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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to go to A&E? I'm really unsure...

28 replies

CajaDeLaMemoria · 10/10/2012 11:32

I've had a bad cough for the past two weeks. It's really hacking, and sore. My throat is sore, my chest hurts, and I can't move without having a coughing fit.

I've just moved to a new area. It's three hours back to my GP. The nearest walk-in centre here is 45 minutes drive away, and I can't drive. There is no one to take me. I can't see a doctor until two weeks after I register, and they are up a big hill in town, so I can't walk there to plead with them.

I did get amoxicillin, but it's done nothing and I ran out today. During the day, it does settle a bit. Yesterday was okay. At night, it gets bad again and I can't breathe. Cough mixtures etc are not touching it at all.

NHS Direct told me to go to A&E last night but I couldn't get there. Today I'm sore and upset and so fed up of being ill. I've had to take two weeks off so far, and although uni can hear how ill I am, they now want medical evidence.

I don't know whether to go to A&E this morning. I'd have to get a taxi, and it'll be £20 each way, but there is no one who can take me. I've been ill for so long now. The only problem is, right now I can breathe okay, and my cough is more settled than it has been (although I just had a coughing fit and threw up whilst on the phone). I could get there and it seem fine.

Do I go? I've tried calling the NHS again but she keeps saying that there is no other option and I should get seen - the staff at A&E are likely to take a different view though, and I'm a wimp.

OP posts:
Arithmeticulous · 10/10/2012 11:33

What did NHS direct say about an emergency appointment with GP as a visitor to the area?

alienreflux · 10/10/2012 11:34

just go! yes it's going to cost you 40 quid, but if you can do it, do it. you need stronger anti biotics. have you tried ringing your gp? they may have home visits? or some other idea?

CSIJanner · 10/10/2012 11:34

The uni should have their own GP. Ring and ask for their details. As a student, they should see young problem. Hope you feel better soon!

alienreflux · 10/10/2012 11:35

yes, i've gone on same day to my mums doc as a 'visitor' ring your GP

jam17 · 10/10/2012 11:35

If you 're asking this and can type, don't go to a&e.

Unless you're dying then you're wasting them time (or they'll make you feel like that!) NHS direct or doctors.

Paiviaso · 10/10/2012 11:36

You should go. You need a written note for your university, as well as seeing and possibly more drugs.

You can't see your GP as you have just moved, and NHS direct told you should go, so explain this to the A&E staff.

mrsrosieb · 10/10/2012 11:37

I worked as an A&E doctor for 3 years.

You should go to the nearest GP surgery, register as a new resident and then ask for a new appointment. If they do not allow this insist you will just fill a temporary resident form in and be seen that way.

I have not practiced now for 6 years so things may have changed but a GP surgery can not refuse to see you for 2 weeks-that is ridiculous.

Original poster
CajaDeLaMemoria · 10/10/2012 11:39

I missed a bit out, sorry!

The GP won't see me without my notes, because I have a pretty advanced medical history, and they don't feel comfortable treating me without access to it.

The university medical centre gave me amoxicillin and I went back yesterday and the day before, but she said she'd out of her depth now and recommended I went to A&E.

I'm so torn. I've even considered trying to get home to see my GP there, but it's a long train ride and I can't get to the end of my row of houses without needing to sit down and having a coughing fit.

Thank you for all the responses so far, they are much appreciated.

OP posts:
DuchessofMalfi · 10/10/2012 11:40

jam17 that's not really helpful here. The OP has asked for advice. My MIL was taken ill recently and was told she should go to a&e. She was resistant, didn't want to bother them etc. She could still walk, talk etc and didn't she was ill enough to go. She was persuaded to go, and collapsed as soon as she got there, with a massive blood clot on her lungs.

Go, OP. That's what hospitals and doctors are there for. If you're worried, get checked out, for your own peace of mind.

DuchessofMalfi · 10/10/2012 11:41

didn't think she was ill enough to go.

