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.

Wow. I've managed to see my Doctor in person twice in this for skin infections, following filling out an online questionnaire and then a phone call. I'm shocked with your symptoms they won't see you in person.

Have you considered making a private appointment with a physiotherapist?

I have been able to see a GP during Covid but my issue has been complications from a caesarean.

My GP also not open.

A few weeks back I had a bad eye infection that wouldn't respond to what the pharmacist gave me - I rang GP - got snapped at that "the phone is only for emergencies" - apparently I was supposed to know that with my psychic powers 🙄 - told to use their e-consult service, which I did - and got a 2 line email back, unsigned, telling me to go to Specsavers!

It really does seem to be a postcode lottery. I had a telephone consultation with a dr for my dd and then they asked to do one via a videocall. We did that and the dr said they felt it best that dd came into the surgery to be checked over. Gps to my knowledge at our practice are still doing patient consultations via phone or video call and seeing patients if necessary. They are still writing prescriptions and doing referrals. So not exactly sat on their arses.

You have to appreciate how many people would normally come through the surgery doors to see drs, nurses, hv, receptionists etc and the need for them to limit the risk of catching covid-19 for all patients and staff.

What I don't understand is why I can get my bloods taken easily, when the person who does so has to come into quite close contact with me but gps are not offering more face to face appointments? Is it because Gps have a stronger professional body to protect their interests? Can any Gps clarify this?

OP - sorry to hear you are in such pain.
Does your GP practice have a “physio first” service (ie where you can go without seeing a GP first)?
I had something very very similar last year (my DD cannot walk and so I carry her a lot). It was coming from neck and physio helped BUT I needed painkillers (Naproxen and co-codamol to get through before I could tolerate the physio).
Try not to panic (I was at my wits end!)

Ring GP again and tell them that it’s much worse?

And if you can’t get help DO go to A and E or a walk-in centre. Regardless of what A&E is there for under normal circumstances when you can’t lift your head up without help that’s unbearable- I know what that feels like.
GPs do see people in person if it seems urgent (I rang for an appointment the other day (telephone appt) was triaged by a matron and had an urgent GP appointment the next day.

[quote HeyBlaby]@QuestionableMouse a physio would be the exact right person for her to see.[/quote]
Well it depends on the cause of the pain. Muscle/joint yes, lots of other things no.

What I don't understand is why I can get my bloods taken easily, when the person who does so has to come into quite close contact with me but gps are not offering more face to face appointments? Is it because Gps have a stronger professional body to protect their interests? Can any Gps clarify this?

It’s nothing to do with professional bodies.

Bloods can’t be taken virtually - that’s the difference.

Whereas a lot of GPs’ daily interactions with patients can be performed perfectly well over a phone or video call.

Most GPs have been seeing patients who needed to be seen face to face throughout, and continue to do so - obviously we hear far more about the few that aren’t on MN, but that’s simply because things are more noteworthy when they’re not working well.

E.g. in the past, lots of patients would book a face-to-face appointment for a meds review.

But at the moment, it is far more appropriate for those to be performed over the phone.

Hi op. I had exactly the same issues as you which started in October last year. I was taking so many painkillers it really worried me. I paid for a couple of osteopath appointments which did help but didn’t completely clear it up. The osteopath was very reassuring though and said the pain in my head and behind my ears was consistent with a neck issue.I did end up going to the dr in December, I had a blood test (all fine) and I was referred for Physio. I had an appt for Physio come through for February but by then the issues had disappeared so I cancelled. I am sure that my issues started as a result of switching to varifocal glasses. They were not right and I was having to move my head a lot to see clearly. I ended up having them changed to single vision and a separate pair of reading glasses but the damage had already been done. I occasionally get the odd twinge but nothing like before.

Oh I forgot to say that osteopath advised me to use ibruprofen gel on the affected area rather than tablets.

Yanbu at all op. Yes you could go private, but you shouldn't bloody have to!!

I've got to try and do battle with my elderly DMs GP this afternoon. She was told yesterday that she needs a blood test but can't have one and of course did her usual "yes Doctor, of course Doctor" rather than arguing her case.

My own GP surgery on the other hand have been great through lockdown!

You just do a. Phone call with the GP, they confirm they need to see you and give you an appointment. I found a lump in my breast this morning, the GP. Called me back, I explained, they booked me in for 11am, by 11:30 I had a referral appointment at breast clinic for 2/09 and blood test in advance next week. I have another phone appointment about a number of issues and the GP will agree the best course of action then, whether it is referral or face to face appt etc.

Could be a pinched nerve, could be a slipped disc, sciatica, anything - whatever it is, you need medical attention.

Our GP is doing the online thing - you can submit a message and accompanying photos, they email or call you back. Used it twice during lockdown, can't fault them at all. In fact, I much prefer this to sitting around in a waiting room for hours!

Keep at them OP, sometimes you have to be the squeaky wheel. Is there some sort of minor injuries unit you can access?