Infections Coming Back

GP I was with had no clue. The receptionists didn't seem to know the meaning of "reasonable adjustment" and the doctors just ignored the needs.

I changed practice for logistical reasons, they are building a new medical centre opposite my house. These guys couldn't be nicer. The nurse who registered me wanted to know all about how my autism affects my health care and what I might need. She arranged a double appointment with the GP to discuss the same so that come the day when I need them, they will understand the issues. Perfect!

It's all about attitude really, isn't it? And a willingness to understand.

I'm the same Dawn. I hope your doctor's are understanding of your fears and struggles. Mine originally weren't but I've now changed GP and she is very understanding.

If I was you I would get in touch with your GP and discuss this with them. It sounds like it's affecting you badly now and it has been happening on and off for some time so it might need some strong antibiotics to finally give it that final shove. I totally understand your fears of doctors, I have the same fear, absolutely terrified of doctors, hospital and anything medical.. I end up having shutdown when at such places. But if you give them a call they can probably just talk to you over the phone and give you a prescription based on symptoms. Mine have done this since COVID-19 which is far better for me.

I hope you start to feel better again soon lovely.

If you have anxiety issues around dental work you should - through any NHS dentist - be able to be referred to more specialist dentistry practices that are licenced to administer sedation. My wife, who has had panic attacks in the dentist's, had a tooth extracted, was given sedation and was fine, she couldn't even remember the procedure afterwards.

That is really helpful to know.  My mouth is a disaster zone due to my pathological anxiety surrounding dental work.  I've had some pretty scary meltdowns in dental surgeries due to actual or perceived threat and incompetency towards me.  Just writing this is filling me with all sorts of anxiety!

With respect to the dentists, ask for a "special care" referral. They are the one part of the NHS who properly cater to autistic people. Birmingham even has a specialist autism dental care unit. GPs are harder, it's hit and miss,.

I think you make a good point here Dawn. I think medical and health anxiety is a problem for a lot of autistic people - and we need support and reasonable adjustments made to help us access health services because they are vital. My health has been seriously put at risk in the past because of my anxieties around healthcare - but if you neglect some health issues the long term consequences can be serious.

It’s a really difficult problem and I’ve suffered so much with this issue. Even the thought of going to a dentist check up makes me feel physically sick. 
I hope you can find a way to access the care you need Jess - good luck x 

I totally identify with the avoidance of medical people thing. It was my medical phobias that brought me finally to the realisation that I am autistic. Finally made sense of my melt down/ shut down in those contexts.

Nevertheless, we need medical care and you do too. A GP should give you antibiotics and then refer you to an ENT specialist, who may want to remove your tonsils to stop them causing you problems. That's a tall order for you.

Does you GP know you are autistic? Will they try to mitigate the trauma of all this for you? You could consider getting a family member to advocate for you, or enlisting your local advocacy services to arrange a double appointment with GP with some understanding of autism who will adjust whatever needs adjusting for you and help you communicate etc.

As far as I know we are more prone to a number of health conditions, but not heard that tonsils can be one. That just sounds unfortunate to me, but you do need support to see a GP to deal with this.

Hi Jess,

I really fear medical appointments too and I avoid them at all costs - whenever possible anyway. 
My Doctor’s Surgery does telephone appointments and you can email in photos of any visual symptoms - would it help to do this rather than going in to the surgery? 
I’m sorry you’re dealing with the stress of this - I know how hard that is, it’s exhausting. The likelihood (by far) though is that this is a very minor issue and easily dealt with - and certainly wouldn’t require a hospital visit. The dizziness and headaches are more likely due to the stress you are feeling than anything else. 
Sometimes I’ve worried myself crazy over a health symptom and when I’ve finally asked a doctor about it it’s turned out to be virtually nothing. If you never ask them you never find that out - so it’s more worry in the long run. 
As a Tibetan monk once said - ‘the person that always worries about what MIGHT happen experiences many tragedies that never ACTUALLY occur’ (I’m paraphrasing obviously!). 

The likelihood is that you have a minor issue with your throat - but stressing about it is making you feel more ill then you actually are. I hope you have family or friends who are supporting you and reassuring you too? We all need that support around us if possible. You’re not alone - this community is here for you when you want to talk about anything. :) 

Jess.  I'm sorry to say that, from what you have said (notably the dizziness) you really do need to get yourself in front of a doctor.

If you address this ASAP then you are likely to have less time under the supervision of, and treatment by, doctors.

Your anxiety will diminish when you have started to address your problem and it is perfectly foreseeable that the solution (if addressed ASAP) will be a simple one.

Please be brave and get this looked at - it obviously isn't going to go away by itself.

Good luck.

I’m sorry but I really think you need to see your doctor about this, see your GP for antibiotics before you do end up in hospital if it’s a bacterial infection which is spreading. Some GPs will still do phone consultations and you can send a photo of the inside of your throat