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?

I HAD TO CANCEL.
Maybe I'm wrong not keeping the appointment,

It's not your appointment to cancel or keep. What did your daughter want to do?

I agree. After I damaged my knee badly, they offered me steroid injections; but it was so painful I just burst into tears, and got offered a knee replacement instead.

Better tp be seen f2f.

If you get a tel and they decide you need tp be seen

That's just more appointments wasted. And more pf your time wasted.

Why do you need to take annual leave if you’re on site though?

I think you’re just understandably in a big grump about the pain situation and you’re deflecting it to your gp. To be fair, if you’re going to cry in the appointment maybe you do need more support than you realise.

My GP isn’t on site, I meant my hospital appointment being expedited.

Tbh it will take nore of the surgeries time in debating whether to cancel the appt rather than you just going in, so if you are worried about their time then better to just go

I understand why you think they are wasting an appointment, BUT the only way the system will improve is if they can update the algorithm by using the feedback from your appointment. It also depends who is reviewing the input from your forms...

Ah yeah ok, that’s not likely is it.

I waited 18 months for a neurology appointment and that was after they bumped it up by opening more.

No I know it’s not likely but I did have luck with both of my previous physio appointments by happening to call up and they’d just had cancellations so I was able to take them, so I know it’s a possibility. I just figured I’d give it a go because I don’t know how much longer I can last

Yes, that’s what I thought.

they said it’s because the AI has flagged me as being at risk of arthritis (???) or a DVT

Joint pain, inflammation etc can all be caused by arthritis so the AI is actually working by flagging this?

Thank you. So very helpful!

To a degree, but I have a diagnosis. If there was space for me to add that it would be useful.

If you go the appt and then you do get emotional that’s not a bad thing, the GP will then be witness to your worry/pain and then maybe will be able to write to the hospital to expedite your referral

Oh for goodness sake are you a Doctor? Let them do their job.

You are being weird.

I just feel that they’ll judge me for that

I don’t think you’ve read the OP correctly. She’s not been given an appointment to discuss her request for painkillers, she’s been given the appointment because AI thinks she might have a DVT or arthritis. OP is not concerned about this as it’s a long term
problem that she’s been seen about before and has already been referred to secondary care.

Nothing about this thread suggests dependency/drug seeking, she’s just wants some anti-inflammatory for her inflammation!

I’ve told them explicitly before I want to avoid opiates as I’ve had bad experiences before (post surgery, unrelated to this issue, before I get any accusations of somehow seeking them out). All I want is a resolution and maybe I’m turning to the wrong place but until you’re young with joint pain rivalling your elderly family members, that stops you enjoying any aspect of you life (I’m a very active person and this just ruins that for me), I don’t think it’s fair to make accusations of drug dependency. I will hold off on taking painkillers for headaches or period cramps, until it’s unbearable. I stopped taking painkillers one day post surgery because I hate taking them. But I really am at the end of my tether when it comes to this injury now.

But why would they judge you? They’re doctors, they see patients upset and in pain all day long I imagine. Do you know them professionally?

This. It would be irresponsible of any physician to prescribe a drug long term without having seen and assessed the patient.

Especially cases involving pain meds.

Sorry I wasn’t suggesting drug dependency, the opposite actually.

Jeez give it a rest now, Ive cried at endless medical appointments over the years, no one has judged me, just been kind and helped me. Just go to the appointment will you.
As a pp said, NHS and teachers can’t win sometimes, damned if they do, damned if they don’t.

No I know it’s just grating that so many people have jumped to such a nasty conclusion

In Covid times I had a recurring hip pain that needed naproxen and cocodamol. I ended up seeing my GP 3 times before getting it on repeat. Even now my GP sees me every 6 months for a check and blood test to make sure everything is okay to be on them. You just need to go to the appointment. At the appointment you can ask about it on repeat