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?

And which medical school did your friend graduate from? You don't have to convince her of anything. She isn't entitled to dictate the criteria for ambulance call outs. Ignore her. She's no friend.

You friend has no concept how dangerous and life threatening an asthma attack is.

I know someone who died from an attack and another person told if they have another attack That'll be it and is managed by consultants.

Your friend needs to educate herself before spouting out that rubbish.

Ask your friend if she‘d rather be attending your funeral. Asthma can kill. She’s ignorant.

Had an acquaintance who died from a heart attack during an asthma attack. I have asthma and have had bad attacks. I know how awful it feels and wouldn't hesitate to call an ambulance if I had been in your state.

But you needed an ambulance and received urgent treatment

your 'friend' sound like a stupid and irgnorant cow. I really wouldn't give two hoots to what the stupid think of you having attend an ambulance at home.

hope you feel better. This sounded really scary

Asthma is serious - my mum died from an attack nearly 14 years ago. I wouldn't hesitate to call an ambulance! Perhaps your friend is not aware how bad asthma can actually be, we definitely were not aware of how serious it was until my mum passed away!

Your friend is no 'friend' at all! What a nasty piece of work she is! If the ambulance weren't called, you would have died! Sometimes ambo can stabilise you and there is no need to go to hospital but they don't know that until they get there. Have your so-called 'friend' read this thread. She is deeply ignorant and very uncaring and nasty.

DP, type 1 diabetic, had multiple hypos requiring paramedic support several days a week, for around five months. Each time treated at home, and no need to go to hospital (unless we wanted to, only made that mistake once...). Many conditions can be treated like such, if anything you saved A&E a bed, and money. Your friend's way off on this.

Don't worry about ringing 999 if the same occurs again either, as pp have said this can be dealt with easily at home.

Although I often struggle myself to A&E in excruciating pain rather than ring an ambo, bullishly in an attempt to save resources. Do as I say, not as I do and all that!

Ask her whether being treated at home by paramedics or treated in a and e are any different - as you needed the treatment.

At home - you use a precious ambulance/paramedic

At hospital you use a precious dr/ resus bed.

Wherever or whatever you needed emergency life saving treatment.

Glad you got it and hope your feeling better

She doesn't sound like a friend !! My dad was very poorly the year before he died and the carers would often call an ambulance . They were often at the house for a good while trying to stabilise him before a decision was made to take him to hospital or leave him at home .

My asthma plan specifically states to call 999 if I can't get an attack under control. The paramedics come and nebulise you. Either this gets it back under control, job done or they decide you need to go to hospital - and theyre trained to make the correct decision, unlike you/your dh/neighbour/friend.

What a dick.
Asthma attacks can be fatal.
I dont understand people who think an ambulance is just a vehicle to take you to the hospital and forget that that have lifesaving equipment on board to be able to treat people at the scene.

Im so glad they were able to help you OP. They saved your life. You dont need dickheads like her in it.xx

Your friend is being a bitch.

111 was called and THEY decided to issue an ambulance and I'm sure as hell they know when they need to do so.

Glad you're feeling better, OP!

Your friend is totally wrong. You needed an ambulance. They sent one. They treated you and stopped a hospital admission so saved nhs money. If you needed to go hospital they would have taken you.

I once was on the phone to 111 about My dd aged 2 who was unwell with a nasty cold and fever. She suddenly went floppy an ambulance arrived within 1 minute of me saying to 111 shes just gone floppy. They got her temp down (something calpol hadnt) and monitored her for an hour (wasnt keen to go to hospital on a friday night when she was back to herself once temp reduced) (they eat chocolate biscuits having tea and playing with her). She was back to her normally cheeky self and they left us at home. No hospital needed just amazing ambulance men.

Haven't read the whole thread but just want to add another voice to the chorus of praise for paramedics. They are incredible, so highly trained, and able to do a lot now that used to only be possible in hospital or perhaps at a GP surgery or if a doctor or nurse was on a home visit. We're very lucky to have them. Tough job but a great one.

My daughter had an attack and we drove her to hospital where she was admitted overnight. The nurses told me off for not calling an ambulance as that meant she would have got on the oxygen sooner.

Your friend is a moron.....and wouldn’t be a friend of mine really anymore with that attitude. And I speak as someone quite draconian - I think that people who just dont bother to turn up for their GP appts or who call the police because KFC have run out of chicken should be fined in some way (or strung up by their toenails )

YANBU. Asthma attacks can kill and your symptoms sound like you needed urgent medical attention. Don’t listen to your friend.

Your friend is an arse. Give up, you can't reason with unreasonable.

The paramedic treated you quickly so you didn't deteriorate and need to be hospitalised which would have cost the NHS far more. The fact your lips were blue meant you needed urgent help, which you got.

Your friend is a total idiot. Asthma can be life threatening and very distressing when having an attack, even for those watching. It's fabulous that people can be treated by a paramedic and don't need to add to busy hospital waiting times, and taking up a bed whilst being treated,

As an asthma sufferer - your friend is a prick.

Fellow asthmatic here saying YANBU. It's bloody scary when you literally can't breathe and it feels like all internal organs are bring smushed by a giant weight, glad you're feeling better. You're friend is an idiot.

With friends like her, who needs enemies?

Sounds like your friend thinks paramedics are just ambulance drivers and not highly trained medical professionals.

Next time please just call 999 and ask your GP how long you should wait before calling as I suspect it’s not an hour of struggling to breathe.