First ever visit to the GP.... what do I do?

Ballabriggs14

To be clear, I'm not asking for medical advice here.

I've lived in Ireland 6 years and thankfully never had to go to the doctors, hospital, chemist etc however I've been pretty bad the past 2 days, I think I have a stomach ulcer and it's basically non stop pain to the point where I've barely slept.

How does this work? I am unemployed although I don't have a medcard (never got around to applying). Will I have to pay?

Swift replies would be very much appreciated

username123

Yes you will have to pay.

You probably won't get a doctor on a Sunday so if you need medical attention urgently go to an A&E dept.

Alternatively phone round local GP practices tomorrow for an appointment. Some will be closed to new patients but usually only the older ones.

Ballabriggs14

How much will it cost? I presume I'll have to pay for a prescription after that too yes? Do I need to pay up front?

sullivlo

Ballabriggs14 wrote: »

How much will it cost? I presume I'll have to pay for a prescription after that too yes? Do I need to pay up front?

Approx €55-60 for the doctor and then it depends what medicine you are prescribed.

lazeedaisy

roughly the cost will be about 50 quid, 60 in some areas. will be upfront too.

if you are given a prescription you pay for that in the pharmacy

Ballabriggs14

Jesus christ... no doctor for me then.

percy212

If you have no money and the pain persists or you feel worse go to a&e. You will have to pay eventually but not immediately. You will also have to wait a long time to be seen at a&e. Don't gamble.with your health. If you cant sleep because of pain something is wrong. Get checked out.

Ballabriggs14

I literally don't have 100 euro on me right now or whatever it would cost for a GP visit + prescription. €60 for what would probably be a 5-10 minute appointment... absolutely criminal.

Thanks for the info anyway lads

percy212

Then go to a&e

top madra

Go to A&E and pay for it in a couple of weeks..

Or go to the your local social worker and explain the situation..

Ballabriggs14

percy212 wrote: »

Then go to a&e

I don't really want to waste their time with something trivial. I'll see if it persists and go to the docs in a few days, should have the money then.

Saving money to go to the doctors.. feels like I'm in the 3rd world.

top madra wrote: »

Go to A&E and pay for it in a couple of weeks..

Or go to the your local social worker and explain the situation..

Without sounding too pathetic I'm honestly too weak and tired to go walking all over town to these places.

Ballabriggs14

Ballabriggs14 wrote: »

I literally don't have 100 euro on me right now or whatever it would cost for a GP visit + prescription. €60 for what would probably be a 5-10 minute appointment... absolutely criminal.

Thanks for the info anyway lads

I know people always give out about doctor charges, but to be fair, if I was having a severe enough pain that it stopped me from sleeping, €100 would seem like a bargain.

As said above, never gamble with your health.

bumper234

Ballabriggs14 wrote: »

I literally don't have 100 euro on me right now or whatever it would cost for a GP visit + prescription. €60 for what would probably be a 5-10 minute appointment... absolutely criminal.

Thanks for the info anyway lads

Grab a book, sandwich, bottle of coke, packet of crisps and head to A&E. Prepare for a long wait (8 hours?) and stick it out. Better to get looked at by someone to be on the safe side.

PopTarts

You'll be probably at least 8 hours in A&E.

Other options .. Go and speak to your Pharmacist, often they can give you over the counter medicine to relieve pain.

I'm not sure where you live but either way you could ring the D-Doc (north dublin based) and speak with a nurse there who could advise you on the problem and follow her recommendation.

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/PrimaryCare/GP_Out_of_Hours/D-DOC/#Is%20there%20a%20charge%20to%20visit%20D-Doc?

Hope you get sorted.

Ballabriggs14

bumper234 wrote: »

Grab a book, sandwich, bottle of coke, packet of crisps and head to A&E. Prepare for a long wait (8 hours?) and stick it out. Better to get looked at by someone to be on the safe side.

Ha wow I didn't even think it would be that bad! Sounds like it would be quicker, cheaper and easier to fly to a first-world country and get seen there :pac:

Toto Wolfcastle

Ballabriggs14 wrote: »

Ha wow I didn't even think it would be that bad! Sounds like it would be quicker, cheaper and easier to fly to a first-world country and get seen there :pac:

To be fair, if you'd bothered to apply for a medical card (and were entitled to one) you wouldn't be in this situation. That's how other people in your situation manage when they need to go to the doctor.

Ballabriggs14

I am entitled to one. I've never really been to the doctors before so it wasn't really ever a pressing issue for me. I have a form somewhere that I need a GP to sign, do you think I could bring that along and get seen for free or would I still have to pay?

PopTarts

Ring your local Dr. and ask him.

Gniht

Ballabriggs14 wrote: »

To be clear, I'm not asking for medical advice here.

I've lived in Ireland 6 years and thankfully never had to go to the doctors, hospital, chemist etc however I've been pretty bad the past 2 days, I think I have a stomach ulcer and it's basically non stop pain to the point where I've barely slept.

How does this work? I am unemployed although I don't have a medcard (never got around to applying). Will I have to pay?

