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Original poster

To cancel appointment or not?

26 replies

bellainthemiddle · 04/09/2018 17:11

This is a ridiculous thing to ask advice for, but I'm agonising over whether or not to cancel the GP appointment I have booked for Fri. I've been feeling a bit under the weather for about four weeks - nothing terrible, just kind of constant sore throat, lymph nodes up, tired, aching arms and legs, feeling a bit sick... I had some blood tests done a couple of weeks back which were normal apart from a marginally low vit B12 (they said no action needed) and a few things borderline low on the FBC.

I am in two minds because I would like to be restored to full health, but I'm totally aware that it's probably a virus which the GP can do nothing about, or due to stress at work (which she can also do nothing about). I know how short of appointments they are, which makes me feel like I should cancel so as not to waste the GP's appointment and take a slot which someone else might need more.

DP says to keep the appointment, but I think he's just sick of me moaning ;)

OP posts:
ElyElyOy · 04/09/2018 20:05

Go (there will be people with a lot less need than you there Wink). You say things are borderline low - well in that case if they may need monitoring. At the very least the GP will be able to advise you of anything you can do (diet/lifestyle) and also any other symptoms that need to be looked out for.

Go, and get well soon x

Heratnumber7 · 04/09/2018 23:26

Just out of genuine interest, what does "lymph nodes up" mean? How would one know if one's lymph nodes were up?
I've never heard of that before.

Original poster
bellainthemiddle · 05/09/2018 01:15

I mean that the lymph nodes (groin and collarbone ones) are a bit swollen and visible / easy to feel. They are not huge though!

Thx for the advice. I still feel like a bit of a fraud but I was thinking I could perhaps ask for a tel appt instead? The vit B12 was 159 (I think the 'normal' is 160-800) so it was really only very marginally low and marked as 'no action needed', likewise the full blood count was only a tiny bit low on the platelets and something else which I can't remember. I'm pretty sure it's probably a virus which is making me feel rubbish and I'm kind of worried that I'm going to annoy the doctor by taking up her time unnecessarily. (I am the daughter of two pharmacists who brought us up to think that going to the doctor was only to be done if you were at death's door!)

OP posts:
BackToTheFuschia7 · 05/09/2018 01:19

Are you supplementing the B12 as in many countries you’d be classed as deficient at anything less than 500?

But definitely still go if you’re feeling unwell, four weeks is a reasonable amount of time to wait for improvement.

Monty27 · 05/09/2018 01:22

Go. There may be underlying issues. You aren't the GP. Just go. Look after yourself OP.

Original poster
bellainthemiddle · 05/09/2018 01:36

I do take a B12 supplement (just an ordinary one from Holland & Barratt) and I would say our diet is pretty good, so I've got no idea why I should be deficient. GP didn't seem to think it was an issue though :/

OP posts:
BackToTheFuschia7 · 05/09/2018 01:40

They should be, but probably won’t, take it seriously. Could be pernicious anaemia.

Original poster
bellainthemiddle · 05/09/2018 11:20

I think I've made the decision that I'll keep the appointment! I'm just worried that it is wasting the doctor's time, but I guess I can't know unless I go! I'm also a bit fed up of feeling unwell and stressed about work (I am a bit behind with things...) so I'm slightly worried that I'm going to burst into tears at the appointment, or something really embarrassing like that!

OP posts:
Olivesandwine · 05/09/2018 12:23

Still go. I have this guilt feeling when going to the doctors too. If I’m not gravely I’ll I think I shouldn’t be there, which is rubbish.
You are not feeling well and are worried so you have every reason to go and get checked out. Don’t worry about crying either. I’ve done it plenty and honestly docs see this all the time and if you do cry, it will show them just how this is affecting you.
Hope you get sorted.

Heratnumber7 · 05/09/2018 13:20

Thanks for explanation. I hasn't heard of that being a Thing - probably just been lucky.

Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
bellainthemiddle · 08/09/2018 18:57

Unfortunately I think I should have cancelled! It was a different doctor (not one of the regular ones) who plainly did feel I was wasting her time. I was really just hoping for some advice about how to help myself, because I've been feeling so run-down and poorly, but I think she got the impression that I was fretting about nasties and suffering from health anxiety, which actually isn't at all the case. Basically her advice was to download a mindfulness app for my phone and I got a bit teary (which clearly cemented her opinion of me as mildly deranged) and she got a bit annoyed and said she didn't see what else I could expect her to do. I think she was trying her best to help, but I feel bad that I was a bit stroppy and also feel frustrated that I've got no further forward.

OP posts:
Original poster
bellainthemiddle · 09/09/2018 14:09

DP is urging me to go back and ask for a second opinion, but I just feel that I can't now - and there's probably no point anyway!

OP posts:
Olivesandwine · 09/09/2018 21:53

I agree with him. That was not acceptsble.
Go back and see another gp. You have every right to. Would your dp be able to go with you, so if you get upset again he can step in and explain things for you?

Original poster
bellainthemiddle · 09/09/2018 23:51

Aww, thank you for replying @Olivesandwine - I was so upset after the appointment, not because I felt 'badly treated' but just because I'm fed up with feeling rough and was frustrated that I didn't get very much in the way of advice. I fainted today, which is an all-time first for me, so I do kind of feel like there must be a virus or something going on. DP insisted I call up for another appt and they actually offered one for tomorrow evening, which means he can go with me without missing work. I really hope I am not being a massive timewaster, I can appreciate that it's annoying for them to have people with straightforward problems taking up all their appt time :s

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 10/09/2018 00:13

Good, let's hope they can give you some pointers other than a mindfulness app.

Olivesandwine · 10/09/2018 08:24

That's good Bella. Hope you get sorted this time.
Let us know how you get on.

sockportal · 10/09/2018 09:03

OP if you were supplementing your diet with B12, your blood test will have given you a false high reading. B12 deficiency can be nasty. You are supposed to be clear of any supplements for 4 months before you are tested.

I have B12 deficiency and have injections every 3 months. You sound poorly, you poor thing. Your DH is right go back for a second opinion.

PoshPenny · 10/09/2018 09:27

Go and make sure that you tell them you're supplementing B12 and that result includes supplementing (I am presuming it does) as that low in the range is too low and could explain your symptoms. You may need injure ruins or buy a better stronger quality b12 supplement, I buy jarrow ones off amazon. Any excess is expelled in your urine. Hope you get some answers. This needs to be checked out

Original poster
bellainthemiddle · 10/09/2018 11:44

Oh wow, I didn't actually know that! The B12 was just one of the things that the doctor ordered on the blood test and I didn't actually know till I got the results back, so I didn't really think to say about the supplements.

Thx for the info. I'm so nervous about this appointment (which I know is ridiculous!), I'm scared I might just get sent packing again!

OP posts:
Olivesandwine · 11/09/2018 07:39

How did you get on Bella?

BackToTheFuschia7 · 11/09/2018 13:32

@bellainthemiddle

Sorry you were fobbed off and hope the second appointment was more helpful?

PaddyF0dder · 11/09/2018 13:37

Stop over-thinking it and just go to the appointment.

Original poster
bellainthemiddle · 11/09/2018 22:41

It was much better - thanks for all your advice! It was the right thing to go back and you are right, I was overthinking it hugely. I saw my regular GP this time and she said to get some more blood tests done & redone and take it from there. So no 'news' really, but I am very relieved and grateful that they are willing to investigate further.

OP posts:
9amtrain · 12/09/2018 03:34

The range for B12 in this country is far too low and should be at least 500 in line with other countries. You can be symptomatic around that level (any level actually as your serum/total B12, which is what the NHS tests, is different to active B12, which your body uses more readily).

Was the result you posted WITH supplements and a healthy diet? Because it's a low figure even by itself, but concerning with supplements (no worries, it's easily treatable).

If the GP won't run the necessary tests or get to the bottom of it and you wanted to go privately you should get a pernicious anaemia panel done including Active B12, Methylmalonic Acid, Intrinsifc Factor & Parietal Cell antibodies (as well as folate [especially folate] as it works in tandem with B12 and a deficiency in one can mask a deficiency in the other etc - also worth getting your thyroid, ferritin (iron stores) and Vitamin D checked).

I've rambled, it's too late.

9amtrain · 12/09/2018 03:35

Forgot to mention homocysteine in the PA panel.

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