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AIBU?

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Original poster

When is it appropriate to see the GP

154 replies

ChickensAndChops · 26/12/2023 23:54

My wife has flu/covid/other viruses are available

She has been ill in bed since Friday and is no better. She has only left bed to go to the toilet and has probably only drunk about 500ml of water since then. No food.

Says she feels sick but hasn't been sick, has headache, aches, pain and fatigue. We don't have any covid tests and seems silly to get one now at this stage. I really want her to go to the GP tomorrow once it's open as she is hardly ever ill like this (probably the 2nd or 3rd time in 26 years together). She doesn't want to waste anyone's time but I think that she needs to be checked over.

She has now agreed I can call the GP surgery in the morning who will triage and see if she needs an appointment but is this enough?

YABU leave her be she is fine without intervention
YANBU call the GP in the morning

OP posts:
YouRatBastard · 27/12/2023 00:05

We don't have any covid tests and seems silly to get one now at this stage

the least you could do if planning to go to the GP surgery is do a covid test, there are likely to be very vulnerable people there.
Also, fwiw, Covid floored us. We are still recovering. We could not get out of bed for days and felt exactly like your wife. We finally started to feel better and we’re able to shower around day 6/7 but still are not right day 12 & 14. It’s been awful.

beanontoast · 27/12/2023 00:07

You don’t need to go to the GP if you have flu for gods sake. Ring 111 if you’re really bothered and they’ll tell you whether she needs a doctor or not. Buy a Covid test.

Fillyfrog · 27/12/2023 00:08

She really needs to up her fluids. Is that 500mls total since Fri?! Or today?

Original poster
ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:08

YouRatBastard · 27/12/2023 00:05

We don't have any covid tests and seems silly to get one now at this stage

the least you could do if planning to go to the GP surgery is do a covid test, there are likely to be very vulnerable people there.
Also, fwiw, Covid floored us. We are still recovering. We could not get out of bed for days and felt exactly like your wife. We finally started to feel better and we’re able to shower around day 6/7 but still are not right day 12 & 14. It’s been awful.

We've both had covid a few times before. It was NOTHING like this - we did not even need to stay in bed, totally fine just a bit of a cough and loss of taste and smell. This seems more like flu but I'm now worried about dehydration. Would a test even show positive after 7 days of being ill? Seems like a waste of money I understand they're £10 now for a test but I've never bought one so not sure. The local chemist is not open tomorrow to get a test.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:09

Fillyfrog · 27/12/2023 00:08

She really needs to up her fluids. Is that 500mls total since Fri?! Or today?

Since Friday! I know because I've been waiting on her and encouraging her to drink. She hasn't had any other drinks except what I've brought her.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:10

beanontoast · 27/12/2023 00:07

You don’t need to go to the GP if you have flu for gods sake. Ring 111 if you’re really bothered and they’ll tell you whether she needs a doctor or not. Buy a Covid test.

What's the benefit of calling 111 rather than our family doctor? Genuinely I've never used 111 so not sure of the relevance? Thank you.

OP posts:
Blubunnie · 27/12/2023 00:14

I got 5 tests for £3 on Amazon. You should definitely get a test. It's not fair on anyone at the GPs to not even bother testing.

In any case, what's the point in going to the GP for symptoms of a virus? They're just going to say rest, take paracetamol, increase fluids.

She really needs to have more fluids. Even if it's just a spoon of water once an hour. Try getting her to suck ice lollies.

Also, the rest that this illness doesn't feel the same as when you had covid before doesn't mean it's not covid!

buidhe · 27/12/2023 00:15

111 will enable you to talk to a health professional who will advise on whether you need to see a doctor or go to A&E, they will ask about the symptoms and if you don't need to see a doctor right away will advise you on how to manage the illness.

whyamiawakestill · 27/12/2023 00:15

Is she sleeping? Able to talk, what colour is her wee? Shes in danger of becoming dehydrated, is she isn't already which will create a loop of exhaustion and feeling tired and sick.

It could be many things, even mental burnout can present as a non specific sickness

I'd be buying ice lollies, and getting drinks done quickly. Maybe even some rehydration salts?

111 is like calling a GP they will ask question and decide on the best route of care, they may say phone the GP or may say get to a&e.

beanontoast · 27/12/2023 00:16

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:10

What's the benefit of calling 111 rather than our family doctor? Genuinely I've never used 111 so not sure of the relevance? Thank you.

Show quote history

111 gives medical advice for non emergencies, they can arrange for a doctor to call you back and also arrange out of hours GP appointments if necessary. It would be better you called them and have them put your mind at ease than go to a GP and spread a virus to elderly and vulnerable people. Viruses do not have a cure and unless your wife is struggling to breathe and other more serious symptoms you do not need a GP. It is still worth doing a test so you can rule out Covid, you also need to increase her fluids, but it sounds like flu - it’s been going around, as has Covid again

Hermittrismegistus · 27/12/2023 00:17

She'd be quite delirious if she'd only had 500ml fluids since Friday. Has she stopped urinating?

Call 111.

RandomButtons · 27/12/2023 00:19

Home bargains have the tests for £5 if there’s one near you. I had Covid two months ago and it knocked me for six, much worse than previous times. Flu and other viruses can leave you bedridden for a week.

is her temperature still up? Is she breathing ok? If you feel her pulse does it seem rapid or normal? Is she responsive & coherent despite exhaustion? If awnser is no to all I’d leave it a couple more days. You need to get more fluids in her. Keep taking her tea, water, lemsip, lemonade, orange juice, ice lollies, ice cream toast biscuits etc. anything to get something in her. Keep on top of paracetamol. Make sure her urine is very dark.

