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

Glad you got an appointment OP.

Those saying don't go to the pharmacist it totally depends on the area and specific each specific pharmacists qualifications.

Some are absolutely trained to treat chest infections (and other minor infections) and can prescribe a number of antibiotics, plus steroids if they feel it's needed even in children, babies, the elderly or those with asthma and other conditions. Some are not. England and wales also have completely different services available in pharmacies. I live in Wales and can have an appointment at a pharmacy where the pharmacist will listen to my chest or look inside my ears or throat and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Hope the appointment goes well. My son has cough variant asthma, so gets this too.
Since catching covid, I now have several months of this a year too (the vomiting from coughing, I don’t have asthma). It’s horrible.

Doctors won’t prescribe antibiotics until you’ve had the cough 4 weeks I think

I'd assume she meant "Poor you, you've had your run of bad luck/health recently, haven't you?". My reply would have been something like "Yes, If I was a horse I'd have been carted off to the glue factory a long time ago". It's just chit chat. Her tone of voice would have been what determined it, but in the context you've given it sounds like she was being bothered for you, not pissed off by you.

Glad you called. I came here to say in the nicest way possible you need to get over it and get seen. Hope the appointment went ok. The nurse wouldn’t of meant anything bad by it just a silly comment

Yes it must be a postcode thing. The ones at our chemist struggle with timekeeping and basic organisational skills so I wouldn't like to think how they'd cope with having to attempt a diagnosis and submit a prescription too.

Out of hours/urgent treatment centres all the way imo if GPs are booked up.

This. 1000%.
Don't take any chances with asthma.

I’ve had loads of appointments over the past few years, mostly for the same thing but also for a side order of asthma, & a chest infection. That nurse was an absolute idiot, if someone had said that to me I would feel the same as you. Like you’re seen as neurotic. You do need to go op, you probably won’t even see her. If you do just think ‘fuck off’ in your head.

Fresh pineapple is really helpful for a cough. It contains high levels of bromelain enzyme. A natural anti inflammatory.

There are lots that take all the appointments but if you need to see a GP just book an appointment or you’ll end up taking up a hospital bed.

Please go to your Gp, no one here can diagnose you, I had your symptoms and turned out I had pneumonia, 2 days in hospital for IV antibiotics

That’s good. Hope it went ok.

I had a comment like that nurse’s remark once, and it did seem a bit misplaced as I was struggling with very severe and painful psoriasis, and tired, and I just sighed and said something like how I’d very much prefer not to be there and a known feature.

But we have to shrug this stuff off, especially if you have an autoimmune condition that causes many issues, and learn to be a bit more assertive (with a smile).

Oh the nurse shouldn’t really have said that !
I also have asthma , sometimes I know my cough is post nasal drip from allergies.
However , one time my cough was so bad and I was coughing so much I tore muscles and could feel them pop .
I got an appointment with the GP and I needed oral steroids ( she wouldn’t give me antibiotics)

Go to gp, youve got a persistent cough and asthma, you need to go.

There’s a woman like that my surgery. I made a verbal complaint. I should’ve made a written one. I’ve always regretted it. They’re not throw away remarks they’re nasty remarks. When you’ve seen your GP consider making a complaint.

Get to the flippin’ doctors asap - you sound like an appointment is urgent.

Glad you got an appointment Op.

Unless someone is obviously being nasty, I find it best to assume they have good intentions!

Please please go. The nurse should not have said it but likely did not mean anything derogatory by it. But I urge you to go, you are asthmatic and will likely need treatment

Sounds serious. You need to get it checked out. I’m convinced I have “nuisance” on my file. During Covid I had fainting problems and ended up in A&E three times until I went private to get it sorted. ✔️

OP booked an appointment at 09.01 this morning, for this afternoon.

@Derry30 how did you get in the Drs?

Please.let us know how you got on. I was like this turned out I had pneumonia

Have you got someone you can take with you for support? I've found such comments stopped when I had a witness. I would actually say, I have brought someone with me for support because I was so upset by the comments I got last time.

Oh Lordy, I feel you, this is totally something I would do. I don’t know if it’s age or menopause but it drives me batty that I am so fumbly. I hope you get what you need to clear that awful cough up.

What she said was inappropriate and unprofessional. Please don’t let it stop you making an appointment as you need your chest listening to.