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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

248 replies

ClothesHangingOnTheFloor · 21/01/2019 23:00

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?

OP posts:
yearinyearout · 22/01/2019 15:53

Newname what are you actually talking about? OP had an asthma attack, and was treated for that through a nebulised drug. She wasn’t made better because of the paramedic “just being there”

fermezzlabouche · 22/01/2019 16:06

You're friend is ignorant and being an absolute idiot and no friend at all. You needed emergency treatment and the paramedics were able to give that treatment. That's the only reason you didn't require the hospital too.

Personally I have bad asthma but I live a few minutes drive from local A&E so have never had to call an ambulance but if lived half an hour away I definitely would have had to a few times in my adult life or if I'd ever had an attack and been on my own however I always get them at night so my husband has always been there to drive us and speak at A&E. I've not been kept overnight for an exacerbation/attack apart from when pregnant but I've required three nebulisers and oxygen and been in for four hours or so, would your friend think because I wasn't admitted i wasn't seriously unwell? As I can guarantee there have been times I could have died if I didn't seek medical help just as you could.

Missingstreetlife · 22/01/2019 16:09

I don't think I would call ambulance for sciatica unless I had spoken to gp first. Taxi to osteopath if I can afford it (they could) it's not an emergency

fermezzlabouche · 22/01/2019 16:10

I'd also advise you to have a chat with your dp
about what to do in the event of an asthma attack how he can help and at what point he needs to call an ambulance as I feel a bit worried your lips were blue and he called 111.

www.asthma.org.uk

Asthma UK should have some useful information.

MyNameIsArthur · 22/01/2019 16:15

YANBU OP a friend of mine died from a severe asthma attack at the age of 36 so it is appropriate that an ambulance took you to hospital to avoid the same thing happening to you

GerryblewuptheER · 22/01/2019 16:16

Your friend is no friend.

They would have done the work.up and neb in an attempt to stabilise you befire they took you to hospital. All they did was leave you home. The course of treatment would have been the same regardless.

They would have been just as relieved as you were that the men had the desired effect and you could be left at home. You didn't waste anyone's time!

GerryblewuptheER · 22/01/2019 16:17

Neb

Men have no.effect on.asthma

TheHorseyouRodeInOn · 22/01/2019 16:21

One of the criteria for calling an ambulance for an asthma attack is if the patient can't speak, so you were obviously very ill. I know this because my dd has had chronic asthma all her life. I'm so glad their nebuliser helped you! We have one at home now and it sometimes does the trick. Your "friend" is an idiot by the way. Some people just think they know it all 😒

fermezzlabouche · 22/01/2019 16:24

Do you have a nebuliser at home (and if not, why not)?

I'm consultant lead at respiratory for my asthma rather than through the GP due to severity but don't have a home neb. I have a rescue pack of steroids to start if I feel an exacerbation starting but they don't want me or any asthmatics to stay at home in the event of an attack so will not prescribe one for home use.

In regards to a neb and spacer with ventolin having the same results, I've never found an asthmatic who feels this is the case the main difference in my experience is that with a spacer you have to be able to breathe it in and use it properly whereas with a neb you sit back and do nothing you can go onto one whilst hyperventilating and it will still help as it will relax you as you know it'll work. Trying to use a spacer while hyperventilating isn't effective. Many asthmatics myself included can hyperventilate during an asthma attack due to the panic. The last one I had was my first since being a mother and I felt absolute panic, and this made it so much worse. I couldn't use my inhaler at all, I had to use a paper bag while being taken to the hospital.

Raspberry10 · 22/01/2019 16:24

Your friend is a massive idiot and obviously doesn’t understand asthma at all, and even worse doesn’t really care about you. Both my Mum and my best friend have had to be rescusitated by paramedics and in A&E because of attacks. It’s not trivial and it can kill you. Hope you’re feeling better now.

Member984815 · 22/01/2019 16:35

Your friend is a dope , asthma can kill

Heatherjayne1972 · 22/01/2019 16:40

does Your friend think ambulances are a fancy taxi service to hospital ?

You needed urgent medical help it was the right course of action
Glad your ok tho

BottleOfJameson · 22/01/2019 16:44

Your friend is ignorant and should keep her dangerous opinions to herself.

Missingstreetlife · 22/01/2019 16:52

Lots of people do think an ambulance is hospital transport. It isn't, you can get a bus or a taxi unless you need blue light or urgent medical care. Op needed urgent care and could have needed blue light. Usually when you ring the ambulance they do a mini assessment to ensure your need is urgent because they prioritise the calls.

ALongHardWinter · 22/01/2019 17:11

Friend? Doesn't sound like one to me. Asthma can be fatal,so no,YWNBU.

Scarriff · 23/01/2019 17:29

Your friend may not realise that paramedics are trained to assist with asthma and a number of other life threatning conditions so that you dont have to be admitted. She needs to update herself

goodomens830 · 23/01/2019 17:31

Why have enemies when you can have friends eh? Friends are supposed to be supportive. I would rethink the relationship if I was you

lemonsorbetinthesun · 23/01/2019 17:31

My DH and DD have asthma. I'm a nurse, if either of them had those symptoms I would have rang an ambulance.

Unfortunately, because asthma is common people tend to forget how serious and dangerous it can be!

She's no friend....

JustBeingJobless · 23/01/2019 17:33

Your friend is being hugely unreasonable. Asthma can kill and it’s not worth taking the risk. I’ve done similar in the past - rang 111 to find out whether I could go to a local hospital to use a nebuliser and the lady on the phone could hear how wheezy and breathless I was and insisted on sending the paramedics. They take breathing difficulties very seriously, and rightly so.

mummyhaschangedhername · 23/01/2019 17:37

My family were friends with a woman who died from an asthma attack. It's wasn't even what people would class as "bad" asthma. She seemed fine and active and has 10 children.

I absolutely hate the abuse of the NHS, so many time wasters and people who go to A&E for things they absolutely shouldn't. However, I think it was the appropriate call. That's what they are there for, to get emergency aid to you quickly. What a relief they came so quickly. Glad you're ok OP, must have been scary. Your friend IBU.

Bozlem80 · 23/01/2019 17:38

As the parent of an asthmatic I know how quickly they can go downhill, you didn’t waste anyone’s time whatsoever, your friend is obviously an idiot & not at all concerned about your welfare whatsoever! Hope you feel better soon Flowers

MrsPeel · 23/01/2019 17:39

She is an idiot and no friend.
Sadly there seems to be a lot of propaganda going round at present shifting the blame for NHS shortcomings away from cuts to funding and outsourcing to unsuitable companies, to the largely imaginary problems of people calling out ambulances for silly reasons, not turning up to appointments etc

moanymoaner · 23/01/2019 17:40

There is such a need for more education around Asthma and the dangers of it! It's life threatening. I'm glad you got emergency help. Hope you're ok now OP.

jade19 · 23/01/2019 17:45

What she rather you had done? Stayed at home until you were on deaths door? The ambulance people saw it fit to leave you at home.
You did the right thing by calling 111. Ignore her! xx

YouTheCat · 23/01/2019 17:47

It would seem that you need to tell your 'friend' that most people think she's an idiot.