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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

GP and only seeing people for ‘emergencies’

71 replies

Echalocha · 15/12/2021 13:42

I have intense pain in my lower right abdomen which radiates in to my lower back. Feel constipated and just very uncomfortable indeed.
I have suffered this probably twice/three times a year for as long as I can remember but I’ve always assumed it’s some sort of intolerance and I’ve kept food diaries and nothing shows up. The attacks are sudden and very random.
It’s happening again today, came on very quick with no warning and it is so painful.
I rang the GP for an appointment this afternoon to be told that they are only seeing medical emergencies. I get they are busy. But isn’t that what 111 and a&e are for?
I said it’s very sudden so I can’t pre book appointments for this issue. The receptionist said ‘is it life threatening or an emergency?’ I said well I don’t think I’m at immediate risk of dying so I thought the GP would be the best place to start!!
I feel like I can’t get advice on this problem and it’s really bothering me. What do I do in this situation? I feel like asking for any help is a waste of resources but clearly it’s not normal to have this problem.
What would you do in this instance?

OP posts:
Porfre · 15/12/2021 13:44

@Echalocha

I have intense pain in my lower right abdomen which radiates in to my lower back. Feel constipated and just very uncomfortable indeed. I have suffered this probably twice/three times a year for as long as I can remember but I’ve always assumed it’s some sort of intolerance and I’ve kept food diaries and nothing shows up. The attacks are sudden and very random. It’s happening again today, came on very quick with no warning and it is so painful. I rang the GP for an appointment this afternoon to be told that they are only seeing medical emergencies. I get they are busy. But isn’t that what 111 and a&e are for? I said it’s very sudden so I can’t pre book appointments for this issue. The receptionist said ‘is it life threatening or an emergency?’ I said well I don’t think I’m at immediate risk of dying so I thought the GP would be the best place to start!! I feel like I can’t get advice on this problem and it’s really bothering me. What do I do in this situation? I feel like asking for any help is a waste of resources but clearly it’s not normal to have this problem. What would you do in this instance?
Boris has told them to co centre on vaccination as a first priority. Urgent appointments are second priority and everything else has to wait.

But it does sound urgent from what you're saying.
I'd try ring again, if it doesnt work ring 111.

Ohbotherpiglet · 15/12/2021 13:44

Call back. Say you are in a lot of pain which makes it an emergency.

LIZS · 15/12/2021 13:45

I think what they are saying is non routine appointments . If you have an acute or flare up of a chronic condition they would see you.

Ducksareruiningmypatio · 15/12/2021 13:45

I'd call 111 and tell them what your GP said.
They'll either get the GP to "find" an appointment or they'll find you a walk in centre.

OneRuleForThem · 15/12/2021 13:46

Next time say it IS an emergency. You don’t know what it is, you could be on the verge of death for all you know.

londonrach · 15/12/2021 13:46

Call back and say emergency due to the pain

Original poster
Echalocha · 15/12/2021 13:47

She was just so unhelpful. She said only I can decide what an emergency is but my definition of emergency is a heart attack or loss of consciousness so I felt really like she was saying I am going to be wasting their time.
I’m going to wait an hour and try again if it’s still hurting. Typically these flare ups last around 12 hours from my past experiences and I’m starting to worry that it’s something that does need attention.

OP posts:
CorrBlimeyGG · 15/12/2021 13:47

Boris has told them to co centre on vaccination as a first priority.

Are most GPs doing vaccines? In my town only one of the three surgeries is part of the vaccine drive.

CorrBlimeyGG · 15/12/2021 13:48

Sorry Echa, I'd call back and say it is urgent.

Drivingmisspotty · 15/12/2021 13:55

Do you have any other option at your surgery eg filling in an online form which is then triaged?

I would say while it sounds grim if you have had it a few times a year for as long as you can remember it is unlikely to be something that needs immediate help or that the GP can really do anything about except advise on laxatives/pain killers. I agree you would want it investigating so really you need your GP to refer you on for investigations. They might not need to see you to do this.

If your GP don’t offer any alternative to a face to face appointment would one of those online GPS work maybe?

I hope I don’t sound dismissive, it sounds horrible and must be worrying that it keeps flaring up.

