to expect my GP receptionist to not block me from seeking treatment?

[GoldenCagedBird]

Been dealing with a thrombosed, prolapsed pile since Saturday. It’s my first one, never had one before nor a history of poo problems. Came on very quickly. (I have been moaning about it on another thread in chat-
sorry for the constant threads about my bumhole)

In agony. Can’t walk properly. Can’t parent properly. Can’t sit. Breastfeeding, holding my baby, pushing my pram- all hurt and put pressure on the area. The pile has just got more and more blue and angry. I constantly feel it pulsing.

Spoke to a doctor on Monday who prescribed me the prescription-only steroid cream, painkillers and other stuff to ward off any constipation. Strict instructions to call back if the pile doesn’t seem to be improving in 48 hours.

It’s been over 48 hours. The strong painkillers manage the pain, but I can still ‘feel it’ pulsing and need to stay topped up with alarms. No shrinkage, if anything it’s gotten bigger (plum sized)

I called back today and this was how the exchange went.

Me- ‘Good morning, just calling the doctor back. My name is xyz abc. Date of birth- 11th novembuary 2003. I was prescribed some steroid treatment for a severe pile and was told call back in 48 hours if it hasn’t improved’.

GPR- ‘Hello there, we are only doing acute illnesses and emergencies today so you will need to call back tomorrow. Goodby-‘

me interjecting- ‘I have a blue, pulsating pile protruding from my anus the size of a plum, I can barely walk, I’m struggling to look after my child, I’m in constant pain without the naproxen, the doctor told me to call back if the steroids prescribed hadn’t improved the situation.’

GPR deep audible sigh - ‘I’ll put you on the list for the doctor to call you. Bye.’

Is this a common exchange now? I’m in quite good health and haven’t had to call the GP in a while. My first appointment on Monday, the receptionist at least asked what was wrong and triaged me accordingly.

I completely get that gate keeping needs to be done as they are so stretched, but it just felt really mean and unhelpful.

The op shouldn't have even have to tell her that!!

Doc said come back if no change after 48hrs....thats all the receptionist needed to know

OP I am with you on this. People seem determined to pick apart your story about when you interjected, but the point is that if you were a timid soul you'd have been hung up on, its only the fact that you were forceful that earned you that call back. It shouldn't be this way.

Every time I deal with GP these days its a lecture about face nappies, and recorded messages about covid and how you can't visit the surgery, don't be late but don't be early either. I know there are pressures, but maybe concentrate on the patients rather than these unnecessary distractions.

OP has not been sidelined, she has been given a treatment plan, she was given a time scale, she has been given a call back. All the doctors appointments are full, we don’t know why those people have had face to face appointments offered. Maybe their piles are the sizes of apples and apricots.

I totally disagree with this and all the other similar posts that are massively missing the point. Yes the op was put on a callback list but only because she had the strength to interject. If she hadn't the receptionist would have put the phone down without actually checking the severity of the problem. She was rude and dismissive and the op could have been left without medical treatment because of her

it would have been nicer for you had the conversation been carried out with someone with a sunnier disposition but the daily life of someone in that job must be utter hell so I can't blame them

Complete hell. I'm looking at 2 GP receptionists now and they are, well, having a chat about how cold it is and have been for the last 15 minutes.

Literally run off their feet.

I'm waiting for a maternity appointment at the GP now and the receptionists are chatty with each other and miserable on the phone to patients. What's the equivalent of bedside manner on the phone? They have none. Empathy zero!

I think you need to put some perspective on it. It's a pile...it's not life threatening. Yes they're bloody painful but it's not an emergency. Phoning the next day wouldn't have been a hardship but you've got what you wanted and on a call list for today. Not really sure what more you want!

That is her fucking job. A GP receptionist should not be sighing when hearing about 'unsavoury' health problems. What planet are you on?

If that’s what you have taken from my OP- I honestly fear for your comprehension skills, or your empathy

Thankfully my doctor disagrees

She cant walk or look after her child properly fgs

Hope you get a call back soon. GPs are a nightmare now.
Do you have a walk in centre near you ?

I think I would grit my teeth and go off to an urgent care centre. It may need some sort of surgery.

I agree, if there is one near you and you can’t see a GP today.

Absolutely disgraceful. But typical. You have to fight to get medical attention these days. It’s been going on years. I saw an old lady asking for an appointment in the GP surgery a few years ago, receptionist said they had none and old lady went away.

It's not for anyone else to decide if the op needs to see her GP, why do so many posters derail a thread to suit their narrative. The op is simply saying she feels the receptionist blocked her and she feels she needs to be seen given the previous advice from her GP.

Why should we put up with whatever the receptionist says? Given we know our own bodies and how much we're able to cope with aren't we supposed to advocate for ourselves?

I'm sick of people piling in on posters instead of showing a shred of compassion.

I agree it's ridiculous OP, and you can clearly tell when someone is trying to put the phone down on you - saying goodbye without asking any further questions being the first and most obvious clue!!

Of course YANBU. GP's have gotten dire. More often than not I'm having to go up to A&E (for a referral to urgent care) for my chronic chest infections as my GP is all online and 'at capacity - not currently taking requests'.

@Crimsonripple what a nasty post. You clearly haven't had experience of what the OP has, or anything similar. It is absolute hell and needs to be seen (I take it you are more qualified than OP's doctor, who's instructions she was following).

YANBU OP. I burst into tears when a GP receptionist told me that an anal fissure 2 weeks postpartum was not something that the doctor needed to respond to. I was in such agony. Luckily I was able to get in to see a doctor at the hospital I gave birth at.

Which she wouldn't have had to say had the receptionist heard and acknowledged what was being said.

OP when the GP calls back let him or her know that the receptionist tried to fob you off. They can, or at least should, do something about it. The receptionists may be under pressure but they should listen to people properly. However not listening seems to be a wider problem generally in so called customer service roles.

Squeaky wheel gets the grease, good for you for not taking no for an answer and advocating for yourself. It's their job to keep resource for those who truly need it, you explained why that was you and you got added to the list. Job done.

I think just in the last week I have had people attempt to fob me off and had to assert myself to get what I needed: at the bank, at the post office, at work (multiple times - thankfully not my colleagues but external people), with a parking company for a parking fine that was obviously wrong, with a pushy saleswoman on the phone for insurance on my washing machine, etc etc etc.

You’re not being unreasonable.
You were following the doctor’s instructions.
She thought she knew better than the GP. How are you feeling generally? The NHS website recommends attending A&E if you have a temperature with such a large haemorrhoid.

The NHS is a diabolically broken system, it’s taken a very dramatic downturn since Covid. Unfortunately there’s always been some awful people working in that industry who thrive on the power it gives them- like with the police force.

The full on attitude of raising the NHS to this godlike status that we have to apologise to if we want to use, protect at all costs and constantly thank and worship, has done some of the attitudes of some of the staff no favours.

It’s a bit like if you over apologise for something that’s not that bad, and the person starts to believe it’s really something you indeed ^should^ be apologising for- how dare you!!

She sounded like a dick op. Overstretched, sure, doing a job I wouldn’t do, absolutely. But still a bit of a dick. No one should have to be fighting just to be heard when it comes to healthcare.

I hope the doc phones soon and is able to help you. It sounds awful.

clearly you are in a lot of pain and very stressed and worried.

A thrombosed pile the size of a plum would be an A&E trip IMO. Plums are large. I would go straight to A&E.