To just want to see a doctor???

[Stackys]

I’m not one for doctor bothering. I very very rarely go (pre covid I mean). I work in NHS so I know how wasteful people can be with the resources so I do try to be a twat.

Anyway, past couple of months I’ve had horrendous neck pain. Like I’ll be at work, turn around and feel like an electric shock running up my neck. It hurts generally, when I’m tying my hair back it hurts, when I’m watching tv it hurts, when I’m at work it hurts. I didn’t call the GP, I took painkillers.

The pain then spread into my shoulders. I wake up most night with the pain as my neck stiffens up in my sleep and then I move and WHAM. I called for a GP appointment. Was told a doctor would call me back. GP called back and said “it’s tension, drink more water and exercise. Take pain killers”. I did that. Then the pain spread into my head, just behind my right ear, dull pulsing pains seemingly in my skull. I called GP back and said it was getting worse. Still wouldn’t see me.

Now, it’s beyond ridiculous. I can’t lift my head without supporting it with my hand. My left shoulder blade seemingly has notable veins showing that were not there before. GP still won’t see me. AIBU to ask wtf are GPs doing at the minute if they are not seeing patients??

How come it’s too “dangerous” for GPs to see people but community nurses have to to carry on as normal? I’m annoyed and starting to think GPs are using Covid as an excuse to cut down their work load.

I try NOT to be a twat, of course.

It must just be the area I'm Northern Ireland my gp has seen me and also my son but iv also just had scripts gave to me over the fone too for folic acid pregnancy vitamins
Would you not just go to a&e I would I no nhs are inundated but iv heard that a&e is empty as people are like yourself and avoiding it
Good luck op hope u get sorted x

I completely agree and have had a similar issue. Honestly I’m not sure what it is GPs are doing - they wouldn’t see me in person but also wouldn’t carry out a routine review of some medication I take over the phone, as they’re ‘not doing any routine appointments’.

I think the health fallout from this is going to be massive.

Ask for referral to physio.

Is your GP not offering telephone appointments, OP? Though I agree this is the kind of thing which needs an examination. But at least they could refer you. Badger them, don't be afraid to be a nuisance.

Even if they won't see you, what did they say about it having got worse? How you've described the latest pain sounds quite concerning - I wouldn't have thought they'd still be suggesting painkillers will cut it.

Is it maybe a particular Dr being tricky? Even if you can't go on, are there any other Drs at the practice you could speak to for a second opinion?

Also do you have a minor injuries unit locally? Might be one for them if they are open.

You're lucky, had a similar issue and was told it was old age

I paid to go to an osteopath, problem sorted.

*can't go in

YANBU. I recently had a raging tooth infection from a failed root canal and the tooth needed to come out. My dentist told me antibiotics were unlikely to work but made me do 2 courses anyway before she would see me. It was 2 months between first calling and getting a physical appointment.

Can you afford to see an osteopath? Nhs are generally not good with these kind of problems. My mum has fibromyalgia and has had to seek lots of alternative help from private practitioners as nhs just provide painkillers or injections and there's usually a long waiting list for physio. If it's really bothering you you may have to pay for a private assesment with a physio or someone similar. It would be worth it to at least get an opinion of what's going on.

*sorry an osteopath would probably be your best bet

Osteopath clinics are open & would be able to help with neck pain. Probably without meds too OP

I don’t like the sound of the prominent veins and pain worsening and I think if they won’t see you then you should attend A&E.

I would make an appointment with a Sports Physiotherapist. My son had back pain on and off for years . One appointment with a sports physio and he was sorted . He had previously tried an osteopath . Good luck x x

What about asking to see someone in Occupational Health (not Occupational Therapy which is different) at work who can then refer you to Physio? Sounds really painful. Feel for you OP.

Please don't go to a physio or osteopath before you know what's causing this pain. You need to be seen by a doctor first and as you're having no luck with the GP, I'd head to A&E.

Ignore the twats who'll come on and tell you not yo go. What you're experiencing isn't normal and you need to be seen.

I've had horrendous treatment from my GP over a similar issue. Mine is my shoulders and I am rapidly losing the use of both my arms, my dominant arm is already at around 25-30% rom at best. I'm putting in a complaint. I am loathe to do this in the current climate but actually in reality COVID is no excuse for the lack or treatment and misdiagnosis I've received.
There is a thread on AIBU a couple of days ago with hundreds of absolutely shocking life changing stories that make mine pale into insignificance. We are sadly not alone.

Hang on I'll link...

To just want to see a doctor??? http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/4001589-To-just-want-to-see-a-doctor

I don't know what is going on with Drs...what are they doing if they are not actually seeing patients! This should be a national scandal (along with everything else!!. You are not being unreasonable at all. I would agree though with seeing an osteopath...who presumably ARE working properly.

A lot of NHS staff have open access to a physio who would also be skilled in recognising other things

YANBU had a really difficult time getting a doctor's appointment for my dad. He was really in pain and I was worried about him (he's 89). He got brushed aside and told it must be an allergy. Eventually I paid for a private GP appointment and got him referred to private healthcare. I'm sorry you are going through this - can you get a phone consultation and ask for a referral as it seems more than a pain that will go away with some water and paracetamol.

I know how you’re feeling OP. I had a phone consultation with my GP- no face to face appointments. She sent me for a blood test and I’m waiting for an ultrasound appointment. As I sat in the blood test waiting room with around 20 other people , I couldn’t help but wonder how the staff there can continuously take blood samples ( obviously in very close contact) from a conveyerbelt of people yet we cannot see our GP ? Whilst I appreciate GPs work very hard It seems that this is a bit of a double standard. Saying that my surgery is actually performing smear tests again which is good - obviously done by a practice nurse . So contact with practice nurse or blood test staff is an acceptable risk but not GP? Is this because they are lower down on the tier I wonder ?

Is your GP practice set up for PUSH online appointments? I did this when I didn't get anywhere with my GP, it's a video appointment with any available GP around the country. He could see what my problem was straight away and did an urgent hospital referral.

That's awful op and not acceptable at all. I have to say that my view of GPs in general is not good (I used to work as a receptionist) as I think quite a significant percentage are lazy.

And I don't understand why it's not 'safe' for them to see patients when healthcare workers at the hospital have been doing so all the time!