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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not go to A&E tonight

49 replies

Ribbityrib · 13/11/2019 18:51

I got hit by a car today on my bike and am 98% sure I've broken some ribs. No other damage, it was a v localised bump on the bonnet! I'm in agony moving and breathing deeply but otherwise fine, not breathless or anything.

Ordinarily I know that it'd be worth getting checked out just in case break is not clean or has damaged the lung, but (and what are the chances?) I actually have a CT scan booked for tomorrow morning for an unrelated chest issue! So AIBU to wait until then? I had a chest x-ray last week too so I don't want to be adding in another one unnecessarily. Am I likely to come to any great harm overnight?!

OP posts:
couchparsnip · 13/11/2019 18:52

Don't be daft. Go to A and E - there might be internal damage.

BatEaredFox · 13/11/2019 18:52

I thought broken ribs could puncture a lung? Pretty urgent ...

GruciusMalfoy · 13/11/2019 18:54

You need to be seen. Do you fancy having to be rushed in later with a hidden injury? I hope it's all clear.

pinksoda35 · 13/11/2019 18:54

I think I would be tempted to wait also-You know how you feel-If in a lot of pain and you start to feel worse then maybe go/ring 111

OctoberLovers · 13/11/2019 18:54

You are not going to get your answer here.

Mrsasck · 13/11/2019 18:54

Of course you need to go! Admirable though your intention is, you sound like you need urgent medical help. Nobody is going to think you're a pain! Just in pain! Good luck with both.

Pantone345 · 13/11/2019 18:54

Go to bloody hospital. Broken ribs are classed as a major trauma!

Original poster
Ribbityrib · 13/11/2019 18:57

That's my thinking pinksoda, it happened this morning. Surely if I had a hidden injury or bleeding it would have become obvious by now and I'd be feeling worse. The car wasn't going fast and I've felt ok all day (except for the ribs)!

OP posts:
PumpkinPie2016 · 13/11/2019 18:57

You need to be seen - broken ribs can damage lungs or other organs depending of where the break is.

I don't think it's worth risking it.

Original poster
Ribbityrib · 13/11/2019 18:58

Pantone there's nothing to be done for broken ribs, NHS advice just says ice packs and painkillers. October you might be right Grin

OP posts:
Icedlatte · 13/11/2019 19:01

Well the person doing tomorrow's CT will be studying the areas and issues relating to that appointment, so YABU to think they will have the time (or perhaps even the training!) To also assess fractured ribs, refer you on for the correct treatment etc.
So although I do understand your thinking, I think you should stick to the 'one appointment for one ailment' thing and arrange a seperate X ray for your ribs

delivereeee · 13/11/2019 19:02

You need to go in and not expect the person tomorrow to be able to deal with this issue.

FudgeBrownie2019 · 13/11/2019 19:04

Whenever medical stuff comes up on here I always think "what would I say if this was one of the DC?" and my answer to you is please go to A&E.

I'm a big fan of waiting and seeing how you go generally, but broken ribs can be tricky little bastards and you can't chance things like that.

redchocolatebutton · 13/11/2019 19:04

go to a&e you need your injuries documented for your potential claim against the driver and to get pain relief.
wrt your planned scan, usually they can only scan what's 'prescribed' at the time. a dr would need to review your injuries to add another scan to be performed.

Span1elsRock · 13/11/2019 19:06

Your lung could collapse OP.

So do the sensible thing and get it checked tonight.

Your appointment tomorrow is irrelevant, it could take days for the images to get passed back to a Doctor for revision.

nocoolnamesleft · 13/11/2019 19:07

When I had an outpatient CT of my chest, it took a week for it to get reported (looked at by the radiologist), so I certainly wouldn't rely on a pre existing CT appointment to look at a new acute problem.

TwattingDog · 13/11/2019 19:09

You may not be allowed to have the CT tomorrow if your bruising / swelling could interfere with whatever they are looking for.... You need medical advice.

PuppyMonkey · 13/11/2019 19:10

(Did the car stop, did you get their details etc for insurance?)

I’d go to hospital now tbh. You might be fine overnight but - you might not.Confused

GlamGiraffe · 13/11/2019 19:11

And if it's a referred injury?......

Or a blood clot somewhere?

The CT operator is hardly going to he checking that out they'll be doing the test they were asked to do previously and certainly wont be reading the results. That gets done by someone else.

You need to go to the hospital now.

You had a collision with a car

bobstersmum · 13/11/2019 19:11

Did you join to post this or name change? I think you know the answer to your question. I hope your OK!

Strangerthingshere · 13/11/2019 19:12

You're being ridiculous.

1 for not getting it checked out.
2 for expecting the person tomorrow to deal with it

Original poster
Ribbityrib · 13/11/2019 19:12

I hadn't thought about the single issue thing or the time lapse. Ok, I'll get checked out!
I dont need injuries documenting for a claim against the driver because it wasn't his fault, or indeed mine - I slipped on some leaves.

OP posts:
Neome · 13/11/2019 19:13

Fortunately MN wisdom picked up my AIBU on A&E this morning. It was the right thing to go, I couldn't think it out.

Not the same medical thing but same "time to get urgent medical assessment" thing.

Hope you go, also hope you feel better soon

mistydayswampwitch · 13/11/2019 19:13

Radiographer here! You really should go in. The CT won't be reported on right away and if there is internal damage, if they even review the images before you go , they will send you round to a&e anyway. Just to put your mind slightly at rest, if you had a punctured lung you would know about it. Hope you get sorted!

MrMeSeeks · 13/11/2019 19:13

Go to a&e!! You could have internal bleeding, puncture lung, or even get a blood clot ( which can go undetected until the very last minute)