Help! Too embarrassed to go to GP?

[Derry30]

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

You need to go to the doctor right now.

I was in A and E so many times one year with my children, someone asked me if I worked there !!

Asthma is so serious you need to take proper care of your health. Ignore all comments ever again.

Sorry, just seen your update. Hurrah! Hoping for a better reception and gappy outcome, this afternoon.

Well done.
I had similar recently. Followed by a good appointment and outcome. Wishing the same for you.

The IRONY of that comment. It used to be that your GP or district nurse WOULD know everyone patient. Do not be embarrassed OP.

this. I have got a friend who jokes she was on first name terms with all of the local minor injuries unit staff when her kids were small. It was intended as a friendly comment, nothing more. Just bloody go to the doc.

It was likely intended as a light-hearted comment to strike up conversation. Not a personal dig at you.
It sounds like you do need an appointment. Personally, I'd take the view that your health is a lot more important than the opinion of one nurse you've met once.

You'll need someone to exclude whooping cough, infective exacerbation of asthma and pneumonia.

Any cough lasting >3 weeks is likely to require an x-ray and long-term untreated asthma exacerbation puts you at risk of complications such as bronchiectasis.

I think this was a throwaway comment from the nurse and I wouldn't read too much into it.

Being unwell isn't embarrassing, it's part of life. We all go through phases of needing medical care more often and that's not a sign of weakness or of overusing medical services. You have nothing to feel ashamed about here.

She probably can't even remember making the remark. She will.see soany people she just spoke without thinking.
Please just go to the doctor.. When I was like you I went to the pharmacist as I couldn't face going to the doctor but the pharmacist sent me straight to the doctor because she said she thought I had a chest infection the doctor saw me that night and prescribed antibiotics. Honestly after a week of the medication I felt so much better.
Chest infections left untreated can get nasty quickly.So please go now or if you have one in your town a walk in centre

Please just go to the doctor

Do Not allow a casual remark from a nurse compromise your health.

Good news. Nurse was wrong to say that though.

Ah I’m so glad you got your appointment OP. Illness and lack of sleep leave us emotionally weak so a worry such as yours builds out of all proportion. I hope you get the help and reassurance you need this afternoon x

Honestly, I thought you were going to say you did a massive, noisy, smelly fart in the waiting room!

It’s really not worth agonising about a casual remark that was probably just small talk.

So do please just go - you know you need to.

Good luck! I hope all is ok!

OP frankly this is ridiculous. You clearly need to go see a doctor and you KNOW this. Forget what some random nurse you might never see again said. It was a stupid comment that means nothing. Get the help you need.

This. She probably meant it in a sympathetic way, not an unkind way. Don’t worry about it or overthink it, just get an appointment and get seen. You really don’t want a cheat infection to linger.

Well you can ignore the daft twat who upset you and make an appointment, or you get let it get so bad you'll have to go to A&E and sit for hours.

Make that appointment.

You need to see a Dr soon, very, very unprofessional comment from the nurse . If you went ten times a week she had absolutely no right to make that comment and if she says something again make a complaint to the practice manager .

@Derry30 ive not been away from the doctors surgery for months and do you know what , I don’t care. It’s my health and that’s why they are there .
Go back and if they offer that person say no I’d prefer someone else .
Then bring it up , you will feel better just say you have delayed coming in and why .
Go and get checked out .

YABU

Ring the surgery! I don't think the nurse was rude or insensitive, you just have to know your audience
I have a ds with RCBPD I went with him for a blood test,he's in his 40s, nurse called his first name, she should have asked, couldn't get blood, then he asked what the blood test was for.... she didn't know!! It was a nightmare! I was nursing almost 40 years, yes,abx for you, probably a chest x ray...some pharmacies can script.

Glad you have made an appointment and good luck.

The nurse could easily have meant “you must know everyone here being here so often…. Honestly you unlucky poor thing having so many legitimate health problems, I admire how you keep going, and I hope the team here looks after you well every time as it’s what we are dedicated to”

You need to be examined by a Dr you may have bronchitis, take no notice of an unprofessional nurse

This.

Glad to read this.

From the original title of this thread I was expecting you to have something foreign stuck in somewhere it shouldn’t be!

Being embarrassed to go to the doctors because a nurse’s small talk hit the wrong spot is utterly nuts.

Hope you get it sorted

Well done OP for making the appointment. I think PP's are right - probably a silly throwaway comment said without thinking. Hope you feel better soon.