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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Apologies, another A&E thread

54 replies

chocolatesundae · 14/07/2023 18:37

Just want to start by saying I’m NOT a troll and MN can verify I’m a longtime poster. I’m going to use some embarrassing words in this post but it’s just body parts the same as arm/leg and I’m trying to describe things accurately to get the best relevant advice possible

I actually have a longer running thread about this where I was getting advice as it was progressing but since this is about going to a&e I thought I would ask in a separate thread

genuinely cannot tell if I’m being ridiculous about this or not, I don’t want to be a timewaster and I’m actually terrified of hospitals so don’t want to go but I’m now also terrified of whatever is going on with my body so don’t know whether I should wait to try and get an appointment with the GP when they reopen next weekend or bite the bullet and just go to hospital and see if they can do something to help sooner

I have psoriasis already and I have had problems with the skin around my vagina. I’ve had a problems with itching, burning and pain for around 6 months and I was treated for UTIs, BV, thrush etc but nothing helped. Around 3 months ago shaved and noticed the burning and discomfort was all coming from a tear/split/cut/open wound which was vertical, about an inch big now and around the clitoris hood area just above the clitoris. It was clearly infected. I’ve been to the GP several times and been told it was psoriasis which has become infected. I’ve tried steroid creams, antibiotics, antibiotic creams etc and nothing has helped. This is on top of the thrush/BV treatments I tried before all this. I posted on here and received unbelievably amazing help (thank you very much again to everyone ❤️) and I’m not certain if it is infected psoriasis, or lichen sclerosis but whatever it is it’s infected atm and not clearing up.

the reason I’m considering biting the bullet and going to a&e tonight is I’ve realised the area now has more cuts. This alone wouldn’t make me go to a&e as it’s probably from dryness or maybe psoriasis or LS or whatever is causing the Lothian problem but the infection from the original cut above the clitoris is still active and has spread to the new cuts. I’ve just realised one of those new cuts is deep, really quite deep. From looking at a labelled diagram i think it’s a tear along the edge of the inner labia, like where the fold in the skin is. Im genuinely scared it will get deeper over the weekend and it will leave part of my labia basically hanging off (although this may be biologically impossible and just me worrying about nothing!)

but it’s a chronic issue, admittedly worse tonight but it’s a chronic problem so would I be better to wait and go to the GP after the weekend? The cuts (including the deep one) are not bleeding but are all visibly infected and I’m just worried especially about the deeper labia one. But I don’t have a temperature and im well otherwise.

Basically I don’t know what to do and because I’ve been struggling with this for a while I’m slightly losing perspective with it all so if anyone could help or advice either way I would be immensely grateful x

OP posts:
Original poster
chocolatesundae · 14/07/2023 19:26

Thank you so much everyone! Yep I’m in Scotland (very rurally up north) so unaffected by the junior doctor strike. I’ll phon nhs24 (thanks everyone for suggesting 111, I hadn’t even thought of it!) and hopefully they’ll get back soon. Could cry - I just want this to bloody go away x

OP posts:
bestbefore · 14/07/2023 19:27

Def go private to see a specialised dermatologist - though I have had to wait ages to see one! I'd just Google them and book an appointment and email your gp to ask for a referral letter

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 14/07/2023 19:27

111 for an ooh GP appointment? It's mad that you've not had swabs cultured or oral antibiotics for a visible infection!

YukoandHiro · 14/07/2023 19:27

The thing is that a&e will have you waiting on a hard chair for 7 hours, see you for 5 mins then discharge to your GP.

I think the best thing to do is book a urgent appt on Monday and demand a referral to a dermatologist or derm nursing team and ask for immediate antibiotics to stop it getting worse

If you get a fever at any point call111 for an urgent care appt

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 14/07/2023 19:30

dont know whether to feel stupid for asking this question as it might be impossible, or embarrassed about asking it because it’s obviously a really personal topic, but is it possible that the cut will get so deep because of the infection and the area will fall off? That’s what I’m so frightened of happening and I DONT want to be left disfigured when I’m not even old yet. it’s probably halfway through already which is why I’m so worried in case it keeps getting deeper and sort of just falls off?

