Do my symptoms warrant a same day doctors appointment?

[CD14]

Hi all, my doctors run on the system that you can book a few weeks ahead for non urgent needs and you can ring on the morning if you’re poorly and need seeing the same day.

I hate to feel I’m wasting their time.

For about a week I’ve been feeling short of breath, keep getting head rushes, I am an anxiety sufferer and often get anxiety related chest pains and other symptoms but for the last week things have been worse. My chest has been tight and sore, my chest feels fluttery. I’ve ached all over my arms and shoulders included.

I have had high blood pressure before. Mainly during pregnancy or when very stressed but I’m not medicated and I’ve been going through a stressful time lately and just lost a close family member a few days ago (the symptoms were happening before he died but have seemed to get worse since). I’m worried my blood pressure has increased.

Would I be wasting their time? Every time I’ve been with similar symptoms (last time was in October I believe but it wasn’t as bad as this) I get told it’s just anxiety. But it’s causing me anxiety feeling like this. My grandad has just died of a massive heart attack and I’m even more anxious about my health now.

I rang up the doctors this morning and the receptionist said at my age my symptoms didn’t seem like it needed urgently seeing to but reluctantly give me an appointment this afternoon.

Now I’m worried that I’m wasting their time as the receptionist was rude about it!

Aibu to think I do need to go to the doctors?

You've been in before with similar symptoms so it's likely to be anxiety.

I've had exactly the same symptoms as you and it did turn out to be anxiety. Are you getting help with your anxiety?

Thank you. This is my thoughts but I’ve never experienced arm and shoulder pain before. I feel a heavy feeling in them.

I think I’m just really anxious about my health at the minute because of my grandad dying but I was experiencing these symptoms before he did so I can’t say it’s a reaction to his death.

I feel really tired and weak also.

Well I have major anxiety about going to the doctors. Last October was the first time I’ve visited in about 4 years. I’ve also kept my issues to myself but I’ve been referred for counselling etc. Waiting lists are long. I function quite well. I don’t want to be medicated for anxiety if I can help it but it’s getting to the point I probably will have to be.

Have you cut out caffeine from your diet? If not, please do so asap as caffeine definitely contributes to heart palpitations/flutters.

Sorry for the loss of your grandad

And if feeling tired and weak, make sure you are getting enough iron in your diet.

Really sorry about the loss of your Grandad

It does seem though considering your history and additional stress from the loss that what you're experiencing is likely to be due to anxiety and therefore possibly not appropriate for a same day appointment. I know it's hard though, I've suffered health anxiety in the past and it's a bitch.

If you’re worried you should go and don’t worry re gp receptionist. But if they offer you meds you could try them, explain your reluctance to but if it helps isn’t that a good thing? I was the same and was very poorly a while back and the meds really did help then I was able to reduce and come off them but I always know they are there if I need them but I hope I’ve learned better coping strategies now to deal with things but you never know what life might throw at you.

I do guided meditation too which is really relaxing, gym if I can get there that day (struggle going out alone sometimes) and taking time for myself - nurse and 4 kids so it’s not always easy I’m easy overwhelmed.

I hope your gp is sympathetic and can help you and I’m very sorry about your grandad passing away, that must’ve been horrendous as it’s so sudden take care of yourself

If your Dr is anything like mine all the same day appointments will be long gone now!

Do they have a BP machine in the surgery you could use? Would getting a BP monitor at home be an option?

Just to see where you are at / maybe offer some reassurance if it is anxiety related.

I have barely any caffeine @Daftodil. I don’t drink tea or coffee or drink any caffeinated beverages. Sometimes I feel it may occasionally help me though? To wake me up a bit.

I’ve got an appointment @Crunchymum. I rang up early this morning... but the receptionist has put me off going but I hope the doctor is nice.

I also have major issues with jaw clenching and jaw/head/neck pain from it. I can barely open my
Mouth today 😭