How many GP appointments is too many?

[Dontwanttofuss]

In November I was feeling unwell with tiredness and stomach issues, also had pins and needles in hands and feet. GP did some blood tests and referred me for an abdominal ultrasound.
Bloods were normal but GP called me and organised some more. They were also normal.
In March I went to the GP because thought I had a chest infection and my body was aching.
April I had my ultrasound and had an appointment with GP to discuss results, then GP arranged more bloods. GP called again after bloods and made a hospital referral.
Last week I contacted GP and had a phone consult as I needed stronger inflammatories.

My pain has increased and my arms are feeling weak. I’m really concerned about what is wrong with me as I’m getting worse but I feel too embarrassed to contact the GP again. I feel like I’ve had too many appointments already.

At no point have I felt like I’ve been a nuisance but I’m worried that I will be next time!

@Dontwanttofuss I wouldn't worry about how many appointments you make, if you feeling unwell or that think something may be wrong, then these appointments are totally justifiable.

I've had numerous GP appointments since last May. They all led to two different cancers being diagnosed. I was fobbed off many a time, but i persevered!

If you are in pain, either the GP needs to figure out what is wrong, or if he or she can't, they should refer you to someone who can.

You need medical attention. Make the appointment. Feel no shame you deserve to be treated and healthy.

When it comes to blood tests, one thing we have learned on mumsnet is that some doctors say the results are fine when actually they are very near the lower acceptable parameters and people would benefit from medication to raise them.

Yet they arent told this.

So if the gp says all is well I'd be asking to go through the results and anything that's near the lower end of the scale asking if I can get something for it.

Numbness and weakness can be iron, folic acid or b12 as I've had that in my arms - amongst other symptoms- and been prescribed those medications. Not sure which one was for which symptom I have, but maybe they could be investigated first.

Don't feel like a nuisance, you have health concerns and that's what GPs are there for, if the doctor is calling you back for tests, that's because they want to find out what's wrong and help you. Don't feel bad about it.

Hopefully they find answers soon and you can start to feel better, but don't worry about being a nuisance or having too many appointments

Hey I took my daughter to the GP about five times and A&E three times. She had loads of tests. Even went private for an MRI as the wait was too long. Nothing.
Lo and behold a couple years later she was diagnosed with MS at another hospital.

If you feel unwell, don't feel bad about having multiple appointments. It doesn't sound like you are time wasting at all.

I went to see a GP 5 times in 6 months with pain. They finally referred me for an x-ray. It turned out I had fractured my pelvis, it had split in two. The hospital was gobsmacked I could walk!

Sounds like it’s all for the same progressing issue. It’s fine but keep a detailed note of all your symptoms and appointments in one place.

It's not too many. You have an on going problem the GP is supporting you with and isn't diagnosed yet.

Too many is the people who never learn how to self care for a cold, or book an appointment once a week for the day they come into town just because.

Thanks all for giving me the confidence to contact the GP again. I filled in an econsult this morning.

When it comes to my children I will push and push for help but
find it harder when it comes to myself.

Last week I contacted GP and had a phone consult as I needed stronger (anti) inflammatories.

What are the drugs doing for you, do they definitely work? Which ones are they (on prescription)? What other drugs are you taking or what other health conditions are you diagnosed with?

Are you only aching since the suspected (not at all confirmed?) chest infection? Which part of you hurts? Are the pins & needles occasional or chronic & painful? Have the pins & needles got worse since 6m ago?

@lljkk the aching started before my bad chest, it wasn’t an infection it was a virus which cleared itself eventually.

I’ve been referred to general rheumatology for my tiredness and muscle/joint pains - the appointment is in a few months. I found out today that my GP is waiting for my x ray (requested by rheumatologist on referral) results, if they show arthritis I’ll be referred to the early arthritis clinic.

Drugs wise I’m taking painkillers for my hand/wrist and arm pain. A week ago my GP prescribed naproxen as neurofen/paracetamol wasn’t working. The pain is not getting better (worse) and I have a little blood when opening my bowels so today it’s been changed to some beginning with M that is once a day.
I also take vit d and magnesium.

The pins and needles in hands feet for seem as frequent but seem to have replaced with pain.

Sorry to jump on this thread! @mondaytosunday can I ask what symptoms she had please? Awaiting an MRI to rule MS out and had to really push for this.

My husband had similar symptoms (pain in shoulders and arms, tingling in felt and hands) and it was pneumonia exasperated by long Covid. He had about 5 GP appointments before he paid for a private X-Ray where the pneumonia was found - in both lungs!

Wow! How did you manage to do that and not realise?

@garlictwist funnily enough, I was putting on some tights after a run getting ready for NYE. That's why it took so long to diagnose, as there had been no trauma. Trust me, I felt it!! I was so frustrated about being stuck in bed for 2 weeks I started walking on it. They ran further test and found I have a couple of underlying conditions so the break was actually a symptom of something else 😅