI) and my glands in neck are very swollen. My head is pounding and my whole body generally aching.

I can just about swallow my own saliva with a lot of effort and pain.

If they would just ring me back. Damn it.

What's your pulse like?

Have you got an out of hours or urgent treatment centre near you? Might be where a Gp would send you anyway.

To be honest they will prob tell you to go to A&E if you are struggling to swallow your own saliva now in 6-12hrs you will be worse

That's really bad, I've called twice before with tonsillitis and was called bk within 30mins and appointment within 2hrs.

Surely a lot of rubbish about life threatening ppl in front of u. They wld be told to call an ambulance if life threatening.

Do you have a walk in centre or an Urgent Care Centre near you. I know you feel awful but if your husband could drive you to either one of those you would probably get treated quicker x. I've also suffered with my throat over the years and can imagine how awful you feel. Get well soon x

I hope you get a callback soon with an app'r

What else is available in your area? Is there a walk in centre? Or self access urgent care?

Sorry you feel so unwell that does sound rubbish

111 is not fit for purpose
General practice has been run into the ground