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AIBU?

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Original poster

Any drs please? Super freaked out

160 replies

Namechangestimes100 · 07/03/2023 19:45

Sorry I’m posting for traffic.

Might be a bit graphic for some

ive had crazy crazy bloating and pain for months, maybe years. Bloating is so severe I gain 5/10 inches over my tummy, feels so heavy but not rock hard. Other symptoms too, mucus in stool, changing bowel habits, weight gain (not a lot 2kg but not able to shift).

managed to get through to my GP who did some bloods, fbc all clear great and a stool sample (no blood in stool or h pylori but elevated calprotectin- 350 to be precise) Receptionist called back, said indicative of ibd or cancer and to try and get a drs appointment for next steps… I’ve been calling and calling and showed up, both Monday and today, can’t get one, will obviously try again tomorrow but I’m starting to freak out. I’ve fallen into the google trap, and google told me that levels of 200-300 are more indicative of cancer than crazy high numbers

any medics here? I’m worried about bowel cancer, and ibd (but to a lesser extent) mums friend just died of bowel cancer because it was just dismissed for so long.

OP posts:
Justwingingit2005 · 07/03/2023 19:47

Does the bloating come and go?
My mum had ovarian cancer and her bloating, 4 litres of fluid, didn't reduce over night.
Also, a receptionist shouldn't be giving out medical info.

Original poster
Namechangestimes100 · 07/03/2023 19:53

Justwingingit2005 · 07/03/2023 19:47

Does the bloating come and go?
My mum had ovarian cancer and her bloating, 4 litres of fluid, didn't reduce over night.
Also, a receptionist shouldn't be giving out medical info.

Yeah I can see why they shouldn’t because it creates panic with no context.

bloating isn’t constant but can linger for weeks. I had ca 125 tested(indicator for ovarian cancer) and that was normal so the feeling is it’s Gastro related (as NFA was suggested on the bloods and urgent on the stool sample)

OP posts:
Daftasyoulike · 07/03/2023 19:53

Why didn't you arrange an appointment with the receptionist when she called you?

pjani · 07/03/2023 19:57

Keep hounding for an appointment but if you have the means, consider trying to get a private appointment. I’m sorry you’re going through this, it sounds stressful!

Original poster
Namechangestimes100 · 07/03/2023 19:57

Daftasyoulike · 07/03/2023 19:53

Why didn't you arrange an appointment with the receptionist when she called you?

She said she couldn’t, I had to call back at 8 and results are only available after 2

OP posts:
Mannymoomin · 07/03/2023 19:58

Daftasyoulike · 07/03/2023 19:53

Why didn't you arrange an appointment with the receptionist when she called you?

This is really unhelpful, yet typical of MN users to become judge and jury questioning EVERYTHING.

No advice OP, but extending a handhold, you must be out of your mind with worry.
I hope you get answers soon.

Original poster
Namechangestimes100 · 07/03/2023 19:58

pjani · 07/03/2023 19:57

Keep hounding for an appointment but if you have the means, consider trying to get a private appointment. I’m sorry you’re going through this, it sounds stressful!

Yeah I’ll go private I think but im just fretting now, need a good head wobble from any medics on the thread who don’t think it’s worth writing my eulogy just yet (tongue in cheek…. Sort of)

OP posts:
PurpleFlower1983 · 07/03/2023 19:59

Go in person to the surgery at 8am. Say you are prepared to wait.

Original poster
Namechangestimes100 · 07/03/2023 19:59

Mannymoomin · 07/03/2023 19:58

This is really unhelpful, yet typical of MN users to become judge and jury questioning EVERYTHING.

No advice OP, but extending a handhold, you must be out of your mind with worry.
I hope you get answers soon.

Show quote history

Thank you!

it’s not bother, can only get an appointment at 8am and I got my results after 2pm on Friday

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechangestimes100 · 07/03/2023 20:00

PurpleFlower1983 · 07/03/2023 19:59

Go in person to the surgery at 8am. Say you are prepared to wait.

I did that today and they wouldn’t open the door til 8:30 so when I got to talk to reception all appointments were gone :(

OP posts:
Tiredmum100 · 07/03/2023 20:04

Absolutely awful OP, the fact that you turned up and didn't give you an appointment, ring again tomorrow,.if there's no appointments ask to speak to the practice manager.

Wrongsideofpennines · 07/03/2023 20:04

Can you not book appointments in advance? Just ring and book the next available non-urgent GP appointment (at my surgery its usually about a 4 week wait), and then ring every day to try and get one sooner. You could ring later in the day too to see if they have had any cancellations. But then you know you have something planned in if you can't get through.

I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope you get seen soon and things aren't as bad as you fear.

Original poster
Namechangestimes100 · 07/03/2023 20:06

Wrongsideofpennines · 07/03/2023 20:04

Can you not book appointments in advance? Just ring and book the next available non-urgent GP appointment (at my surgery its usually about a 4 week wait), and then ring every day to try and get one sooner. You could ring later in the day too to see if they have had any cancellations. But then you know you have something planned in if you can't get through.

I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope you get seen soon and things aren't as bad as you fear.

