That my friend is annoyed that an ambulance was called for me...

[ClothesHangingOnTheFloor]

I had a bad asthma attack in the middle of the night - lasted over an hour, my partner dialled 111 but they immediately issued an ambulance that arrived within five minutes. (Friday night).

I had low oxygen (blue lips), high heart rate, high BP and I couldn't speak a word, just continuous panicky cough and loud wheeze in between coughing . I was put on the nebuliser, and within 20 minutes I was coming out of it, could speak and was extremely grateful that I didn't have to go to the hospital (unless I wanted to ...I didn't). The only lasting effects were sore back muscles and raw throat from coughing, and advice to see GP to review meds.

The paramedics were excellent, and even said that if my symptoms returned then to call 999 again.

The last attack I had this bad was over four years ago, and I didn't call an ambulance, my friend/neighbour drove me and her husband stayed with my kids.

So...I was telling my friend this, and she implied I was a time waster because I never even ended up in hospital..."ambulances are for people who need to go to hospital". No amount of telling her that I didn't call the ambulance will convince her.

So... Am I being unreasonable to think that if you can be treated at home successfully by a paramedic, in an emergency situation, then what is the issue?

Your friend is ignorant.
My cousin has a cousin (her mum's side of the family, l'm her dad's) whose daughter died of an asthma attack.
She was 23, had finished work, and was waiting at a bus stop. She had a bad asthma attack and was dead by the time they got her to hospital.
lf your friend has never experienced an asthma attack, l suspect she thinks you "just wheeze and cough a bit" .

Someone I knows 7 year old son died of an Asma attack. Your friend is an idiot. Always ring for an ambulance if you have such a severe attack.

Your friend is a dick.

I knew someone who died from an asthma attack. Died.

Asthma is nothing to mess around with when you can't get it under control.

Bought back memories of when I was maid of honour for my best friend. We both stayed at her mums house and I’m very allergic to dogs - they had to call an ambulance for me in the early hours the night b4 the wedding as I literally could not breathe or even speak it was really scary so definitely the right call.

You didn’t ring for an ambulance, you dialled 111, seeking advice. When you gave your symptoms to the health professionals, they called the ambulance. The para medics correctly treated you at home, which was better, quicker and safer than going to hospital. And VERY cost effective.

You friend is not only unkind but didn’t even listen to you. Friends support each other. Is she really a friend?

Glad you are better 🌺

I think you friend doesn't realise that asthma can be fatal, I'm always reminded of poor Stuart Baggs from the Apprentice who died in his 20s from an asthma attack, I think he was home alone - if he'd had someone call an ambulance for his it could have been a different outcome

Your friend doesn’t understand how serious & life threatening asthma attacks are. I hope you’re feeling better now.

So you are meant to assess if you are actually going to be admitted?
So you go 'Oh okay I am going blue, but probably shouldn't ring 999, in case it's a false alarm.'
It's so unreasonable isn't it?
What a stupid ruddy grrrr.......
PS Glad you are okay and do not hesitate because asthma is really dangerous at times.

My grandfather, who I never met because of this, died of an asthma attack. Back then, long time ago, remedy was to get some brandy from local pub. Tell your ignorant friend this. Left seven children without a dad.

Get your friend to google how many people die a day in the UK from asthma attacks ( it is 3) - best she finds it out for herself. The trained staff at 111 made the best decision and she is ignorant. No way were you time wasting. She needs to wake up to how dangerous it really is.

Change your friends. You don't need people like this in your life!

That's what 999 is for. Don't feel bad. They genuinely get calls asking for lifts to the pub etc. Anything to do with breathing is an emergency.

Point out if the ambulance was not called you would not of had the nebulizer to use to end the attack. Then you would of needed to go to the hospital or would she rather you died? Asthma kills every day without that ambulance you may not be alive. My child had seizures as a toddler the medication needed to stop it was not something i could keep so an ambulance would come to administer it then if he seemed ok would stay home and see gp. Without that drug he would not come round and risked brain damage. Tell your friend you needed the ambulance but going into hospital after the attack ended when gp could cover what was needed would waste vital nhs resources but next time if it suits her that's what you will do.

Some "friend"!

Maybe you need to keep this opinionated person at arms length. You don't need stuff like this in your life.

Your friend is an extremely ignorant person... asthma is a killer...

On medical triage breathing is number 1 so if you can’t breath your in serious danger! Your brain can survive 7 minutes with out oxygen so imagine you had stopped all together! She is so ignorant 🤷‍♀️ It’s the same when someone is choking it can be fixed quickly and often doesn’t need hospital intervention!

I can't even read all this thread, I am fully of the belief that ambulances are for emergencies. You were having an emergency. Asthma is a killer. Don't hesitate to do it again if required. (111 would not send an ambulance that wasn't required unless they believed it was necessary.)

Friend, she doesn't sound like a supportive friend, you had blue lips for heavens sake. See what happens if the shoe is on the other foot one day. I give up trying to understand people. Call 999 next time and keep well.

Your friend is being an idiot. An ambulance is for an emergency, not just a taxi to the hospital 🙄 You had an emergency and luckily the paramedics were able to stabilise you meaning you didn’t need to go to hospital... sounds like the very opposite of time wasting to me!

Is your friend Katie Hopkins?

Ambulances aren’t just to take you to hospital there are there for emergency situations and sometimes to treat you so you might not need to go hospital to reduce the pressure on already overworked and underfunded A&E departments!! Paramedics and ambulances are overworked and underfunded too but YANBU

As so many have said your friend is wrong.
Asthma can be deadly, my very dear uncle died (whilst young and otherwise fit) trying to reach the phone whilst having an attack. I now have a (dr) DH who is very bad at taking his asthma seriously (drs make the worst patients) and I would have no qualms in calling 999 in the scenario you describe.
You were treated by the right people at the right time, with the right equipment and needed no further treatment.
Hospital isn't always the answer.