ScaryBeardyCandyman · 10/10/2012 11:44

You've been advised to go to a&e by a doctor and NHS direct already, so go! If it's been this bad for this long you need to be seen.

steppemum · 10/10/2012 11:44

you can go to any gp as a visitor. If that doesn't work, go to Aand E. I wouldn't normally say that, but NHS direct told you to, and you can tell the A and E that.

You may have pneumonia/pleurisy etc. You do need to see someone. Is there anyone who can give you a lift? No other students with cars?
Phone the student union, ask if they have anyone who can help (some have student liason/welfar officers.

If no success, bit the bullet and take the taxi.

Tuttutitlookslikerain · 10/10/2012 11:46

You can be seen by a GP as a temporary patient.

How would they know you have a complex medical history if you've not seen them and not registered?Confused

mumineedawee · 10/10/2012 11:46

Just go to a and e. The triage nurse will decide fairly quickly whether or not you are within their remit.

You poor thing. Hope you get sorted soon.

ClippedPhoenix · 10/10/2012 11:48

Sweetheart, wrap up warm, call that cab and get yourself to A&E.

Indith · 10/10/2012 11:51

A GP who has seen you has told you to go to A&E. What are you asking us for? If a Dr thinks it is serious enough for A&E then bloody well go there!

whatsoever · 10/10/2012 13:30

Nhs direct and a GP have told you to go to A&E - that would be enough permission for me!

I've been to A&E three times, all on medical advice & I was dying precisely none of those times. They were for miscarriage, suspected broken foot and a vein that wouldn't stop bleeding and needed to be cauterised. A&E is a hospital service gatekeeper, not just a resuscitation unit.

QueenStromba · 10/10/2012 13:42

Sounds to me like you need a chest X-ray which you'll need to go to hospital for anyway.

Original poster
CajaDeLaMemoria · 10/10/2012 19:11

I just wanted to update this and thank everyone for their replies.

I got the confidence to order a taxi and went to A&E at midday. I just got home. They did not mind that I was there, and even rushed me through. I've had 4 blood tests, 2 chest x-rays and various other tests, and a diagnosis of whooping cough. Everyone has been notified, and I've got antibiotics.

I feel terrible, and exhausted, but I'm glad I went. And that I posted here! Thank you all.

OP posts:
UltraBOF · 10/10/2012 19:16

Oh dear, I hope you recover soon, it can be so awful.

Northernlurkerisbehindyouboo · 10/10/2012 19:18

You poor thing. So glad you were seen. How vile to have whooping cough. There is a poster on here called Sarahstratton who has had that recently - look out for her.

By the way - the poster who said A&E is only for if you're dying - that was a really stupid post. I hope you'll think before you post next time. A&E is for accidents or emergencies. Being told by your GP that they can't help you and you need a hospital definately falls in the latter category.

MyLastDuchess · 10/10/2012 19:18

I'm so glad you went. I was going to post that a friend of mine resisted going to the doctor and turned out to have pneumonia.

I really hope you're feeling better soon!

mamij · 10/10/2012 19:22

Glad you've found out what you have. I think sometimes not knowing is the worse!

Hope you feel better soon.

Sassybeast · 10/10/2012 19:30

Arrrrggh - just read your OP and my immediate thought was whooping cough - it seems to be really spreading like wildfire at present!
Feel better soon.

DigestivesWithPhiladelphia · 10/10/2012 19:44

jam17 - why have you decided that going to A & E is only for people who are too unwell to type or are "dying"?! That wouldn't even fit the criteria for calling an ambulance in some cases.

I have been to A & E several times recently and I could walk, talk & appeared physically 'well' apart from being breathless. It turned out that I had multiple clots on my lungs and, until I started treatment, was in danger of having a heart attack at any time. I hope no-one reading this thread sees your post & is put off going for help when they need it. Also, in many areas, the out of hours service is now crap. When my DD was very ill, a paramedic told me that if I was ever seriously worried about my/my families health, then the best option (out of hours) would be straight to A & E or call 999. Not ideal for the local A & E dept. of course, but when the out of hours service doesn't respond quickly to emergencies then there is no other option for patients who need urgent care.

OP - I hope you feel better soon.