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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To fight for a GP appointment tomorrow?

79 replies

Infernalhellloop · 27/11/2022 14:21

For a week I've had a blocked nose, coughing, producing literally buckets of dark green khaki mucus that is lumpy, thick, sticky generally yuck.

Doesn't seem to be getting better. Had one day improvement then back to no improvement.

Now feeling light headed/ dizzy.

Ulcers on roof of mouth from mouth breathing due to snot build up.

I'm super run down.

Do I need antibiotics or should I put up with it for longer, I feel awful. I've had antibiotics for chest infections before this time I've not sought any medical help as of yet?

OP posts:
Blowyourowntrumpet · 27/11/2022 15:39

I wouldn't dream of going to the doctor for that.

purplewolfie · 27/11/2022 15:42

I wouldn't go. I'd assume it was a cold and I'd try to drink and sleep lots. You do you though.

mumofsupergirl · 27/11/2022 15:48

Can you find a pharmacist who can assess and prescribe antibiotics if needed. We have one in our town who will check your chest, etc and prescribe if needed. Saves waiting for a doctors appointment.

Blanketpolicy · 27/11/2022 15:57

From what you have written I would think nasty virus and, assuming it didn't get worse, fill myself up with whatever decongestants/paracetamol I could, lots of hankies and fluids and lie in front of TV feeling sorry for myself for another few days.

Original poster
Infernalhellloop · 27/11/2022 15:58

I always thought 111 was emergency out of hours as do most people Hmm this really isn't an emergency and one which can wait, unless I obviously collapse or show blood Hmm Good ol' supportive MN hags 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Infernalhellloop · 27/11/2022 15:59

@mumofsupergirl didn't think pharmacists had the power to prescribe?

OP posts:
MNHQ
KimMumsnet · 27/11/2022 16:02

Hi there. We've had a few reports from Mumsnetters concerned about this thread. While we're daily amazed by some of the excellent advice and support offered on Mumsnet, there's really no substitute for proper medical attention – we'd never want to discourage anyone from seeing a doctor if they think they may be unwell. (PS get well soon, OP. There's so much lurgy around!)

Original poster
Infernalhellloop · 27/11/2022 16:05

Thanks @KimMumsnet seriously have people genuinely nothing better to do than report someone innocently asking for a consensus on whether to call a GP on a Monday morning or to just stick it out 😂sorry you have to put up with these people @KimMumsnet

OP posts:
Mabelface · 27/11/2022 16:08

OP, speak to 111. They're there for health advice as well.

mumofsupergirl · 27/11/2022 16:10

Infernalhellloop · 27/11/2022 15:59

@mumofsupergirl didn't think pharmacists had the power to prescribe?

This one does. I've visited him a few times and DC and I haven't needed antibiotics but he has done for friends when needed. Always has good advice. Worth an ask on a Facebook group to see if any local ones can do this for you.

Original poster
Infernalhellloop · 27/11/2022 16:12

@Mabelface thanks. What puts me off is that i know how busy they are. We've called several times recently for our youngest at night and have been waiting 6/7hrs for a call back so what's the point realistically when by the time they call me if they triage then I'll probably have a GP phone appointment tomorrow 🤷🏼‍♀️....but then i know how stretched they are but I need to work so I need to get better...don't know what to do for the best.

OP posts:
ByTheGrace · 27/11/2022 16:15

DD and I have both got this, DD ended up with pneumonia a couple of weeks ago, I only took her to the the doctors as it was setting off her asthma, turned out it was pneumonia, she needed oral steroids and ABs. I was quite shocked, as she wasn't that ill.
I'm pondering a GP's appointment for me next week, it's been 5wks now. I have had a similar thing in the past, GP insisted it was an allergy, that turned out after seeing a specialist, to be a really bad sinus infection.
If you are worried, the NHS says see a GP if...you feel very unwell, or your symptoms get worse
you cough up blood or blood-stained mucus,
you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks. It also says green mucus is a sign of a chest infection.

There are people on Mumsnet who would tell people not to see a doctor even if their left leg was hanging off.

romdowa · 27/11/2022 16:15

Prescottdanni123 · 27/11/2022 14:52

@romdowa

It is far better to let a doctor decide whether you need antibiotics. Taking them when you don't need them is dangerous.

