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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To advise people not to be afraid to go to hospital if you need to

34 replies

Yordy · 22/02/2021 12:28

Just really posting this here to reach a bigger audience! Wink Because it seems like a lot of people are afraid to go to hospital presently because of "overwhelming the NHS" or the risk of Covid.

I got a sudden onset blinding headache on Saturday, so bad that I was vomiting and had to lie down in a dark room without moving for hours. For context, I'm not a person for headaches at all, so it's very unusual for me!

111 advice was rest at home, don't seek further attention unless it is unbearable. But by the next day it really wasn't better. So I went to the local hospital UTC/A&E, fully expecting to have some painkillers chucked and me and to be sent on my way with some words of reassurance (or exasperation!).

In short, they couldn't have been more attentive and lovely. I was admitted overnight for observation because of the small risk that it is a minor bleed on the brain and now waiting to have spinal fluid taken so they can ascertain what exactly is going on.

At no point did I feel like I was wasting time or unnecessarily taking up resources. It was a bit scary to know that it could potentially be something a bit serious, but I am happy to know that I am in the right place and that they are investigating thoroughly.

So the point of this is just to say... if you think something is wrong, YANBU to use the NHS, Covid or no Covid!

OP posts:
Original poster
Yordy · 22/02/2021 14:47

This is obviously not to discount the fact that the NHS has been overstretched, of course!

OP posts:
clairadoll · 22/02/2021 14:49

I wouldn't be afraid to use them. I have used them and I feel no guilt from they at all. I would think it's only a small minority, if anyone who would feel like that anyway.

Fridainexile · 22/02/2021 14:52

I wouldn’t be afraid . But with a sudden blinding headache and vomiting, did you do a covid test before presenting at a&e, or did they request you did one?

TillyTopper · 22/02/2021 14:56

It would be great to be able to agree with you. My Dad went to hospital in Dec and was diagnosed with Cancer late last year, he had two negative tests before he went in (as we thought he may have to go to a home to care for him). He caught CV19 in hospital and passed away.

I am shocked by the number of people who do get CV19 in hospitals and care homes, I believe there should be published statistics and a public enquiry as to why the infection rate inside these places is so high.

RealityCheck24601 · 22/02/2021 15:04

My dad went into hospital for a scan (after it being postponed for almost a year) and subsequently a biopsy. Turns out to be terminal cancer - it may have been treatable had they scanned him last March as originally planned.
Anyway, I digress. He caught COVID whilst in hospital and has been really poorly with it, after managing to avoid it despite being out and about, in contact with positive cases, shopping etc over the last 12 months.

Original poster
Yordy · 22/02/2021 15:16

@Fridainexile

I wouldn’t be afraid . But with a sudden blinding headache and vomiting, did you do a covid test before presenting at a&e, or did they request you did one?
I didn't do one and they didn't ask for one. They did do one once I had been taken in to A&E (I assume it is negative - no one has actually told me yet!).
OP posts:
Fridainexile · 22/02/2021 15:17

I too lost an elderly relative who was admitted for an injury, and contracted covid. The numbers in hospitals are too high.
I took my daughter to A&E after she broke a bone at school after the first lockdown.
A&E was a mess. There were two extremely inebriated people, each accompanied by two police officers. One of the drunks pissed all over the floor, one vomited. Police wore masks under noses. Cleaning staff took ages while members of staff threw blue paper over the spillages.Another man had chopped his ear while doing a home haircut, and blood kept dripping on the floor. For some reason, he was accompanied by his wife AND adult daughter as he sat in the waiting area. So unnecessary. They stayed socially distanced and shouted to each other across the room, removing masks each time to do so. If rules aren’t properly enforced , they may aswell not exist.
There was a note at reception asking if you had covid symptoms, but that seemed the extent of the vetting process really, a simple yes or no admits you to a poorly ventilated waiting room , where your only way of socially distancing is to put your bag on the seat next to you.

Fridainexile · 22/02/2021 15:22

So when you presented at reception op, were you taken to the side room for those presenting with possible covid symptoms or were you asked to wait in the general waiting area with all the other patients?

Original poster
Yordy · 22/02/2021 15:27

The latter. Although there were few people there and everyone observed distancing. I was only waiting maybe 5' before triage too.

