Unable to see GP about symptoms - Help!

[Kemu17]

Hi, I'm just looking for some advice as I am having extreme difficulty getting access to a gp in relation to my symptoms.

Over the last few months as the weather has been getting colder I have been wheezing and coughing a lot, and getting a tight feeling in my chest. After weeks of being unable to book a doctors appointment (every time I phoned the surgery was either engaged or there were no appointments available) I used a private GP phone line through my works health insurance policy. The doctor advised me it sounded like I had symptoms of mild asthma and that I should follow up with my gp (the policy doesn't cover prescriptions or any subsequent treatment.)

On Saturday night I believe I may have had an attack as there was a period of 2 hours or so where my chest felt very tight, I had a very bad cough and wheeze, and I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. Since Monday morning I have been trying to book an appointment to see my doctor but again every time I phoned the line was engaged.

I finally managed to get through to reception this morning and the receptionist asked a lot of very intrusive questions before deciding I was only allowed to see a nurse. The only appointment available was during my lunch break but the nurse was running so late that 30 minutes after I was supposed to have my appointment I had to phone back and reschedule as my break finished and I had a meeting to go to. The appointment was rescheduled for my lunch break tomorrow so I'm worried that the same thing is going to happen again. Meanwhile I'm terrified of having another experience of worsening symptoms like last weekend.

So my question is, are there any other services I can go to for help or do I need to just hold out and try and get an elusive gp appointment? I live in Scotland so we don't have walk in centres. In the meantime if I have worsening symptoms again should I just phone 111 and explain I'm unable to get gp appointment?

Sorry for the long post, I'm just at the end of my tether and I'm so frustrated I could cry. Thanks in advance.

[Bevvy]

Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. Plus such ridiculous treatment from gp surgery.Yes if you get any worse phone 111. In relation to tomorrow’s appointment I would ensure I was available for it. Doesn’t matter if appointment runs late so not on lunch break. Speak to your manager (don’t have to go into details) explain got phone medical appointment and need to be available for it. Most of the appointments I have had regarding medical issues I was advised to be available before time and after appointment time. This is because like any other medical appointment they can’t guarantee the time they will phone you.

I’m also afraid I wouldn’t be answering lots of questions by unqualified receptionist. Simply would say asthma symptoms are poor, with pronounced wheezing, cough and shortness of breath. I need to speak to my gp.

Hope appointment goes well tomorrow.

[twinkly29]

The questions asked are needed at the moment to, hopefully, direct to the right personnel. Seeing a nurse is very common initially for all sorts of conditions, particularly for asthma. This can then be escalated to a GP if needed. Much asthma care is handled by nurses.

Timewise, yes it's tricky but it might be a case of having to prioritise the appointment - I know that can be difficult but being able to choose an appointment at a convenient time is highly unlikely.

But yes phone 111 if you need to or go to a&e.

[Troilus]

Just to add to what has been said by others, phoning 111 can often result in a same day appointment with a GP, sometimes even your own!

[IChoose]

Oh wow, I'm in the United States so I know nothing about the healthcare system in Scotland.

If you can't breathe, go to an emergency room. Go by ambulance if you have to.

It could be asthma, or asthma triggered by a virus, and covid is one of them.

Asthmatics are best treated by allergists or pulmonologists. A nurse in an allergist office who is a real pro can be ok. You need spirometry at minimum. Antibiotics could clear it up as well if you have a bacterial infection in your sinuses or chest.

I would caution Asthma needs to be dealt with.

Also, try to decrease your stress . it can make an exacerbation even worse.

Another reason you need to be seen is that stress, asthma, and the heart are all in the same area of your chest. I'm a severe asthmatic and had possible infarction in 2017. It came with abnormal EKG.

[Itswonderful]

Sounds like the private doctor was very clear saying you need to be seen by your GP surgery. If you are struggling to breathe and have asthma, I was under the impression that that would be enough information for the receptionist to sort an appointment out for you? Yes phone 111 and that in itself can generate an appointment at your surgery or they can escalate as needed.

[Poobah]

My GP surgery makes same day telephone appointments when told it's for worsening asthma symptoms. Usually I have an emergency course of Prednisolone and antibiotics at home so that I can start them straight away per my asthma plan (created in conjunction with my asthma nurse). The asthma plan also includes "when to talk to GP" so contact is encouraged. Even a decision to start the emergency Pred treatment has to be notified to the GP, for recording purposes and to get a fresh prescription.

If the receptionist doesn't accept that worsening asthma warrants a same day telephone appointment then contact 111. As others have said, the 111 system will override GP receptionist decisions and place on record that you have to see your GP within 24 hours. If it's out of hours they will have options to ensure your situation is addressed.

Once this event has been addressed I strongly recommend making an appointment with the GP's asthma nurse in order to discuss an asthma plan and the steps to take when your symptoms worsen. Definitely discuss the need for same day access to a doctor and an at home emergency pack of steroids and antibiotics. All that can go on your plan.

[Birch_]

If you use 111 online in the evening (I think it’s after 6pm) you can access an out of hours call back service. They will usually ring you after an hour or so and can direct you to an in person out of hours service if they think it is necessary. It’s likely that these services are different in every area but I find it is usually the quickest way to speak to someone. If you phone 111 you will probably be on hold for around an hour and the callback time can be 6 hours or more, whenever I have used them they have just told me to get an appointment with my normal gp. I always try 111 online first.

[Dizzy412]

That’s sounds like a nightmare not being able to see someone or speak to someone when you need too. If you are in the uk. You can call 111 for advice. I had to do this at the weekend. They were very busy but sorted me out. I was very impressed. You can get hold of them if you can’t see someone at your doctors.

I hope things improve. And the nurse call you tomorrow.

[Kemu17]

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies and advice. As expected, when I finally got my phone call from the nurse he said he didn't understand why the receptionist had given me an appointment with him, as he wasn't the right service for suspected asthma. He did however prescribe me an inhaler and told me who to follow up with in a few weeks. Will be making a complaint to the practice manager on Monday about the receptionist who decided to diagnose me and thus sent me to the wrong service. Learned my lesson, in future when receptionist starts asking why I need an appointment, she'll be getting a firm "I'll wait and discuss that with the doctor."