Swift replies would be very much appreciated

go back to your own country and get the treatment you think you are entitled to for free? Why do you think tax payers should pay for your medical assessment and treatment? You don't even have a job. If you didn't spend all your dole money on alcohol maybe you wouldn't have got the stomach ulcer in the first place.

Chazz Michael Michaels

Ballabriggs14 wrote: »

To be clear, I'm not asking for medical advice here.

I've lived in Ireland 6 years and thankfully never had to go to the doctors, hospital, chemist etc however I've been pretty bad the past 2 days, I think I have a stomach ulcer and it's basically non stop pain to the point where I've barely slept.

How does this work? I am unemployed although I don't have a medcard (never got around to applying). Will I have to pay?

Swift replies would be very much appreciated

Why haven't you applied for a medical card? Surely you knew this day would come?

top madra

Gniht wrote: »

go back to your own country and get the treatment you think you are entitled to for free? Why do you think tax payers should pay for your medical assessment and treatment? You don't even have a job. If you didn't spend all your dole money on alcohol maybe you wouldn't have got the stomach ulcer in the first place.

Strong first post......

While I agree with the first part of your post, the second makes you sound like a proper douche.

Brb knowing the Op's situation after a few posts, or are we reading different threads?

HeidiHeidi

bumper234 wrote: »

Grab a book, sandwich, bottle of coke, packet of crisps and head to A&E. Prepare for a long wait (8 hours?) and stick it out. Better to get looked at by someone to be on the safe side.

O/T, but had to laugh at this advice to someone who suspects he might have a stomach ulcer

I agree with the advice to do something, anything - if it's causing you that much pain at the moment, there's definitely something up which is more likely to get worse than better unattended.

Would second your local chemist/pharmacy - they are usually very helpful, and might be able to recommend something OTC which would buy you time to sort yourself out to see a doctor asap.

bumper234

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

O/T, but had to laugh at this advice to someone who suspects he might have a stomach ulcer

I agree with the advice to do something, anything - if it's causing you that much pain at the moment, there's definitely something up which is more likely to get worse than better unattended.

Would second your local chemist/pharmacy - they are usually very helpful, and might be able to recommend something OTC which would buy you time to sort yourself out to see a doctor asap.

Hey!!!!

I coulda said 3 liters of cider and a vindaloo

metroburgers

Ballabriggs14 wrote: »

I've been pretty bad the past 2 days, I think I have a stomach ulcer and it's basically non stop pain to the point where I've barely slept.

If you're in that much discomfort, you should go to a Doc or A&E now.

Ballabriggs14 wrote: »

I literally don't have 100 euro on me right now or whatever it would cost for a GP visit + prescription. €60 for what would probably be a 5-10 minute appointment... absolutely criminal.

That's for the doc to decide not you, could be underlying illness, could be nothing... Ask a friend for a loan, get off boards, go to a Doc.

atilladehun

bumper234 wrote: »

Hey!!!!

I coulda said 3 liters of cider and a vindaloo

You're not allowed to give medical advice on this forum but it could be worth a shot


Here is a reasonable doctor in Dublin
http://www.scrsurgery.ie/?page_id=39

sopretty

Well, have you figured out what to do?

Kettleson

I sincerely hope you have already gone to Accident and Emergency.

That pain won't go away on its own and you need to find out what's causing it.

sopretty

What happens if the OP is admitted to hospital? If he applied for a medical card when discharged, would they cover the cost of the admission? Horrible situation to be in to be honest. How is the pain today OP?

Kettleson

Can't put a price on your health. Who cares about the bill, it can wait.

sopretty

I suspect if the pain gets bad enough, the OP will be ringing 112 for an ambulance with no regard for the cost!

I've had similar pain. I was admitted. I was x-rayed, tested, retested and tested some more lol. The problem is when you're told you're going to be admitted and there are no beds.

cletus van damme

username123 wrote: »

Yes you will have to pay.

You probably won't get a doctor on a Sunday so if you need medical attention urgently go to an A&E dept.

Alternatively phone round local GP practices tomorrow for an appointment. Some will be closed to new patients but usually only the older ones.

DDOC is a HSE run out of hours service.
SO GP is avilable in dublin north and county

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/PrimaryCare/GP_Out_of_Hours/D-DOC/

although the do stiff you 60e for it

sopretty

Op - HOW you doing?

Kettleson

sopretty wrote: »

Op - HOW you doing?

If I were you, I really wouldn't be giving a sh1t at this point. And something makes me think that threads like this deserve little attention anyways.

That's the thing about boards. You just don't know who is genuine and who is not. And whatever you say, there's gonna be plenty others who say you are wrong, whatever it is you say. And other folks just waiting for a post to go ankle biting. Cherrio...

efb

Ballabriggs14 wrote: »

Ha wow I didn't even think it would be that bad! Sounds like it would be quicker, cheaper and easier to fly to a first-world country and get seen there :pac:

Waiting lists for GP in UK longer. US, pay big $$$

Brian?

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