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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

145 replies

ginforthewin4 · 23/11/2019 20:23

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 Sad

OP posts:
Poissonpoison · 23/11/2019 22:02

Next time you're due to take painkillers dissolve them and gargle. I did this during BMTs and it helped a little.

But I agree, go to a and e at this point.

underneaththeash · 23/11/2019 22:11

We rang 111 today as DS(13) who had an op a couple of days ago developed a fever, malaise, red area around the wound and an upset stomach 48 hours after his surgery. After a series of irrelevant questions, they said a gp would ring back, Someone else rang back after 45 minutes suggesting that we go to minor injuries - obviously completely unsuitable, I had to insist on speaking to the gp - who got us an appointment at an out of hours centre.

Legoandloldolls · 23/11/2019 22:24

Terrible for you OP. I get tonsillitis a lot. Its hideous pain. I hope you get some help soon

LunaTheCat · 23/11/2019 22:27

Go to A and E. You cannot swallow, struggling with meds, high temp. You are most likely dehydrated and you are unable to get hold appropriate services. You can become extremely Ill with tonsillitis.
Go to emergency. ( from a GP who also gets tonsillitis)

middlemuddle · 23/11/2019 22:41

Hope you're ok and have gone to a&e

Confuddledtown · 23/11/2019 22:53

I am in co. Armagh area and fall in the cusp of 2 different out of hours, craiagavon and lagan valley. Craigavon is appalling, but lagan valley is so quick and have always been fantastic and super helpful. Can you try calling lagan valley instead? Theyve always taken me even though technically I'm closer to craigavon

chillychilly · 23/11/2019 22:53

Not sure how they work but seen an app advertised where you can have a GP appointment over the app and get a prescription

FreckledLeopard · 23/11/2019 23:20

Hopefully you're on your way to A&E. DD (18) has had awful tonsillitis the last couple of years since getting glandular fever. She had an horrific bout in June and ended up being admitted to A&E for three days on IV antibiotics and steroids to reduce the swelling in her tonsils which were restricting her breathing. Her whole lower face was swollen and she couldn't speak. Her fever was pushing 40 degrees too.

Hope you get antibiotics pronto (but if these don't work in next day or so then you may need IV antibiotics/steroids).

Original poster
ginforthewin4 · 23/11/2019 23:57

Hi
Just as I was leaving to go to a&e I got a call from out of hours.

She could tell straight away I had tonsilitis. There was no doctor in the hospital I rang (she must of been ringing from elsewhere) and she said she would give me antibiotics, anti inflammatory and really strong painkillers to help me get a good sleep.
That was fine.
She then said I would have to drive to a hospital much further away to get these (35 min drive) due to no doctor in my more local hospital.
That was fine as desperate for it.
Got a lift down, doctor gives me antibiotics..... no anti inflammatory, no pain relief.
Tell him there should be more than the antibiotics and he literally just said no theres not with out checking, walked out and got into the car.
Cue me ringing out of hours again giving off I've waited 13 hours for a call back, drove 35 mins down here and the right stuff not all written up.
Get a call back then half way back home, all the medication WAS written up and he just never looked properly.

Anyway, a few -lots- tears of frustration and soreness later I am home and I am just thankful to have got my antibiotic. Such an ordeal.

OP posts:
Original poster
ginforthewin4 · 24/11/2019 00:01

Should also add nobody has even checked me over at all... but as I say I got antibiotics 2 4 times a day for 10 days so at least I know I'll be on the mend.

I'm highly emotional with this!!! Its like the thought of her not leaving me pain killers really set me off Sad

OP posts:
AudTheDeepMinded · 24/11/2019 00:05

I think, when you are feeling better, that calls for some stringent 'feedback'! Do you have PALS in NI or equivalent? (hoping you are already asleep so not expecting an answer).

Original poster
ginforthewin4 · 24/11/2019 00:07

Freckled leopard that sounds absolutley horrific!! Is she going to get them out??
My son had his out at only 3 years old due to having it 7 times in a year with seizures due to the temperatures.

I can't speak properly and my neckline looks swollen but I think that's because my glands so big.

I will deff go to a&e if I'm no better at all by Monday or Tues. I couldn't carry on like this.

OP posts:
Original poster
ginforthewin4 · 24/11/2019 00:08

Audthedeepminded

No not sleeping yet, trying to get paracetamol into me and then off to bed but yes there will be a further few calls in the morning and some lovely feedback Grin

OP posts:
QueenofPain · 24/11/2019 00:09

I work for a GP OOH, sometimes we have 200+ calls in our queue waiting for a call back. It’s not that you’re not important, it’s that there’s so many other people too.

Cattycarryon · 24/11/2019 02:30

I hope you got sorted OP I understand completely the out of hours nonsense atm but I would be keen to stay away from a&e especially if by chance it happens to be craigavon because I can't see you would get seen any quicker. Sat for 9 hours there this week with a young child with breathing problems before we were finally admitted to hospital took almost 5 hours before we even seen a doctor and she was triaged as should have been seen in under one hour !
It's utterly ridiculous !!

