Would you go to the Drs right now if it meant getting the vaccine sooner?

[overtherainbow08]

I hadn’t really considered that I would be in any priority groups for the Covid vaccine.

Since having my son I’ve gained a lot of weight on top of already being very, very overweight.

I’ve not really done much about it, new mum, knackered.... (excuses, I know)
But after reading online about obesity and Covid i decided to weigh myself and see what the damage was.

It wasn’t great and my BMI was coming in at 40.5..

I made a call to my GP and they’ve requested that I go in so they can run some bloods, blood pressure and officially update my records with my weight and BMI.

The Dr told me that with my BMI that would make me group 6 for the Covid vaccine.

The issue is, I’m absolutely petrified about going to the Drs.

My mum went a few days ago, she said they have a maximum of 4 people in the waiting room, all distanced.
Staff are in PPE.

I avoid public places like super markets etc, and I’m not sure if I can bring myself to go to the Drs.

I’ve asked if they can update my details over the phone but my last recorded weight gave me a BMI of 31 so the GP said she is concerned by this big jump and wants me to go in.

Will the Drs & nurses be vaccinated now and do they test regularly?

I don’t know what to do. I feel like going there could put me at risk and I’m likely to catch Covid.
But then it also puts me into the right category for the vaccine.

What should I do?

I had to go to the go a few weeks ago for blood tests and again for a examination, there was only one other person in the waiting room when I was there, they space all appointments out to allow cleaning so it’s never very busy in there, you are given places to sit so your spaced out (one in each corner kind of thing), there’s antibac hand gel everywhere and no ones allowed I if they have covid symptoms. I felt very safe.

I’m having my vaccine on Monday at a big mass vaccination site and I’m more worried about going there than the gp. I have no idea how the vaccination sites are managing things, if it’s drive through or if I have to go in.

@Oblomov21

Do you really need to ask? Get your anxiety sorted whilst you're at the GP's aswell!

@Oblomov21

I think I need to.

You don’t need to be so harsh though. I’m really struggling.

I'm CEV and have had blood tests, doctors visits, scans and numerous hospital visits. All felt very safe and no, I didn't get covid

Whenever I have a GP appt, I phone reception to let them know I'm waiting outside, & they call me in when it's time. I didn't ask, I just did it.

Granted I'm ECV, but I don't see why they'd object. (My GP surgery is wonderful).

I completely understand why you're so nervous OP. Having a mass vaccination programme in the middle of a pandemic is hardly ideal!

Thanks all. I can’t cope living like this for much longer. I’m absolutely petrified.

it's hard at the moment, but it will get easier, I'd speak to the Gp about your anxiety whilst you're there too. Well done for booking the appointment.

The GPs have most likely all been vaccinated now, so they'll be much safer to be in a room with too.

I went to my GP last autumn and it felt safe - only two people in the waiting room (everyone else was outside until closer to their time), shield across the desk, and the appointments were running much more on time than usual so barely any waiting.

Go to the gp. They will be as safe as it can be. You may have a thyroid problem and they would need to get blood to test for that. I know it’s anxiety causing, but we need to try to encourage people it’s ok before we end up all with agoraphobia. Trust me I had severe anxiety and ended up locked in for 6 solid months years ago and we all
Need to go out, even if just a stroll around the block. Go to your doctor.

Ask your surgery what safeguards they have in place. Ours has the door locked, you wait in your car until they phone you, then they come to the door to let you in. I'm like you, very nervous of the virus, but I agree with what others have said, I felt safer in the doctors than I would in a supermarket. They asked me if I was feeling well, they took my temperature, I used their hand gel from a no touch dispenser, and I wore a mask. The nurse I saw asked me not to touch anything, and told me that the chair and her desk were sanitised between patients. That was two weeks ago, and I've been fine.

I'm CEV and I've still attended various appointments and hospital stays over the past year.
Everyone is distanced as much as humanly possible.
Bloods are especially important as they pick up so many things.

Well done for booking the appointment. Remember to regularly was your hands as well. I also carry around my own hand sanitizer

Please do mention the anxiety and ask if they will call you/pop their head out of the window instead of waiting. Although tbh I haven't had much waiting in the past year.