Oh well obviously the doctor will decide 🙄🙄 which Is why I reccomended op speaks to one.

Booklover3 · 27/11/2022 16:17

I’d let the doctor decide

Baxdream · 27/11/2022 16:20

I had similar recently and the doctor said to take berocca, rest and sleep.

In fairness I used the online form and he called me.

I hate to say it but he was right! I just felt like it was never going to end!

ByTheGrace · 27/11/2022 16:20

Infernalhellloop · 27/11/2022 16:05

Thanks @KimMumsnet seriously have people genuinely nothing better to do than report someone innocently asking for a consensus on whether to call a GP on a Monday morning or to just stick it out 😂sorry you have to put up with these people @KimMumsnet

I think the reports are more likely to be because of the, "do not bother the NHS for any reason" type replies.
There was a thread a while ago where a poster was having a very abnormally heavy period and was wondering about A&E. Some of the replies were shockingly scathing, but there were enough sensible replies that persuaded her to go to A&E. She was actually very ill and not seeking medical help could have had awful consequences.

cptartapp · 27/11/2022 16:23

Infernalhellloop · 27/11/2022 15:58

I always thought 111 was emergency out of hours as do most people Hmm this really isn't an emergency and one which can wait, unless I obviously collapse or show blood Hmm Good ol' supportive MN hags 😂

No. Urgent care is just the 'weekend' part of the GP out of hours service. Maybe if more people were aware and utilised this, general practice wouldn't be bombed out the other five days.

Original poster
Infernalhellloop · 27/11/2022 16:27

TMI this is a tiny amount like, 1/4 of what I've been coughing up, think I'm dehydrated atm. Probably why dizzy even though I'm drinking loads.

To fight for a GP appointment tomorrow?
OP posts:
Orangepolentacake · 27/11/2022 16:36

ByTheGrace · 27/11/2022 16:15

DD and I have both got this, DD ended up with pneumonia a couple of weeks ago, I only took her to the the doctors as it was setting off her asthma, turned out it was pneumonia, she needed oral steroids and ABs. I was quite shocked, as she wasn't that ill.
I'm pondering a GP's appointment for me next week, it's been 5wks now. I have had a similar thing in the past, GP insisted it was an allergy, that turned out after seeing a specialist, to be a really bad sinus infection.
If you are worried, the NHS says see a GP if...you feel very unwell, or your symptoms get worse
you cough up blood or blood-stained mucus,
you've had a cough for more than 3 weeks. It also says green mucus is a sign of a chest infection.

There are people on Mumsnet who would tell people not to see a doctor even if their left leg was hanging off.

Or that they couldn’t POSSIBLY DREAM OF going to the drs….
Yeah, sure. If you’ve got certain symptoms you should be assessed, no need to make it out as if someone else is completely ridiculous because they don’t act like you 🙄

Happyhappyday · 27/11/2022 16:47

It’s most likely viral which antibiotics will do nothing for. It sucks but unless you’re really having trouble breathing, you just have to wait it out.

GoingtotheWinchester · 27/11/2022 16:50

Who phones 111 for a heavy cold??? 😳

bestbefore · 27/11/2022 16:51

Call the gp and they will sort a prescription over the phone and send to the chemist. That's what they are there for!!

Quveas · 27/11/2022 16:57

I had it a few weeks ago - nearly three weeks of it and the worst part (as you decsribe for about 10 days of that). Everyone I know has either had it, has it, or is probably about to come down with it. Doctor came out because I am disabled and she was concerned about my breathing - there was nothing to do that I wasn't doing. Not anti-biotics as they wouldn't have helped. Just rest, and wait. And if the breathing got worse, 999. Her view was that so many people didn't have much last winter or the winter before because we were not just avoiding Covid, so now our immune systems have forgotten / got lazy about the stuff we normally shrug off.

Vallmo47 · 27/11/2022 17:02

I’ve had five weeks of this OP and the gp finally agreed it might be bacterial due to my extensive history of chest infections. I would certainly wait longer than a week to be seen, but sorry it’s so rubbish. Five weeks of barely any sleep is making me quite agitated I must admit. Both my kids have caught it now too. :/

Original poster
Infernalhellloop · 27/11/2022 17:10

Anyone think bird flu may have already made the jump?

OP posts:
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