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

Last time I was in Spain, I woke up very breathless & was worried. I passed the village doctors next morning & just walked in. Lovely young woman saw me straightaway (no receptionist!) checked me out & felt my oxygen levels were too low. Sent me for tests & told me to bring results to her next day. All tests carried out that afternoon in spotless hospital. GP talked them through with me next morning & sympathetically discussed the pros & cons of possible medications. It was all so simple & supportive I could have cried! This time I chose to pay €70 for the covenience of an immediate appointment 5 mins walk away, but I've had similar swift treatment in the past just with my EHIC card. I only wish my overstretched UK surgery & hugely overpressed local hospitals were able to do the same

It's a lottery with GPs and hospital docs. I've had two conditions massively misdiagnosed. Only through perseverance and with luck finding a doc that worked out problem was it solved. It is hard work but has to be done,

No the receptionist has no right to ask you about your illness. If it is urgent say so, if not say you can wait but you do not need to give details.

They should not expect you to discuss your health problems at the reception where others can hear what you are saying. I forgotten the name of the report which states how all medical staff must behave to protect patient confidentially can anyone help?

I think most receptionists ask just to find out if it is a review type appointment, new symptoms or chronic symptoms changing as I guess it helps them to organise which GP /how quickly etc. you might need to be seen.. but you should never give details you don't want to!
My CLL was picked up on a routine blood test (no symptoms) and fortunately it is not developing at the moment so I am just on watch & wait at the hospital. But knowing I have the condition means if I do develop other symptoms the GP would see me. I have all sorts of aches and pains , most likely just wear and tear, but it is OK to get these checked out. I would strongly advise against self medication or 'alternative' therapies until you really know the cause of your symptoms. I went to the GP recently as I had some back pain and I wanted to check it was OK to join an exercise class. All fine & as I waas in she checked BP and took me off the 5mg of Ramipril i was on. Feeling good not to have to take any medication as a result of visiting GP for non specific symptoms.

Breach of patient confidentiality is instant dismissal.

My parents' generations grew up before the NHS was invented, and I was brought up to think that I shouldn't "bother the doctor" unless it was for something really serious. If you were not bleeding, in severe pain, feverish or covered with a rash, you were probably all right. Although I know it is silly, I still feel guilty if I visit the doctor.

Dear Old goose, Do make the effort to see your GP and talk about it all especially the pain in your left arm,tired all the time and the snoring. I was wheezy and tired, thought it was just being old but Dr gave me 5 days of steroids and within 4 hours the wheeze had gone. Seems I have a tendency to asthma after colds etc so much better managed now.
If necessary , gradually work round the docs at the surgery so you get different opinions or if you have the money consider a Bupa G P appt.
Worth having sugar levels checked. Diabetes can creep up on you .
Aim is to keep as fit as poss so can go on enjoying life.

There's no doubt that, generally, we creak and groan more as we get older.
It is, IMHO, incumbent upon us to do our bit to keep as healthy as possible.
I know quite a few folks who "enjoy poor health" and do nothing to help.
It is important to keep as active as possible, eat and drink sensibly.
An annual MOT of bloods,, urine, BP, weight.
Isn't there a saying of going to doc if symptoms are:-
New to you
Persistent
Getting worse?
Ignoring symptoms and tests is just plain silly!

Please,please go for a check up. When a dear friend and I turned sixty I suggested that it was in her interest to at least get a blood pressure check. She was in much ruder health than me , I have arthritis and in my sixties developed high blood pressure, she never saw her doctor. Even though she had a mild asthma. In the summer of 2014 I detected a change in her. She tired easily and became forgetful. We turned 70 and a friend treated her to a trip to Lille . She hardly saw Lille as her condition worsened. On their return her friend took her to A and E and she was admitted with heart disease !! She died two weeks later. Her post mortem revealed long term heart disease. On a visit to my GP I asked him that had my friend had had her blood pressure checks etc would she be alive today. The answer was yes. I don't mean to frighten you but to give an example of ignoring the fact that as we age,we need to see our GP. She has left behind a grieving son and friends . I miss her terribly and even two years later I can't believe I will never see her again. Even writing this has brought on tears.

Thank you Tegan. I will let you know what happens.

My DH refused to have an eye test-"why should I? I've never needed specs, nothing wrong with my eyesight" I persisted saying it's just another simple health check.
He finally went after I shoved the phone into his hand.
He came back suitably chastened as high pressures had been found in both eyes.
Mercifully, after prompt treatment, pressures are down.
He now has to use eye drops every night-hardly a hardship.
A small portion of sight has been lost in one eye but, at least, it won't deteriorate as much or as quickly.
I know sight is, of course, important to us all but as a talented artist it would be particularly hard to lose that skill/talent.

oldgoose I can't solve all your problems but I bet the "itchy and dry down below" could be sorted by buying Replens or similar product over the counter at Boots or other chemist. It is a common problem and could easily be nothing more than vaginal atrophy (any woman who has never heard of this should Google it - it may happen to you and I had never heard of it either)

Please, please go and see your GP. Maybe you need some hormonal cream or other treatment for your "down below" bits. If nothing is wrong, great. But if you do have any problems, leaving them alone will not help.

Final comment for the poor persecuted receptionist - In most cases you will find it is your Doctor who has instructed the receptionist to ask why you want an appointment. Having worked at a GP surgery for many years, I can assure you the receptionist is not interested in your condition, she just wants to avoid getting her head bitten off by the doctor for not asking why you want an appointment. (For those who think they have a nice friendly doctor, you should see how they treat their staff when you're not around!) It is not a breach of confidentiality for a receptionist to ask the reason for an appointment if it is on the instruction of the GPS or Practice Manager. I agree you shouldn't have to say but if you don't like being asked, take it up with your Doctor not the receptionist.

A few years ago DH began to feel tired all the time and kept falling asleep in the afternoon. He mentioned it to the GP he saw about is high blood pressure. He was still working and the GP was dismissive, what did he expect in his 60s if he was still working and did a lot of travelling?

However, neither of us were happy with this, so on the recommendation of a friend he saw another member of the practice and I went with DH when he went to see him. This GP expressed immediate concern, said his symptoms were not normal and pricked his finger with a device that immediately tested his blood and gave a blood sugar reading. The reading was high and he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. As soon as he started treatment for it, the fatigue disappeared and he stopped falling asleep in the afternoon.

oldgoose count me among those who say, please go and see your GP.

oldgoose hope you do get checked out, can I put in a word for Omega 7 for down below dryness

I agree with others,*oldgoose*,ask your doctor about pains in your arm.
It's the same in France, one little thing and you're sent for endless tests. Maybe it's because so many people are suing doctors for missing something, or mis-diagnosis.
I have to see the dr. every 3 months anyway for a renewed prescription (heart problem), so usually pop in one other problem., the most urgent at the time. Every organ in my body seems to have on and off twinges.
He won't give me anything for insomnia though.