Dr. Mumsnet

[mamabear715]

Just thinking.. while things are so bad getting to see a GP, maybe we should share symptoms here & see if others have had the same & can say what it is?
OBVIOUSLY, for those who love to slate other posters, if it's anything urgent, of course we should be trying to get an appt or go to A&E.

Ok! Now I've got that out of the way, I'll start.. I got what I assumed was toothache but must have been the gum, because it moved to another part & then all over my gums. Then cheek pains, headaches.. also blocked nose in the night sometimes (the 'thna' noise!)
Have tried anbesol, gels, corsodyl mouthwash & a ton of paracetamol for the headaches - any ideas, ladies?

Sinusitis

Sounds like an infection that has gone into your sinuses. Could be quite serious - you may well need antibiotics.

AWESOME, thank you ladies, I will ring the GP's surgery today - this is working well! :-)

Talk to a pharmacist, they are great at things like this. If I get some colds it's feels a little like this occasionally, but yours sounds as though it has gone a bit deeper.

Definitely a sinus infection.

I can see the good intention with this.

But just a reminder that most people on here are not qualified to give medical advice and could be wrong.

Please see a GP if you need to.

Why didn't you just phone the GP in the first place? Just because a MNer says you might need antibiotics, does that mean you'll be able to access one of the appointments you said was so hard to get?

I know this probably came from a good place but using MN as another form of "Dr Google" is probably not a good idea

You don't need permission from strangers online to make a GP appointment.

Oh god no threads like this are awful. The amount of bollocks repeatedly spouted on most health threads is unbelievable.

For example the OP sounds like she has sinus congestion. Not necessarily sinusitis. Different things.

Hi @sparepantsandtoothbrush & @snowlolo - I haven't phoned the GP in the past few days as I obviously don't want to take a precious appt if it's not warranted. I've not had these symptoms before, so I thought if anyone recognised them, that would be very helpful. That's it! Nothing more than that!

That's the thing, @Sidge - I've not had it before, & don't know! The headaches aren't going away with painkillers.

But that's exactly what "precious" appointments are for! Have some people really been conditioned in to thinking something like that isn't worth a GP appointment?

Try a decongestant. The pain is due to the congestion, clear that and you’ll feel better.

So steam inhalations a few times a day (bowl of boiling water, maybe with some Vicks, towel over your head. Decongestant such as Sudafed or Sinutab. Nasal sprays can help. Paracetamol too.

Not everything needs an appointment from the off. The OP could have spoken to a pharmacist this morning , or used the NHS website.

@sparepantsandtoothbrush YES!! I have to feel absolutely terrible before I even think about trying to get an appt, I always assume someone feeling much worse will need it before me.. as for A&E, I'd have to be stretchered in before I even considered going there..
Thank you, @Sidge I will try your suggestions. :-)

I didn't say she needed an appointment from the off. But a headache she's had for a few days that isn't going away with painkillers? That would need an appointment

I'm not sure it's not dental. I had pain like this about a year ago, going down in a straight line on my face, I thought it was nerves. A year later, I had the same, but less pain. (still convinced it's my teeth but yet to see the dentist)

Every thread on the NHS ever has someone banging on about people 'wasting' NHS time with what turn out to be minor complaints that could be dealt with at home.

As most people are not doctors the only way they can tell if something requires medical help is go to the doctor (and potentially be branded an evil time waster) or search Google/ask other people (and have serious conditions be missed).

Or you know, we could fund healthcare properly so everyone can actually get appropriate treatment even if that treatment turns out to be being told 'its ok you can deal with that at home', but no one wants to pay for that.

You’re going to get answers from the unqualified. Those of us who are qualified know we are on shaky ground medicolegally.

I understand your thinking, but the problem is that you are encouraging other people to do the same. You are suggesting that instead of going to the GP and taking 'precious' appointments, people should consult strangers online.

Can you see why that is problematic?

You do what you like, but it's wrong to tell other people that they should try not to take up GP time with their medical issues.

If you need to see a GP, then see a GP. You are worth the time.

It's fine if you feel that way OP, but it's irresponsible to come online encouraging others to do the same as you.

There are so many people sat at home with what could be serious medical conditions, trying not to take 'precious' GP time.

They need to be encouraged to make an appointment and to feel LESS guilty about prioritising their health.

This is much more important than encouraging people who are not really ill to not go, as they will most likely be screened out at triage or encouraged to see a nurse/ pharmacist instead anyway. GP's are well aware of this issue and taking action to combat unnecessary appointments. You don't need to do that for them.

@mamabear715 I use Neilsmed sinus rinse, you can get a starter pack at the pharmacy with a bottle and 10 sachets of rinse. Try that and short term decongestant the pharmacy can dispense one for you. I have chronic sinusitis it's horrible. So I have various stages before any infection and go through the rinses and steaming my face before it gets to the stage I need meds. Good luck. X

Thank you @ILoveYouMoreTheEnd - I will try that. It IS horrible, isn't it? My cheeks are really aching at the mo!

To everyone else, my original post was sent in good faith, apologies if it wasn't the right move. :-)