Really don’t know what to do if unwell

[Reallydontknow22]

If you’re really pretty unwell and google (I know, never google) indicates that you should be seen by someone ASAP, but there’s just no one available - what the hell do you actually do?

There isn’t a functioning healthcare system and it’s scary

It sounds like you are going to get that extra advice now as a health professional will be calling you back.

I hope you feel better soon.

You can, though. You're just saying you don't want to go and sit there because you feel too unwell to do so.

But what do you feel the alternative is? You're not going to get a home visit so you're going to have to go somewhere if you want treatment.

But you have been triaged by 111 and a doctor is going to call you! If they think you need to be seen in person they will arrange that. They can also switch to video.

If you need to see someone more urgently then go to A&E!

OP you need to take a bit of responsibility for your own health here. No one is going to turn up with a magic wand and fix you at home.

@luxxlisbon no but I do need to see somebody. They can’t diagnose me over the phone with generic questions.

Which is why a doctor is going to speak to you rather than the 111 caller!

OP there is A&E, there are urgent care walk in centres, if you need to be seen you need to advocate for yourself and go.

I'm not sure what you were hoping for op? Obviously it would be nice if there were GPs available for house calls at short notice, but that isn't realistic, I think.

I think 111 is a good service, you've been triaged and are waiting. That will be the situation in most healthcare settings. Obviously it is horrible to be ill. I wonder if you have given yourself a scare on Google. I'd trust the healthcare professionals to have a better idea of what's needed than a Google search.

Do you want to elaborate on the symptoms that make you “really unwell” & maybe some health professionals on MN can assist you?

No they can't. What they can and will do is decide whether you need self-care or to see your GP or go to A&E etc. Where I am they will book you a GP appointment or a timeslot for A&E or whatever, but appreciate not the same everywhere.

It is not fun, but you just need to wait. I think 111 and A&E are busier than normal because of concern about Strep A so this will be impacting waiting times.

So wait until the doctor calls you back or go to A&E and see an an-call doctor.

I'm not sure what else you expect to happen.

I agree with this, I have just had covid, it floored me, nearly 2 weeks on I am still coughing and tired, at its worst, I was sleeping 18 hrs a day when I was awake it was hell on earth, but it was a virus, nothing anyone could have done, sometimes we are ill, its shit, take some paracetomol, night nurse, lempsip and sleep it off.
No wonder people can't get in to see their GP, people cannot handle being ill anymore

@luxxlisbon we are going round the houses here a bit and I’m afraid you’re going to have to take me at my word That I can’t. When I stand up, I faint. I am very weak now and just not able to get downstairs safely, never mind drive myself to a and e (or even get in a taxi, get out of a taxi, walk to a and e …)

You are sounding quite irritated by this and I am sorry if that is indeed the case. I am
afraid I just don’t have your confidence that a brief conversation with a GP with them reading out a list of questions will mean all will be well. I mean, it probably will be but it is that what if.

Of course they can only do what they can do. I am not blaming individuals. I am saying that I don’t think that a system where you need emergency care but can’t get it because there’s no (wo) man power is a good or effective one.

80% of making a diagnosis is from the history and questions asked. Questions aren’t generic - they’re tailored to your symptoms to rule out or confirm a diagnosis.
The other 20% is from examinations and investigations to confirm the diagnosis.

What are your symptoms?

people cannot handle being ill anymore

People actually do handle being ill IME, because they have to! I’m not sure we’re any more stoic now than we were once but we’ve no choice!

If I was the sort of person demanding routine appointments with my GP I would agree but the thing is I am really not. Last time I was in the GPS surgery (for things not related to maternity or child services) was for my smear test, the time before that was for my other smear test!

I think if you told 111 you were fainting every time you got up they’d call an ambulance. Why have you got to this point and not requested help earlier? Call your GP surgery and have some trust in your doctor. The reason you’re not getting help is because you seem to doubt your GP can help without even asking!

I’d rather not go into them if you don’t mind, @Cardio101 .

So basically you just wanted 111 to send paramedics out and take you to hospital, if you don't believe a gp is capable of making the correct call over the phone you will have to phone them back.

Do you have anyone who could help you out to a taxi or even gove you a lift? Neighbour, friend etc assuming you live alone. If you could get to front door ready.

I’ve been trying to get help all
mornong, the problem is there isn’t any.

Blimey, some
of you are determined to put twelve years of Tories at my door aren’t you 😂

@Stressedmum2017 ehat I want is an ambulance. I do think I constitute an emergency at this stage and good old
google agrees unfortunately there just aren’t any so they say the same as people here, go to a and e yourself. But I really can’t

OP says she can't get downstairs safely.

Could your GP help?

Go downstairs on your bottom, take it nice and slow, have a big drink of water before you go, if you're dehydrated your BP will drop when you stand up and make you faint.

So basically are you saying the only solution is an ambulance or a home visit from GP? How will you let them in though? Is someone else in the house with you?

Have you called 999 if you think you now need an ambulance for an emergency?

Aye, this is the issue.