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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

As a middle aged mother of 6, I've never been to A&E, dont know if I should go today?

86 replies

PeppasNanna · 31/05/2016 10:08

More of a WWYD then AIBU, Sorry!
I think I've broken my finger. I hit it off a door frame last night. Instantly I had a searing pain in my hand.

Went to bed got up this morning to a swollen, blue & very sore finger.
Is it worth going to A&E?
I've strapped my fingers. Taken nurofen. Its still very painful.

What else should i do?

Typically crap timing. Half term & going to a wedding in a few days. Million things to do rather then sit in A&E!

OP posts:
GeraldineFangedVagine · 31/05/2016 11:33

It is best to go somewhere that allows you to have your hand x rayed. Go to a and e. If nothing else they might splint it and give you some codeine. It's probably just a straightforward fracture but why take the risk. My little finger is permanently bent, numb and twisted from a similar accident ten years ago.

Needmoresleep · 31/05/2016 11:56

It's half term. I know my DD would be only too happy to be asked to do a bit of emergency child care. She is so bored of revising. Do you have any sensible teenage neighbours. Perhaps pay two of them. They and your DC would probably enjoy it.

lalalalyra · 31/05/2016 12:19

Please go an get it checked. I did similar, was busy with kids (4 at the time) and didn't bother going. Four weeks later I was at the GP for something else, mentioned the 'weird' feeling I still have and was sent off to hospital. One operation later I have a scar on the back of my hand from where they had to rebreak it and pin it. If I'd went at the time they could have just put it in place properly then splint it. I still don't have full movement 2 more kids later.

WreckingBallsInsideMyHead · 31/05/2016 12:34

First aid trained and yes to getting X-rays

The likelihood is that all they'll do is strap it and painkillers and anti-inflamatories. But in a tiny fraction of cases, something more is needed, and that's why you need to get it checked out by a professional who can see it, feel it, and X-ray it which none of us can!

bingandflop · 31/05/2016 14:22

How's it going OP?

Original poster
PeppasNanna · 31/05/2016 16:39

Still wauyingvto be seen by a nurse practitioner.

Got here at 3pm...

Now I wish i hadn't bothered. Wasting my time & probably theirs...

OP posts:
situatedknowledge · 31/05/2016 16:42

You are not wasting their time.

I am awestruck at you having 6 children and no visits to A&E!

Hope they fix you soon.

Original poster
PeppasNanna · 31/05/2016 18:05

I've never been to A&E for myself.
I very much doubt if i have the ability to walk &:talk, i will go again!

4 out of the 6 dc have been to A&E, with typical dc stuff.

OP posts:
bingandflop · 31/05/2016 18:09

Have you been seen now? Hope your finger is ok

2ManySweets · 31/05/2016 18:09

You're doing the right thing. The consequences of not going could potentially lead to amputation.

I know that sounds dramatic but it's true, so you're not wasting anyone's time at all. Just let the professionals do their thing and do as they tell you!

Good luck Smile

standingonlego · 31/05/2016 18:21

A&E - your injury sounds exactly like my DD recently. Just go, longer you leave it the busier it will get down there ! I spoke to nhs direct first

ChipsandGuac · 31/05/2016 18:25

I'm in awe you have 6 kids and have never been to A&E. I only have 4 and really should be offered a frequent fligher pass Blush

Original poster
PeppasNanna · 31/05/2016 18:27

I left. I shouldn't have bothered. Wasted my afternoon. Loads to do. Im going away tomorrow so i will strap my fingers together, take a few nurofen & it will be fine. Bones will heal regardless.
Thanks for all your replies.

OP posts:
MrsEricBana · 31/05/2016 18:37

Sorry to be harbinger of doom but similar happened to me. I waited a week to get an xray as didn't want to cause a fuss. They said not broken or dislocated BUT must have been torn ligament or something as 5 years later it still won't straighten, really hurts when it's cold etc. Do get it seen to if it's not right soon (I now know they do take broken fingers seriously as it's your grabbing tool so to speak, but not toes unless really damaged).

lljkk · 31/05/2016 18:50

So you went but they didn't find anything they could make better? Not even given strong painkillers? Bummer!

SoupDragon · 31/05/2016 19:25

They didn't get to look as the Op left.

runningincircles12 · 31/05/2016 19:27

So you never even saw anyone? OK, well hope you're right that bones will just heal themselves regardless. Doesn't seem to work that way with other broken bones, but maybe your finger will be the exception...

AugustaFinkNottle · 31/05/2016 19:29

OP, bones may heal, but they may heal in the wrong position. Torn ligaments really cannot be sorted out by nurofen and strapping your fingers together.

Was saving an hour or so really worth potentially losing the use of your finger?

lovemakespeace · 31/05/2016 19:29

I wouldn't mess around with fingers - too many nerves / ligaments etc. You need to have it properly looked at and probably a referral to a hand therapist.

Dungandbother · 31/05/2016 19:34

A friends DD bent her pinky back. Thought nothing of it but I insisted she take her to A&E while I had the other children. It had swollen and bruised at the joint of the hand.

The DD had to go to a specialist hand unit in London to have it fully assessed and splinted. They moulded a special splint to fit her hand exactly. DD never even cried but it needed specialist doctors to ensure her hand didn't suffer permanent damage.

Go back to hospital OP.

lljkk · 31/05/2016 19:34

Ah... It's OP's decision. X my fingers that you recover fine. :)

Goingtobeawesome · 31/05/2016 19:39

Did you not realise you'd probably have to wait 2-4 hours? Bit silly to stop off home when you could be left with irreparable damage.

I took ds2 last week to get his head glued. There was a clear notice saying the wait was 2-3 hours. Was two hours from leaving home to getting back and the staff were wonderful with him.

Natsku · 31/05/2016 19:40

It is very annoying waiting at A&E but if its possible to go back I would, especially as you said it was blue/purple and numb as that doesn't sound too good (maybe circulation is cut off??). They might need to put it in a special splint to put it in the right position to heal.

Victoriaplum79 · 31/05/2016 20:24

Hand injuries are taken seriously in emergency departments as our hands are very important to us functionally speaking, You definitely need to be examined and probably xrayed too. It's important to get the correct diagnosis and treatment to prevent chronic pain and deformity.

PacificDogwod · 31/05/2016 20:29

Is it your dominant hand?

When you make a fist does the affected finger curl in to the palm of your hand in the normal manner or does it look rotated?

Yes, many finger injuries including simple broken bones will just heal and strapping helps with the pain, but if the position is bad and/or tendons are affected you could have a lifelong limitation to that hand - little finger is admittedly less important to function than, say, the index finger, but it can get terribly in the way if you cannot move it right.

None of us here can diagnose you here.
You had already sat and waited for a couple of hours - that waiting time is now wasted. I think I'd've stayed tbh.

Good luck, I hope all's well in the end.