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.

A GP receptionist is not a doctor. They have absolutely no right to be drawing conclusions about the severity of your disease. Frankly I would put in a complaint to your surgery, and go to A&E.

Aren't there walk in centres anywhere anymore? If there is one, go there, the nurses triage and get a doctor as appropriate. I wish doctors surgeries would do this, they'd see so many more patients more quickly.

Saw this article www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mittelschmerz/symptoms-causes/syc-20375122 which may help provide a diagnosis...

Good luck OP it sounds unbearable.

OP phoned her GP. Presumably because she thought that was the right place for her.

The GP couldn't see her. At this point she asked whether she should go to A and E.

A and E isn't a back up for the GP.

I asked about A&E because I didn't know what else to do. I have been in agony and needed advise. I wasn't wanting to go there for a diagnosis whatsoever, I literally needed wanted help with pain management.

This is terrifying. Stress?!?! That’s a new one on me, the classic is IBS. I’m so sorry you’ve received such appalling care. If you’re concerned it’s endometriosis then do have a look at endometriosis UK, they have support you can access.

*advice

👏👏👏

This x 100000

stop waiting until you’re in pain every month to do something! Get a bloody referral and see a gynaecologist. I have endo and needed a laparoscopy. You do not need a and e.

e-surgery.com/product/naproxen/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAm5ycBhCXARIsAPldzoWJdbt-Sd9psg9op4YGsTDyaAHYqMH0qNzPpuu7MJpWTxzn2bNiiaAaAtM_EALw_wcB

You can buy non branded naproxen.

@QuestionableMouse you have to complete a consultation, it’s not available over the counter.

Out of interest, how do 111 get patients an appointment at your surgery?

I also work in a GP surgery & when the Receptionists say there are no appointments left, there are most definitely no appointments left. Do you keep some back for 111?

What we do always have (and I assumed all surgeries did) is a daily Duty Dr. Who is there for GP level emergencies. If 111 call & say a patient is too ill to reasonably wait until the next day (we only have same day appts) then of course they will be added to the generally very long list for a call back from Duty Dr, who will ask them to come in for an examination later the same day if need be. But a patient can also be added to that same list by calling us directly. 111 referrals will not be called/seen more quickly.

I never understand why people on MN advise people that 111 can get them a Dr's appt, because they can't with us. Seems like a huge waste of resources to have appts sitting round empty just incase 111 call. I'd be interested to know how other surgeries do it.

OP, glad the Duty Dr saw you today. Hope they're able to help with your pain.

@OldEnoughToHaveReadBunty

Yes, we have some appointments kept back that are directly bookable by 111.

It's not endometriosis as it's a totally unrelated body part, it's more my stomach area. I told them I'm worried as my sister just died from bile duct and liver cancer but I just got fobbed off with stress. I had to beg for the ultrasound from my GP and she just said "well, I'll make the referral but it'll be at least a tear before you're seen" and had some antidepressants prescribed (which I havent taken as I'm not bloody depressed, I'm exhausted and in pain!) But the GP saw a woman crying and instantly went to being emotional.

*year not tear

@shallwego speaking from experience, if it is a cyst as the GP thinks, which to be honest it sounds like one, don't be put off going to A and E if the pain gets worse before you get your scan. If it's an ovarian cyst they can burst at any time. Most of the time this relieves the pain and causes no further problems but sometimes, especially if it's a large one it may need to be removed.

And ignore the if you can work its not an emergency crew, I remember barely hanging on through the afternoon whilst at work thinking I'll get home and go to bed it will be fine. I did get home, collapsed, and my flat mates had to phone an ambulance. I had a large cyst it was about to burst and I was in a right mess. I ended up spending a week in hospital.

I how you get your scan and get things sorted quickly.

Boiled.

I hate to say this. But I agree….this has obviously been going on a while. Which makes it not an emergency right now. It also isn’t an accident. The GP however should be able to provide painkillers. If they then don’t work I would advise A and E

I myself suffer from crippling ovulation pain. I understand it completely

Do they always get filled each day?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm an ex HCP who now works on the management side of things so it's really interesting to see what other practices do differently.

If the GP can't see you within 2 days go to A&E. If GPs aren't fulfilling their role (for whatever reason) then you have every right to go to A&E, because the NHS is there to help you. Do not feel guilty about it.

Go to A&E. If it’s unbearable after painkillers. Don’t go if you have tried decent pain relief (amazing how many people don’t). I’ve experienced being palmed off for this type of pain and it took me 2 years and 4 admissions via A&E where they kept deciding I wasn’t getting worse and sending me home - until they investigated fully and found out I had a rare type of endometriosis that ended up revealing a tumour when they finally operated on. Don’t give up!

I agree. I managed through the pain of my ovarian cyst and went to my GP on an emergency. She asked why I hadn’t gone to emergency and said if it happens again I should!

Well you clearly need to see a doctor and if the GP won’t see you for six weeks (!) you have no choice but to go to A&E. If the GP surgery don’t want you to go to A&E, then they need to see you within a reasonable timeframe. Simple as that.

Jesus! MN is brutal. People need to climb down off that high horse. I don't think being at work and having a medical event are mutually exclusive. I was at work where a guy was feeling unwell, ignored it then had a heart attack right there in front of us all. Hope you are okay OP and please ignore everyone who is dismissing your pain because who can sit down at a desk. They are ridiculous! Glad you got seen.

That's just rude, I worked and ran business with diagnosed endometriosis some times we have too get on, it doesn't make the pain less

I’m a nurse, I deal with women with pelvic pain every day in my role. A chronic and predictable pain issue where a woman can go about her work day and decide to just pop over to A&E after work isn’t an emergency. A new, acute pain is absolutely an A&E job but A&E is not a means of circumventing the GP.

So fuck off with your ‘educate yourself’

You need to kick off