OP posts:
Original poster
chocolatesundae · 14/07/2023 20:28

Phoned nhs 24 so just waiting for a call back. Thanks everyone, really praying this is the start of the end of all this trouble!

OP posts:
Smittenkitchen · 14/07/2023 20:40

I'm so sorry you're suffering, it must be just horrendous and difficult to focus on anything else. I agree with PP that you need to see a specialist, more a dermatologist than a gynecologist I think. It must be possible to get the infection under control at the very least.

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 14/07/2023 21:45

Smittenkitchen · 14/07/2023 20:40

I'm so sorry you're suffering, it must be just horrendous and difficult to focus on anything else. I agree with PP that you need to see a specialist, more a dermatologist than a gynecologist I think. It must be possible to get the infection under control at the very least.

Yeah I think you (and everyone else) is correct that it needs to be someone specialised in gynaedermatology, definitely going to look online and try and scrape the money to go private although it’s really not financially possible, I’ll just have to try and make it possible I suppose.

im just waiting for nhs 24 to call back re the infection, I really hope they can give something for it to clear it because I don’t think I can bear this all weekend!

OP posts:
Tulipvase · 14/07/2023 21:58

To be honest if it’s as bad as you say I’d be going to A&E. I completely understand that they are stretched but it’s not for reasons like yours.

See that you are waiting for a call back, I think that’s a good idea.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 14/07/2023 22:05

While it definitely sounds like a hospital thing, dermatology just won't be there at the weekend.

We had to take DD to hospital at 5 days old on a Saturday morning as she developed a necrotic skin rash. They just gave her loads of antibiotics and told us they had no idea what was wrong with her until dermatology appeared on Monday morning. I was beside myself, but I guess dermatology emergencies just aren't a 'thing' enough to have a weekend staff just in case.

KEG05 · 14/07/2023 22:12

Op you poor poor thing. I’m sure NHS 24 will get you an appt to see an out of hours go but honestly if they don’t go to A&E. lots of the more rural hospitals also cater for minor ailments. You’d be able to check online if your A&E does. Pain like that and probably infection does need to be seen x

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 14/07/2023 23:47

Honestly when I was considering a&e I hadn’t even thought about the fact I would need to see a dermatologist specialist I was just thinking in terms of stopping the infection. I think I just got a bit freaked out when I saw how deep the cut is!

OP posts:
BlowMyBubbles · 15/07/2023 08:31

How you doing @chocolatesundae Did you get a call back?

rainbowstardrops · 15/07/2023 09:00

Did they call you back @chocolatesundae?

GabriellaMontez · 15/07/2023 09:08

SophieJo · 14/07/2023 18:42

I thoroughly sympathise but what do you think going to A and E will achieve? It’s not an accident or an emergency. Could you go to a local pharmacy and wait for GP on Monday?

I don't know. But it sounds seriously unpleasant. And like it's getting worse. The OP is absolutely justified in asking for help.

It sounds like it needs dressing. Perhaps they have some insight into how to go about this on such a difficult area.

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 30/07/2023 22:18

Hi, just wanted to post a quick update. I’ve had absolutely no improvement unfortunately, it’s not any worse though which is a relief too. I could actually burst into tears, I’m so exhausted with it all. I’ve had more antibiotics and creams etc and nothing is making any difference

i totally agree I need to see a specialist gynaecology dermatologist but unfortunately I need to save up first. starting to lose hope that I’ll get it fixed at all at this rate, whatever has infected it is not shifting at all

OP posts:
Smittenkitchen · 31/07/2023 13:34

I'm so sorry. What has the GP said recently?? You need to be referred to the right specialist asap. This won't and can't go on forever.

Smittenkitchen · 31/07/2023 13:36

The GP is there really to try the obvious first solutions and treatments and if not effective, to refer on to specialists.

