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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doctors ignoring me for a year and now it's come to this

380 replies

Laurawharton · 05/02/2023 03:46

Aibu to think I should go to a and e tomorrow (really don't want to as I know they are busy) or just face the fact that no one cares
Had a lump appear by my eye last Christmas. I thought it was a spot until it didn't move for 3 months so phoned the doctors who wouldn't see me face to face but told me that it would need to be off in a strict 6 month time scale if it's not gone by then. 6 months later I phoned to say it's still there and now larger. I had a different doctor who basically said 'and why are you telling us that go private it's cosmetic'. Phoned again to get a face to face as everyone was screaming cancer at me, finally got a face to face and told they don't know what it is but yeah go private to have it off or join a over 2 year waiting list.
Anyway about a month ago it grew big again so phoned them as I was concerned as it's so close to my eye and was starting to mess with my vision and give me headache and that side of my face kept going numb. They said they referred me but still heard nothing. Now it's the size of a golf ball red and angry closing up half my eye. Swollen both my eye lid and my under eye. Painful as hell I Carnt sleep don't want to eat, put it this way I was a size 16 now even size ten is a bit big on me. I Carnt sleep properly, people keep staring at me when I go out so I no longer want to leave the house. I saw the doctor again and all he said was he will send fresh pictures along to my referral.
I don't know what to do I'm scared I'm going to blind in one eye due to the pressure and I'm not sure how my face will now look after it's gone if they ever get round to it. How long can they leave me in this much pain.
Is it worth just going down a and e and seeing if they will do anything? my partner has already stopped me twice from taking matters into my own hands aka self removal. My thinking was if I mess up they will have to something, I know it's not the right thing to do but I'm so scared and in so much pain.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
ebonylion · 05/02/2023 03:52

Yes go to a&e

If you go very early at about 5,30-6 they are often more quiet

SarcasticIntrovert · 05/02/2023 04:16

Yes try A&E or possibly an emergency eye clinic if you have one in your area? Don't mess with it yourself. Good luck.

CrackingCrackling · 05/02/2023 04:21

Agree, go to a and e. Also put in a complaint to the gp practice manager.

growgrowinggrown · 05/02/2023 04:25

If you have the means then I'd go private rather than wait 2 years on the waiting list.

Original poster
Laurawharton · 05/02/2023 04:26

Thank you both for your replies the way the doctor looks at me when I'm saying about it makes me think that it's not a problem I should be harassing them with but at the same time I'm asking is it normal for them to leave someone to have there eye swollen shut and having so much pain I Carnt string a proper sentence together. Thank God I'm a stay at home mum and career to my son as I don't think I would be able to function or even want to go into work maybe that's why they don't care though I'm starting to think.

I will go to a and e about it just hope they can do something then and there. Unfortunately Carnt go that early though as I'll have to get a bus up there.

OP posts:
WuTangGran · 05/02/2023 04:26

Go to A&E.

Original poster
Laurawharton · 05/02/2023 04:27

growgrowinggrown · 05/02/2023 04:25

If you have the means then I'd go private rather than wait 2 years on the waiting list.

My dad is waiting for some money to come in and then he said he would pay for it as I really don't have that kinda money lieing around unfortunately. Could still be months though

OP posts:
Zebedee55 · 05/02/2023 04:30

Go to A&E. If you're awake now, and you can, take yourself up there now. It's the quietest time of the day. It's never worth risking it with your sight. Best wishes.

MistyRock · 05/02/2023 04:34

Could you get a quicker referral via the opticians?

Original poster
Laurawharton · 05/02/2023 04:38

Got an appointment for that on the 13th as I needed an eye test anyway and that was there first available but dunno if there going to be able to with one of my eyes nearly sealed shut now 😆

OP posts:
MintJulia · 05/02/2023 04:40

OP, call 111 now, tell them about the GP refusing to see you. Ask for an emergency gp's appt. Stop delaying, if it is affecting the nerves on the side of your face, it needs to be seen.

Stop letting them fob you off. Or go to your surgery and demand to be seen. Make it clear you want to complain to the practice manager or you will put in a formal complaint to the GMC.

Time to get pushy & loud. Good luck.

MistyRock · 05/02/2023 04:41

On another thread about eye issues a poster as linked this site. Coukd it help you?

primaryeyecare.co.uk/

StaySmiling · 05/02/2023 04:43

Can you contact contact Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and ask to be seen as a private patient maybe even just as a consultation

BungleandGeorge · 05/02/2023 04:58

If it’s got that much worse then yes of course go to a&e. there’s no reason not to access a&e if you have acute severe pain and swelling that is interfering with vision.

Andanotherone01 · 05/02/2023 05:02

Are you anywhere near London? Moorfields A&E is fantastic and quick. I’ve had to go twice over the last 5 years for an ulcer on my cornea.

2023istheyearigetmyacttogether · 05/02/2023 05:02

There are specialist eye A&Es. They're only in the major cities but that might be the better option if you can get to one.

Sindonym · 05/02/2023 05:08

Go to A & E and say you are presenting because you have constant headache, numbness surrounding the lump and you have lost significant weight. No-one will see you and you don’t know what else to do and you are really worried about the numbness which is getting worse.

i had to do similar when my son had his first tonic clonic seizure. He’s severely disabled and it was agreed with paramedics to keep him home as we were so close to A&E. But then the next day no-one would refer us or see him. Just could not access who we needed to see. So we took him up to A&E and it got the ball rolling quickly.

Mummyoflittledragon · 05/02/2023 05:12

I hope you’re off to A&E Laura. That sounds awful!

Trez1510 · 05/02/2023 05:13

If your description is accurate, and I believe it is, go to A&E.

They may be offer you some reassurance, or refer you on urgently to a specialist eye clinic if needs be.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 05/02/2023 05:36

That sounds awful. Go to A&E NOW. Ask for an urgent referral to an Ophthalmologist. Where are you based? If in London, go straight to Moorfield's Eye Hospital. They are the best. They will be open now. I used to have 5am appointments there!

Original poster
Laurawharton · 05/02/2023 05:39

Unfortunately I'm in the Midlands with only buses for transport I think the first bus is at 10 due to it being sunday

OP posts:
GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 05/02/2023 05:41

Could anyone give you a lift or could you get a taxi? If if I was closer I would offer myself but I'm South Wales! I do think you need to be seen really quickly and it will be quiet this time of day. Best of luck. x

MinnieMountain · 05/02/2023 05:47

Taxi there and your DH picks you up afterwards?

holierthanthou73 · 05/02/2023 05:49

MinnieMountain · 05/02/2023 05:47

Taxi there and your DH picks you up afterwards?

Don’t assume everyone has a DH and one that drives!

Itcantbethatsurely · 05/02/2023 06:06

I think you need a taxi and to go to a&e with the current symptoms you are describing. You may have to wait a while but I think it needs looking at today. It could be nothing serious but that’s for a doctor to decide.