Been given a face to face appointment at my GP… AIBU to call and push back?

[tulipsinbloomnow]

I have another ongoing issue which I am under the hospital for, but I’ve been told I need to approach my GP for pain relief at the moment.

I did this a couple of months ago and got a phone call and a prescription no problem. I’m running out and need some more. This time I filled out the new AI questionnaire and it’s given me an urgent appointment for tomorrow. I called up the surgery and they said it’s because the AI has flagged me as being at risk of arthritis (???) or a DVT!!! I asked the receptionist if this was right as a DVT is pretty serious and I’m sure I don’t have one, but apparently because I’ve ticked that I get swelling it’s a risk factor and I now need to come in.

I just think this is so silly and I’m taking up an appointment for something that’s really not that serious! I just feel like I’ll look such a knob tomorrow sat there. AIBU to call back and push back?

It’s all of it combined. Sorry my head is a little foggy when I can’t sleep because I’m in that much pain!

ive called them once to ask if a f2f is really necessary because of distance to the surgery from my work etc.

Can’t you just ring your surgery and explain over the phone? Ours do this, they then send a message to the GP, who will then either give you a prescription or ask to see you/call you to discuss.

This is what we’ve come to, is it? When someone working in the NHS thinks seeing a GP for a genuine problem is a ridiculous waste of time.

OP, go to the appointment. Cry if you want to. That’s also ok and worrying that you think it isn’t. You never know, you might get the GP on side and get expedited too..

The GPs I know prefer seeing people in person most of the time anyway. They didn’t envisage sitting on a call all day when they were training. At our GPs we are given the choice of phone or F2F unless GP needs to see you. I I had to change from phone to in person recently at last min (sudden change in symptoms) and there was no issue at all as similarly scheduled. I’m not sure there is much time difference in phone vs in person for the GP, it’s more faff for the patient. So you aren’t wasting any NHS time.

I’ve called to see if the appointment can be expedited, explained I’m literally on site so can take a same day cancellation if one arises and I’ve been told it won’t

You’d be the first to complain if there was something wrong and you couldn’t get an appointment. GP surgeries can’t do right for doing wrong. Just go and be thankful they’re so responsible.

It's not about whether you have a DVT now, it's about whether you're at an increased risk of developing one in the future.

I’m young and healthy besides this issue so I definitely am not, it’s just frustrating that they’re wasting an appointment on something that’s not urgent.

Probably you don’t, but you don’t know that you don’t, and it’s a risk that is better assessed by a GP in person than by you.

Go to the appointment, be glad you got one and they’re not fobbing you off.

Then it’s best the GP sees how bad you are, surely?

Well no, but it might be more helpful to her if you did.

They are not wasting an appointment. You would still have an appointment if they discussed it on the phone. Same appointment, same amount of time for the doctor. The GP obviously thinks you need to be seen

If you are after pain management, it’s really sensible that they see you in person. Firstly, a young, healthy person should not be on regular naproxen for their joints. They isn’t normal and while you may be waiting on a referral, it’s sensible that the GP reviews if you need another different one.

Beyond that if the GP is going to be managing your pain meds long term (even if not controlled substances), they need to assess you. Naproxen in particular often requires omeprazole with it, so they probably need to explore if you also need that, or if another painkiller would suit you better.

I just don’t have huge hopes of it being dealt with. Unless I’m sent to a&e there’s not a lot they can do as I’m awaiting assessment by a consultant. I just want the pain to stop at this point because I feel so pathetic

I totally get it OP, I had a similar issue. Symptoms that I’ve been having for years and had seen the doctor for previously, the AI system directed me to A&E which was totally unnecessary, spoke to the receptionist who said if the system says a&e we can’t book you an appointment you need to go to A&E.

So I went back onto the System, changed a few of my answers and got a GP appointment. There is obviously room for error with these systems, but it appears humans aren’t allowed to use their common sense anymore if computer says no.

I agree with PP - tell them AI sent you for face to face - not what you wanted and you've had to take a morning off work losing leave - and ask will this happen next time you need more meds as well.

Then GP can assess if AI was reasonable to flag you and feed it back into their systems.

You got an appointment and a way forward - so could easily be much worse.

Honestly, doctors are like teachers. They can't win whatever they do

I kind of know how you feel. It took ages for the GP to finally agree to give my 15 year old blood tests, as she has been feeling dizzy and faint. Sure it is to do with heavy periods.

After the bloods she was contacted and told she anaemic (no surprise), and they prescribed FerroDose, but with vague instructions "one or two daily until review". The review is for possible treatment of heavy periods.

Because I wasn't sure whether one or two would be optimal, or whether she needed two when menstruating, I filled in an eConsult, asking for help with medication guidance. I put on EVERY box that she was being treated, but I just wanted to KNOW whether one or two is best.

Then I got a message asking for her to come to an emergency appointment the next morning. I HAD TO CANCEL. This is because she is in her LAST couple of weeks at school. She has her GCSEs starting in a couple of weeks, and missing school now is not really viable, unless an emergency.

When I phoned I asked why she had an emergency appointment, and they said it was because I'd put she gets dizzy - I'd put that on the forms for over a YEAR and it was only a couple of months ago they saw her and arranged for the bloods.

The receptionist said I should have used "administrative help", but when you use that it says explicitly not to ask about medication.

Maybe I'm wrong not keeping the appointment, but all I really wanted was clarification on the dosing of the medication prescribed

The NHS cannot win can they.

Agreed.

They need to have a look at the area that is swelling at times. They can't do this over the phone.

You need to stop complaining about it and go in. Naproxen IS associated with potential increased risk of DVT.

If jump for joy at getting a face to face appt with my GP. Not managed that since 2018

It's good for the GP to see you get emotional. It will make it clear how much this is affecting you. Don't try to hide it.
I suffered from chronic back pain for 3 years about a decade ago. Each time I presented at the GP I was in my work suit and was holding it together, nothing got done other than being given more and/or stronger drugs.

Then, I turned up on a day when I'd been working from home. I had my husband with me for moral support and without really thinking about it, I stopped "masking".
I was in tears and (not my finest moment) quite shouty.

Anyway, all of a sudden I got booked an MRI and then the problem got sorted and my back is more or less totally fine now.
Don't hide the impact of the condition on your day to say life would be my advice.

You were asked to make an appointment. You wont look like a knob. Best get it checked out