Alternatively you could take the can’t beat them join them approach and say it is a medical emergency due to abdominal pain?

bhsjaoiremansjdleoo · 15/12/2021 13:58

Hi OP, have you looked up gall bladder / gall stone attacks? It sounds very similar to what I have suffered.

Original poster
Echalocha · 15/12/2021 13:59

Thanks for your replies and no you don’t sound dismissive @CorrBlimeyGG
I just don’t know what could cause this. I worry that it’s a rumbling appendix because of the location and the randomness of the flare ups but maybe that’s google panicking me.
I think even if It doesn’t get worse today, I’m going to book an appointment for a proper investigation in to what it is because it’s really painful when it happens and I’m not one to go to the dr unless I feel something is super wrong so I have just dealt with it myself in the past.
But dr google has me questioning if it’s more serious because of location/intensity of the pain!

OP posts:
Original poster
Echalocha · 15/12/2021 14:00

Sorry I meant to tag @Drivingmisspotty in my last post about the not sounds dismissive! Brain fog

No I haven’t researched gall stones @bhsjaoiremansjdleoo I’m going to look now - thank you!

OP posts:
SW1amp · 15/12/2021 14:02

@CorrBlimeyGG

Boris has told them to co centre on vaccination as a first priority.

Are most GPs doing vaccines? In my town only one of the three surgeries is part of the vaccine drive.

GPs and practice nurses are being sent to vaccination hubs to administer jabs

Just because the surgery building isn’t being used doesn’t mean the staff aren’t being roped in

And they got zero notice of this, finding out about it on Sunday at the same time as the rest of us

Fretfulmum · 15/12/2021 14:05

GPs and their staff have been advised to prioritise vaccine rollout and to cancel any non urgent appointments. GP practices can’t get the country boosted and deliver their normal service, something has to give. Call 111 and see if you go to a walk in?

ChangeChingyChange · 15/12/2021 14:06

With that I'd just go to A&E. I've had both my appendix and gallbladder removed via emergency and your pain sounds similar to both. Why have you been dealing with this a few times a year for a few years without seeking medical advice? Go get it sorted.

Porfre · 15/12/2021 14:10

@CorrBlimeyGG

Boris has told them to co centre on vaccination as a first priority.

Are most GPs doing vaccines? In my town only one of the three surgeries is part of the vaccine drive.

I dont know. Every surgery is different. Where I work. We're already running on skeletal staffing levels and others have already got leave booked. Goodwill is very low. But they've opened up the PCN run covid vacc centre again. Each surgery contributes staff to it.
Original poster
Echalocha · 15/12/2021 14:12

@ChangeChingyChange I don’t know in all honesty. I assumed naively that because it goes away and it’s infrequent that it mustn’t be too serious but I’m starting to realise it’s not a normal thing to experience.
Thank you for sharing your experience as my pain does seem very similar to that of the appendix. I’ve had a look at gallbladder symptoms online but I tick more of the boxes for appendix related pain. I think I’m going to call them back.

OP posts:
ChangeChingyChange · 15/12/2021 14:13

Don't bother calling them back just call 111 or go to a&e. A GP can't do much for this sort of thing unfortunately and are so stretched at the minute I wouldn't have the confidence in them to actually diagnose you properly either. Just my opinion.

MsJaneAusten · 15/12/2021 14:17

Call 111 instead. They will have more options than the GP receptionist does.

triceratopsatemyhat · 15/12/2021 14:17

@Ohbotherpiglet

Call back. Say you are in a lot of pain which makes it an emergency.
If it's an emergency then you don't go to a gP
itwasntaparty · 15/12/2021 14:19

If you're in that much pain go to a and e, be prepared for a wait and see what happens. Unfortunately a and e is going to be completely overloaded now, even more than it was before.

sarahb083 · 15/12/2021 14:21

Is it possibly period related? I get a very similar pain when I'm ovulating (about halfway between periods) and it's awful and really painful.

ftw163532 · 15/12/2021 14:21

That actually sounds a lot like a partial bowel obstruction. Which is an emergency as it can lead to perforated bowel and sepsis etc.

The fact that it recurs in the same place makes it sound like perhaps you have scar tissue in that area that intermittently causes an obstruction.

Could be other causes but obstruction should be ruled out.

sarahb083 · 15/12/2021 14:21

Or a burst ovarian cyst if you have PCOS? Sorry not very helpful responses to your actual question!