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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To leave a&e?

67 replies

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 18:35

Mum fainted at mass this morning and an ambulance was called. She was sitting down and felt everything going black and fainted.

she came to and seemed fairly coherent but pale. Ambulance assessed her as blood pressure fine but pulse tackicardic (not sure how to spell that).
she said she hadn’t slept well, hadn’t had anything to eat or drink before mass and had taken her tablets (that make her sleepy) in the middle of the night as she’d forgotten them earlier.

I met her at the hospital at about 11.30 and we’ve been here ever since. Her bloods were fine but then they wanted a CT scan of her head.

she’s insisting on going home now before seeing the doc about the results and to be honest I’m not sure how to argue that she shouldn’t. Shes 82 and has been sitting on a waiting room chair for 7 hours. I feel it’s healthier for her to be at home in front of her fire and having her dinner.

she’s had no episodes/symptoms since we’ve been here.

OP posts:
DeliciousApples · 29/12/2024 21:25

They all want to go home. God love them. They just want to forget all about everything and get back to normal.

They don't realise the seriousness of their condition. My mother was the same.

Tell the nurse you mum hasn't eaten since yesterday and should she have something as she's been here seven hours and is tired.

What time is she due to take her medicine again? If now tell the nurse that too.

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 21:23

She’s absolutely exhausted and he kept asking the same questions over and over trying to see if she understands but she’s basically shut down.

OP posts:
Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 21:22

Just saw a doctor. CT is clear. He wants her to have a chest xray and she’s just absolutely refusing and wants to go home so badly she’s almost crying.

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 29/12/2024 21:18

Hopefully you'll get feedback shortly. Fainting on standing up is common as anything, but fainting whilst sitting down is always rather more worrying. I presume she's had a normal ECG? Sounds worth waiting to see the doctor.

RosesAndHellebores · 29/12/2024 21:15

I find it insane that ab 82 year old, in A&E for 7 plus hours has not been offered a cup of tea. Isn't that a part of nursing care?

@Helladelinquent I'm not sure of your area, but here I could order a cuppa via Deliveroo. Any chance?

PondWarrior · 29/12/2024 21:11

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 21:01

Apparently the doctor has her card - anyone any idea what that might mean.

Hope you’re seen and home soon!

IrritableVowel · 29/12/2024 21:11

Sorry, Vincent's in Dublin. The way you described A&E layout sounds similar. I was just going to tell you there is a Costa in main building, but I don't know what time they close at. I hope you don't have too much longer to wait now

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 21:08

IrritableVowel · 29/12/2024 21:05

Are you in SVUH by any chance OP?

Not sure which one that is. I’m in Kerry.

OP posts:
IrritableVowel · 29/12/2024 21:05

Are you in SVUH by any chance OP?

PotatoFan · 29/12/2024 21:02

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 21:01

Apparently the doctor has her card - anyone any idea what that might mean.

That they’re having a look at her notes and results and will probably call you through shortly.

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 21:01

Apparently the doctor has her card - anyone any idea what that might mean.

OP posts:
Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 21:00

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 29/12/2024 20:59

Uk healthcare is just shit. Here is Spain, our friend is unwell .. 15 minutes for ambulance. Operated same day for aneurysm. He's doing OK. He would likely be dead in uk

I’m actually in Ireland but it sounds similar.

OP posts:
EmeraldRoulette · 29/12/2024 20:59

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 20:10

She’s had a few sips but in general she hates water. At home she lives on half cups of tea.

Oh that's a tough one

hope you get out of there soon

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 29/12/2024 20:59

Uk healthcare is just shit. Here is Spain, our friend is unwell .. 15 minutes for ambulance. Operated same day for aneurysm. He's doing OK. He would likely be dead in uk

pusskins06 · 29/12/2024 20:46

They probably want the CT to rule out her having had a TIA ( mini stroke ) Best to wait

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 20:18

TwinkleLights24 · 29/12/2024 20:16

Are there any vending machines or shops in the hospital? I know Costa opens until late at my local hospital.

No Costa - there’s a coffee vending machine and a drinks/chocolate/crisps machine.

the A&e is in a slightly separate area to the main hospital so no cafe at all.

OP posts:
TwinkleLights24 · 29/12/2024 20:16

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 20:10

She’s had a few sips but in general she hates water. At home she lives on half cups of tea.

Are there any vending machines or shops in the hospital? I know Costa opens until late at my local hospital.

TwinkleLights24 · 29/12/2024 20:11

I’d wait it out as she has already waited this long.

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 20:10

EmeraldRoulette · 29/12/2024 20:06

is she refusing water?

She’s had a few sips but in general she hates water. At home she lives on half cups of tea.

OP posts:
EmeraldRoulette · 29/12/2024 20:06

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 20:00

Probably and probably more dehydrated now. Still waiting.

is she refusing water?

Helladelinquent · 29/12/2024 20:00

Emmacb82 · 29/12/2024 19:36

She’s most probably a bit dehydrated if she hadn’t eaten or drunk anything before mass. That can cause tachycardia too. But I wouldn’t be taking any chances at her age, they’ve decided she needs a scan etc so it would be wise to make sure everything is fine before leaving. I completely agree that it’s a long painful wait when you’re elderly but at the end of the day she has been taken there because she was unwell. You’ve waited this long, results should be back soon. Hope all is ok.

Probably and probably more dehydrated now. Still waiting.

OP posts:
Emmacb82 · 29/12/2024 19:36

She’s most probably a bit dehydrated if she hadn’t eaten or drunk anything before mass. That can cause tachycardia too. But I wouldn’t be taking any chances at her age, they’ve decided she needs a scan etc so it would be wise to make sure everything is fine before leaving. I completely agree that it’s a long painful wait when you’re elderly but at the end of the day she has been taken there because she was unwell. You’ve waited this long, results should be back soon. Hope all is ok.

Grahamhousehushand · 29/12/2024 19:32

You didn't witness the fall..trying to leave is sometimes a symptom of confusion following head trauma and that will be why they did the CT. Obviously it's prob clear but if it isn't you want to be in hospital when they read it. Don't worry about nagging though - radiographers will usually spot anything urgent fast but they can't officially let you go till a radiologist signs it off as clear and that can be slow. Only because the radiologist will be reporting on lots of others too but sometimes a nurse saying can we sort out Mrs Smith as she's been here since 11 and is desperate to get home can help.

So yes, please try and stay. But don't be embarrassed about explaining the situation and that if the CT is clear she really needs to get home and rest. I have had similar with family lately too and some staff have been really excellent at keeping us informed.

bluebalou · 29/12/2024 19:31

I'd personally stay you've got through most of it now and to be on the safe side with her age she needs to be fully checked, go get her a cup of tea and tell her to relax , it will soon be sorted or she will have to do it all again , best to push through now.

Notmanyleftnow · 29/12/2024 19:27

I was in your position with my 81 year old mother about three weeks ago. After about 7 hours she signed herself out against medical advice. She went home, fell about twenty more times while I was there, and is now, horrifically, on end of life care in hospital.
I guess not signing herself out would have made little difference except she would have sustained fewer injuries if had stayed in hospital... sorry. I don't know why I'm sharing this, except that I thought I'd just go along with her discharging herself and it would all be over
Ignore this post if you like.

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