Urgent treatment for STI following assault

[QuickPoster]

I’m not a troll I made a new account because this is so private.

I am feeling really desperate right now. I was raped 2 weeks ago. I really just wanted to forget and not think about it. But the last 2 days I have been feeling ill. I have signs of an STI like yellow discharge, vaginal pain, nausea, fever and I’m now getting severe pelvic/groin pain on the left and right.

I tried to get an urgent GP appointment yesterday but was told to come back this morning. I went in at 8am and they insisted I wait until 5pm when the safeguarding GP was on, even though I said I just wanted a standard morning appointment. I’ve started to feel worse and worse all day.

I finally got to see the GP at 5.40pm but she just spent the whole time trying to pressure me into going to the police and how it would be wrong not to because he might do it to someone else.

I said I just wanted her to see if I had an STI and treat it but she said they couldn’t do that there. She gave me the number for a sexual health clinic she said was open this evening but when I rang the phone line was closed. I’ve now had two days of feeling ill and it’s getting worse by the hour.

She didn’t ask about any of my symptoms. I know I should have been more insistent but I was already feeling so nervous and didn’t want to be there so all I could say was ok. Now I’m feeling really desperate and don’t know what to do. I’m worried it might be something serious like pelvic inflammatory disease. I’ve tried finding out of hours places in my area and when I’ve called them they all say it’s too late.

Can anyone advise me what to do? I was expecting just to get some antibiotics and then try and get on with my life again and now I have to tell the same story all over again and I can’t even find a service to do it at. I already took a day off work for today and I really can’t afford to miss work tomorrow. The local GUM clinic is only open in my working hours. I really don’t know what to do now and to be honest I’m feeling more distraught than I was after the event.

I would go to hospital, the gum clinic is the right place and they can diagnose you very quickly for an sti, the gp wouldn't be able to do that. A hospital can also support you reporting this to the police.

Do you have a SARC near you? They may be able to help.

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/rape-and-sexual-assault-referral-centres

I have had PID and it was the gum clinic who diagnosed it, I was admitted to hospital for a few days as I was quite ill.

Can you go to A&E this evening? I'm so sorry this happened to you

Bless you, do you have a walk in nearby? Failing that I think you’re justified presenting to A&E if your symptoms are worsening. You could try 111 if you’d feel more comfortable following their instructions.

for the sake of ease do disclose that you were assaulted but just tell them ‘reporting’ is in hand. You don’t have to report anything you don’t want to, you can change your mind at any point or never but you clearly need medical attention.

Oh OP I am so sorry this happened to you.

If you are feeling very unwell then I'd call 111 and see if they can get you an appointment somewhere? If that's not possible then probably A&E is your best bet. If you can manage to wait until tomorrow then go to the sexual health clinic. I know you said it's only open during your working hours but I think this warrants a day off sick. I hope you feel better very soon.

Thank you all I’ve just been panicking and catastrophising and really needed some practical advice. I’m going to call 111 like you’ve said but the difficulty is that it’s just me and my 2 year old. If I have to take him with me somewhere I will but just so stressed out about the prospect of it all. Bad enough without a toddler in tow. But you’re right I need to get this seen to and I’m just going to have to bite the bullet.

Thank you all you’ve really helped me calm down as I was feeling so desperate after I came out the GPs

Check if there's a SARC centre near you, they are very good. The one local to me is open 8am-9pm.
Just google SARC followed by your area

Oh that's terrible. I'm so sorry for you. I hope you can see someone tomorrow morning. 💐

Hope you feel better soon.

Take Good care

I hope that you receive medical care soon, Op.

So sorry that this happened to you. Please do seek support x

Thank you all I found a local SARC with a 24 hour number. The nurse was so lovely couldn’t be more different than my GP. Unfortunately they do forensic exams and counselling etc rather than STI treatment. She said because of my symptoms and how they are progressing I’d be best off going to A&E so I’m currently waiting with a very cranky toddler. But glad I’m here as I felt so worried not doing anything. I really appreciate all the help I just needed that running through of options

It's great to hear that you're at A&E now, and I hope they treat you with the kindness you need and deserve. Fingers crossed that you can at least get the treatment side of things sorted out this evening

I hope your home soon to rest.
Not easy with a toddler.

Please be assured that if it's an STI it can be easily treated with antibiotics. After a 2 week period it's unlikely to cause any lasting damage physically but please seek help for the trauma when you feel ready. I'm sorry this happened to you and you're very brave to talk about and seek the appropriate help.
Don't feel pressured to do anything else, just get the healthcare you need for now.
Sending strength and unmumsnetty hugs.

I'm so very sorry.

Glad you are at A+E and hopefully being seen.

Echo previous poster in that physically hopefully no lasting damage and that antibiotics can clear everything up.

Get that done, look after yourself, then think about dealing with the trauma.

Sending love to you and your little boy. Hoping you are back home in bed soon.

I am so sad to read this. I hope you get sorted and I really think you need some time off work. This is a terrible thing and you need time to get over this trauma and take time to heal yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. I think you need to consider your options I know it's probably terrible to think of it all. Could this person possibly rape another person ?? I wish you healing ❤️‍🩹 xxxxx

@QuickPoster

How are you this morning?

Hope you got home to rest.

When you have the strength I think you should contact someone as to me the GP appt is concerning and not appropriate which then meant you had to go to A and E with your toddler.

Hi thanks all it ended up being more of a nightmare than I was expecting. I have an abscess around one of my fallopian tubes so I’ve been admitted to hospital. I’m on infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis so I can only assume that is why it has been so aggressive.

My wonderful parents booked an Airbnb and drove for 5 hours in the middle of the night. DS is with them now which is a big relief. I’ve been dozing on and off but finally on the ward and going to sleep properly now. Thank you all again for your help

So glad you're being treated and your parents are being so helpful.
All the best for them fixing you up.

You poor thing OP, what an ordeal. From one survivor of sexual violence to another- do what is right for you, in your own time. If it doesn't feel right to report it right now, then don't feel forced into it. However, if you do want to I'm sure there will be lots of support available to you.

Glad to hear your little one is being looked after, now it's time to let others look after you. Gentle unmumsnetty hugs to you and good luck for your recovery💐

Ah, quick poster. That's really crap. I'm so pleased your parents have come to have DD and you can concentrate on getting well.

Don't be afraid to tell staff you'd like some support emotionally- they may be able to call a chaplain or someone else suitable to talk confidentially with you.