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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Help! Too embarrassed to go to GP?

145 replies

Derry30 · 07/10/2025 05:00

Really stupid I know but just looking for a bit of advice

I’ve got a really bad cough as a result of a recent flu. I’m otherwise recovered but cannot shift the cough, and it’s to the point I’m coughing so hard at night I’ve vomited a few times (not because I’m sick, but just because of how hard I’m coughing) and the coughing is keeping me awake now - if I cough hard I vomit, but if I don’t cough hard then the brown phlegm feels like it’s blocking my chest

I’m asthmatic and at my last plan they said if I get any lingering colds I should contact them for an appointment because I’ll probably need steroids.

but last time I was at the doctors surgery the nurse said ‘I’ve met you before haven’t i?’ I wasn’t actually sure so I just said probably yeah because I’ve had bad luck recently in terms of my health, and she joked ‘yeah I feel like you’ve probably met everyone in here by now you’ve had that many appointments!’ It sort of stung a bit and I’m now really, really self conscious and paranoid about going. For context- that was a few months ago and was because I had a new lump which had grown suddenly and quickly on my neck (and needed a 2 week referral so it wasn’t for nothing IYSWIM). previously to that I had several appointments over the last few years (maybe averaging 3-6 a year) for a few things but it’s all been legit (asthma, psoriasis, heart condition etc)

I know the comment wasn’t meant in a bad way but it’s really made me nervous about going back and being seen as difficult or a time waster because it’s obviously been flagged that I go a lot 😬 but at the same time I cannot take another sleepless night from coughing! How do i suck up the embarrassment and make an appointment tomorrow? Thanks

OP posts:
Squishydishy · 07/10/2025 05:01

Have you been to a pharmacist?

GaryLurcher19 · 07/10/2025 05:06

You do need to be examined with that chest, OP.

Misbehavingwomb · 07/10/2025 05:06

Sounds like you've had genuine reasons for your appointments. The nurse was a bit insensitive and unprofessional. You're asthmatic and should investigate this. You might need steroids, you might not but it's better to be safe. Make the appointment. Get well soon.

malificent7 · 07/10/2025 05:08

A persistent cough is a justification for a chest xray. Go to the GP.

Original poster
Derry30 · 07/10/2025 05:08

Squishydishy · 07/10/2025 05:01

Have you been to a pharmacist?

Yes, a few times. The pharmacist couldn’t really recommend anything else to try

its in my asthma plan to go to the GP if I have a cough from a cold for a certain length of time, or if my peak flow is in a certain range. I know I need to go, it’s just plucking up the courage after last time! I know the comment was meant to be light hearted but it’s played on my mind ever since she said it

OP posts:
LadyGaGasPokerFace · 07/10/2025 05:10

That was harsh of the nurse. Ignore them. Go get an appointment and some steroids, you’ll feel better. I’m mildly asthmatic but when I get a chest infection I’m so unwell with it. Mine is seasonal, so winter is fun.
get well soon 💐

Frankblackwife · 07/10/2025 05:11

Why do people suggest pharmacists? Not like they can prescribe amoxicillin, which is almost certainly what op needs

IsItSnowing · 07/10/2025 05:15

Ignore the nurse. Probably just a bad attempt at making small talk.
You know already that you need to see your GP. Don’t mess around with asthma.

TwinklyNight · 07/10/2025 05:21

Brown phlegm is something I'd definitely go to my doctor for. I believe it is a sign of infection and with asthma you need to take good care of youraelf and get this looked at as soon as you can. Good luck OP.

Lammveg · 07/10/2025 05:23

People say stupid shit all the time. We all say things that we dont realise land poorly for the people we are talking to. You know you need to go so just go.

cordeliavorkosigan · 07/10/2025 05:24

Don't let an insensitive comment stop you from getting the medical care you need! Not a medical expert but that sounds like you could have pneumonia which can happen after a viral infection, and it's serious.

Mapletree1985 · 07/10/2025 05:25

It sounds like you have medical conditions which mean you do have to see the doctor quite often. The nurse was probably making harmless, friendly chitchat with no idea it would upset you. Just go to the doctor. You need medical attention. I can guarantee you are not their most frequent flyer.

WatchingTheDetective · 07/10/2025 05:29

She was rude and insensitive. Please don't put your health at risk because of one rude nurse. She probably thought she was being friendly but didn't quite make it.

Lifelover16 · 07/10/2025 05:31

Squishydishy · 07/10/2025 05:01

Have you been to a pharmacist?

