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Original poster

Should I go to A&E…?

55 replies

Fluffygreenslippers · 27/03/2023 20:32

I know the general consensus is no, not unless your leg is falling off but I am in agony with my stomach. I had what I thought was gastritis start in January, but kept having flare ups of agonising pain that would then subside. I’ve been in pain for 48 hours, in my stomach radiating to the right side and upper back. It’s not easing off. I’ve eaten a small amount of rice today, nothing else. This increased the pain. Antacids have stopped working. I’ve been throwing up what I think is acid.

I have tried several times in the past three months to phone my gp but i have been in a long queue & unable to wait on hold as i have to look after the baby. Should I go to a&e? The thought of sitting there in this pain is horrifying but i’m terrified ive got something seriously wrong.

OP posts:
forgeti · 28/03/2023 02:40

i’d tell the triage nurse that you’re having difficulty sitting in the waiting area tbh, sitting on the floor is bound to cause more pain for you

forgeti · 28/03/2023 02:42

How interesting that the hospital is packed at this time though, I’d assume it would be a quieter time.

BertaHoon · 28/03/2023 03:54

forgeti · 28/03/2023 02:42

How interesting that the hospital is packed at this time though, I’d assume it would be a quieter time.

Uh?

My friend spent 20 hours in the A&E waiting room because there were no beds. Heart pains. In for 4 days, diagnosed with Angina.

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3luckystars · 28/03/2023 03:58

Stay there. I know it’s like a war zone but if you leave you will have to start all over again.

you are very ill. Stay put. The darkest hour is just before dawn. Good luck.

forgeti · 28/03/2023 04:09

BertaHoon · 28/03/2023 03:54

Uh?

My friend spent 20 hours in the A&E waiting room because there were no beds. Heart pains. In for 4 days, diagnosed with Angina.

Show quote history

Weird response. My point was Tuesday at 2am isn’t peak timing at A&E, that’s the weekend when other services aren’t accessible and people are out more therefore more demand on A&E.

Also your friend’s situation isn’t particularly relevant to my post. They needed to be admitted as an inpatient and occupy a bed. Not all people attending A&E need that. Therefore your friend’s experience isn’t necessarily the standard A&E patient experience. Not all hospitals are suffering from bed shortages either.

BertaHoon · 28/03/2023 04:16

forgeti · 28/03/2023 04:09

Weird response. My point was Tuesday at 2am isn’t peak timing at A&E, that’s the weekend when other services aren’t accessible and people are out more therefore more demand on A&E.

Also your friend’s situation isn’t particularly relevant to my post. They needed to be admitted as an inpatient and occupy a bed. Not all people attending A&E need that. Therefore your friend’s experience isn’t necessarily the standard A&E patient experience. Not all hospitals are suffering from bed shortages either.

Show quote history

You're strange.

Accidents happen all the time. I guess you don't live in a city or a university town at least.

I'd love to pop along to an A&E that's empty at 2am. In fact I did once. On a drip, on a seat until consultant could discharge me at 7am. Then I had to wait until 9am for the chemist to open. No, I wasn't given a paper prescription, it was sent to the hospital chemist.

You continue in your angry bold cuckoo land. Steady now.

BrutusMcDogface · 28/03/2023 04:18

Oh op, sounds miserable. I hope you’ve been seen now 💐

Lolarosemama · 28/03/2023 04:23

How are you OP?

twoandcooplease · 28/03/2023 04:23

That sounds horrendous @BertaHoon
I don't live in a city but often sympathise with pp's who update all through the night. Our A&E NHS guidelines is to be seen within 4 hours
Everyone was in uproar when it was 6. It's been a long time since our hospital failed to meet

Hope you are feeling a bit better @Fluffygreenslippers that sounds so painful. I hope they can diagnose and help tonight you must be exhausted xx

321user123 · 28/03/2023 04:48

Wishing you all the best OP xx
I hope you get seen soon and it all resolved well. 💐

BertaHoon · 28/03/2023 04:51

twoandcooplease · 28/03/2023 04:23

That sounds horrendous @BertaHoon
I don't live in a city but often sympathise with pp's who update all through the night. Our A&E NHS guidelines is to be seen within 4 hours
Everyone was in uproar when it was 6. It's been a long time since our hospital failed to meet

Hope you are feeling a bit better @Fluffygreenslippers that sounds so painful. I hope they can diagnose and help tonight you must be exhausted xx

Goodness me, 6 hours would be speedy!

