Is there any point going to the doc's with this?

clam · 2008-04-27T17:11:50+00:00

I've had a flu-virus these last few days. Now, my chest is very congested and feels like there's an iron bar pressing on it, particularly if I cough. There's some nice goo being dis-lodged when I do pluck up the nerve to cough. Thing is, DH went to the practice nurse with same thing a week or two ago, she said there was nothing she could do, so he got on a plane to Malaysia, was taken very ill once there, and had to come home again. Now, the dr thinks he may have pneumonia! So.... chances of me having the same thing are low I would think, but am s'posed to be going to the USA on Thursday, so getting very worried. Also, can't really take time off Mon-Weds (on top of last week's absence to look after DD ill) then jump on a plane for a jolly on Thursday. Gah!! Any advice?

LessThanImpressed · 27/04/2008 18:17

Definitely try to see your GP if you are going away - he/she may be able to give you something (antibiotics?) to nip it in the bud before you go. And that may also prevent whatever it is spreading to kids/elderly on the plane with that lovely recycled air...

You might just save yourself a pricey trip to see a US doc too!

Hope you feel better soon... whereabouts are you off to?

canofworms · 27/04/2008 18:19

I'd try and see the Gp if you're worried. The practice nurse probably isn't qualified to listen to a chest or make a diagnosis so maybe that was quite true that there was nothing she could do!

Original poster

clam · 27/04/2008 18:53

Yeah, but when I was having a nose at the on-line booking system, it said that the nurse practitioner (god knows the difference between that and the practice nurse) could deal with chest infections and flu symptoms. But I always understood that nothing can be prescribed for a virus anyway. Hance my question abotu whether there's any point going. Apart from peace of mind, what with the travelling. (North Carolina). So, doc or nurse?

OP posts:

canofworms · 27/04/2008 18:56

First of all, huge difference between practice nurse and nurse practitioner so make sure you get the right one. NP can prescribe and examine and do everything a gp does

windygalestoday · 27/04/2008 19:01

my gp always says if you are coughing up green its an infection and will not get better by itself .......tmi i know

Original poster

clam · 27/04/2008 19:15

OK. Nurse practitioner it is. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:

LessThanImpressed · 27/04/2008 21:25

If it is a pneumonia then you will need antib's... Nurse practitioner should give you these. Hope you get on top of it nice + quickly, have a good trip!

emma1977 · 27/04/2008 22:51

Sounds like pleurisy, and you may need antibiotics and pain relief. I suggest you see your GP.

As for the statement 'NP can prescribe and examine and do everything a GP does'-don't even get me started!

LessThanImpressed · 28/04/2008 08:25

Ooooh emma - do tell!

WowOoo · 28/04/2008 08:28

Sorry, but when you get sick you need to rest. Hope you have long enough to recover and that your dh is better now.

WowOoo · 28/04/2008 08:30

I know that is not at all helpful. Am off work today as I have been told I have to rest. Can't take my own advice!!

canofworms · 28/04/2008 14:25

Sorry Emma but the NP's around here do a 3-year masters degree (on top of their original training) so yes they can consult the same as a GP. Only thing they can't legally do is write a sick note. Do I take it they're crap where you are?

emma1977 · 28/04/2008 17:49

I know exactly what the training for a NP is as I have been involved with training some and have been shocked at the standard of what is considered acceptable to pass. I have worked with several in standard general practice, out of hours and A&E.

It takes 9 years minimum training to be a GP (5 years uni, 4 years postgraduate), I don't think a 3 year masters degree covers the same depth and breadth of knowledge that a GP is expected to have. There is also the issue of clinical responsibility- I have noone accountable for my actions other than myself, most NPs I have worked with have asked a doctor when they have been out of their depth or needed someone to back them up- I have noone.

Also, most NPs have longer consultation slots (20 mins compared to my 10 mins) and are only expected to deal with more minor medical issues, e.g. infections, etc. I am yet to see one who would manage a suicial patient who needed a psychiatric assessment or some of my more complicated medical or social cases.

I don't doubt that NPs have a place and many I have worked with are excellent, but to say they can do the same as a GP is an overstatement, and most NPs agree.

emma1977 · 28/04/2008 17:49

I know exactly what the training for a NP is as I have been involved with training some and have been shocked at the standard of what is considered acceptable to pass. I have worked with several in standard general practice, out of hours and A&E.

It takes 9 years minimum training to be a GP (5 years uni, 4 years postgraduate), I don't think a 3 year masters degree covers the same depth and breadth of knowledge that a GP is expected to have. There is also the issue of clinical responsibility- I have noone accountable for my actions other than myself, most NPs I have worked with have asked a doctor when they have been out of their depth or needed someone to back them up- I have noone.

Also, most NPs have longer consultation slots (20 mins compared to my 10 mins) and are only expected to deal with more minor medical issues, e.g. infections, etc. I am yet to see one who would manage a suicial patient who needed a psychiatric assessment or some of my more complicated medical or social cases.

I don't doubt that NPs have a place and many I have worked with are excellent, but to say they can do the same as a GP is an overstatement, and most NPs agree.

thegrowlygus · 28/04/2008 17:52

I think the government would like it if a NP could do what a GP can do...

thegrowlygus · 28/04/2008 17:53

But in response to the OP - yes, see your GP or your NP (if the NP doesn't know he/she can always get one of the GPs to see you too)