To call 111?

[StillSte]

I've taken prescribed Dihydrocodeine and Oxycodone and I'm still doubled over in pain.
I can't get into a comfortable position and haven't slept at all.

I'm waiting for an operation to have my gallbladder removed.
The specialist says I should call as an emergency if those tablets don't hit the pain or I have a temperature I'm not sure if I do.

DH is fast asleep, I'm doubled over on the sofa downstairs.
I'm pretty sure 111 will call an ambulance, my local hospital will pump me full of morphine over the next few days until I'm comfortable and discharge me to wait for the operation.

I don't want to be in hospital, if I miss work I think they will sack me. I don't want to be in this much pain either, I'm exhausted. It hurts too much to think rationally.

I'm a grunting, incapable, sweaty mess.
Should I wait it out or AIBU to call 111?

Call, it sounds serious

111 won't do anything. You need pain relief. Go to A and E now while you can still move.

Thank you both

I don't want to bother A&E if it isn't serious.

Then why post here if you don’t want advice?

Gallbladder pain is horrendous, get DH to take you straight to A&E

I once contemplated calling an ambulance as an inpatient for proper pain relief with mine. Was overnight and I had had all prescribed stuff and on-call doc for the ward took 4hrs to reach me. In the end the nurse got into bed with me to try and soothe me, she had already bleeped, called and seen the doc and said I was in agony. It transpires a stone had got lodged in my bile duct. The worst pain ever.
If it’s not sorted then you may get jaundice.

Please go NOW

Only you know if it’s serious. You asked for advice and have been told to phone for an ambulance. It’s up to you now.

If it ruptures you will go into shock then die op. Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. Pain not controlled with the above medication is more so.

Then why post here if you don’t want advice? @Alicewond OP has already said she's not think rationally due to chronic pain, I wouldn't suggest a career in a caring capacity!

OP go to A&E, it's an emergency and you're justified.

Do if you can let us know how you get on.

You can't get the sack if you are off sick especially if you can prove you've been to A&E for the health problem you have, equally you can't go to work if you are doubled over in pain all the time, get to A&E as soon as possible OP

@Notthebradybunch she can if she's been employed less than two years! Can be dismissed for nothing during that time.

spanglydangly, is this in the UK? I'm no employment law expert but I'd be surprised if that was the case, dismissed for being sick in these circumstances? I would think that would be unfair dismissal but I guess it depends on what OP'''s employment contract says and how many sick days previously. In any case I hope you get the pain relief you need OP

@notthebradybunch that is definitely the case in the UK I’m afraid.

@Notthebradybunch I agree it's unfair but without a doubt that's what happens in the UK.

I agree, that is totally unfair!

Hope you are now being seen by doctors OP. You were told to go to A&E if the pain wasn't controlled so you would not be wasting time or anything else.

@Notthebradybunch you can't claim unfair dismissal before 2 years

Apologies for taking time to reply.

I did call an ambulance, they gave me gas and air and my exhausted body...fell asleep.
Since I got here I'm having IV morphine, IV paracetamol, fluids, anti sickness and other meds. Do you even want to know that? IDK but I'm comfortable and not thinking straight.

They've taken bloods, I'm waiting for results.
BP is low, heart rate high when I came in but coming down since. White blood cells are high, as are some other things.

Am waiting to see the Dr, I missed his ward round because I was still on (in?) A&E. Looking at possible peritonitis, stones, ruptures, that sort of thing. Or it may just be my gallbladder being particularly bad.

To the kindly people who asked why ask for advice if I wasn't going to take it?
I did take it.
My comment about the NHS was an to explain why I hadn't called already and ask for help in making the decision because I wasn't capable.
I don't know about you but I don't have the clearest head when I'm in that much pain and I've taken that kind of medication.

I'm afraid that yes, under 2 years service you can be sacked for anything the employer likes.
They aren't supposed to sack you for sickness, no, instead the employer will find another reason.
Mine is a temporary job, so they can get rid of me at any time.
I resigned my previous one because I'd had 2 weeks off in the previous year due to gallbladder hospital stays and the employer was understandably sabre rattling, I jumped before I was pushed.

It's taken me an age to write this and last nights post too, apologies for rambling and I've tried my best to sense check this post but apologies too for any poor grammar.

I didn't post sooner because I've been in and out of sleep and people coming to take tests, prod me and ask me about my symptoms etc. I've been reading intermittently.

Thank you to the kind people, particularly those who told me to call the ambulance last night.
I'm very grateful

Glad you are in hospital now

However whilst OP can’t claim unfair dismissal she has the right to not be discriminated against for having a protected characteristic such as race, religion and belief, disability before the two year mark . This may fall under the banner of disability.

I'm glad you're in hospital. I've just got out of a week there myself. I totally understand the brain fog and not being able to think straight, I had that too.

I hope you get better soon xxx

@StillSte I'm glad you're getting some help, I really hope you're pain free now.

Do you really red to ask if you should phone an ambulance for horrific pain ?

@leaserspottedmummybird did you read the OP? She stated she could t think rationally, therefore she asked for other people's opinions.

@leaserspottedmummybird it was 4am, I hadn't slept for 22 hours.
The pain is like the final contractions in labour.
DH was asleep, I was alone, had taken significantly strong analgesia, as a result I was confused.
I didn't want to waste NHS time.

A combination of all of these factors meant I wasn't sure at what point I should go (to A&E.

Usually I am sensible. With hindsight the decision is obvious, if you ever find yourself in a similar position I would hope that you have the support of someone who understands and can help you to make clear choices.

DH loathes hospitals, if I'd woken him to ask he would have said no to coming in.

You can be sure that if I'd written an OP saying I'm going to A&E because I'm in pain there would have been people piling on to tell me how irresponsible I was being, wasting NHS resources etc.

Again, thank you to the people who got it and did offer clear headed advice.

Hearing the fuller story, I’d imagine they were a bit worried about sepsis - acute confusion and low blood pressure are classic symptoms. Glad you got seen and are getting treatment.