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Original poster

So disgusted with A&E about my son.

163 replies

Paranoidandroidmarvin · 27/09/2021 05:10

My son has a undiagnosed chronic painful condition.

Got to the point today that he was in so much agony. He could walk and Everytime he tried his legs went from underneath him. The doctors at the surgery have given him no painkillers for this condition.

So I took him to A&E. hoping that they would help him with the pain.

Nope. He sat there for over six hours. And they refused to help him as it was a pre condition. He crawled out of that hospital to the door.
When I got there I had to get him a wheel chair as he could walk.

They let a 17 year old unable to walk. Walk out of that hospital with no treatment and on his own as I had to wait in the car.

OP posts:
Bowtie292 · 27/09/2021 07:55

Wiltshire

@bowtie292I'm not trying to diagnose anybody over the internet (unlike the post I was replying to!)

You're assuming he doesn't have those possible causes of pain based on the very limited information the OP has given. We know absolutely nothing about his medical history.

Hapoydayz · 27/09/2021 07:58

I think it's disgusting that a 17 year old practically crawled out of A&E with no treatment after a 6 hour wait and in pain. Surely there must be some duty of care. Also for the Dr's and nurses to think that is OK is worrying. If his GP is doing nothing, try a different one. Also ask for notes from A&E so you can see why they decided not to bother to do anything.

Lotusmonster · 27/09/2021 07:59

I’m just wondering OP if some digital pain relief (a TENS type unit) might offer your son some temporary form of pain relief which he could control himself whilst he undergoes further investigative tests to find out what the root cause of the problem might be. I do agree that if you’re getting no joy from your current GP you should really consider changing practice or GP as quickly as possible….that can make all the difference.

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LST · 27/09/2021 08:02

That's disgusting of A&E. I have RA and have had to go to A&E a number of times over the years due to horrific flares. They have always given me painkillers at the very least and I was admitted twice.

Branleuse · 27/09/2021 08:02

A&e is appropriate as theres nowhere else. Your son is not receiving proper healthcare or pain management

Mantlemoose · 27/09/2021 08:08

A&E was absolutely appropriate. NHS are a shambles but half the staff are so far up their own "overworked and underpaid " (aren't we all)? backsides they think it's their right to play god. Unfortunately it's those who shout loudest (obviously not shout) that get seen. Phone the docs every day keep at them and pester the living daylights out of them. Someone suggested a tens machine, these can't be used with any sort of inflammation so until you know what you're dealing with don't do that. I hope you get help for your son.

Hotchox · 27/09/2021 08:14

I have a relative with neuropathy in his legs, which makes walking painful. He gets a fair bit of relief from this:

www.boots.com/dreamland-intelliheat-fast-heat-multi-purpose-heatpad-10291831

More than anything though, your son needs to know WHY he is in pain - otherwise treatment suggestions are just stabs in the dark.

SweatyYetti · 27/09/2021 08:16

@Paranoidandroidmarvin if it's severely impacting his day to day life something needs to be done. If you veg not already mentioned it to the GP go down the route of severe impact to his mental health and they may then raise their lazy heads.

Firsttimecatlady · 27/09/2021 08:23

You were ABSOLUTELY correct to go to A&E. A similar situation happened in my family earlier in the year- on-going pain, slowly getting worse, not being touched by over the counter pain relief. Saw GP five separate occasions, and told- nothing can be done. Got so severe we presented at A&E (for the second time- different hospital) with 10/10 pain- thankfully that time they took one look, and admitted. The relative was in hospital for over five weeks, with a severe, life threatening infection, which had been totally missed by GP and first A&E visit. If it had been left much longer it would have potentially resulted in death, and definitely in paralysis.
Follow your instinct. Go back to A&E if you need to. It’s not pain relief that’s needed alone- it’s for someone to ask “why is this pain occurring?” Worryingly- in our experience at least- that happens too infrequently, especially with teens (“just growing pains / drama…”) and middle aged women (“all women this age have aches and pains…”)

Good luck xx

Porridgealert · 27/09/2021 08:24

@Bowtie292 Thank you for getting back to me. That's good to know in case I get a recurrence. I guess it's true that the squeaky wheel gets the oil!

deliciouschilli · 27/09/2021 08:24

Really feel for you and your son. It's not acceptable to leave a child in pain. I hope you get a diagnosis soon, keep going and don't give in x

JinglingHellsBells · 27/09/2021 08:27

I don't agree, sorry.

A&E = accident and emergency.

It wasn't a heart attack, an arterial bleed, a broken limb, or possible loss of life.

I really feel for the OP but the right route is through her GP and that's where the pressure needs to go.

If her son can barely walk and this is an ongoing issue, the GP needs to refer.

We don't know enough about all of this to make further comments, so I hope the OP will come back.

theemperorhasnoclothes · 27/09/2021 08:38

Totally awful your son wasn't seen but A&E staff are under huge pressure. Blame the government, the covid deniers, don't blame them. They have to prioritise and unless it's life threatening, no-ones going to be top of the A&E list these days.

