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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:
WorldofTofuness · 23/01/2019 17:52

Not RTWFT, but has your friend ever seen Four Weddings? The "Fuckity-fuck" opening scene? Well, guess what happened to the non-Hugh Grant one. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Coleman

OJZJ · 23/01/2019 17:54

I actually had a childhood friend who died from an asthma attack on the way to school when we were teenagers and I think the wonderfully gorgeous actress, Charlotte Colman also died of an asthma attack in her 30's so if 111 sent an ambulance out it was clearly needed esp if the ambulance crew intervened, giving emergancy medical treatment as they did. Would she have rather they waited until you were unconscious or worse before rocking up.
And like many others on here I object to people ordering ambulances instead of taxis and coming from a family of paramedics, nurses etc I can tell you stories that beggar belief!

Ellyess · 23/01/2019 18:01

ClothesHangingOnTheFloor (love your name!)Hope you are much better!
You are NOT being unreasonable!!! Your "friend" is being horrible!! As if she knows better than the 111 people who told you to call the ambulance - which you obviously needed!!
The ambulances today carry a lot of equipment to start treatment straight away without delaying the wait for the journey into hospital. If they can treat you at home, and they are highly qualified, they will do this. They gave you instructions to call them back if your breathing became difficult again. Please ignore this so-called friend. I suspect she doesn't like other people being the centre of attention! I remember when I had to go in an ambulance because of severe Sciatic nerve pain, and a "friend" afterwards, started a limp and then one day called in and said she had been at A&E all night because of sciatic pain! These people are just nutters! They aren't real friends but attention-seekers, I think. Or maybe your friend is one of those insufferable know-alls who think they can Lord it over everyone as if they know everything. People like that usually know nothing. Listen to the properly qualified Medics.
Having let off steam I really should have started by saying how sorry I am to hear you had such a scare! People often don't realise how painful and frightening an asthma attack is. And of course you did the right thing. Never delay asking for medical help. The equipment on an ambulance could save a life. If you need it you must phone for it and to hell with that stupid cow. Sorry cows in fields, I like your sort, we ought to have another word for the stupid f....fart.
Take care. Don't rush out into the cold air! Wear a scarf. Lots of love Flowers

Justontherightsideofnormal · 23/01/2019 18:03

Your friend sounds like she needs to go and spend some time playing in the traffic ........ on the M1

wildchild554 · 23/01/2019 18:11

If your in this situation again don't hesitate to ring an ambulance because of your so called friend. I'm disgusted she said that. I've been in same situation when I was younger, they couldn't get an ambulance to me for 45 minutes and the person I was with had to ask neighbours to lend money to get a taxi, I stopped breathing when we got their and if we'd have waited I would be dead. I can't believe she'd say something like that to you not a particularly good friend is she...

Mrsmadevans · 23/01/2019 18:12

Your friend doesn't sound very 'friend like' to me Hmm

AlpacaLypse · 23/01/2019 18:17

Our local ambulance service (large very rural area) now has a fleet of cars as well as the ambulance vans, these are manned by a single fully qualified paramedic and have a fair amount of equipment. Being faster and more manoeuvrable their response time is quicker, the single paramedic has the kit to save a life and stabilise a patient, and only if it proves necessary to transport a patient will a van (or the air ambulance) be sent out.

LovelyIssues · 23/01/2019 18:17

Of course your not a time waster! It could have been a hell of a lot worse if your husband hadnt called an ambulance It was an emergency

MichelleM30 · 23/01/2019 18:18

Completely ignorant and rude if she wouldn't even listen to you telling her you had not called an ambulance they listened to your symptoms and sent one.

God knows what she wld have though about my little one getting an ambulance a few weeks ago. Took her to out of hours GP as her heart was racing, she was wheezy, coughing and had been sick. She was put on a nebuliser, given steroids. Her oxygen levels were low and heart beating too fast, they called an ambulance. I did think it was a bit ott as she didn't seem that bad and had assumed we wld take her to hospital in the car as it was just so they cld check her oxygen levels for a few hours but I obviously listen to the professionals, they take no chances when it's ur breathing and rightly so!

