Digestive issues, when to see GP?

[Borntobemee]

Hi, I've had horrible stomach cramping for a few days. It's really starting to get me down. However I don't want to go to the GP only for them to do the 'wait and see' thing, because it's such a pain trying to get an appointment in the first place...

Has anyone had a similar issue. and if so how long did the GP tell you to 'wait and see' or did they ask you to try such and such,?

I just find going to the GP so frustrating, I want to make sure I only go when I'm likely to get a constructive response.

Thanks!

Have you seen a pharmacist? I would ask for advice from them first. If this is something random and that you don't normally suffer from they might have something you can take otc. It might help straightaway. If it's something you have had on an off for a while and you think it's getting worse then see a GP especially if youve tried otc medication and nothing has helped.
I work at a GP surgery and it's really up to you as a patient how urgent you think it is. If someone tells me its urgent for that day I would book the in. If it's routine you would be offered our next routine appointment.

Thank you, it's something I've had before but it's just getting me down now.

My GP doesn't let us book routine appointments, we have to co taft them in the morning and then they triage. If you don't get through before 8am they tell you to try again the next day!

I'll try the pharmacist but I don't think it's something they can help with.

I think I must work in the only surgery, which offers both same day an routine appointments! I would say that if you see a pharmacist it might help you get an appointment quicker if appointments are hard to get in your surgery and at least when you see a doctor you have done everything you can yourself to try to help yourself.

We aren't allowed to ask people to call back. We have urgent on the day or book the in for a routine apps.A routine app can be a while away though if people don't ring up until the afternoon as any appointments for the next week or 2 get booked up and we're just left with appointments about a month a way.