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?

If anything calling the paramedics when they did saved the NHS money. Without prompt home treatment you would have ended up being admitted later on. An asthma attack that cannot be controlled is never a waste of an ambulance.

Shes's an idiot. 1400 people a year die from asthma attacks.

had an attack in the middle of the night a few weeks ago and didn’t go to A&E because I felt guilty at the thought of wasting resources

When did all this "guilt" at the thought of wasting resources creep in with genuine medical problems? You were lucky and not calling an ambulance was a bit of a silly risky decision in that asthma is life threatening, no matter how well controlled it can seem an attack can be fatal.

Two years ago I was in EXACTLY the same position as you, and treated in EXACTLY the same way. I had a first responder arrive within 5 mins of my partner calling them, then an ambulance followed a few minutes later.
The treatment they gave me at home meant that I didn't need to go to hospital, and that I could spend a couple of days at home recovering in my own bed.
This obviously frees up hospital beds for those who cannot avoid them.

Your 'friend' is ignorant.

Hope you continue to feel well op.

Your friend is being an arse.

The only things you should have done differently are to have phoned 999 rather than 111 and to have done it sooner.

Do you have an asthma plan? If not you need to see the asthma nurse at your surgery and get one sorted out.

Your friend isn't really what friendship is about.
Most adults realize that you can die from an asthma attack and that they can be very serious. Charlotte Coleman died from one.

Personally unless it was an absolute one off with her then I'd dump her.

Who needs friends like that ? I would ditch her as she seems the only one who’s a time waster here.

But you would have ended up in hospital if not for the abulance. It’s all a bit circular isn’t it.

I’m so angry reading this. My best friend is a paramedic and she often tells me how very important it is anything asthma related 999 should always be called, makes a huge difference between life and death. I would end the friendship with this ignorant person. Your life could hang in the balance with people like this around!

Your friend is an ignorant shit.

A girl who was in my form at secondary school had an asthma attack on a night out and died, at the age of 18 leaving behind a not-quite 2 year old daughter.

Asthma kills.

New game, you are talking about anxiety and panic, which do not require an ambulance.
Op was having an actual asthma attack

Feel free to inform your idiot friend that one of my friends died age 18 from an asthma attack so she can think of that next time she's concerned about time wasters. He was sporty and fit and no one expected it.

YANBU.

*newname.
Why do so many people not know the difference between an accident or emergency and something urgent or important that can wait for gp.
I knew someone who called an ambulance for sciatica, she couldn't walk but could have phoned gp, and went to a and e for piles because blood in the toilet could mean cancer. Eventually died because she wouldn't see a doctor about her cough. Same person walked around with broken bone in her hand after a fall, i.e. Accident, but wouldn't go for X-ray until gp told her to a week later.

@Missingstreetlife sciatica and can't walk can be an emergency

Friend? Why are you friends with this person?

Your friend’s attitude towards paramedics is very ignorant- they’re not just glorified taxi drivers who quickly transfer patients to places where others can help. The paramedics themselves initiate lifesaving therapy (like they did with you, last night).

Your friend is a numpty

Not unreasonable to have an ambulance in the circumstances

My experience with 111 is that they will often tell you to make your own way to a&e so that if they call an ambulance then you are not time wasting.

Yes, lots of people are ignorant about Asthma. It's a killer and needs to be taken very seriously.

Your treatment was totally appropriate. Much better not to go into A&E if you can be treated by the paramedics.
What a dick your friend is.

I'm 47 and had Asthma all my life. I still get complacent as my asthma is well controlled. However I felt embarrassed recently going to A&E on a weekend because I couldn't breathe. I thought I'd be waiting hours (only Asthma right?) but I was sent straight through and seen straight away.
Turns out I had a bad chest infection and was really poorly I'm so glad I went in.

YANBU your friend is being an idiot. Ambulances aren't a taxi service they are a medical care provider. Sometimes that includes taking people to hospital and sometimes it means that they treat patients at home and leave them there.

”Another thing to remember and think about, and something your 'FRIEND' needs to hear, is that yeah, the ambulance came and you were OK, and didn't need it per se...”

I am sorry, @newnameforthis7, but you are wrong to say this. The OP did need the ambulance - because it brought her the skilled healthcare professionals, equipment and drugs she needed to treat the asthma attack. The fact that, following the appropriate treatment, she did not need further care in hospital, is irrelevant. She and 111 ensured she got the right care as quickly as possible.

The ambulance is NOT just a vehicle to get a patient to hospital - it is also the way that the paramedics with all their skill and equipment can get to the patient more quickly than the patient can get to hospital.

Hear hear, SDTG.
The reason the OP didn't need to go to hospital is BECAUSE the ambulance paramedics treated her successfully - if they had been unable to do so, she would have had to go to hospital.
She absolutely needed that treatment that the paramedics provided - and therefore she needed the ambulance to turn up at her house.

Yanbu. A family members of mine DIED because they had an asthma attack when they were alone and were unable to call an ambulance.

Your friend is a knob. People die of asthma attacks, and it’s usually because they didn’t think it was serious enough to warrant an ambulance or hospital visit.

You needed a paramedic, you got a paramedic. Job well done

I also knew a man who died from an asthma attack. Don’t take chances OP because of your ignorant friend’s opinions.