Am I a coward, or can't I be arsed?

I know exactly how you feel oldgoose, the thought of investigations and treatments etc scares me. I was a nurse in a previous life so I should know better. Join my head in the sand club for all things medical and fall out from Brexit.

But....which is better?? To worry that your worries might be dismissed by a GP or to be sent for tests or to ignore all your symptoms until it's too late???

oldgoose I think the problem is firstly we have to get past the dragon of a receptionist, we have tried phoning, and got nowhere, have to explain to roaring dragon why we want to see dr, hence all those waiting now know we have a boil on our bum, next appointment available is with holiday relief dr and do we mind if two students sit in and study said boil. I could go on and bore you senseless, am sure you get the drift, therefore mostly I self medicate, does help that my DD is a pharmacist, I do hope you soon feel better

Does your surgery have a well woman clinic ?
These are often run by the practice nurse. She will know if you need to ser a doctor and her referral can usually get you a quicker appointment

I can relate to this, I have several niggles but all seem too trivial on their own to warrant a trip to the doctor but I know that most doctors frown on a 'shopping list' of symptoms. I keep saying I'll book an appointment with the nurse but still never get round to it. I always feel I would be wasting time that might be needed for someone really ill.

Book a double appointment with your most amenable GP and do it on line if you can so you don't have to explain to a receptionist. Then say I know you don't like a list of symptoms but I want the whole patient treated not random bits. If there is a student in just say much as I would like to help your training I think you look in need of a coffee. Your body your peace of mind.

Go see understanding dr mine likes lists so nothing gets missed or just book an mot with nurse she should advise if dr needed the last two years as meant lots of appt but I would probably be kicking up daisies now if I had ignored things so I have gained two more years with loved ones take care

I am exactly the same Oldgoose A good while ago I heard about a family member who given the diagnosis of lung cancer said he wanted no further treatment and I could not understand that at all as I thought I would want everything hey could throw at me now I am much older I feel exactly the same and ignore 99 per cent of what my body yells at me I could be there every week if I didn't so I will just go on till I can't or until I feel I can't tolerate whatever is causing me the problem luckily I have a fairly high tolerance level and good at self medicating if necessary

oldgoose, as we get older our digestion changes, Ive always some gaviscon to hand and have to watch what I eat. Ive been told I snore aches and pains come with old age our brains tell us we can do things and our clapped out bodies give up!
Try Replens for the itchiness and dryness.

You could always call in to see the pharmacist at your local chemist for advice, they can be very helpful, just dont google your symptoms, someone I know does and shes had everything apart from the bubonic plague!!

Oh yes I forgot the snoring I m told I rattle like a good un in fact no body will sleep near my room you do feel a bit of a reject

Nannylovesshopping
Years ago, one of our receptionists asked me why I needed to see the Dr.
The conversation went something like this...
"Could I make an appointment to see DR JH please"?
"What is the reason for you needing an appointment"?
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were medically qualified".
"I'm not, I'm the receptionist".
"And that's exactly why I'm not discussing my health with you, and I'd really appreciate you making an appointment for me with DR JH".

They're receptionists, and if you don't want to discuss your health with them, you don't have to. I realise that sometimes they're trying to ascertain whether a phone consultation would do, or if you actually need a home visit, but some of them seriously overstep the mark!
I make all my appointments on line now, it's far easier!
And although I admit to being a coward, I have everything checked out, as we have a family history of strokes, cancer and leukaemia and I'm not taking any chances!

The receptionist at our surgery has never asked why I want an appointment. My doctor is happy just to talk about how I am feeling. I went yesterday as my arthritis was really getting me down. She can't help but she listened and suggested some things to discuss with the consultant - when I get to see him! I was in there nearly 20 mins, not hurried at all and was willing to discuss OH's diet.

But you are probably in the minority Tiziz wherever I ve been the receptionist has always asked what is your problem and I usually give an idea as I know they have been told to ask but if it was something I didn't want too speak off I would say or be very vague

Never been asked by any receptionist why I need to see GP. I have however told her why I needed a more urgent appointment than the one she was offering, and was given one that they save for such occasions.

We get asked every time why we want to see the GP, I don't like it.

oldgoose I know just how you feel ! I have similar symptoms to you and have days when I cannot stay awake . Frequent tummy ache etc etc . I make appointments and then cancel because I am scared of investigations and actually finding out that there is really something wrong . Very silly I know but I am sure I have an illness / Doctor phobia . I don`t know if it is an ageing thing as I have never been like this in my younger years .

I've never been asked by the receptionist either. Steer clear of medical students though - they are the devil in disguise! I had one taking a history from me when I went recently with a back strain which didn't feel quite right. The doc was with another patient and the student and I had a good chat when she'd taken my history. She was Malaysian and we had been stationed there in the sixties. When the doc had finished examining me, she said to the student "what do you think the next step should be?" "Referral for a colonoscopy" she said, quick as a flash! I put on my most pained expression and said "And I thought we were getting on so well!" She looked very flustered and the doctor had to explain that I was pulling her leg!

Yes I can relate to this. I thought I was having a heart attack this week - I'm 62 perfectly fit and haven't been to the doctors in years. I'm also on my own as my husband's been away and we have no family or friends nearby so felt pretty scared. I kept thinking I should maybe go to the doctors but couldn't face the hassle of trying to get an appointment only to be told it's a strain or something so sat it out and it finally went off. I don't know if I'd have been any different when I was younger but do remember the days when you just rang up and could see the doctor the same day or even make an appointment for the following week. 2 weeks ago I got a letter telling me to go for a cervical smear - rang the surgery only to be told they didn't have one until later this month and to ring up this week to find a date when the nurse would be back from her holiday! Needless to say the reminder is still sitting on my desktop!

I think that far too m any invasive and expensive investigations happen now,I try to avoid the doctor if possible. We have a lovely cannabis shop here in Glastonbury selling the oil which seems to help with myriad things and at least I know it is all mine when I buy it. The thought of my body being invaded by tubes and cameras that have been in other people is repulsive...........and often what the NHS has to offer is for their benefit not yours, like the ridiculous MOT check ups which mean that people really ill can't get an appt while the worried well soak up the services.

The NHS has protocols and just want to fill you up with drugs so the GP can get a thank you token from the drug company...........avoid them if you possibly can. The state this world is in being dead is looking more and more attractive anyway.

It does sound as though you need a general overhaul oldgoose. You could start with Google (doesn't everybody?) and then see the doc about anything you can't sort out yourself. Are you overweight? Bit more exercise needed perhaps?

The doc won't send you for any invasive tests until the usual tablets (which most of us take as we get older) have been tried. And you can always refuse any tests that you feel are unnecessary.

Omeprazole has been hugely helpful for my digestive troubles btw. No tests.

The problem I have with all these investigate tests etc, is fitting them all in.

Yesterday, the receptionist offered me a well-man check up. the earliest I could fit it in was late September -- will I last out ?

When I had a horrible virus a year ago, the doctor did full bloods. Which was reassuring.

GandT get yerself a blood pressure monitor. DIY.