DP refuses to see GP

[EatingToast]

For several months now my DP has had a sore throat, cough, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath and muscle aches. He's also lost weight. I think he needs to be checked out but he point blank refuses to see a doctor because a) he "doesn't like them" b) he thinks it's just tiredness and stress from work - he does work two jobs, one quite physical. Nothing I say will convince him just to have it checked. My question is 1) am I overreacting and 2) has anyone been in a similar situation and managed to convince them and if so, how?

Yes, he needs to be checked out. I'd be doing everything I could to give him a big kick up the arse in that direction, but if he won't listen then it would be very difficult and frustrating.

It is his choice, so maybe you just have to stop mentioning it & let him do whatever he wants to do. To be fair, I'd be just like him - hate a fuss!

My dp hadn't seen his GP in over a decade, hated taking time off work to attend an appointment (self employed). Finally persuaded him to phone GP during lockdown, he loved phone appointments as no need to take time off work and just for him a lot less stressful. His GP seems to be delighted to actually have contact with dp, and phones him about every 6weeks to see if more blood tests or medication changes needed (not a life threatening problem). DP has even persuaded some of his male friends to speak to their GP's by phone too. Perhaps a phone appointment would be more appealing to your dh?

My dh has all of those symptoms and after a lot
of tests has been referred to the long covid clinic. Your DH should definitely see a GP. Is he happy to carry on feeling this way indefinitely??

Would he go in after a phone appointment? Because going on that history alone he needs to be examined face to face. He also needs bloods taking. I detest phone consultations for everything apart from a quick follow up after something. My job as a GP is much more enjoyable and safer now we are back face to face for 99% of things.

Maybe I'll try the phone appointment thing and then if a GP tells him he needs to be seen that's different from just me telling him. He may listen to that. Thanks.

Goes in when told to by GP, but sees nurse who takes bloods and does blood pressure. Currently GP hasn't need to see him face to face, but I'm hoping if ever needed dp will be willing to do this. DP's mum is astounded I've managed to get him this far.

My GP still almost impossible to get a phone call appointment, let alone a face to face. In fairness to my GP, the practice is hugely understaffed due to being unable to recruit new GPs to replace those on maternity leave or who have retired.

Sorry meant to tag @musicaltheatremum in my last message

It is important to see the doctor because there are a number of illnesses that affect adults that hardly give any symptoms, do not heal on their own, and can be deadly if you leave them till too late. For example, colorectal cancer, a leading cause of death. For older people it might be an aortic aneurysm at risk of rupture which could kill them very quickly and without warning. Someone might be feeling no pain at all, and yet be about to become very ill. It is wrong that so many people don't see the doctor only because they don't feel pain. Not all grave diseases cause pain.

He's agreed to make a phone call today, thanks @Seasidemumma77