Hope she’s better soon.

dieselKiller · 27/12/2023 00:19

1.5 to 2.5 L per day is recommended. 500 ml over 4 days isn’t enough. Call 111 now.

Ella2008 · 27/12/2023 00:21

She needs urgent medical attention due to lack of fluids, 500mls since Friday is dangerous and I would be very concerned. She could also have sepsis and needs assessed ( I am a doctor )

Original poster
ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:21

beanontoast · 27/12/2023 00:16

111 gives medical advice for non emergencies, they can arrange for a doctor to call you back and also arrange out of hours GP appointments if necessary. It would be better you called them and have them put your mind at ease than go to a GP and spread a virus to elderly and vulnerable people. Viruses do not have a cure and unless your wife is struggling to breathe and other more serious symptoms you do not need a GP. It is still worth doing a test so you can rule out Covid, you also need to increase her fluids, but it sounds like flu - it’s been going around, as has Covid again

Show quote history

We wouldn't go into the gp surgery - we call, they triage over the phone then invite you in for an appointment at a set time, there is no waiting area to spread germs about in. You see the doc - one in one out. Hope that makes sense. I will keep 111 in mind for future issues. She is struggling to breathe properly, she can't take a deep breath in and is not really sleeping. She is generally really unwell. I'll pop out in the morning before calling the gp to try and get a covid test. I have googled and it says online She is no longer contagious with covid after having symptoms for over 5 days so that's good at least if we do go in somewhere she won't be spreading covid regardless.

OP posts:
RandomButtons · 27/12/2023 00:21

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:10

What's the benefit of calling 111 rather than our family doctor? Genuinely I've never used 111 so not sure of the relevance? Thank you.

Show quote history

Call 111 out of GP normal hours and you can be sent to an out of hours GP if your need is urgent enough. Personally I’d wait unless she seems like she’s struggling to breathe, is incomprehensible, or very dehydrated- wee colour will be the clue there. If it’s brown get her to a GP.

RandomButtons · 27/12/2023 00:22

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:21

We wouldn't go into the gp surgery - we call, they triage over the phone then invite you in for an appointment at a set time, there is no waiting area to spread germs about in. You see the doc - one in one out. Hope that makes sense. I will keep 111 in mind for future issues. She is struggling to breathe properly, she can't take a deep breath in and is not really sleeping. She is generally really unwell. I'll pop out in the morning before calling the gp to try and get a covid test. I have googled and it says online She is no longer contagious with covid after having symptoms for over 5 days so that's good at least if we do go in somewhere she won't be spreading covid regardless.

Show quote history

Struggling to breathe - get her to GP.

Original poster
ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:22

Ella2008 · 27/12/2023 00:21

She needs urgent medical attention due to lack of fluids, 500mls since Friday is dangerous and I would be very concerned. She could also have sepsis and needs assessed ( I am a doctor )

Thank you. I've had to coax her into letting me call the GP in the morning, she won't let me call anyone tonight. I may ask her about 111 - we've never used that service so I think she assumed 999 was the only option when the GP is shut which she would never entertain.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:24

RandomButtons · 27/12/2023 00:21

Call 111 out of GP normal hours and you can be sent to an out of hours GP if your need is urgent enough. Personally I’d wait unless she seems like she’s struggling to breathe, is incomprehensible, or very dehydrated- wee colour will be the clue there. If it’s brown get her to a GP.

Show quote history

I will ask her about her last wee and see what she says, she hasn't been up and about for many wees but has done a couple today.

OP posts:
Hermittrismegistus · 27/12/2023 00:27

Don't wait until the morning in she is struggling to breathe!

dieselKiller · 27/12/2023 00:32

Be aware that dehydration can affect ability to make good decisions. You’re probably going to have to take responsibility here. Calling 111 doesn’t commit you to anything. They’ll be able to advise you.

Lemsipper · 27/12/2023 00:32

Why isn’t she drinking more than the 500ml? She physically can’t? This is borderline suicide….500ml since Friday? 4 days ago?

Id ignore her wishes and call 111 tonight, she’s very unwell. Just override her and call them.
You’re being way too blasé about this…….

RandomButtons · 27/12/2023 00:35

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:24

I will ask her about her last wee and see what she says, she hasn't been up and about for many wees but has done a couple today.

Show quote history

Call 111. They might advise A&E, but out of hours GP is usually the better route to be seen quickly as you can wait at home and they give an appointment- you might not get a call back before your normal GP opens though so don’t sit waiting for phone to ring, get some sleep.

Try and catch some urine in a sterile container- very clean plastic water bottle or very clean jar

Thro · 27/12/2023 00:42

You need to call 111 immediately to seek proper medical advice, breathing issues plus dehydration you need advice now, please don’t wait until morning.

AuntPru · 27/12/2023 00:42

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 00:24

I will ask her about her last wee and see what she says, she hasn't been up and about for many wees but has done a couple today.

Show quote history

Could she have been having sips of water when she goes to the toilet? Can't imagine someone who's only had a pint of water since Friday needing any wees at this point...

If what you're saying is accurate, dehydration seems a real risk. I'd ignore her wishes as she can't think straight and get medical advice now.