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Original poster

Anyone around... scared

786 replies

DarkSuitsSadSongs · 07/08/2025 22:46

I'm home alone with my 12 year old twins as my husband is working away and not due back until tomorrow evening. He's about 6 hours away.

Over the last few days I've had a painful boil under my boob. I saw the GP today as it doubled in size overnight. There is a red circle around it. She prescribed doxycycline (2 a day) and said to phone back if it gets worse.

I've been getting more and more unwell. My left arm has started tingling, I'm sweating with cold hands and feet, the pain is indescribable and I'm exhausted. I slept for 6 hours this afternoon and I'm still utterly exhausted and all my joints hurt.

I've had to phone my father in law who is an hour away to come through to sit with the twins. I'm on hold to 111 but a 45 minute wait to call answer as a minimum they said.

I'm not sure whether just to call a taxi when FIL gets here to go straight to accident and emergency.

I'm a little freaked out at how unwell I feel.

OP posts:
LambriniBobInIsleworthISeesYa · 08/08/2025 00:43

Another vote for “sounds like sepsis, go to A&E ASAP. Another person who knows from experience what the symptoms are. I also had to wait around for hours in our busy, London university hospital for treatment but still better to be at the hospital rather than home. Good luck.

VegemiteOnToast · 08/08/2025 00:44

FYI I had sepsis from a UTI and was fine after a 3 day hospital stay and lots of antibiotics. I hope they are looking after you.

3luckystars · 08/08/2025 00:45

I agree keep saying sepsis to every person you meet.

I hope you get help soon x x

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Willquery123 · 08/08/2025 00:45

Go to the reception desk and tell them you have the symptoms of sepsis.

DH had this but was sent to A&E by the Dr, who wrote him a letter to be seen straight away.

Good luck op. Once you have those antibiotics you'll feel so much better x

TuMadreEsLoca · 08/08/2025 00:51

Aw OP this is horrible. I hope you’re seen soon x

Byjimminy · 08/08/2025 00:51

BobbiBrownJones · 08/08/2025 00:42

I’ve had sepsis and I went into septic shock. If you start shivering and feel cold you have to alert the staff immediately. Don’t be fobbed off. I mean it.

This

MumWifeOther · 08/08/2025 00:52

HandleThiss · 08/08/2025 00:30

She’s already at A&E!

Show quote history

Oh good

PrincessofWells · 08/08/2025 00:52

How's it going op? Hope you're OK and being seen x

Byjimminy · 08/08/2025 00:55

Piknik · 08/08/2025 00:32

Agree that you need to keep them posted on how you are progressing/symptoms are developing.

Don't be embarrassed to tell them that you have deteriorated since you arrived. Point out that your GP put you on antibiotics today as there was already a question mark around infection, and be clear that you are worried about sepsis.

A wound bleeding through a bandage might look more dramatic but actually, is unlikely to be as urgent as an internal infection. Advocate for yourself OP. Good luck.

This too!

Crazymayfly · 08/08/2025 01:02

I hope you get seen soon OP - as others have mentioned please let them know if you’re feeling worse, and keep mentioning sepsis. X

Noominia · 08/08/2025 01:08

What the others are saying - don’t be polite about this. Sepsis is dangerous. Really glad that you got yourself to hospital.

murasaki · 08/08/2025 01:10

If you feel worse, definitely go to the desk and let them know.

tinyspiny · 08/08/2025 01:14

How are you getting on @DarkSuitsSadSongs ?

Wheresthebeach · 08/08/2025 01:16

Glad you’re at the hospital. Like the others have said keep mentioning sepsis.

Deebee90 · 08/08/2025 01:26

im currently in hospital with sepsis and it’s no walk in the park, I came in with one thing and they found this at the same time. Honestly I thought it was over for me I felt so bad. I did have to wait for ages though in a&e so I hope you get seen quick.

Ellabella2001 · 08/08/2025 01:29

You might have an infection. I don’t want to worry you, but I have to say, you need to get to a hospital as soon as you can. It could turn septic and well I’m sure you know what that means. Try to go as soon as you can. You’re gonna be alright.

1000DayChallenge · 08/08/2025 01:41

I really hope you’re ok

mummymetalhead · 08/08/2025 01:41

I really hope you get seen asap! Please go to the nurses station and say you think you may have sepsis.
wishing you a fast recovery xx

coxesorangepippin · 08/08/2025 01:52

Hope you're feeling better soon op 💐

L0bstersLass · 08/08/2025 02:04

Piknik · 08/08/2025 00:32

Agree that you need to keep them posted on how you are progressing/symptoms are developing.

Don't be embarrassed to tell them that you have deteriorated since you arrived. Point out that your GP put you on antibiotics today as there was already a question mark around infection, and be clear that you are worried about sepsis.

A wound bleeding through a bandage might look more dramatic but actually, is unlikely to be as urgent as an internal infection. Advocate for yourself OP. Good luck.

@DarkSuitsSadSongs I totally agree with this. Specifically this bit...

...tell them that you have deteriorated since you arrived. Point out that your GP put you on antibiotics today as there was already a question mark around infection, and be clear that you are worried about sepsis.

This is no time to be shy.
My advice is to go up to reception, look dreadful and tell them the above and how much worse you feel than when you arrived. And keep mentioning sepsis.
Wishing you an efficient progress through A&E.

LBFseBrom · 08/08/2025 02:42

Go to A&E, it sounds as though you have an infection. The boil needs treating topically, it will be better when it bursts and a course of antibiotics is essential. I had one in an armpit some years ago, I think it may have been in a hair follicle. It was very painful at the time but I was OK. You will be too. Good luck and please let us know how you get on. x

NewLifeLoading · 08/08/2025 02:45

Tell them how ill you feel and keep telling them

Original poster
DarkSuitsSadSongs · 08/08/2025 02:50

I've been triaged.

After taking my observations she said "you don't have sepsis. Cellulitis yes. Sepsis no"

She had a look at the boil and drew around it but said it looked like a boil and not an abscess. She advised that I'll be waiting hours to be seen as I will be the lowest priority and if she were me she would go home and wait to see my GP in the morning but antibiotics take 2 days to begin to work.

I did explains that it feels bigger, has gone from being round to oval and the pain is worse than it was. She nodded and said I was welcome to wait if that's what I wanted and she gave me 2 paracetamol and said it'd be about 4 hours to see a doctor.

So I'm back out in the waiting room feeling like an idiot. I don't know maybe I should just go home and ring my GP at 8am.

OP posts:
mummymetalhead · 08/08/2025 02:52

Do not go home. Stay to see a dr and demand bloods be taken. She sounds absolutely useless.

Ellabella2001 · 08/08/2025 02:57

Sometimes these doctors and nurses are just so overworked with so much to do, that they don’t get the chance to give adequate care.

Look up Martha’s Rule, I think this may apply for you. You can ask for a second opinion.

Please advocate for yourself.

I hope you are all better soon enough.

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