To want to go to A&E!?

[hollowtree]

My first AIBU so go a little easy- also feeling extremely sorry for myself!

For about 2 weeks I've been having chronic headaches (think can't drive/lights hurt) which I put down to sleep deprivation. On my worst days I used the codiene I was given after my EMCS! Naughty I know but when you have a small baby and no time for the bloody doctors you'll do anything.

Last few days been feeling a bit fluey- temperature, fatigue, aches and pains along with the usual cough/sore throat/stuffy nose.

Then, last night around 2am I woke up with this excruciating pain in my ear along with (what sounded to me like) a firework display in my head! Followed by fluid leaking out from my ear all over my pillow.

So I thought- happy days: must have been an ear infection/abscess which had sorted itself out and explains the headaches and temperature.

But the pain is getting worse. And I'm feeling so dizzy and just so so shit. My head is banging, my neck is aching and my body feels like it's giving up on me.

I sort of want to see if I need fixing, and getting through today has been a struggle let alone waiting all of tomorrow for an appointment on Monday 😓 WIBU to call 111 and ask if I should be worried or if I need to go to A&E?

I read a thread on here recently about wasting NHS resources and now feeling guilty please tel me WWYD

Why do people tell others to not go to a&e.

Just because someone has been ill for afew days, it does not mean they arent an emergency....

Pneumonia and Sepsis among other things can take days to develop!!!!

Why do people feel the need to always say "Don't go to a&e"
You may just be putting a life at risk!

I am in! A doctor has looked in my ear and my eardrum has burst, but he said ok that'll get better in 3 weeks. That's it.

I explained all my symptoms and he said it's typical of an infection and it will get better now it's burst. Not taken my temperature or anything. So I sort of argued a bit and said no I really really don't feel well.

So he walked off to get someone else- just waiting for them now as he has started working with another patient. I'm not sure what to say and DH isn't here because DD was screaming so he took her for a walk.

Come on hollow! Get a grip! Force the doctors to help!!!

I never said anything because it's been a tough week and I'm not spoiling for a fight, but I was pretty appalled that people were trying to talk the OP out of going to A&E when she posted yesterday :(.

Blimey .. hope you get seen soon .

Hollow, ask him how you stand on this sepsis assessment.

sepsistrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ED-adult-NICE-Final-1107.pdf

Come on hollow! Get a grip! Force the doctors to help!!!

Sending assertive vibes your way. Please do be assertive. I've had to do it for others and I know it is hard, but you need to know if you need antibiotics or anything else.

Hope you get seen soon and feel better. You said in your original post that you have been unwell for a while didn’t have time for the “bloody” doctors. I have a 4 month old baby and after ignoring my health at first post c section (rest, sleep, food, pain control etc has to take a bit of a hit esp when ebf!) I now try to make time for my own health and my husband is very insistent about it and clears time to take wee one but if not I’d just take her to GP I would just take her with me). it ultimately takes much less time to make a GP appt than you’ve had to spend this weekend and stops things escalating.

Can't get you out of my mind OP...praying you will be seen soon and they will get you sorted xx

Thinking of you Hollow, hope you're soon home Sweet. 🌺

How horrible hope you get sorted soon 💐

Frombothsidesnow

That link is really interesting, not seen it before. I had sepsis and was hospitalized, but only had 3 of the 6 pathway treatments while there!

Your symptoms do seem to be worryingly close to things like sepsis and meningitis, I'm glad you were assertive.

When you do see someone else don't sugar coat your symptoms - try not to say 'a bit sore', say exactly how poorly you feel and share with them that you are feeling doom-laden. It is a symptom of sepsis - it might just be because of your lengthy wait, and I hope it is, but it's also a legit symptom. Lay it all on the doctor and let them decide.

God I hope you're ok, hollow. I agree with being assertive and dont go anywhere until you've been properly assessed and helped. Hopefully your dh will come back and strengthen your argument.

I always feel so sorry for people who work for the NHS. They do an amazing job under appalling conditions.

Right, same doctor just came back and handed me a prescription for some antibiotics- still never took my temperature or anything else.

thissame at the time I thought it was just a headache due to sleep deprivation I didn't think it would turn into anything worse it only really got bad in the last couple of days after my eardrum burst. And I didn't mean "bloody" doctors I think we do an amazing job considering I just meant that I was exhausted from pain and not sleeping and hadn't made time to go before it got really bad.

So everyone- I have antibiotics and I'm going home! Still not heard from 111... But hopefully as soon as I start taking these I'll start feeling a lot better. Thank you so much for all your help and guidance Xx

Derelict was it a while ago? It has changed a fair bit over the last maybe 5 years or so.

Have they done anything other than look in your ear?

Is there any evidence at all that they are considering that what was an ear infection has now spread?

I'm appalled by your treatment, hollowtree. Your hospital is extremely stretched but not to take your temperature or blood pressure, or check your respiratory rate, is negligent.

No one did a set of basic observations on you??? Shocking

Aaaargh this is freaking me out!
I really hope the antibiotics are enough.
Argh.

Sounds awful
But I think you’ll be fine
Long frequent detailed updates on mumsnet don’t tend to go hand in hand with serious illness!

Oh dear I'm another chiming in to say I'm uncomfortable with you not even being examined.

I don't wish to spread anxiety but I've become a lot more risk adverse about my health since having dd. The thought of something happening whilst I'm on my own with her is unbearable. It's worth being pushy and wrong if it means I can relax and look after her.

That's poor. If you feel this bad in the morning I'd be on to your GP for a proper look at you.

Can I suggest you go to a pharmacy on your way home hollowtree? They are very knowledgeable and can give an opinion on whether antibiotics are appropriate, or if they have concerns for something more serious. If that is the case they can call the hospital and let them know they're sending you back and most importantly, why.

You must be exhausted. Hope you are on your way home and that you can get some well-needed rest. Can you get a same-day appointment with your own GP tomorrow? I think you would be reassured if someone could give you a quick check-up while you wait for the antibiotics to kick in.