Been told not to attend A&E by gp receptionist..

[shallwego]

Hello,

Following from another thread of mine, regarding painful ovulation (will summarise below)

• Been TTC for almost 3 years

• Had bloods taken by GP (day 21 bloods) and was advised at the time that this would show endometriosis or PCOS issues

• Had a GP appt yesterday to get the ball rolling with fertility help, mentioned that I get very painful ovulation, and she advised that endo / PCOS wouldn't in fact show in bloods, only a physical examination would determine this.

When I'm in / around ovulation, I get EXTREME crippling cramps in one side of my ovaries / lower abdomen, radiating across my pelvis. They're so awful I often feel like I'm going to split in half. When I sit and then stand again, I can barely stand up straight. It's crippling and lasts a LOT longer than the seconds / sometimes hours that others explain and experience during this time of the month. We're talking days. Sometimes 2/3.. and the pain is MUCH worse than my period pain.

I phoned the GP reception today, as I'm having a really hard time with the pain today. They've advised that nobody can see me there until 2nd week of January; and so I must get on with it until then. Fine, but pain killers are literally not touching the pain and I don't know what to do with myself. I'm at work and can't even stand straight. It's like someone's sawing me in half from hip-hip..

So I asked the receptionist if she would recommend I attend A&E for guidance in the meantime.
She almost screamed 'NO' at me. That they're under pressure (which I'm fully aware of and understand completely) but I honestly don't know what to do with myself 😞

So my question is.. would I be unreasonable to attend A&E after work? I just want help and answers. I'm so scared and in so much pain.

There are acute gynea services in every hospital, mine is located alongside the EPAU - gynae's and obstetrics are bleeped to attend emergencies in actual A&E, on Labour Ward, gynae ward and within the above clinics. I have endo, adeno and fibroids and bleed so much every month that I pass out, even on oral transexamic acid and mefenamic acid and have been shipped into A&E via ambulance historically.

I now fast track into acute gynae instead of having to attend A&E, last time I just went straight there and had blood pouring down my legs and they sorted me out with IV transexamic. If you can somehow find a way into acute gynae they can control your pain (sounds like an opioid might be needed in your case). You will eventually be discharged into outpatients gynae but I find acute much better than outpatients for acute issues. Maybe ask your GP about acute gynae in your local secondary care?

Oh and welcome to the world of gynae. It is not fun.

YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT.

Just because someone can bear the pain doesn't mean it isn't an emergency.

Personally I’d never listen to anything a receptionist says. They have no medical training. If you feel the surgery is fobbing you off then you’ve not got many other options.
Glad they’ve managed to see you today.

Yes!

I would go to A&E @shallwego .

Having said that, I had pain like that and it was caused by fibroids or a uterine polyp, so it needn't be anything malign or anything. x

It's weird isn't it. Only in the world of gynae and obstetrics is it acceptable to tell someone to 'bear the pain'. As though a uterus is the only pain giving organ signalling to the brain that inflammation and adhesions are happening but we must ignore it because...it's just the pesky uterus and therefore the pain must be ignored/borne. I have had a uterine cast and clots the size of my hand shrugged at and told it's nothing.

If it were a testicle I bet it would be different

I would go to A&E

Even though OPs GP is seeing her at 5pm?

Is "go to A&E" the new "cancel the cheque"?

Pain like this following weight loss surgery would be a red flag for me. I would say though A&E won't investigate in liklihood if its an on going issue- you need to see a GP but I understand its impossible and you've tried; so frustrating how women are dismissed.

I’m amazed at how many people are saying don’t go to A & E because it’s not an emergency! 🙄. How the hell do they know? What would they do if they were in excruciating pain then? Just grin and bear it?

Fortunately OP has an appointment with GP so that’s good. We all know there are are horrendous waits at A & E. Would anyone really go there if they could find an alternative? 🙄

I had a twisted ovary - absolute agony. Initially diagnosed incorrectly with appendicitis. Keyhole surgery sorted it out thankfully. Seems to be relatively uncommon but could be a possibility?

Call 111. They may be able to force your GP to see you as they do around here.

Yes, call 111, they'll probably ask you to go to hospital/a&e. Unfortunately the GP system in this country is completely broken (was pretty shit before covid, but now it's utterly useless). They'd be better off closing them all down and putting the GP's in pharmacies to do on the spot/wait consultations, and then ramping up the 111 service to cover the telephone consultations that GP's are mostly offering at present.

you need to see a GP but I understand its impossible and you've tried

It's not impossible. OP has a GP appointment for 5pm.

Good luck with your GP today. I’d push for a scan and a gynae appt asap. (“Emergency” gynae ultrasounds take around 3-4 weeks in my borough).

If it were to be endo for example it wouldn’t be diagnosed in A&E anyway - they would simply check to see if you’re dying and send you home if you’re not.

Ring 111 and say you can’t get an appt until January. 111 now have some appointments for many gps and can magic them up. Would avoid the need for sitting in a&e forever.

Personally I think if you are able to work it’s not an a&e job but you should pursue 111 and other walk in options.

It's not your job to diagnose and it certainly isn't the receptionist's job to advise. It could be anything. I go. And take a cushion, hot water bottle, wrap, something to read and some water as you could be in for a long wait. When it's sorted - time for a complaint to the surgery.

I do think it’s probably not A&E level if you’re able to attend work. Totally get what you mean about not being able to attend but I’ve had acute pancreatitis 4 times and it’s been an A&E level pain, horrific, couldn’t be in work if I tried. But you need to be seen before mid January, I’d go to out of hours or call 111, but I don’t think it’s A&E level pain if you’re able to be in work (unless you’re on the floor in pain there)

If it’s been going on for ages and you’re able to work it’s not an AE job. Call your GP back or go to out of hours for more painkillers. AE is there to treat emergencies, not to investigate symptoms that are already being dealt with by your GP or to act as a second opinion service.

It’s clear from these posts who has suffered severe gynaecological pain and who hasn’t.

OP I hope your GP appointment went well and they were able to prescribe you some stronger painkillers - fingers crossed you feel better soon.

Even though OPs GP is seeing her at 5pm?

I was going by OP's initial post where she said she wasn't given an appointment before January. If she was being seen at 5 then of course that's great.

If you don’t even know then you should definitely go!

These symptoms are not being dealt with by my gp. What a harsh response!! My GP is assessing me and dealing with my fertility issues.

I have been to the GP - he had carried out an internal examination along with a speculum swab, and has had a good press around my ovaries and pelvis (which was excruciating)

He's confirmed that he's almost certain he can feel at least one large cyst from the surface of my lower stomach, but has referred me to the hospital for a scan in the coming weeks to confirm. I've been given cocodamol and also a drug to reduce the heaviness and pain I have during my periods.

Once I've had the scan we can get onto track with what I can do / take to reduce these symptoms and the pain, too. He's also pretty sure this could be the cause for my unexplained infertility.

So I'm glad I've been.