Doctor e-consult!

[Losingmymind2021]

Hi all, my local doctors are discouraging anyone from ringing unless they feel they really have to.

I have a non urgent issue but something that will need attention soon if that makes sense (think worrying symptom, convincing myself I have cancer type thing).

I put an e-consult in early Monday with a photo of said problem (thankfully easily photographed) and was told they would respond by Tuesday 6pm when they shut. I heard nothing and still haven’t today.

I am very aware that the nhs is under huge strain at the minute.

But I can’t help feel a little deflated. I don’t want to ring as I know they are busy. I have submitted a form linked from the initial confirmation email to say that I haven’t heard anything.

I’ll wait to the end of the day to see if hear anything and maybe ring tomorrow or submit again!

But I don’t want to feel like I’m pestering of wasting their time.

What would you do?

I have major anxiety about doctors and rarelyG go but I have health anxiety too!! So I’m driving myself mad thinking I’m going to drop dead of cancer (sorry ott I know but cannot relax at all).

Just ring! They're under strain, but people do still need to have conversations when they believe they may have cancer.

@WellFuckMeSIDD

Please call them if you have cancer worries.

In August I had a 'very unusual event' that perplexed everyone. It wasn't investigated because of covid and even asked doctors why having covid was worse than dying of cancer. I was given the doctors sneer each of the 3 times I asked.

So, I was just glad it wasn't cancer and and every time I tried to get help for the symptoms I was told to stop worrying at least Noone thought it was cancer, so I ended up just feeling stupid.

Except, it is cancer. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. I found out on Monday; I also found out I almost certainly won't make it to my sons birthday in March.

* [post edited by MNHQ]*

I'm so sorry to hear this, OP. Very best wishes to you and your family

I did an e-consult and a doctor called me twice - while I was in meetings when i called back, I couldn’t get through until gone 3pm, by then he was doing normal appointments so the receptionist told me to put another one through. What a waste of time for everyone involved. Luckily mine is not urgent.

They’ve also moved over to a ‘call at 8 for a appointment that day’ system which is SO frustrating - I’ve always been slightly smug that our surgery was one where you could call and just get your appointment whenever there was one free, now it’s call at 8, wait on hold for half an hour and all apps are gone. Why don’t they care how shit that is? Hope they go back to the old way when Covid is over.

Sorry to derail, glad they called you. @WellFuckMeSIDD I’m so sorry

@WellFuckMeSIDD I’ve only just seen your reply and I am sorry hear to that! Best wishes to you and your family! 🌸

Thanks all. I don’t think I’m in serious danger for now. I’m a very moley (I don’t even know if that’s even a word) and freckly. I have a fairly small spot on my foot that doesn’t look like a mole as such or a blood blister but it’s bright red/brown and new. It’s completely flat on the skin. Very bizarre but it’s been there for quite a few weeks and decided I should get it checked.

The doctor is sure it’s some weird blood blister under the skin that’s being stubborn but thankfully one of the doctors at our surgery specialises in this kind of thing and she’s has the equipment to check it there (not sure on the correct terminology for these things) but only in a couple weeks time if it hasn’t gone by then. I’ve just had another call from a receptionist to book me in and was told to cancel if it disappears by then.

I’m not even sure you all wanted to know this but I was expecting a faff trip to the hospital to get it checked but glad they can do it locally if needs be.

@WellFuckMeSIDD I'm so sorry to read your post. Peace and love to you and your family.

Sounds about typical for service from a GP.

When are they going to stop using covid as an excuse?

@Daphnise I’ve always found the actual doctors at my surgery wonderful - but only once you’ve managed to get to through and speak to one which is a nightmare in itself even before covid 🥲

Hi OP
At work today (GP surgery) we had a message that there had been some problems with e-consult nationally this week with some not getting through to surgeries. So this might be the case?

@WellFuckMeSIDD I'm so sorry you're going through this. Life is so unbelievably cruel. How old is your son? I hope you are ok and have people to talk to

I used econsult for my dh. They didn't get vack. Total waste of time.

Hope it is all ok