Page 5 | When is it appropriate to see the GP

ChickensAndChops · 2023-12-26T23:54:07+00:00

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

BubbleBubbleBubbleBubblePop · 27/12/2023 12:34

Can you get some powerade for her to drink and rehydration sachets from the pharmacy?

festivepains · 27/12/2023 12:35

Take her to A&E already stop faffing around

GreatBigBeautifulTommorow · 27/12/2023 12:43

Nurse also.

response from GP doesn’t match symptoms you have given here.

if my relative had drank 500mls in a week.
struggling to breath
coughing up green/grey sputum
unable to take a deep breath
fast pulse….

I would be at A+E stating I’m worried about sepsis.

sounds like she needs IV fluids and antibiotics.

Feraldogmum · 27/12/2023 12:47

I believe the Dr's in the 111 centres get paid for each patient they deal with and they can get through more patients with a quick call than actually seeing the patient. It may be different in different regions or have changed lately. Friend of mine is a manager in a 111 centre and they had a serious incident ( patient nearly died) because Dr refused to see.
I would get her to A & E so they cannot fob you off.

marychristmas44 · 27/12/2023 12:51

Agree with what pp have said although I never quite understand why people have to get so rude on these threads.

I think at this point a&e is the best course of action. A GP cannot possibly assess her properly over the phone and while it could well be this nasty flu bug, it could also be something more serious like sepsis. She may need IV fluids and antibiotics. Or she might just need rest. But unless she has some definitive tests like bloods etc you just can't know for certain.

I suspect the last thing she wants to do is sit in a&e for hours on end but I think you have to plan well (take snacks, blankets, pillows, anything to make her comfy) and insist. You don't want her to deteriorate any further. Good luck.

TheShellBeach · 27/12/2023 13:00

Threads like this infuriate me.

While it's true that the human body has great reserves and probably most people will get better from this, a small number will deteriorate and die.

That's why dehydration needs to be assessed by a clinician in hospital.

lovelyweatherforasleighride · 27/12/2023 13:05

I think at this point a&e is the best course of action.

A& E was considered the best course of action and advised by a GP on this thread 12 hours ago.

Differentstarts · 27/12/2023 13:13

If you told 111 what your telling us about her struggling to breath and the lack of fluids I'm very surprised you got that response as 111 are usually very dramatic. Every single time iv rang 111 they've tried to send an ambulance.obviously I refuse and make my own way to a&e whenever possible but 111 is done the same as you do online and anything like struggling to breath automatically says call an ambulance. There's certain things that trigger this response such as , chest pain, breathing issues, heavy bleeding, sudden confusion ect. It just doesn't make sense either you need to call 999 then put a complaint in to nhs england or you told them a different version to what your telling us

QuestionableMouse · 27/12/2023 13:24

Christ @ChickensAndChops what is is actually going to take to get you to get your poor wife some real medical help?

She should have been seen last night! Stop faffing and get her to a&e!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/12/2023 13:49

Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 27/12/2023 11:25

Covid tets only work the first 5 days wheh covid is in the nose abs throat area after this it passes through the body .
chest /lungs for example where the test no longer works with the swap.

OP your wife could be doing with hospital where she will be put on a drip she will be seriously dehydrated by now and this puts all sorts of pressure on the body.

Hope she gets seen today

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That can be true but people can test positive for ages , I tested positive for a full week after testing positive on the 4th day of feeling grim. When ds had it he was positive for for a couple of weeks,it's just after 10 days you're unlikely to be contagious at that point.

Milkybarsareonmeeeee · 27/12/2023 14:23

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/12/2023 13:49

That can be true but people can test positive for ages , I tested positive for a full week after testing positive on the 4th day of feeling grim. When ds had it he was positive for for a couple of weeks,it's just after 10 days you're unlikely to be contagious at that point.

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I agree @MrsPelligrinoPetrichor i also tested for around 10 days one of the times I had covid .
it’s just after 5 days they could anger covid and just not get a positive test .

a&e is best in this situation

brentwoods · 27/12/2023 17:01

Everyone banging on about covid and testing when the poor woman is dehydrated and struggling to breathe. 🙄

Go to A&E. The rapid heartrate is likely due to dehydration as her body is having to work harder to function or it could be because her oxygen levels are lower due to her struggling respiration. Just GO.

Fillyfrog · 27/12/2023 17:09

@ChickensAndChops that advice doesn't sound correct. How is she now? Hopefully you have gone to a&e x

Original poster

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 17:17

We have all done a covid test and all negative. The kids thought it was fun in fact. She has had some lucozade and the anti sickness tablets but doesn't seem much different yet. 111 said give her a day and then if she still isn't drinking enough or eating/still feeling sick then call them back to make a hospital booking which I guess maybe slightly bypasses the normal a&e turn up and wait process. She wouldn't be able to sit for hours in an a&e waiting room so those saying just go - She won't because she'd be far more uncomfortable. So we're going to follow the 111 process for now.

OP posts:

olderbutwiser · 27/12/2023 17:27

Why bother coming in here and ignoring the responses? You've been advised by at least two professionals to take her to a&e as ?sepsis.

