When to worry your GP?

[NoMorePlease]

Hi, I was dx'd with Cirrhosis in May 2020, rushed to hospital with the whole shabang... Ascites, Acute Kidney Injury, Spontaneous bacterial Peritonitis, Anaemia, told had I not got there I would have been dead in 2 days! I survived thanks to our fantastic NHS staff.My NAFLD had been stable for yrs, in 2017 I was dx'd with type 2 Diabetes, yep!! within 3 yrs I developed Cirrhosis!

First consultant told me it should take 30 yrs... I'm so lucky...

I am FURIOUS to say the least.

Sorry, I do tend to drift off the subject.

Through the delirious haze of going cold turkey to save my kidneys I remember 3 things that 2nd day in hospital, bearing in mind I'm drifting in and out of sleep... "you have Cirrhosis, don't ever get constipated and don't ever get infections".

So, to my question... I'm on Lactulose so constipation is unlikely, my worries are around infection!

Since January this year I have had at least 4 lots of nasal infections requiring antibiotics (the nasal infection floors me, usually in bed for days).

A couple of weeks ago I started with a red patch over my ankle, the oedema I have would not shift, so I rang for an emergency appointment, was given antibiotics for Cellulitis (fgs) I swear I am going through the alphabet of illnesses....anyway Mon - Fri all was OK ish, Sat, Sun and most of Monday I was in bed, couldn't eat, didn't want to drink, so no normal tablets or antibiotics taken!

Really sorry it has taken a trip around the house to get to my question (blushing).

When or if would you consider it wise to phone the GP?

Please be gentle, I know it's 3 years since my dx but I am still processing all of this, besides the rest of the encyclopedia of ails... Someone is practicing on my body for sure, I've not worked out what for yet😃

Thanks, take care for now, Sam x

[Aotea2012]

I’d book an appointment with your GP now to get yourself reviewed and have a discussion around your general health and well-being. It’s far better to prevent infections and the like, plus if you are properly informed you can keep on top of your condition yourself…with their support, obviously. I’ve always had super care from my GP, and they’ve helped me a lot to understand my cirrhosis. They tend to take a more holistic approach than specialists and also have a wider team around them who can also help you, e.g. practice nurse. It’s worth talking to them, so don’t be worried. It’s perfectly appropriate to try to prempt/ avoid problems and in the long run it takes a bit of pressure off them as you are able to access help when appropriate and manage your condition more effectively.

[NoMorePlease in reply to Aotea2012]

Thanks so much for the really helpful reply, my GP's and practice nurses are without doubt the most helpful, caring and compassionate people you would ever want to be looking after you!One GP in particular is my guardian angel, she is the one who got me into hospital pdq, she saved my life.

I think I am going through an *anxiety* stage. I feel like I have let her down by getting all muddled up with meds, diet, trying to get into a rhythm of being *well* etc.

I know she wants me to get better as do all the other docs... one of them is even looking on ebay or exchange and mart for a new body for me ( I think he's given up tbh).

I will do as you suggest, I will make an appointment and just spill how I'm struggling not only with the cirrhosis but getting to grips with the Diabetes too.

Thanks again, sometimes you just need to hear it from others that understand.

Take care of you x

[pushthrough]

Hey there. A family member of mine has cellulitis. I would def call your doctor until you get that infection under control. It’s not an easy one to treat from my understanding.

[NoMorePlease in reply to pushthrough]

Thanks for your reply, having read Dr Google (I know, I've given myself a good talking to!) it suggests raising, in my case ankle above hip height, and something about an empty drawer under your mattress 😛🤔🤣 knee height is about my limit!I will definitely make an appointment, just to be sure.

I hope your relative is on the mend, take care for now x

[teletonetapper]

I really think you should call your Surgery at the earliest opportunity. I'm sure, from what you have said, they will make an urgent appointment and you need to tell your Doctor the honest truth about how you feel. Take care and best of luck.

[Readlots]

If you’re thinking ‘should I?’ Then the answer is usually, ‘yes’. You can’t take risks with infections and as you have a lovely surgery, I’m sure they’d rather see you and reassure you if there’s nothing to worry about, than not see you and lose you. Definitely book an appointment and be seen