Would that really be considered potential Covid symtoms though, anyway?!

OP posts:
Porcupineintherough · 22/02/2021 15:39

If you really need to then of course and rates are falling now. But the last 3 elderly people I know to be admitted to hospital were all infected there and two died. Sad January was a very bad time to be admitted round here.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 22/02/2021 15:51

Are a sudden blinding headache and vomiting Covid symptoms?

Hope you're feeling better OP.

Original poster
Yordy · 22/02/2021 16:26

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz

Are a sudden blinding headache and vomiting Covid symptoms?

Hope you're feeling better OP.

Not as far as I knew! But maybe some people...
OP posts:
Original poster
Yordy · 22/02/2021 16:56

And I'm very sorry to hear of those of you who have friends and relatives who became infected in hospital - it is really sad to hear.

OP posts:
lazylump72 · 22/02/2021 17:11

I agree with you OP ..I was admitted back in January with pnuemonia and pluresy by ambulance and I admit I was terrified,It was business as usual and as always very proffessional and fabulous as our NHS always seem to have been whenever I have been in need of them.I was grateful of their care.

Fridainexile · 22/02/2021 17:14

Headache is not on the official list of three symptoms , but according to the zoe app it was the most common, present in 82% of cases.
Everyone I knew who got covid (area with many cases) had a sudden, severe , ‘blinding’ headache.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 22/02/2021 17:36

Aahhh I didn't know that, thanks. Everyday is a home school day.

Original poster
Yordy · 22/02/2021 17:44

Really? I mean, honestly I never heard of that at all. I would never have thought at all that it was Covid.

OP posts:
Mamathebest · 22/02/2021 18:29

I am really glad you had a positive experience. Unfortunately at the moment I have a horrible infection. I am also looking after a older family member with cancer. The 111 doctor stated that if I was to walk into A&E with a high temp they would isolate me on a COVID section. And tried his best to treat me at home (currently on oral antibiotics) hopefully this works as the risk is far too high. In normal times I would need to probably go into hospital due to the type of infection.

Mamathebest · 22/02/2021 18:37

Also, when I took said relative to A&E recently via ambulance. The on call doctor was quite angry he was brought in and stated that the hospital had incredibly high rates of COVID and for a large number who attended had contracted the virus. My relative was kept on a non-COVID ward which was separated from the COVID ward via double doors. The same doctors/nurses were treating both sets of patients and a few were wearing masks below the nose. I know it’s impossible due to staff shortages but it isn’t hard to see how it spreads so easily in these environments

Shopaholic100 · 22/02/2021 18:38

I changed my hospital appointment, I was too worried about catching COVID and taking it home to my family.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 22/02/2021 18:46

I'm glad you had a good experience, OP, but it's really not your place to advise people to attend hospital. Many of us are not going for good reason, it is a source of covid and unless there is a real and pressing necessity, attending hospital isn't the best course of action.

Best leave it up to individuals to decide because NHS/hospital arrangements aren't the same across the board.

Pinkdelight3 · 22/02/2021 18:52

Gosh this thread is pretty conclusively:

OP: Go to hospital, it's great!
Everyone: We tried that. People died.

Awful times. Afraid YABU, OP. But hope you get well soon and that other people get the help they need without consequences. I guess each person has to weigh their own risks.

Original poster
Yordy · 22/02/2021 19:25

Wow, I wasn't meaning to be quite so controversial! I wasn't advising people to go because "it's great" but more that if you feel something is unusually and seriously wrong, you won't be turned away or not taken seriously because "it's not Covid". Appreciate that I have obviously had a better and more Covid-secure experience than most. It may not be my place to advise people to go, but I don't think it's anyone else's place to advise people not to go either. There are risks in both cases.

Anyway, yeah. Sorry, I'm not feeling my best and brightest, so apologies if this comes out sounding grumpier than I intended.

OP posts:
tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 22/02/2021 19:34

I took your OP in the spirit you intended OP. But yes, I would pretty much have to be on deaths door to go at the mo.

Fridainexile · 22/02/2021 19:44

Hope you feel better soon Op.
I’m glad it went well for you, simply I was surprised that you weren’t advised to take a covid test before turning up at a&e. But that’s not your fault. It’s time the uk issued new symptom guidance.

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