There should have been an out of hours GP on the weekend. I'm disgusted if that's no longer available (putting more pressure on A&E). I've been to loads of out of hours GPs on a Sunday when the kids were little - if they've stopped doing it it will put even more pressure on A&E.

TILFA · 27/09/2021 08:41

@ReeseWitherfork

111 can refer to a GP out of hours at A&E GP OOH aren't (usually) connected to A&E. They're an extension of a GP service, and only operate when GP surgeries are closed. Calling 111 an hour before GP surgeries open won't result in a referral to OOH because we're not really OOH.
Hi, in the city I live in the GP out of hours collaborative is attached to A&E and is open 24-hours a day 365 days a year.
LST · 27/09/2021 08:53

@JinglingHellsBells

I don't agree, sorry.

A&E = accident and emergency.

It wasn't a heart attack, an arterial bleed, a broken limb, or possible loss of life.

I really feel for the OP but the right route is through her GP and that's where the pressure needs to go.

If her son can barely walk and this is an ongoing issue, the GP needs to refer.

We don't know enough about all of this to make further comments, so I hope the OP will come back.

When you are in so much pain you don't actually know what to do with yourself A&E is the only option
ReeseWitherfork · 27/09/2021 08:53

@TILFA hence I said "usually" Wink Although curious if it's called "out of hours" as that literally means "out of GP surgery opening hours". Most GPs who sit in A&E aren't OOH GPs, they're GPs being paid by the hospital. OOH GPs are a separately contracted service.

justasking111 · 27/09/2021 08:59

Take him to a physiotherapist who will examine and write a letter. Then insist on going in with him to GP to advocate for him. My DS was in such pain but the letter plus DIL accompanying him moved things forward

Lovemusic33 · 27/09/2021 09:00

Your poor DS, hospitals seem to not want to give under 18’s anything other than paracetamol.

My dd has several conditions which effects her muscles and bones, she’s often in pain and can barely walk, I keep asking for pain relief for her and it’s refused, we’ve been back to the hospital and all they would prescribe is paracetamol and ibuprofen gel 😬, these make hardly any difference. All we get is referral back to physio which are useless, we have paid for private physio which was slightly better. Dd often had to have a day or 2 in bed because she can’t move without being in pain. It’s frustrating when no one will do anything to help them 😢.

butterpuffed · 27/09/2021 09:08

I'm not diagnosing , it just sounds similar to what my son had at 16. Osgood Schlatters disease. It meant the bones in his leg were growing faster than the muscles and tendons. He was put in plaster for one leg to slow the growth for 4 months then the other leg.

He's been fine ever since.

olidora63 · 27/09/2021 09:09

A and E should be the right place to go if out of hours with agonising pain ! What’s the alternative? Sorry but what a screwed up world we live in where Mothers are telling another Mother that her child’s pain is a waste of Aand E time ! Analgesia could have been given to help until today ! I worked in A and E and it was unheard of to send anyone away in pain ….what has happened to compassion and empathy!

Yummymummy2020 · 27/09/2021 09:12

I would have thought an out of hours gp would send a child straight to a and e in that extent of pain so I think you did go to the right place op and your child was treated badly. I mean it’s not just any pain, he couldn’t walk. And if a scan was suggested previously surely they should have organised it. I feel if you had been let in with him the outcome would have been different as really he is only a child still and they tend to not advocate well for themselves.

AnotherName456 · 27/09/2021 09:12

@JinglingHellsBells

I don't agree, sorry.

A&E = accident and emergency.

It wasn't a heart attack, an arterial bleed, a broken limb, or possible loss of life.

I really feel for the OP but the right route is through her GP and that's where the pressure needs to go.

If her son can barely walk and this is an ongoing issue, the GP needs to refer.

We don't know enough about all of this to make further comments, so I hope the OP will come back.

They don't know what is causing his pain though so it is an emergency, especially if he is in that much pain he can barely walk.
TintinIsBack · 27/09/2021 09:20

@Porridgealert

I don't think anyone can agree whether a&e were reasonable or not without knowing more of your son's condition. I had spondylolisthesis - cracked, slipped vertebrae. The gp game me gabapentin but it relieved no pain. There was nothing a&e could have given me. I just had to wait for an operation.
The condition is undiagnosed which is probable at the root of all of the ds issues…..

Getting a diagnosis is the first step. But it sounds like no one wants to look at what’s going on.

cheesegloriouscheeseyum · 27/09/2021 09:21

What kind of pain is it, OP? What scan should he have had?

TheYearOfSmallThings · 27/09/2021 09:22

It was not inappropriate for the OP to bring her DS to A&E, but it was appropriate for them to refuse to prescribe strong pain relief for an undiagnosed long term condition. A&E is a massive target for people seeking prescription painkillers.

However if they discharged him without investigating his current pain, that is unacceptable.