"Is it really urgent?" Would you say this merited an appointment at the GP?

[vladthedisorganised]

I really hate it when GP's receptionists say this as I always assume that if I'm well enough to make the call, then it isn't.. but would appreciate some opinions!
Under loads of stress at the moment (job/terminally ill parent/ back and forth to hospital all the time/ etc). Feeling so tired I can't concentrate - it takes me over an hour to write an email at work where I normally dash out a contract in a few hours. For the last week I've had numbness in my face, fingers and feet; occasional chattering teeth and shaking hands not linked to the cold, and occasional 'grey-outs' - not quite fainting, but not quite not. Dizziness/vertigo all the time with occasional tunnel vision. All seems fairly commensurate with stress, so I'm not expecting a GP to do anything.

Now I've started vomiting without warning as well - no nausea, just a sort of 'wander along perfectly normally and blam!' sort of vomiting. I want to get it checked out in case it's an ulcer, but GPs tells me that unless it's urgent I need to wait another three weeks for an appointment. There's no way I want to 'bump' an elderly person, so my instinct says it isn't urgent, but not sure I can go around randomly vomiting and not being able to see properly for another three weeks.

Could I ask WWYD in the circumstances? Ignore and hope it gets better, or call back and say 'it is urgent, actually...'?

[5dcsandallthelittlesantahats]

That's point not pong

[5dcsandallthelittlesantahats]

I'm glad you got in to see your doctor in the end!. You surgery sounds pretty unhelpful tbh.
Ours is a walk in from 8-10:30 then appointments until 6. If they have no appointments they refer you to the 24 hour walk in centre at the hospital. So you always get seen same day. What the hell is the pong in waiting : weeks for anything non routine - god knows what could have happened by then

[piprabbit]

vlad so sorry this is dragging on, it must be miserable.

Why do you need to sit down when walking? Is it pain, breathing, dizziness? sounds absolutely horrible.

[digerd]

You now can't get to the end of the road without needing a sit down?! That sounds serious. I'd give up the Exercise and get your heart tested.

[Startail]

My Dr called something similar anxiety induced migraines and gave me some tablets that helped a lot.

Also if you have an obliging DP, get him to run your neck and shoulders. I tense everything up without realising it. Honestly you can do it enough to make yourself feel ill.

If you can afford it an osteopath might work wonders, but they may want the medical all clear from your GP.

Hope you get it sorted soon.

[vladthedisorganised]

Right, saw another GP yesterday (kept my 'emergency' appointment from the other week) and I'm to have a blood test tomorrow for thyroid somethingorother and anaemia. He thinks it might be stress-related but wants to rule out physical stuff, so we shall see.
Just as well, as I now can't get to the end of the road without needing a sit down .

[Goldenjubilee10]

I had very similar symptoms 8 years ago although I didn't have the vomiting. I was diagnosed as having stress related silent migraines. I still get it now and then but never as bad as the first time. I was signed off for 4 weeks. See another GP and tell them you are not managing at work or see your manager and see if you can reduce your hours for a few weeks.

[HoleyGhost]

I would ask for a referral

[hiddenhome]

I'm sorry but I would question that diagnosis. You need to be seen ASAP.

[lisad123]

I have migraines but always know if I'm going to be sick! Very odd advice, please go back if you don't feel better soon

[TeaBrick]

Is there any way you can change to another GP surgery? 3 weeks is a ridiculous wait.

[InExitCelsisDeo]

Switzerland is lovely.

That would definitely make me feel better.

Hope you are OK OP.

[vladthedisorganised]

It is a bit mad, isn't it? I guess I was so pathetically grateful to be seen that if I'd been told to hop up and down on one foot for five minutes it would still have been better than hanging about on the phone.

Perhaps there's been such a backlash on signing people off that you're told to go for a bracing run rather than have a rest these days. In Victorian times I would have been in Switzerland by now (sigh). Actually I would have been told to fuck off back down the pit, so it's probably about the same..

[InExitCelsisDeo]

What the actual? Exercise outside, and dial 999 if you become unconscious?

Good luck with all of that then.

[digerd]

Good luck at exercising outdoors in this weather.

[vladthedisorganised]

Finally got seen last night - thanks so much for the advice on NHS Direct, who were wonderful. The initial flow chart said to dial 999 and get an ambulance straight away, but after speaking to a nurse I got plenty of ammunition to see a GP.
The symptoms are consistent with a cluster migraine apparently, so I've got some tablets and have been told to exercise outdoors at least three times a week to reduce stress. Not quite sure how on earth I'll do that, but that's a whole different story.
Apparently if I lose consciousness again I should dial 999 though, so I'll keep that in mind.
Thanks so much for your advice!

[sashh]

You need to be seen and you need to swap to a GP with a better appointments system.

[ItLooksLikeRainDear]

If you don't have any luck with your GP tomorrow I would go to the nearest walk-in centre.

[FlorIxora]

Call NHS Direct. Or use their symptom checker.

[vladthedisorganised]

Ho hum, GP didn't call so will try again in the morning..

[vladthedisorganised]

Thanks everyone. Called back and was advised to call back at 2pm for an emergency appointment; unfortunately by the time I got through at 2:15 (kept redialling from 1:55) all the emergency appointments had gone, so the Dr is going to give me a call at some point. We'll see what happens from there!

[RooneyMara]

We have to call at 8.30 which means we're always driving to school. It's just not possible often.

[InExitCelsisDeo]

We are the same Lougle. But they do keep loads of slots free for same day appts. It is all that bloody redialling that gets my goat.

Hope you get seen OP.

[RooneyMara]

OP I really hope you're Ok - sounds like it could be a neurological issue or blood pressure or something.

I would NOT leave it any longer.

Btw when in doubt, I normally run it past them what's going on, iyswim, so in your case I'd say I'm having episodes of tunnel vision and almost fainting, and have now started vomiting for no apparent reason so I'm worried about my blood pressure and so on.
They would not hesitate to get you in asap I think.