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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Voicemail from GP surgery

209 replies

cherrysthename · 09/02/2022 18:19

Basically my AIBU is AIBU to be scared shitless. I had a missed call at the end of the day and then a voicemail quickly followed. It was the GP receptionist saying 'nothing to be worried about, but can you please make an appointment from 8am when we open in the morning?'
I note that she said nothing to worry about, but she would say that wouldn't she? I've not been to the doctors recently, not had any bloods taken to have results back from...nothing I can think of!

OP posts:
Realis · 10/02/2022 12:34

OP smear tests are part of mass national screening programmes. It’s a screening test not for if you have symptoms. If you have symptoms then they need to be investigated down a proper patient care pathway not by going through screening test.

If you don’t want one, that’s fine just tell your GP when they ask. They’re always going to ask because it’s part of the system in how GP practice get paid. Just say ‘no thank you’.

YABU saying that the GP used ‘a scare tactic’ when they literally said ‘nothing to worry about’. It was nothing to worry about and they said that on the voicemail. It’s not their fault you got worried!

KatyRebecca84 · 10/02/2022 12:35

@Theunamedcat

They might be checking you still need the referral sometimes things resolve themselves
If you haven't had any tests done, what could there be to worry about?!
hashbrownsandwich · 10/02/2022 12:39

On balance, we send out texts at our surgery and have recently had complaints from people saying they would prefer a phone call. So we do that instead, which takes way more time.

Can't win!

Yuckypretty · 10/02/2022 12:52

I mean this with kindness...I think you need to work on your anxiety because leaving a voicemail which literally says "nothing to worry" about does not sound like a scare tactic to me.

LagunaBubbles · 10/02/2022 12:56

I've refused countless times which is why I'm annoyed. I can't make choices about my own body and be respected. Oh well I've submitted now since they've resorted to scare tactics

Yeh how dare the NHS actually try to save deaths from cervical cancer with a smear test eh. 🙄

Mydogmylife · 10/02/2022 12:59

@cherrysthename

I did say oh my gosh the message had me worried as I'd assumed the appointment I was told to make was with a GP. The way it was worded didn't indicate they were simply inviting me for an optional service. Just more relieved than anything. I've booked in for one the week the schools go back. I don't think I need one, I'm not having any symptoms but I'll have it done anyway. I feel a bit annoyed though.
Surely you know that you don't get a routine smear test because you 'need one' in the way you mean, they are a preventative screening. I do think you have overreacted here, many people would like their GP practices to be proactive in this way.
Mydogmylife · 10/02/2022 13:02

@cherrysthename

Some women choose not to have cervical screening and that's fine because there are valid reasons as to why, milkyaqua. However if they have symptoms then they make an appointment like you would with any other health concern.

I've refused countless times which is why I'm annoyed. I can't make choices about my own body and be respected. Oh well I've submitted now since they've resorted to scare tactics. I feel like I'm complying so no more scary voice mails when I'm already dealing with chronic pain.

Actually this has annoyed me! Resorted to scare tactics - never heard such bollocks in my life - since when was the statement nothing to worry about a scare tactic? Seriously you need to get a grip
nitsandwormsdodger · 10/02/2022 13:06

Maybe ask about any anxiety treatments available as you have spun yourself into a tizzy over nothing , if you had recently had a cancer test I could understand this level of concern but you are healthy , they can’t possibly tell you bad news on the back of nothing can they ??

notacooldad · 10/02/2022 13:06

I don't think I need one, I'm not having any symptoms
Funny, my aunty didnt have any symptoms either,until.... she did and it was too late to help.
I didnt have any symptoms either but thankfully screening picked something up and it was resolved quickly and the hospital keep an eye on me so I dont have to worry.
Yeh how dare the NHS actually try to save deaths from cervical cancer with a smear test Exactly!! 👏

sarahc336 · 10/02/2022 13:09

Quite shocked that people still think you need a smear once you have symptoms, the smear test is designed to pick up early changes before the changes in your cells are that far gone you have symptoms. As someone that's had abnormal smear tests and treatment for this I'm still shocked as to how many women dismiss the need to have them. I'm glad you have booked one op xx

RosesAndHellebores · 10/02/2022 13:11

Is it perhaps a question that the GP needs to hit it's quota to claim funding?

