To insist doctor refers me

[oopsiedaisy2]

I was just looking for some advice really and felt this was probably the best forum

Had a head injury 5 weeks ago and was briefly knocked out. Attended A and E but they were barely interested and sent me home. Fast forward to now and I get head pain daily, it hurts when I lie on it and often I feel sick with the pain. I told my GP last week who advised I present back at A and E but I don't want to , I would prefer her to refer me for a head CT so I'm not sitting blocking A and E for something that can be referred for. AIBU to expect to be referred and not go and sit in a and e for hours?

Thanks

I had an urgent CT-PET scan on Saturday, requested by my consultant on Tuesday, arranged Wed. I have also had urgent blood tests, ultrasound and an emergency appointment in clinic. There are still some / skeleton clinics running.

Your GP has advised A&E as they consider the issue an emergency. Covid and non-covid patients are being kept separate.

Don't delay, get yourself to A&E, wearing a mask, and get it sorted. You will also hopefully be given something stronger than over the counter medication (or a combination) to help ease the pain.

Sounds like you've had a bad concussion. I know people who have had symptoms for months- head aches/ fatigue/ sensitivity to light etc.

@MaxNormal

Polnm it was a dig at the NHS becoming the National Covid Service, which has also caused huge problems for people close to me. I'm very sorry about your husband, what has been done to him and to all who have had their essential treatments cancelled, is a national scandal.

Apologies it is a very sensitive subject. I thought that you were doubting that ct scans have been cancelled

You have concussion. It can last for months. Your symptoms don’t warrant a CT scan and if you turned up to my A&E you wouldn’t get one. Your GP shouldn’t refer you for one either.

Ahhh yes, this makes perfect sense.

Ignore what your medically qualified professional doctors suggests, and come onto Mumsnet instead.

Of course.

Very logical.

GP can’t refer for head CT or MRI in our region unless for non traumatic headache.
Neurology outpatients was an 18 month wait before Covid- no idea what it is now but it won’t be any shorter

Ongoing problem after an injury and especially an injury that was initially assessed by A&E would need to go back to A&E for imaging and further assessment

You were advised correctly

Polnm I'm sorry, it totally reads that way, you're right. I feel horrible now for upsetting you when you're going through such a difficult time.

YABU to ignore the medical professional who has assessed you based on what you think you need. Follow GP’s advice!

@Shedpaint

GP can’t refer for head CT or MRI in our region unless for non traumatic headache. Neurology outpatients was an 18 month wait before Covid- no idea what it is now but it won’t be any shorter

Ongoing problem after an injury and especially an injury that was initially assessed by A&E would need to go back to A&E for imaging and further assessment

You were advised correctly

Are you saying this is for all neurology outpatients or just this procedure?

I ask because I had neurological tests in July having waited less than two months.

Why not just do as you've been advised

Thanks for replies . Not sure why some are so nasty , it's not unusual right now for someone to avoid A and E unless absolutely crucial and I did go originally . Anyway I called A and E today as this is the advice prior to showing up- they advised I don't go there as they have a lot of people waiting and ask my doctor for a referral if it's not horrific pain. It's not horrific it's just there and disturbing sleep a lot of the time however I am just going to see if it eases now I think as I'm clearly not getting the right advice somewhere. Thanks again.

@Polnm I hope your husband gets the treatment he needs and makes a speedy recovery x

OP, I'm one for avoiding A&E but for a head injury I'd be running there.

If it was 5 weeks ago, you won't get a CT scan in ED anyway (and you shouldn't, they're not risk free), it's likely you have post concussion syndrome. Can last for months, sometimes longer I'm afraid.

Try reading this and I hope you feel better soon

www.headway.org.uk/about-brain-injury/individuals/types-of-brain-injury/mild-head-injury-and-concussion/#PostConcussionSyndrome

Thank you @WineAndTiramisu this is what the doctor said originally just 2 weeks after but said if it didn't ease to speak to them again. Unfortunately you never see the same GP here so the second one was a bit passive . I do think it's post concussion syndrome but I am a natural worrier too

The doctor has said go to A&E. Why on earth would you NOT do this. It makes no sense.

@PercyKirke at least read the thread if you're going to comment.

I’ve read the thread and I agree - why don’t you just go to A&E as instructed and advised repeatedly on here?!

I've had 2 ct scans since lockdown as an out patient and continued chemo at a private hospital commandeered by the nhs. Gps can't refer here but hospital consultant can. It makes me so angry different trusts have dealt with it so differently.

CT scans are not taking place due to cv19 in our area

Nonsense. I know someone who had one last week after they banged their head.

@mosquitofeast

Just go to A and E, and stop pratting about.Why are you going to go back and block up the Drs surgery when you have already been seen and advised? You don't get to insist a doctor refers you. You have been told a referral is inappropriate. You have been told what next step is appropriate.

Sorry, but this.

Stop questioning it and go to a and e. No headaches that make you feel sick weeks after concussion aren't 'normal'. Go to A and E.

This thread is a very good example of the fear and skewed thinking there is currently, regarding Covid 19, amongst otherwise fit and healthy people. OP, assuming you are under 60 and otherwise in good health, it is vanishingly unlikely Corona would give you anything worse then very mild symptoms. You are far more likely to be hit by a car, or die of sepsis from a small unnoticed cut, than drop dead of Covid. Yet you are letting this stop you getting treatment for an existing serious head injury, even when you've been advised to by a doctor. Don't be one of those statistics of people that don't get the treatment they need during this crisis. Go to A and E!!