Cattycarryon · 24/11/2019 02:36

Just read further and seen your ordeal it's a complete joke !! Luckily for us out of hours was very quick straight away we got a ring back and told to come over hoping desperately they would just say she needed some antibiotics and home again but they sent us straight to hospital then as her oxygen levels were very low and other observations werent good either

Keep a close eye on your self and hopefully you can make it through tomorrow and improve a little and if you aren't feeling any better get straight to your GP on Monday morning !

FelixFelicis6 · 24/11/2019 03:11

Sounds awful Sad

ChristmasOnTheHorizon · 24/11/2019 03:21

Have you ever used Naproxen before? It's a strong painkiller and anti inflammatory, you can buy over the counter as one of the Feminax types. In your position I'd take it, if my stomach was not sensitive etc. I take it for really bad period pain.

So sorry for the upsetting runaround you've had, how frustrating and I'd definitely complain.

SinkGirl · 24/11/2019 04:36

As soon as the chemists open today, send someone for Paramol (which is paracetamol and dihydracodeine) and Feminax Ultra (which is naproxen, a stronger anti inflammatory). This is the strongest stuff you can get over the counter (not as strong as a doctor would prescribe but the best you can do without a prescription and you can take both together, just not at the same time as other paracetamol or ibuprofen).

Otherwise, if those things were written up for you, can they arrange for someone to collect them for you from the nearer hospital this morning once doctors arrive?

Original poster
ginforthewin4 · 24/11/2019 07:32

Thanks everyone

I had yet another rough night, terrible sweats have had to change twice and my bed is soaking. So have ended up on top of it with blankets and then on top of blankets with blankets as they wet too. Think I've had an hour total sleep Sad

I was told last night on way home that I would have to go through the whole process again of ringing out of hours etc to get what was left out on the perscription. To be honest I don't think I can go through that whole process again and think i will do what use have suggested and go to chemist for naproxen.

As I say, very grateful for the antibiotics and think I was just so sore and fed up last night that I perhaps took a bit of a tantrum over them painkillers Blush

Could still do with them though 😣

OP posts:
Original poster
ginforthewin4 · 24/11/2019 07:45

Cattycarryon

I totally understand where you are coming from on that one as there has been numerous times I had to take my son between the age of 1 and 3 over there to wait hours upon hours after seizures etc and then to be sent home with nothing, just for it to happen the next night again!!! I hope you LO is ok! It's just all so stressful. Imagine sitting for 9 hours with breathing problems??? Like what on earth.... I don't know about you but I'd rather pay for my children to be seen quicker than sit about for hours on end.

Apparently my own OOH didn't even have a doctor last night?
So I was getting calls from doctors in newry etc but yet in all I wasnt allowed to use the lisburn OOH because my own doctor doesn't fall under their radar.
And I believe Lisburn is alot better in terms of waiting times and getting seen. It's all very confusing and frustrating and I know they are all under massive pressure but more has got to be done especially in this area. I've heard of people from this area driving to Belfast and dungannon just to get seen quicker because craigavon is constantly packed.

OP posts:
Nogodsnomasters · 24/11/2019 07:50

Op I'm in Northern Ireland too and was in your situation in April this year, I really feel for you, its the worst pain I've been in and had ear infection at the same time. I ended up in A&E after 48hrs of antibiotics had not improved it and i couldn't swallow my saliva never mind get any more tablets down. I was admitted within about 3hrs of going, they got me to gargle aspirin diluted in water (agony!) and put me on iv fluids, painkillers and steroids.

I honestly think the steroids were the best bit as they really took the swelling down within about 6 hours to the point I was able to get saliva down again. After 24hrs they told me if I could swallow a tablet I could go home, by that point I just about could so was sent on my way with a new prescription. I was still in pain for another 4 days after being discharged and drained for about a further 3 days. Worst 10 days ever. It literally traumatised me as I have such a fear of hospitals.

SarahBeeney · 24/11/2019 07:57

You poor thing OP. I'm in London and appointments are hard to come by at my surgery but nothing like as bad as what you've been through.

Is there a private GP in your area? We have walk in ones and also I've heard about an App where you pay a monthly fee (I didn't think it was that much actually) and you can request a Gp anytime.

When you're desperate you would do anything,as you did last night!

I feel so sorry for the vulnerable/elderly that can't fight their corner.
Hope you feel better soon.

stucknoue · 24/11/2019 08:12

You need to take yourself to the out of hours gp, they are scattered across cities, but also in smaller towns. Ours conveniently shares a triage at the hospital and you don't even need to ring ahead

SinkGirl · 24/11/2019 08:42

You need to take yourself to the out of hours gp, they are scattered across cities, but also in smaller towns. Ours conveniently shares a triage at the hospital and you don't even need to ring ahead

This was the ooh GP service - this is how you access it where she is