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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that a nurse in charge of a minor illnesses clinic should be sure of what she's doing?

33 replies

OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 14:11

I've been ill since Monday evening. High fever and the usual aches and pain, sneezing etc, no energy...feeling like sh*te basically. No big deal - a cold is just a cold but it got worse and worse I developed a throbbing pain below and behind each ear. So Wed morning I dragged my aching carcase to see the Minor Illnesses nurse (along with 4yr old who was off with a cough). Nurse told me that I only had a cold (OK but it's the very worst cold I've ever had), my throat wasn't inflamed, my glands weren't swollen and my ears were clear and that any wheezing in my chest was athsma (which was probably true). But she said 2 things that bothered me but I was feeling too rough at the time to argue the toss:

  1. She said that my ears were clear but that there might be a problem with the tubes Which begs the question if that's a possibility why aren't you looking into it?
  1. "Do you want some antibiotics?" which actiually left me speechless. I thought that they had stopped giving them out like sweeties and otherwise why did I need them? According to her there was nothing wrong? Was she covering her arse in case I came back with some problem later.

I am probably being unreasonable because I still feel like sh*te and I haven't slept since Sunday night and christmas is going to be awful at this rate - I'm snapping at the DCs like a lion with toothache

I just want to sit and cry.....

OP posts:
nailpolish · 21/12/2007 14:15

you have a cold
the nurse probably couldnt believe you ahd goen there with the cold

Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 14:17

It's not like any cold I've ever had. And I was worried about the pain in my ears.

But thanks for the support. Made me feel hugely better.

OP posts:
nailpolish · 21/12/2007 14:19

the pain is your ears is just the same as your nose being blocked

youd be better off talking to your local pharmacist

get well soon

nutcracker · 21/12/2007 14:21

I went to the docs for the exact same thing today OrmIrian so don't feel bad for going. I never go but truly felt so shitty.

Anyhow my doc also said that my ears and throat were fine, however she has given me AB's and said to start them only if it gets any worse.

Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 14:23

Glad it's not me then.I can't remember the last time I went to the GP for anything other than my athsma check up. I just don't get ill. I have a cough now and a very sore chest and I'm still sweaty and hot

OP posts:
Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 14:32

I should probably have said yes to the antibs then.

OP posts:
ChubbyStuckForAFestiveNameBurd · 21/12/2007 14:37

Am that she offered you abx - either they're needed, or not!

As a vet we are constantly being blamed by medics for increasing levels of antibiotic resistance, yet often we seem to use these drugs far more responsibly and with much more justification than human practitioners.

Hope you feel better soon

Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 14:39

Well that's what I thought chubby.

OP posts:
bossybaublesinherbritches · 21/12/2007 14:46

Orm sometimes my dr writes a script for Abs just in case, a virus has to work it's course but often then lays you low so you succumb to a secondary bacterial infection. I have am agreement that if it gets worse I get the abs- saves going back twice.

As a good rule of thumb he said if you just have a sore throat OR cough OR blocked/runny nose & are a bit hot it's a cold therefore viral & you just treat the symptoms.

A combination or all of the above plus a fever & it's probably a chest/ear/throat infection needing abs.

Obviously at all times go to a GP if worried, as we're all different.

Sounds like you have proper full blown flu Orm -poor you

Fluids, drugs & rest.....hmmmm probably not possible eh?

bossybaublesinherbritches · 21/12/2007 14:46

Sorry YANBU she should have explained better!!

Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 14:49

Well that's what's so frustrating britches. I've been off work for 4 days and I've had a certain amt of rest and peace and DH has been an absolute star ...but it still hasn't helped.

Ah well....

OP posts:
Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 14:50

Yes that would make sense. I think that's the problem, she seemed to be expecting me to make decisions. I prefer health professionals to tell me what's what really.

OP posts:
PanicPressiePants · 21/12/2007 14:51

I've something similiar and went to pharmacist first they refused to sell me anything as I 'might' need antibioics so shuld really see a doctor. Of course surgery had no appointments

Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 15:40

That's the problem now panic. Can't get an appointment on saturdays now unless you go to the emergency service which is OK but always manically busy.

Does anyone know what I can take/do that will help me to sleep? I haven't slept since Sunday. I'm tired but I just can't get to sleep. I know I'd feel 100x better if I could just get some sleep

OP posts:
Swedes2Turnips1 · 21/12/2007 16:01

Ormirian - hope you feel better soon. It doesn't sound like just a cold - might it be man flu?

Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 16:36

man flu swedes?

I don't know what upsets me more. The implication that I'm a hypochondriac or that I'm really a man...

OP posts:
Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 16:38

On a positive note, I've lost an inch off my waist and off my hips. Not a weight loss plan I'd recommend though as facially I look like one of the living dead...

OP posts:
Swedes2Turnips1 · 21/12/2007 16:44

Omirian - Was not insinuating you are a man - more that the man flu bug might have mutated.

Do you always measure your hips and waist when you are ill - or only when you have earache?

Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 16:48

I don't weigh myself so that's how I keep an eye on my size but no, I wouldn't normally bother when I was ill but I was curious as I felt thinner. And I wanted to drag something postive out of the misery...

OP posts:
nametaken · 21/12/2007 16:49

Try a dose of paracetamol and one of ibuprofen together with a nytol and a small glass of sherry to help you get a good nights sleep tonight.

Never fails me

Original poster
OrmIrian · 21/12/2007 16:51

Aha! OK. Don't have the Nytol and will whisky do instead of sherry? I've tried paracetamol and ibuprofen together but without the other secret ingredients.

Thankyou

OP posts:
Swedes2Turnips1 · 21/12/2007 16:52

Try a bowl of boiling water and a towel over your head and then breath in the steam - it might help to clear blocked eustacian tubes if that is the problem

Hope you really feel much better soon.

Gledhill · 21/12/2007 16:53

You sound like you have what my little one has... you did the right thing going to the nurse. She may have offered antibiotics as is can be hard to tell bacterial / viral infections.

... no idea about the tube comment!?

Hope you feel better soon.

nametaken · 21/12/2007 16:54

whisky good too but make it a SMALL one LOL.

kerala · 21/12/2007 17:37

so annoying when people say "just a cold". Yes, 9 out of 10 colds are a snuffle which is annoying for a few days but you can carry on. Then you get the 1 in 10 which is not far off flu but you get no sympathy as its "just a cold". Had one of these a few years back and was actually in bed for a week, temperature, headache, much like you have.

Poor you get well soon