Don’t go to a pharmacist, they can only treat coughs within certain guidelines, and these donot include people with asthma.
You need someone to examine your chest properly and proceed from there. You are justified in seeing a GP or respiratory specialist nurse.

pinkbackground · 07/10/2025 05:32

I’d just go. I’ve had a few issues over the last year or so which means the nurses now recognise me and wave or say hello if they see me in the waiting room. All have been genuine reasons for needing help (hospital referrals and 3 minor surgeries) but I’ll still go if I have a further problem. Better that then your condition gets worse. Maybe ring 111 for advice if you’d rather.

Eenameenadeeka · 07/10/2025 05:33

I don't think her comment was meant to be rude at all, you said you've had bad luck with your health and she agreed that you'd needed to be in a lot, don't think she meant you were wasting anyone's time just that you'd needed lots of care. Get into the doctors you aren't doing any wrong and no one is thinking badly of you

Holdingthem · 07/10/2025 05:47

You need a chest xray OP!
Ignore what the nurse said.

Twiglets1 · 07/10/2025 06:09

I'm asthmatic and when I have a chest infection my GP always puts me on antibiotics straight away because of my asthma.

So I would phone the surgery and ask to speak to a doctor about that. You don't need an actual appointment (I never have one for this).

Comtesse · 07/10/2025 06:19

Come on now! Entirely reasonable to see a GP - the longer you leave it, the worse it might get. Make the call this morning please. 🙏🏼

MattHandjob · 07/10/2025 06:25

Sounds like she was trying to make a joke/small talk. I'd joke back, "yes I'm dropping to bits aren't I?"

Hope you get some relief after seeing the doctor

JamesWebbSpaceTelescope · 07/10/2025 06:26

I don’t think it was rude or insensitive of the nurse. It was probably meant in a sympathetic way. She knows you aren’t going to the doctor for fun.

Needspaceforlego · 07/10/2025 06:29

Op you're being daft and over thinking what she said. She possibly had a vague recollection of meeting you before and didn't really know what to say when you didn't remember her.

You've needed the appointments that you've had.

monkeysox · 07/10/2025 06:37

Derry30 · 07/10/2025 05:00

Really stupid I know but just looking for a bit of advice

I’ve got a really bad cough as a result of a recent flu. I’m otherwise recovered but cannot shift the cough, and it’s to the point I’m coughing so hard at night I’ve vomited a few times (not because I’m sick, but just because of how hard I’m coughing) and the coughing is keeping me awake now - if I cough hard I vomit, but if I don’t cough hard then the brown phlegm feels like it’s blocking my chest

I’m asthmatic and at my last plan they said if I get any lingering colds I should contact them for an appointment because I’ll probably need steroids.

but last time I was at the doctors surgery the nurse said ‘I’ve met you before haven’t i?’ I wasn’t actually sure so I just said probably yeah because I’ve had bad luck recently in terms of my health, and she joked ‘yeah I feel like you’ve probably met everyone in here by now you’ve had that many appointments!’ It sort of stung a bit and I’m now really, really self conscious and paranoid about going. For context- that was a few months ago and was because I had a new lump which had grown suddenly and quickly on my neck (and needed a 2 week referral so it wasn’t for nothing IYSWIM). previously to that I had several appointments over the last few years (maybe averaging 3-6 a year) for a few things but it’s all been legit (asthma, psoriasis, heart condition etc)

I know the comment wasn’t meant in a bad way but it’s really made me nervous about going back and being seen as difficult or a time waster because it’s obviously been flagged that I go a lot 😬 but at the same time I cannot take another sleepless night from coughing! How do i suck up the embarrassment and make an appointment tomorrow? Thanks

Docs today. Its in your plan. Even if you had been every week all year. It doesn't matter

Alsonification · 07/10/2025 06:38

Op please go to the doctor. I don’t want to frighten you but my dad has been in & out of hospital 8 times with pneumonia last year & the docs told him if he’s coughing up brown or red phlegm he’s to come straight in.
Ignore the nurse. Your health is more important.

noworklifebalance · 07/10/2025 06:43

@JamesWebbSpaceTelescope - i can understand how the comment may play on your mind but (and I am going to be harsh now) you are an adult, you know your past visits are justified, you know this visit is justified so just go and see the GP. If you see the nurse don’t be sheepish, stand tall (metaphorically or literally), look her in the eye, smile/nod and carry on,