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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Wibu to call the ambulance back?

144 replies

Lemononachair · 28/07/2020 12:16

Been having bad chest pain on and off since yesterday morning. Woke up around 3am with severe pain that has been constant ever since. Pain is intense and like a heavy crushing weight on the left side under my breast.

Ended up calling 111 for advice and they sent an ambulance, who checked me over and said all their tests came back ok (ECG, etc) but that to rule out heart problems I would need a blood test. I felt that given the current situation with coronavirus that avoiding a hospital visit would be best, they said I can have the test done by a GP but would take a few days for the results.

Since then I have tried to take painkillers and sleep until I felt well enough to call the GP but the pain is so awful. I can't sleep more than an hour or so at a time until it wakes me up again. Painkillers help a little at first but wear off quickly and never actually stop the pain. I keep retching and am very nauseous and dizzy.

I can't get to the GP as I can't get public transport or drive myself. I don't have anyone who can give me a lift, and I can't even get myself to the nearest shop to get more painkillers!

Paramedics did say I could change my mind and ring them back to get taken to hospital but should I? Am I just being a baby? Is it a good idea to go to hospital for a blood test and pain relief when it may have lots of people with coronavirus there? Don't know what to do, feel like I'm making a fuss over nothing but it hurts so bad 😞

OP posts:
Mummydaydreams · 28/07/2020 12:17

Call them back, it's not a fuss about nothing you need their help with chest pain it's better to be safe

Mummydaydreams · 28/07/2020 12:19

To clarify I mean call 999, with those symptoms you need to be seen now

YesItsMeIDontCare · 28/07/2020 12:21

Is it possible for you to get a taxi? I realise it's not always practical, but it might be compromise if you feel bad about calling for an ambulance.

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 28/07/2020 12:21

Call them back. Hospitals are being really careful at the moment to prevent the spread of Covid between patients, you’ll be in safe hands.

beautifulxdisasters · 28/07/2020 12:22

Call them back. They're not going to have you mixing with people with coronavirus in A+E.

I think your perception of risk would be off if you avoided getting treatment for a potentially serious problem because of the minimal chance you will catch coronavirus and the minimal chance that it will affect you badly if you do.

GreytExpectations · 28/07/2020 12:24

You shouldn't be avoiding the hospital and putting your health at risk. Hospitals were very clean places before Covid-19 and they are being careful even moreso now. If your chest is that bad then yes you need to get to the hospital either call for an ambulance or a taxi. Whichever works best for you

zombiepara · 28/07/2020 12:25

You should have gone to hospital the first time they were there - they dont offer that without weighing up the risks and benefits to the patient, especially as bloods are the definitive way to determine whats going on with your heart.

Phone 999 and explain you have chest pain and actually go to hospital this time

OverTheRainbow88 · 28/07/2020 12:25

I would also call back. I don’t want to belittle your systems ( as I have a heart condition so know how scary hearts can be) but could you have trapped wind or a shoulder blade issue? I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack the other day but calmed down and realised I had major trapped wind (sorry if tmi) and I had hurt my shoulder and it was sending a shooting pain around what felt like my chest.

I hope you are ok and with your heart I would always sit on the side of caution so would call back..

MouthBreathingRage · 28/07/2020 12:25

If your doctor can't see you, then get yourself to A and E just incase. From your description, it sounds like pericarditis, or possibly pleurisy if it's in the lung but regardless you need it treated.

Original poster
Lemononachair · 28/07/2020 12:25

Unfortunately a taxi is not an option, we only have one hospital/A&E department and it's about an hour from here so the costs would be astronomical. Plus I feel so sick there's a chance I could make a mess and I wouldn't want to subject anyone to that.

OP posts:
DeeDimer · 28/07/2020 12:27

If you are still having chest pains and are being sick I'd definitely ring them back.

Yankathebear · 28/07/2020 12:28

I would call 999. Hopefully it’s nothing serious but I would be worried.

GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 28/07/2020 12:29

Definitely Ring them back . Have you any other symptoms?

Lonelylockdown22 · 28/07/2020 12:30

You should have gone to hospital the first time, its now the cost of two ambulances.

Original poster
Lemononachair · 28/07/2020 12:31

Just the nausea and dizziness which are possibly just because of the chest pain. I've been retching but haven't been sick, I think mainly because I can't eat anything so there's nothing to bring up.

OP posts:
PaulineScrambledPhones · 28/07/2020 12:31

Call the ambulance.

fodderbeet · 28/07/2020 12:32

Could it be gall bladder? Does being on your hands and knees ease it a little, either on the flat or on the stairs. Phone for more help, either 111 again or your GP.

loutypips · 28/07/2020 12:32

Sounds like it could be your gallbladder. You need to go to A&E. call them back.

BoggledBudgie · 28/07/2020 12:32

I don’t understand how you even need advice for this... of course you should call an ambulance HmmConfused

Iloveyoutothefridgeandback · 28/07/2020 12:32

Stop being silly and call 999 immediately

MingeofDeath · 28/07/2020 12:32

I'm a clinician who works for an ambulance trust ( I dispatch ambulances after clinically assessing patients)
Does the pain change upon movement? ?ry shrugging your shoulders
Does the pain change when you breathe in deeply?
Have you got any shoulder tip pain?
Have you taken any pain killers? If so what affect did they have on your pain?
Are you a deathly colour? Are your lips a normal colour?
Are you very short of breath?
Have you felt nauseous/vomited

Popc0rn · 28/07/2020 12:33

Hospitals were badly hit in March/April when we didn't have PPE, planning or capacity, but now it's much better.

All the staff have to wear surgical masks at all times (unless they're in an office on their own etc). Patients are offered masks too. All patients are swabbed for covid on admission to hospital, we also have two separate A&Es now, one for suspected covid patients, and one for patients who don't sound like they have covid (but they need to have a negative swab before being sent to a none covid ward). At the hospital where I work we had 20 wards that became covid wards at one point, but now just have the one ward.

Sounds like you do need to go into hospital for further tests.

Original poster
Lemononachair · 28/07/2020 12:33

No position helps unfortunately although laying down completely seems to make it worse, I have to be propped up with pillows to sleep at all.

OP posts:
Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 28/07/2020 12:38

There could be lots of things causing this but no one can diagnose you over the internet.

Please call 999 and then take the paramedics advice and go to hospital.

Crosswithlifeatm · 28/07/2020 12:39

Call 999 and let them take you in.
Most have hospitals have very little covid at the moment.A&E is segregated and all areas bleach cleaned after each patient so you will be safe.
Hope you are pain free soon.

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