Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Waiting for a call back from 111, should I have called an ambulancd

38 replies

Worried1990x · 07/04/2024 01:08

Just had to call 111 as my DH has had watery diarrhoea since yesterday morning (sorry tmi, but it literally sounds like it’s wee). He just woke and went to the toilet and passed out on the toilet for a short time, not sure how long as obviously door was closed.

I’ve put his legs in the air.

111 said a clinician will call back within 60 mins and if they don’t they will pass us to the ambulance service. Should I just have called an ambulance? He’s managed to get back into bed but is sheet white.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
Worried1990x · 07/04/2024 21:59

Hi @dizzydizzydizzy and @Tahinii thank you both for your messages. He’s feeling much better, thank you.

he has taken a lot of dioralyte and full fat coke as advised by the doctor and has rested.

I appreciate the time everyone has taken to reply on this thread. Thank you

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 07/04/2024 15:43

How is he now OP? Sounds like you have has an awful time of it.

Tahinii · 07/04/2024 11:06

I had norovirus during a doctor strike and there were no ambulances. I was so unwell. My GP was amazing and guided my other half over the phone. They prescribed orodispersible (sp?) anti sickness and anti diarrhoea. I had tiny sips of rehydration sachets syringed into my mouth. Very very slowly! I probably did need to be in hospital, it was awful but I did eventually get better. Please do take him if he continues being unable to tolerate fluids or there is any more fainting.

Original poster
Worried1990x · 07/04/2024 09:49

So another update… another doctor called back not knowing we’d just had a call. Her advice was totally different, told up to treat at home with dioralyte. She’s calling back at 1pm to see how he is and to re-assess to see if we need to go to hospital

OP posts:
jengachampion · 07/04/2024 09:38

Hoplittlebunnyhophophopandstop · 07/04/2024 02:50

If 111 classed it as an emergency they would have sent an ambulance.

Show quote history

111 didn’t class me as an emergency or even ill - ended up in hospital for a week with sepsis

therealcookiemonster · 07/04/2024 09:36

Worried1990x · 07/04/2024 09:01

Just had the call back from 111. They have asked him to go to a&e to get bloods done.

we can’t go immediately as just waiting for family to come and look after the children (they’re not too local) but will go shortly.

DH feels it will be a waste of time but I think it’s important they get checked, even if they say everything is fine

hi OP definitely not a waste of time. dehydration to this degree can cause acute kidney injury.

if the bloods are OK, that's a bonus

hope he is feeling a little better this morning

therealcookiemonster · 07/04/2024 09:34

Hoplittlebunnyhophophopandstop · 07/04/2024 02:50

If 111 classed it as an emergency they would have sent an ambulance.

Show quote history

111 are totally incompetent

and eventually they did send him to A&E

hypovolemia due to persistent diarrhoea can kill. have seen it happen.... (I'm a retired icu doc)

Vallmo47 · 07/04/2024 09:13

Keep us posted Op.

Original poster
Worried1990x · 07/04/2024 09:01

Just had the call back from 111. They have asked him to go to a&e to get bloods done.

we can’t go immediately as just waiting for family to come and look after the children (they’re not too local) but will go shortly.

DH feels it will be a waste of time but I think it’s important they get checked, even if they say everything is fine

OP posts:
Hoplittlebunnyhophophopandstop · 07/04/2024 02:50

therealcookiemonster · 07/04/2024 01:31

actually I would class this as an emergency. call 999, put him in a car and take him to a&e if they say they can't get an ambulance to you soon enough.... he could be going into hypovolemic shock. he sounds like he needs iv fluids

If 111 classed it as an emergency they would have sent an ambulance.

K0OLA1D · 07/04/2024 02:34

Fingers crossed you both manage a bit if sleep

Original poster
Worried1990x · 07/04/2024 02:27

@Georgethecat1 absolutely! He kept saying sorry to me but I know I won’t sleep!

he’s resting so hopefully will help with his recovery

OP posts:
Georgethecat1 · 07/04/2024 02:26

Bless you, he will sleep and you won’t be as your going to be super sensitive to any movement he makes! I hope you get some rest 🙏

Original poster
Worried1990x · 07/04/2024 02:23

@Georgethecat1 no full fat versions unfortunately!

we may have to wait 2-4 hours for a callback (the service so far has been very good) so going to try and get some sleep. They advised if he needs to get up to sit on the side of the bed first and for me to help him in case he passes out again

OP posts:
Georgethecat1 · 07/04/2024 02:21

If you have any lemonade or coke in the house (full fat versions) he would be benefit from
sipping those. If the bubbles are too much then shaking it or stirring with a spoon get it to go flatter.

I am thinking the out of hours may want to see him to check blood pressure / sugar levels and do a urine dip if he doesn’t start to recover.

Original poster
Worried1990x · 07/04/2024 02:13

Thank you @Inspireme2

paramedic from the 111 service has just called and referred us to the OOH doctor.

she advised against making any form of hydration solution, but I appreciate the time everyone has taken to reply.

OP posts:
Inspireme2 · 07/04/2024 02:02

Best care is to be assessed and always, if in doubt, call for help.
At least reassurance is better than other unknown issues.
Hope he gets better soon.
I had an ambulance called for a faint which I was hit on the chest for and told I may be bruised by the dentist in the following days.
It was apparently pretty full on fit.
I hope he recovers and get him ice to suck, sips and how is his head?
Fainting is such a horrible feeling.and sensation afterwards.

PeloMom · 07/04/2024 01:55

Get some electrolytes in him

AssassinsEyebrow · 07/04/2024 01:41

I doubt it's hypovolemic shock (!) but if you want to check the symptoms op then see this:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22795-hypovolemic-shock#symptoms-and-causes

Also - the nhs symptom checker is very good, so you use that to get a clearer idea of his condition.

People do tend to look very white after fainting but if he has no other concerning symptoms then I wouldn't panic

Hypovolemic Shock: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Hypovolemic shock is a medical emergency in which you’ve lost so much blood or fluid, your body can’t send enough of it to all of your organs. This can be fatal.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22795-hypovolemic-shock#symptoms-and-causes

SeaToSki · 07/04/2024 01:37

Its quite common to faint while on the toilet (if you are already susceptible it can push you over the edge). I would try and get some electrolyte solution into him. If you dont have any then water with a splash of oj and a tiny pinch of salt will do. Keep a close eye on him and see if you can take his pulse for a minute and count how many breaths he takes in a minute (write it down) its helpful info for 111.

Original poster
Worried1990x · 07/04/2024 01:34

@therealcookiemonster thank you so much for the link. We’ve got 10 more minutes until the 60 minutes is up so will go and make it now!

OP posts:
ohfourfoxache · 07/04/2024 01:31

Get smart water into him if you have it - it has more electrolytes than dioralyte and is easier to tolerate

therealcookiemonster · 07/04/2024 01:31

actually I would class this as an emergency. call 999, put him in a car and take him to a&e if they say they can't get an ambulance to you soon enough.... he could be going into hypovolemic shock. he sounds like he needs iv fluids

Swipe left for the next trending thread