We all want to be a blessing, for our families, friends, and the NHS.
So I do understand why so many readers write in to say they don’t like to bother their GP or pharmacist, or waste anyone’s time.
1
Listen to your body if there is any concern about an existing or new health problem. Speak to a professional.
It is better to be checked out rather than silently suffer!
The NHS remains open to all, despite the pressures it faces, and I’ll explain why below.
Here’s what you asked me this week . . .
Q. I have READ the answer you gave to the woman with a nasty rash on her arm in Sun Health (August 1).
It’s unacceptable they should be waiting over three months to see a GP, who should refer them to a dermatology clinic.
In this case, do you not feel you should have advised them to go to A&E?
A) A&E stands for accident and emergency, neither of which applied to the reader who wrote to me about the ten-week history of a rash on their arm.
While I share your sentiment that a three-month wait to see a GP is too long, going to A&E instead puts added pressure on a strained emergency service, and that means people who are in severe pain, very unwell or have an injury or other emergency must wait longer.
I attended A&E last week myself, as I had an eye emergency which caused me blurred vision and a lot of pain.
I was extremely grateful to be in and out of there in under four hours and received wonderful treatment, and I’m relieved to say the issue has now been resolved.
The advanced nurse practitioner that looked after me told me that if it had been the previous day, I would’ve waited for at least 8 hours before being treated.
If you have an arm rash, it is best to consult a pharmacist, go to a walk in centre, do an econsultation with your GP, or, if all else fails, call NHS 111.
General practice is in crisis, as we have a severe lack of GPs in the system and are losing doctors due to poor working conditions, or they’re working fewer hours in order to maintain their own mental health and prevent burnout.
The day-to-day life of a GP has changed dramatically since I graduated more than a ten years ago.
We need solutions to support the GP system, but I don’t see any imminent change, sadly.
Q. I had pains in my back and stomach for almost 5 weeks, which caused me to vomit so often that my daughter dialed 111.
A nurse advised me to go to A&E, where I was given anti- sickness meds and a CT scan.
The scan revealed nothing but a small blood infection.
Since then I’ve been back and forward to my GP with pain in my back and lower right side.
Blood, bacteria and sugar are detected in urine tests.
I’ve had three lots of antibiotics and been diagnosed with renal colic or a kidney stone.
Last time I rang for an appointment I was told to go to A&E, as there’s nothing they can do for me apart from giving me more Oramorph painkillers.
I’m not happy about taking it, but sometimes the pain is so bad I have no choice.
I’m on a lot of pain medication as I’m waiting for double knee replacements.
I’m also worried because I’ve lost 3st this year without trying.
Do you think it’s renal colic or a kidney stone? What do you expect the pain to last for?
A) I’m so glad you’ve written in.
All too often people like you think they’re being difficult or asking too much when the NHS was set up to care for everyone equally.
If the CT scan didn’t show a lump, you will need to consult a specialist and undergo further testing.
Renal colic is when a stone from the kidney gets stuck in the ureter — the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder.
It is most often a severe form of pain, which comes in waves and can be accompanied by nausea.
Sometimes, kidney stone can be missed by a CT scan. In studies, the scans correctly identified stones over 95 percent of the times and confirmed that there were no stones present in over 98 cent.
Your GP can refer you to an ultrasound scan that will identify kidney stones. Your weight loss strikes me as a concern though — 3st is a lot of weight to lose without trying.
If it’s been five weeks since your last blood tests, these should be repeated — it’s important to get your symptoms diagnosed.
You should inform your doctor that you have not improved.
What if you wanted to write me exactly what I wrote in my email?
If you get another attack of severe pain, it is absolutely appropriate to go to A&E.
Keep pursuing your diagnosis, treatments and tests and let me know how it goes.
Please contact us again if you require any further advice or assistance.
A lazy bowel needs action
Q: I have terrible problems with my bowels, stomach and hernia.
I have had chronic bowel issues for over a decade.
Bloating makes me really ill.
I’m waiting for a hernia surgery, and have done enemas. Also, taken Laxido, as well as other laxatives.
When they work, I can’t leave the house as I can’t get off the loo, and I feel really weak and ill.
Unknown to me, a consultant informed me that I had an extremely lazy bowel. He did not provide any explanation or treatment. Could you please assist me?
A) While you’re medicating with over-the-counter laxatives, perhaps you haven’t had a clear explanation of what else you can do to help.
It is well known that people who have bowel problems can benefit by focusing on physical exercise, water and fiber.
Although it may be difficult to exercise, the science is solid.
Both the small and large intestines make up part of digestive system.
These two pieces together measure about 15 feet.
The food must travel through these tubes that are folded and coiled, using a push-through process.
It may be less effective for some people, but standing up and wriggling on the spot will help move the food through your digestive system.
It is easy to see why exercising helps gut function.
Move around and drink lots of fluids. Eating fibre and drinking water will also help.