HangingOver · 10/02/2022 13:13

Oh well I've submitted now since they've resorted to scare tactics

Hmm
HiGunny · 10/02/2022 13:15

My mother died of cervical cancer age 42. This was before regular screening was a thing. She was advised to have a smear after her second child was born but never got around to it. She died when that child was 7 years old. She could still be here if she had got it done. Maybe if she had a GP who chased it up?

So your flippant manner is really annoying me.

cookiemonster2468 · 10/02/2022 13:21

Well if you've not been to the doctors recently or had any tests then how can it possibly be something to worry about?

It will be to do with updating your details, or something routine like a cervical screen or Covid vaccine.

Sorry but yes YABU to be this worried when you haven't even had any tests.

Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 13:36

No she didn't GinIronic

Meanwhile I've still been unable to get any treatment or even get any further with the health issue I do have, which isn't the practice's fault, but it is incredibly hard to get an appointment with them. I had no idea they were so proactive in some regards, when they aren't when patients try to be seen with them.

I'm not commenting further on personal choice/bodily autonomy in regards to screening programmes because there is no need. I'll stand with any woman whatever she chooses, I refuse to be belittled myself on this subject.
Thanks all for the support last night, to the ones who saw the context. I'm not currently well. Of course this rattled me.

OP posts:
PrivateHall · 10/02/2022 13:39

I totally get you might be just responding to a night of stress and worry, but your comments are odd. Scare tactics? Don't need a smear if asymptomatic? That is really weird op, worry.

Shutupandcry · 10/02/2022 13:39

I find it slightly ironic you were panicking that it could be some bad news when you won't have a smear test which in itself is designed to pick things up early instead of leaving it untreated and developing into 'bad news'.

HelloFrostyMorning · 10/02/2022 13:40

@HiGunny Don't do that! Hmm

HelloFrostyMorning · 10/02/2022 13:41

Same to @notacooldad scaremongering is not cool!

fishonabicycle · 10/02/2022 13:41

I work at a GP surgery and we are always leaving messages for patients to call - most of the time it's routine (book vaccination, blood pressure check, routine bloods, address check). We can't leave a specific message because of patient confidentiality - someone else might pick up the message.

HelloFrostyMorning · 10/02/2022 13:44

@fishonabicycle

I work at a GP surgery and we are always leaving messages for patients to call - most of the time it's routine (book vaccination, blood pressure check, routine bloods, address check). We can't leave a specific message because of patient confidentiality - someone else might pick up the message.
Don't leave any message at all then.

Or even better, don't leave a vague message at the end of the day when you now the person can't get back to you coz you're shut!

7eleven · 10/02/2022 13:44

If the voicemail worried you, good luck with the scare you’ll get if you get suspicious bleeding. (Obviously hope you never do, but your fear is really misdirected).

Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 13:44

It's up to me whether to choose to take one, PrivateHall. It's every woman's choice. Some opt to, like I have this time, others opt out of the programme. Including GPs believe it or not.
This has become another MN smear test thread of which there are many. I didn't intend to start one- I posted because I was worried about what the hell I would need a GP appointment for supposedly out of nowhere and my mind ran to 'what ifs' regarding my current poor health.
I know from experience that these threads become nasty so thanks again, thread resolved. Any else is free to carry on but I'm happy with the outcome so that's all from me Thanks

OP posts:
OakRowan · 10/02/2022 13:46

Scare tactics? YABVU,it was an appointment reminder. You’ve refused them because of body autonomy, but you want help with other things that may or may not be wrong, on your terms only? The whole point of smears is to catch treatmentable things at an early, safer stage, before symptoms develop. Are you usually so anxious, do you have specific problems about being too focused negatively on your health? Perhaps you should see help for that instead. Posting on MN like this, about a phone message doesn't help yourself, it reinforces the problems you clearly already have.

Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 13:46

What a lovely sentiment, 7eleven. I've had health scares before, I deal with them like I'm dealing with my current one. It was the not knowing which causes me to stress a bit. You'll know that if you read my posts. Thanks again for your genuine, lovely message Hmm

OP posts:
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