Nope no pre bookable appointments :(

OP posts:
KeyWorker · 07/03/2023 20:07

Sorry, just checking incase I misunderstood. The receptionist told you on the phone your blood results may indicate IBD or cancer, recommended you get a GP appointment but couldn’t book you one? And you’ve not been able to get one since? Is that correct? If so I’d be asking to speak to the practice manager!

So sorry you are experiencing this. Nobody should be told such potential news over the phone without the option to speak to GP or nurse about the next steps.

user1471530109 · 07/03/2023 20:08

This is absolutely shocking. You need to create a fuss. Demand to see the practice manager and say loudly you've been told by the receptionist is an indication of cancer and you need an appointment NOW for a referral.

I'm so sorry OP. I'm horrified you are having to do this. What the hell is happening to our NHS?

inloveandmarried · 07/03/2023 20:09

This sounds silly but I do things in a certain way to get through.

At 8.29 and 55 seconds press dial.
Use your landline, your partners mobile and your mobile.
Whichever one gets into the queue first call off on the others.

Our surgery offers a telephone ring back appointment with a doctor as well as a walk in clinic. But the telephone
call-in means you speak to a doctor who can either see you in person if needed or action what needs to happen next. It's often quicker.

Hoping you get through asap tomorrow.

Original poster
Namechangestimes100 · 07/03/2023 20:11

KeyWorker · 07/03/2023 20:07

Sorry, just checking incase I misunderstood. The receptionist told you on the phone your blood results may indicate IBD or cancer, recommended you get a GP appointment but couldn’t book you one? And you’ve not been able to get one since? Is that correct? If so I’d be asking to speak to the practice manager!

So sorry you are experiencing this. Nobody should be told such potential news over the phone without the option to speak to GP or nurse about the next steps.

Yup that’s right

OP posts:
Donotgogentle · 07/03/2023 20:11

KeyWorker · 07/03/2023 20:07

Sorry, just checking incase I misunderstood. The receptionist told you on the phone your blood results may indicate IBD or cancer, recommended you get a GP appointment but couldn’t book you one? And you’ve not been able to get one since? Is that correct? If so I’d be asking to speak to the practice manager!

So sorry you are experiencing this. Nobody should be told such potential news over the phone without the option to speak to GP or nurse about the next steps.

If that’s an accurate summary it’s absolutely outrageous. Sorry op.

Original poster
Namechangestimes100 · 07/03/2023 20:12

but All my inflammation/ white blood cell markers were normal, that has to be a good sign right? I’ve heard white blood cell counts are sky higher for cancer patients and I’m not anemic either (also apparently a big thing in the bowel cancer signs)

OP posts:
WeCome1 · 07/03/2023 20:13

If you do get to speak to someone, you could request an urgent appointment under the two week wait standard. It’s not quite how it’s meant to be used, but it might be enough to kick some appointment making into action.

Good luck.

Wrongsideofpennines · 07/03/2023 20:14

If there is nothing pre-bookable (which is actually ridiculous) then I would speak to the practice manager. They shouldn't be giving you test results telling you to book an appointment and then not giving you any way of doing this.

Greensleevevssnotnose · 07/03/2023 20:15

If you are in the South try the Mary Howe trust they do cancer screenings for a donation. Suggested amount is £350:00 but can be more or less depending what you can afford.

HollyFern1110 · 07/03/2023 20:18

Oh wow. In no way should a Receptionist (or indeed anyone other than a trained Dr) be telling you test results may indicate cancer! I work in a GP surgery, not as a Receptionist, but that is an utter no no.

Also, if your test results do indicate cancer then why hasn't the GP who reviewed those results contacted you directly to offer a two week wait referral? That's what we do. What if the patient forgets to call for the results assuming no news is good news?

From a personal point of view, I have similar symptoms & tests have shown it to be diverticular disease. Nothing scary, but uncomfortable all the same.

Is it a large practice? We have office supervisors who actually know a lot more about the running of the day to day appointment system, telephone answering etc, than the Practice Manager. If you have anyone in that sort of role I would advise speaking to them. They can both look into why the call was handled incorrectly and more than likely pre-book you an appointment, given the circumstances.

LaviniasBigBloomers · 07/03/2023 20:19

Phone the practice first thing and speak to the practice manager, make a stern complaint - receptionists should not be giving out info like this - and demand an appointment. Be aware of what your area's complaints process is and be prepared to escalate. Tell the practice manager that your complaint is already written out and ready to go to whatever the next level is.

I hate myself for typing this, but do you have a tame man handy? There's lots of evidence that men's health concerns are taken more seriously than women's, so I'd be considering sending a male in to advocate for you. As I say, I hate that I've typed that but you are the priority right now.

FFS, I know GP practices are overwhelmed but that is ridiculous. You must be out of your mind with worry.

Katiecoffee · 07/03/2023 20:21

Ring and speak to the practice manager. I work at a GP surgery - if one of our receptionists had told a patient that the blood test showed possible cancer she would be reprimanded on the spot. That it horrific. Don't bother calling in the morning - just ring and ask to speak to a manager and dont let them fob you off. If you can't speak to a manager tell them ask them who their CCG is and ring them.

And write in to complain to them. You have been treated appallingly.

The only thing I can say to reassure you is that if they thought it was cancer they would have had you in (if they are a decent surgery!!)