Breathless and tired all the time

Keep ringing. I have been seen several times during the pandemic with no problem. Do not take no for an answer!

I think it very much depends on one's individual practice. Mine was a nightmare before the pandemic and is even worse now. I don't even know if my GP still works there!!! I am juggling 9 different conditions including asthma, but none of them have been monitored. When I have been offered a telephone appointment and ask who it's with, it's always someone I've never heard of, so I google them - one turned out to be a knee surgeon at the local BUPA hospital, another was a retired GP who was now a yoga instructor.

My gastroenterologist who has not seen me for 3 years, was supposed to be giving me a follow-up telephone appointment over a year ago which never happened.

The whole system is broken.... or at least in certain areas.

It doesn’t sound as if she’s going to get it checked out does it? She said she had this problem ‘all the time’. Anyway well done Fanny.

FannyCornforth

I have sent the op a pm

Op has replied to me and has said that she is feeling much better and thanks everyone for their kind replies.
Unless she decides to return to the thread, I think that we can draw a line under it.

Isn't it sad that we have come to this? Why is our GP service in such a mess? I had a text from ours yesterday saying they are short staffed so do not necessarily expect the phone to be answered if you call and if you need an appointment of any sort expect long delays. Today I have had another text telling me that if I have a query re my medication it will take at least two days to get an answer.
OP - it may be asthma. As others have said, call 111 if your surgery is no help.

This isn't a GP problem it is a ring 111 and they will decide to get an ambulance or take yourself to A&E immediately.

My mother has symptoms like this, but refused to take them seriously, just made an appointment to see the GP the following day, This was years before COVID.

He really read her the riot act and told her that if she had the symptoms again, they had cleared after 24 hours, she was to ring 999 or go straight to A&E and that she was lucky to be alive.

I have sent the op a pm

I cannot understand how it is you cannot get to see a GP - yes, they are overstretched as we know, but they are seeing people who have significant symptoms; and there are phone appointments for less important things.

Have you tried to book an appointment or phone consultation?

Keep ringing. I have been seen several times during the pandemic with no problem. Do not take no for an answer!

Can I add my voice to those telling you to contact your GP, ring 111 or contact the Samaritans? And if you’re thinking you shouldn’t bother them remember that the earlier a condition is treated the easier it is to treat and, in most cases, you end up costing the NHS a lot less.

I agree with Lucca upthread.

I find it very hard to believe that a GP surgery would deny treatment to an elderly person with breathing difficulties.
Who are they going to prioritise over such a person?
I worry more that the OP has clearly got mental health problems.

If you are reading, please call your GP or 111; or The Samaritans

"Envy of the world". Aye, right ?

I’m sure your GP would at least speak to you and call you in for an examination if deemed necessary. It’s been like that even during the pandemic so now they should be less busy. But keep trying or get somebody to call for you. Have you tried 111? Failing that it’s A&E.

Doesn't your GP practice have a web site with an email address? I put in a request on the web site, my GP rang me and the next day I had an appointment with him. I'm aware that not all practices are so well organised, but there must be a way to get through to them.

Really need to get an appointment with a GP. It's possible, give them a call.

busybeejay

I am 77 but permanently tired and breathless when I walk any distance.I know I need to lose weight but have I got a medical condition?
We have not had access to GPS for so long how many people have undiagnosed conditions.
What with Ukraine I think I should kill myself now.

I hope you have managed to get help. It must have been very frightening. Advise has been offered so all I will say is after my episode heart scare last year rang 111 they were very helpful, and directed me to A&E.

When DH felt like the OP he was having a heart attack. I actually, initially, rang 111, they ran immediately rang 999 and DH wasrushed to hospital and diagnosed as in need of an emergency triple heart bypass.

As I said before the OP should see her GP, better still ring 111 or go to A&E. It could be a life and death situation.

I phoned 111 for a neighbour who was feeling dizzy. Her GP was closed on that day. She'd felt bad for a couple of weeks, got depressed - and just couldn't face all the bother of 8 am phone calls, appointments etc.

We got a same-day appointment and another neighbour drove her there, waited and brought her back. She'd got so down that she really needed that bit of help.

Are you about, busybeejay?
Just wondering how you're feeling today?

As most have said you must see your Gp and take FannyC`s advice.
Sadly Lucca,my Aunt needed to see her Gp and was refused but she did receive a phone call instead,she died a day later.

Your symptoms sound just like the ones the NHS are currently advertising as not always recognised symptoms of heart trouble and saying if you have them GO AND SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.

I cannot find the advert on the internet, only publicity for it, but try this link. www.msn.com/en-gb/health/medical/dial-999-with-early-heart-attack-symptoms-nhs-says-in-lifesaving-advert/ar-AATLCPq?li=AAJt1k3

Tell them you have chest tightness they will see you ASAP.
Don't leave this please, could be an easy answer.
Take care

Such good advice above. You absolutely must contact your surgery today and don’t make light of your symptoms, as we women often do. They won’t ignore you. You need to be seen in person and you must insist, difficult though it is when you’re not feeling well. Let us know how it goes.?

I simply don’t believe that a surgery responding to a 77 year old with breathing issues would refuse to make some kind of appointment.

I agree. You must call your GP if only for peace of mind. Sometimes you have to be persistent. I use Ask My GP Service which means I can write out my symptoms and the GP calls back.

Busybeejay - contact your GP.. our surgery like many now has an on line form you complete. It’s viewed by a doctor and you get a phone call. I was seen within 10 days for a non urgent medical problem. I believe you’d be seen quickly

busybeejay, I'm so sorry that you are having to suffer this. However, I am going to sound quite harsh, but you really need to seek help, things are not going to get any better, if you do nothing.

I am in a similar situation as you, even climbing the stairs was well nigh impossible. Unfortunately, I have multiple health conditions, including severe heart and lung conditions, but was reluctant to bother anyone, as I was sheilding.
Also my GP didn't monitor nor even contact me for two years, no bloods etc. were done, so my health deteriorated rapidly. I just couldn't face the dragon receptionists, trying to access help. Consequently, I ended up in Coronary Care, in the height of the pandemic.
I know now that I was extremely foolish and somewhat reckless, in not insisting that I need support.

However, one of my consultants contacted my GP, because he was so concerned about the condition I was in. I had felt quite hopeless and was concerned, I would always be like that.. ?
My GP received letter, subtly making my GP aware of the fact that I had been let down by him. On receipt of the letter, my GP contacted me and is now calling fortnightly.

On a positive note, my medication has now been changed and tweaked three times in the last four weeks and there has been a significant improvement, (that wouldn't be difficult) thank goodness.
I should have told someone, how unwell I was, rather than put up with it, because I thought doctors had enough to contend with.

If we stay under the radar, no-one will know our plight, nor be able to help and support us. I learned that the hard way, I had no quality of life at all until that consultant stepped in.

I know for a fact, that here in Scotland that if you phone 111, because you cannot access a GP, they will contact the GP for you and arrange a consultation, if deemed necessary.

We can offer all the the support possible on here, but we are not doctors, and speculating about the cause of your breathlessness, isn't at all helpful. The only person who can offer a diagnosis is your GP, but he needs to speak to you in the first instance.

PLEASE PHONE YOUR GP OR 111 TODAY and explain how you are feeling. You need to insist on speaking to someone and not be fobbed off..
I'm sending you my very best wishes and I hope you can access the help you so badly need. ?