Not sure why I am writing this , dont think you can do much for me but really needed to post.
About 2 and a half weeks ago I had an elective procedure done at a tertiary centre. They had just started doing elective procedures again.
I was recovering well. Towards the middle of last week I was feeling almost back to normal and was looking forward to going back to work this week.
The main risk of my procedure is an infection which can be very serious and if not treated can lead to long term issues with my heart and possibly needing heart surgery. I dont want to give too many details as it might be too outing.
On Thursday last week I started with a mild temp. Friday it was worse. I rang my hospital department. As I had no obvious symptoms at the site of the procedure they said it was unlikely to be coming from there and to monitor and ring back.
I booked a covid test on Friday. The results came back negative. I continued with temps and chills. Only paracetamol and ibuprofen helping. But as soon as it wore off I was shivering. I am constantly drenched in sweat. No cough.
On Monday I rang back hoping they could give some advice. There was someone else on the phone. They said as I had a fever they cant help me I need to ring my GP.
Remember this is a specialised procedure with the potential for severe future complications if due to the procedure.
I rang my GP. The receptionist asked if I had a fever or a cough
As I had a fever ahe said I needed to ring 111 and wouldn't book me an appointment no matter how much I tried to explain to her. If I did have covid I wasnt well enough to need a hospital admission and I know 111 would have taken hours to get back to me without a real solution.
I spoke to my sister who told me to ring them back. Luckily I got a different receptionist who I explained the situation too and she booked me a tel appt with the GP. I spent most of the day in bed taking pain relief to control the temps with the phone in my hand waiting for the phone call. They dont give a specific time just say the GP can ring at any time. At about 3pm I rang back. The receptionist was very brusque and said they can ring any time til 6.30 but it looks like the GP had already rang at half 10 and didnt get through. I tried to explain I had had nothing come through on my phone, but she just said I had to wait and see if they try again. I didnt get a call.
Tuesday I ring first thing in the morning to ensure I talk to the GP. By now I am resigned I fell like unless I deteriorate.to the point I nearing my death bed no one is actually going to do anything. The receptionist is the same as the one as yesterday and she obviously recognises me from my patient record. She starts asking me in detail why I want a GP appointment. I'm not proud of it but I lie and say I dont have a temp. Then she asks me in in minute detail about my symptoms 'so she can note it for the GP'
Half way through she cuts me off and says if it's an issue with my wound I need to go to the treatment room. I explain the wound doesnt look infected. In the end I just say I need a note for work. I really dont have the energy any more to argue with her.
She just kept repeating herself ' well in that case you don't need a tel appointment '
I don't know if she was trying to start an argument with me so she had an excuse to put down the phone 'as I has been rude over the phone'.
But I just say 'ok. If they can just do one that's fine'. Anyway then she says I need to book an appointment for you to get the sick note.
The GP rings back. He is really good but I knew they cant really do much. He gave me some antibiotics just in case. But if the infection is cos of my procedure the antibiotics wouldn't work.
I know this because I've spent most of the last few days in bed with nothing to do apart from read all about my symptoms. I still take them.
I got my sick note. I just felt so upset at the way the recptionist had behaved.
My sister then rang me . She had been in touch with the hospital department, I'd been keeping her in the loop. They said if I can arrange to have some blood test. Certain ones and they will get back to me.
I knew in the current situation no one is going to take bloods from a potential covid patient, luckily my sister works for the NHS so very kindly in full PPE she took them for me.
I arranged another covid test which I had on Wednesday. This time I made sure my husband had one as well. Because it would be more unlikely to have two false negative results wouldn't it?
Both came back negative again. Both times I had to self swab. I'm not sure if the swabs just have a very very high false negative rate or if there is something else going on.
Me fever had been continued up to 40.5 then coming down if I took analgesia. Again spending most of my time in bed exhausted. Last couple of days my appetite is worse. I just don't feel hungry. But no cough. No problems with my smell. Just breathless with the fever and associated aches and pains.
Rang the hospital yesterday with my results. And they said they will see my this pm for some investigations.
Today is day 9 of my fever.
I just feel so guilty now I'm going into hospital wih a fever. I know if this is in actual fact Covid then I'm not unwell enough to need a hospital admission. I have a sats monitor at home. My sats are always ok.
But if it is because of my procedure then over the last 9 days I could have done irreversible damage to my heart which could lead to long term disability. I have two young kids my husband has been doing most of the caring for since my operation and now the fever.
I feel so let down by the hospital and the receptionist at the GP.
The following thought keeps going through my mind ' If they have no way of following up or treating you if you get a complication from the surgery, why did they do it?'
It's no good signing a consent form saying the commonest complication is infection, if they dont tell you if you actually get a fever no one will touch you with a barge pole. That you will just be left to deteriorate until you are gasping for breath and then they might just let you in.
Every day I wake up hoping my temp is better but again woke up at 5am with a fever and chills.
I just feel so exhausted.