Even years ago, we booked a caravan. Me, Mum and my kids. Arrived. Whoop! Straight to the beach where I promptly fell over and broke my wrist!
Taxi'd to Portsmouth A&E - 7 hours there including x-ray and splint.

We'd only gone for 2 nights 🤣

Still I enjoy waving to Mum in the pool 😉 Grand job Nana, keep it up! Aw .

Autienotnautie · 28/03/2023 04:53

Hope your ok op there's lot's of underlying conditions that can cause agonising pain. Gallstones, IBS, grumbling appendix. Hope they get to the bottom of it.

BertaHoon · 28/03/2023 04:53

3luckystars · 28/03/2023 03:58

Stay there. I know it’s like a war zone but if you leave you will have to start all over again.

you are very ill. Stay put. The darkest hour is just before dawn. Good luck.

This.

We're all here. Stick with it.

BertaHoon · 28/03/2023 04:56

Hoping you are in a bed, dosed up on painkillers. Snoring!

webuiltthiscityonrockandwheat · 28/03/2023 05:02

I hope everything is ok OP. A&E is rammed most places at the moment. We brought DS in earlier and it was a horrible place to be. Fortunately he got a bed after 3 hours. I hope you get seen very soon

Toddlerteaplease · 28/03/2023 06:36

@forgeti we had 245 patients inn A&East night. Never seen it so busy in 19 years. Normal is about 120.

Original poster
Fluffygreenslippers · 28/03/2023 06:52

BertaHoon · 28/03/2023 04:56

Hoping you are in a bed, dosed up on painkillers. Snoring!

Sadly not. I’m still waiting to be seen. :(

OP posts:
BertaHoon · 28/03/2023 07:01

Fluffygreenslippers · 28/03/2023 06:52

Sadly not. I’m still waiting to be seen. :(

Show quote history

Oh no!

Sending you, and I'm sure others will join - a very unmumsnetty hug!!

Have they at least given you pain relief?

Goodness me. Keeping everything crossed for you. Do ask if they gave forgotten you and remind them that you are in pain. ... Might work...

BertaHoon · 28/03/2023 07:03

Toddlerteaplease · 28/03/2023 06:36

@forgeti we had 245 patients inn A&East night. Never seen it so busy in 19 years. Normal is about 120.

On a Tuesday? At 2am? The quiet time? Surely not! 😉 I bet you could do with some kip too!

Rosula · 28/03/2023 07:16

Good grief. An 8 hour wait when you're in severe pain. The system really is broken.

Original poster
Fluffygreenslippers · 28/03/2023 07:17

I’ve just seen the doctor. He suspects gallstones. He’s referring me to have an ultrasound in 5 days. I’m just sitting waiting for the nurse to bring antisickness tablets & painkillers.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 28/03/2023 07:18

Fluffygreenslippers · 28/03/2023 07:17

I’ve just seen the doctor. He suspects gallstones. He’s referring me to have an ultrasound in 5 days. I’m just sitting waiting for the nurse to bring antisickness tablets & painkillers.

thanks for the update. I have been thinking of you

Crumpetdisappointment · 28/03/2023 07:21

glad you got seen,

Toddlerteaplease · 28/03/2023 07:28

@BertaHoon yep. Fortunately I don't work in A&E.

PoseyFlump · 28/03/2023 07:30

My neighbour is in hospital with pancreatitis and my work colleague's sister. Both were initially suspected of having gallstones. It may just be a coincidence but I have read pancreatitis can be caused by the covid vaccine so no harm OP in asking if they have ruled it out.