NewPapaGuinea · 23/01/2019 18:19

Your “friend” is a knob

beanaseireann · 23/01/2019 18:20

With friends like her who'd need enemies Smile
Glad you're ok OP

SinisterBumFacedCat · 23/01/2019 18:21

Asthma attacks kill 3 people in the U.K. every day. My asthma nurse told me if I or my son have an attack to call 999 or go to A&E IMMEDIATELY, not call 111 or go to the doctors.

Your friend is a Cunt of the highest order.

TovaGoldCoin · 23/01/2019 18:22

Your friend is a twat. As with PPs, I know a lovely lady widowed with 3 young children because an asthma attack killed her husband, and I know a child who died. Tell your friend she's a bellend

Beenherebefore · 23/01/2019 18:25

Frankly, your friend is an arse!
Hope you feel ok today x

bakebeans · 23/01/2019 18:32

Hi, it definitely sounds like your partner did the right thing. I have looked after patients with asthma and there is a danger that they can become critical in the matter of minutes. Your friend is very naive for thinking this way. Hope you get well soon

happyhillock · 23/01/2019 18:34

Some friend, she should be pleased that your okay,
Glad your feeling better.

MummyMayo1988 · 23/01/2019 18:37

With all due respect - your friend is an ignorant pig 🙄
I also suffer with asthma - thankfully I've only had 4 or 5 attacks in the last 10 years - and it's one of the scariest situations to be in. What people don't appreciate is that it's a life threatening condition and absolutely requires an ambulance.
Ignore your friend - you did the right thing!

browneyes77 · 23/01/2019 18:40

Your friend is a moronic twat.

My mom and brother suffer from asthma and as a pp said, I don’t think some people realise that this condition can actually kill you! I’m sure she’d feel very differently if she had been the one in that situation.

Carina92 · 23/01/2019 18:40

My second labour was rather quick! Couldn't make it to the hospital. Partner called an ambulance (baby was born on my bathroom floor!) I did not require being taken to hospital and the first response paramedic delivered him... Does this mean we was beinh unreasonable as we didn't require taking to hospital?

I think your friend is ridiculous. They don't send an ambulance unless absolutely necessary.

Rest up.. Hope you feel better soon

manicmij · 23/01/2019 18:54

Just hope your friend neve finds herself in a situation where paramedics are needed. These people are skilled to assess and treat if possible without taking a person to hospital. Your friend needs educated on how severe an asthma attack can be and the consequences if not acted on quickly. Glad you recovered.

PolarBearkshire · 23/01/2019 18:59

Sh... get rid of her. Like seriously. Life is too short to know such jerks

Thewarrenerswife · 23/01/2019 19:00

Give her this excerpt from the Asthma UK website:

“Experts at Asthma UK say that the UK’s poor death rate for asthma attacks may be because the condition is not taken seriously enough, with previous research from the charity revealing that 1 in 6 people in the UK do not know or unsure if the condition can be fata.”

Glad you’re okay 👌

BusyMum47 · 23/01/2019 19:01

Thank God you're ok - your so called friend is clearly an unsympathetic & very ignorant person! My son used to suffer badly with asthma & it is the scariest thing to witness & experience - it can turn on a knife edge- time is crucial & literally life saving, so calling the ambulance was absolutely justified. When your lips are blue & you can't move air, you are most definitely an emergency. Tell your friend to keep her twatty comments to herself! X

Notsoaccidentproneanymore · 23/01/2019 19:01

Your friend s a complete idiot.

One of our friends had an asthma attack and died at the age of 34. The ambulance didn’t get there in time as she had gone to live out in the sticks.

toxic44 · 23/01/2019 19:05

My stepson's mother died in an asthma attack; she was 36 years old. Tell your 'friend' to get stuffed.