I have been lots of times as I have to have monthly injections. I am in the shielding category. I have never felt unsafe. Everyone is sat far apart and asked to wear a mask and sanitise their hands on the way in. You sound very anxious I would bring that up with the GP when you go.

Go.
Assuming you are 30s? The difference in time between group 6 and when you would be offered is likely to be big.
They are offering based on scientific fact. And seeing the doctor is sensible and may be very reassuring

My MIL had chemo for cancer during the first wave of Covid so in the shielding category due to the suppression of her immune system. She must have had about 12 appointments in total, plus two operations and a week in hospital with another issue. On top of that she needed several GP appointments. She didn't catch Covid.

My mother also had cancer during Covid, she fortunately just needed radiotherapy. She also had many appointments like MIL and two operations, plus GP appointments. She didn't catch Covid.

The GP wouldn't have asked to see you unless it was important OP. The sooner you get your vaccine the better and this is the route to getting the vaccine when you should, rather than waiting months more until it's your age group's turn.

I know it's scary, I had a hospital appointment last year and was scared but I felt really safe once there. Hardly anyone else in the waiting room (3 plus me) and we were all spaced out far away and staff wore PPE. I saw lots of cleaning going on as well in the waiting room and toilets. They will have good processes in place and have been doing this a while so know what they are doing.

I went to the appointment.

I was in the waiting room with 3 others . All distanced, all windows open.

Was in with the nurse 10 minutes. Blood tests, weight & blood pressure.

Surprises me that the nurse only had a mask, I was expecting a visor too.

Have felt quite anxious since the appointment.

Should get results from bloods next week.

I have been referred to a weight management team.
Feel embarrassed about this, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

Well done OP

Times are scary, and you were brave.

(Also, bear in mind nurse has prob been vaccinated)

Well done OP. By facing this and any weight programme you will be reducing your risk of other illnesses such as heart disease as well as Covid.

My heart goes out to you, well done for making that first step and going to the Dr.

You're very unlikely to have picked up Covid. My DD had a baby 12 weeks ago, was in hospital for 5 days, has since had around 10 more appointments, with medical professionals, including having to spend a whole day in hospital with baby. Also MIL has cancer and has been in and out of Drs/hospital, she's 77, diabetic and has cancer- she's not caught anything. Hundreds and thousands go to the Drs every single day- you will be ok!

And do NOT feel embarrassed, feel proud of yourself for going.

I would go.
I have been to the Dr 3 times in lockdown.
They have a intercom/lock system on the door and only allow 2 people in the waiting room at a time. This gives plenty of space for SD.
The receptionist is behind a plastic screen.
The nurses I have seen were masked, also with aprons and splash screens and kept their distance whilst taking my history. Obviously They had to come closer to treat me (twice to change a dressing in a deep burn, once for a smear test).
Patients are leaving by the back door, so no going back through the waiting room/front door.
Lots of gel everywhere.
Patients wearing masks.
They are only seeing patients who ha e urgent clinical need. I think suspect Covid cases are being sent for testing or A&E depending on severity of symptoms.

I have felt very safe when I have been. Obviously I only have experience of my practice, but I imagine most are taking every possible precaution.

I've been to several hospital appointments in the last year, in different departments, and it's all been very well managed.

I’m glad you went OP. I understand how you feel though. I had to take my three year old for his preschool injections last week and he is CEV to Covid. All week I have been on tenterhooks waiting to see if he develops any symptoms but it has been fine.

Youll go to a clean room. See probably a nurse who will.be vaccinated. Youll get height and weight done plus BP and pulse.

Then youll leave. Yoill be asked to wash your hands onway in and out. You wont touch a door handle.

Youre very unlikely to catch it at tbe GP.

You do though need to work on your BMI. There are videos on youtube that are free if you'd rather exercise alone at home.

My bloods are back. I have an under active thyroid and I’ve been given medication. 😖

I’ve had a letter today about weight management and a member of their team will contact me shortly.

Well done for going. It sounds like it was good that you went.
It does get easier getting out once you've done it a couple of times.

What a good job you went! An under active thyroid will explain some of your weight gain too.