She may just have a nasty virus + dehydration and drinks + tlc at home will do. But you've given enough hints here to suggest something nastier. If a&e aren't interested then you can just bring her home.

CaptainThomasPatButtonHall · 27/12/2023 17:33

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 17:17

We have all done a covid test and all negative. The kids thought it was fun in fact. She has had some lucozade and the anti sickness tablets but doesn't seem much different yet. 111 said give her a day and then if she still isn't drinking enough or eating/still feeling sick then call them back to make a hospital booking which I guess maybe slightly bypasses the normal a&e turn up and wait process. She wouldn't be able to sit for hours in an a&e waiting room so those saying just go - She won't because she'd be far more uncomfortable. So we're going to follow the 111 process for now.

She won't have to sit for hours if you're posting accurately the condition she's in. She's likely to be taken straight in and given fluids. Take her.

Original poster

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 17:33

olderbutwiser · 27/12/2023 17:27

Why bother coming in here and ignoring the responses? You've been advised by at least two professionals to take her to a&e as ?sepsis.

She may just have a nasty virus + dehydration and drinks + tlc at home will do. But you've given enough hints here to suggest something nastier. If a&e aren't interested then you can just bring her home.

I've spoken to 111 who has advised this route. People on here have said they're doctors and nurses which I'm sure they are but I cant just take that on face value. I've spoken to an actual 111 doctor who has said this is the route to go down so we are for now. If she worsens overnight that may change but I'm not ignoring anything.

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Original poster

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 17:35

CaptainThomasPatButtonHall · 27/12/2023 17:33

She won't have to sit for hours if you're posting accurately the condition she's in. She's likely to be taken straight in and given fluids. Take her.

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In a&e? Our local hospital is absolutely overrun. We would be sitting there for hours with a 2 and 5 year old in tow too. 111 will only 'book her in' after we've tried their advised route of the sickness tablets and more fluid at home first or if her condition worsens and we need an ambulance etc. Otherwise it's turn up and see and my wife (who is lucid) doesn't want to do that especially when a friends daughter is a nurse there and has advised a lot of staff are off sick and the wait times are ridiculous right now.

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WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 27/12/2023 17:41

Just a word - I had pneumonia last year. I was fine one day but deteriorated really quickly overnight. Luckily my husband realised and I was admitted.

marychristmas44 · 27/12/2023 17:41

Op do what you think is right. If it were me I would go however you are an adult and so is your wife. If she doesn't want to go you can hardly carry her there. People on here get crazy on these types of threads and seem to take it as a personal insult that you haven't followed their advice.

If you're happy with what 111 have told you then follow it. You can't be that concerned and neither can your wife. I also wouldn't want to sit in a&e for hours if I felt rotten. However I would urge you to keep a very close eye on her as things like sepsis can turn serious very very quickly.

Original poster

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 17:49

marychristmas44 · 27/12/2023 17:41

Op do what you think is right. If it were me I would go however you are an adult and so is your wife. If she doesn't want to go you can hardly carry her there. People on here get crazy on these types of threads and seem to take it as a personal insult that you haven't followed their advice.

If you're happy with what 111 have told you then follow it. You can't be that concerned and neither can your wife. I also wouldn't want to sit in a&e for hours if I felt rotten. However I would urge you to keep a very close eye on her as things like sepsis can turn serious very very quickly.

Thank you I am keeping a constant eye on her. I wasn't even aware of 111 before this thread so I'm grateful but I cant just pick her up and run off to a&e unfortunately.

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DyslexicPoster · 27/12/2023 17:51

There's always the option to go to A&E, get triage then go on what the triage nurse thinks. If they says hours of waiting you know it's not urgent.

I hate A&E and unless I thought I was having a stroke or heart attack I'd avoid it for me. That's not a great outlook however.

I still think temp and pulse being checked at home would be wise. But you don't seem to concerned so I guess listen to your gut. If she is still lucid she must be drinking more from the tap I guess.

Tonight1 · 27/12/2023 17:54

Is she still breathless? Is she perking up a bit with more liquid?

CaptainThomasPatButtonHall · 27/12/2023 18:04

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 17:35

In a&e? Our local hospital is absolutely overrun. We would be sitting there for hours with a 2 and 5 year old in tow too. 111 will only 'book her in' after we've tried their advised route of the sickness tablets and more fluid at home first or if her condition worsens and we need an ambulance etc. Otherwise it's turn up and see and my wife (who is lucid) doesn't want to do that especially when a friends daughter is a nurse there and has advised a lot of staff are off sick and the wait times are ridiculous right now.

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Yes in A&E. Triage is there for a reason, if you can wait you're made to wait if you can't wait you're taken straight through.

QuestionableMouse · 27/12/2023 18:12

ChickensAndChops · 27/12/2023 17:49

Thank you I am keeping a constant eye on her. I wasn't even aware of 111 before this thread so I'm grateful but I cant just pick her up and run off to a&e unfortunately.

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Why can't you?

Honestly why bother posting if you're not going to listen?