GetInTheBinThenGetInTheSea · 31/07/2023 13:49

This might sound like an odd suggestion but would you consider a few sessions on a sunbed?

They offer light therapy on the NHS as UVB light is known to improve psoriasis. A sunbed is going to have UVA and UVB, and obviously it's risky, but personally, I see a massive improvement if I keep up a light tan. My grandfather had it too (it's genetic) and he used to go on holiday to Spain frequently because it would fix all his patches.

If you're at your wit's end, a few sessions of three minutes each on a stand up sunbed might help. That would probably cost about £10.

Alternatively, they sell UVB lamps for home if you're willing to pay £150. I have one from this place - carelamps.com/products/derma-uvb

Hugasauras · 31/07/2023 13:55

What has the doctor said about next steps? They can refer you to the correct place if the first line of treatments that they are able to offer have been ineffective. What discussions have you had with GP about where to go next? I'm not sure why you are saving up when there is a standard referral procedure in place for stuff like this. Have you asked them?

I am also in the north of Scotland, probably not as far as you but still quite rural, and I had a breast abscess about six months ago. My GP gave me antibiotics etc but when it became clear it was getting worse, she called the hospital in the city at 3pm on a Friday, they asked to see me immediately, and they were waiting for me when I arrived about 5pm. The procedures are in place for you to be referred, you need to go back and ask for it.

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 31/07/2023 17:53

Hugasauras · 31/07/2023 13:55

What has the doctor said about next steps? They can refer you to the correct place if the first line of treatments that they are able to offer have been ineffective. What discussions have you had with GP about where to go next? I'm not sure why you are saving up when there is a standard referral procedure in place for stuff like this. Have you asked them?

I am also in the north of Scotland, probably not as far as you but still quite rural, and I had a breast abscess about six months ago. My GP gave me antibiotics etc but when it became clear it was getting worse, she called the hospital in the city at 3pm on a Friday, they asked to see me immediately, and they were waiting for me when I arrived about 5pm. The procedures are in place for you to be referred, you need to go back and ask for it.

Yeah I know there are referal procedures in place but unfortunately the wait for dermatology is insane, that’s why I’m saving up to be seen privately. I was under dermatology for my psoriasis (separate issue) in the past so I called the secretary and asked for another appointment as this may be a psoriasis flare and explained the situation but they said my GP would need to re refer me which they have done already but it’s a routine referral and could take up to 18 months. Im pretty sure I waited even longer to be seen initially for my psoriasis!

OP posts:
Hugasauras · 31/07/2023 17:58

Yes but they will triage. If you've got an open wound or something that will get infected then they or another department will see you ASAP. It's an acute condition, not chronic. They want to refer you general surgery unit or another unit to treat the wound.

frolp · 31/07/2023 18:06

Email your previous consultant. Acknowledge that a referral has been made but you are aware of the 18 wait. Explain how difficult this is and ask them to prioritise your referral.

Original poster
chocolatesundae · 31/07/2023 19:19

Hugasauras · 31/07/2023 17:58

Yes but they will triage. If you've got an open wound or something that will get infected then they or another department will see you ASAP. It's an acute condition, not chronic. They want to refer you general surgery unit or another unit to treat the wound.

Unfortunately that’s not what I’ve been told! I’ve been told they will triage it but for things like psoriasis/eczema etc it will be at least 18 months because they are so back logged. That was from my GP and the dermatologist receptionist

OP posts:
Original poster
chocolatesundae · 31/07/2023 19:20

frolp · 31/07/2023 18:06

Email your previous consultant. Acknowledge that a referral has been made but you are aware of the 18 wait. Explain how difficult this is and ask them to prioritise your referral.

As stupid as this might sound I didn’t even realise it was possible to email a consultant but I’ll definitely give it a go! Do you happen to know where I could find their email or if they post it anywhere specifically? I have their number from previously being a patient so could always call and ask when they open tomorrow!

OP posts: