Page 4 | I don’t need to go to the hospital for this surely.

CharlotteRose90 · 2021-07-16T17:14:04+00:00

So I got my 2nd vaccine 2 weeks ago and a day later started with pain in my right shoulder. The opposite arm to where I got jabbed. Didn’t think anything of it but over the 2 weeks the pain is horrendous and is going into the side of my neck and the back of it. I’m also getting constant headaches and feeling sick. I rang 111 and advised I haven’t slept funny on it, I have whacked it but I’m getting to the point I can’t lie on that side due to the pain or carry anything. 111 have said to go to a&e but I don’t think I need it. Wouldn’t get a doctor to ring me or see just said go to a&e. Anyone know what it could be. Feel like I’m wasting a space for someone else in hospital.

Original poster

CharlotteRose90 · 17/07/2021 06:29

Oh The doctor is sending a letter to my GP for physio which should help if the waits not too long. I just hope the codeine helps me sleep. I’ve rang my work and said I’m not coming in now till Monday.

OP posts:

Scrawlanddoodle · 17/07/2021 06:31

[quote Laleed]@Scrawlanddoodle it absolutely is unsafe, and unacceptable, and I absolutely know who is to blame (spoiler: it's not A&E staff).[/quote]
Yes Laleed and I said in my post that the staff will have had a rough night too.

But what about the patient's perspective? Shoulder pain, as has been stated on this thread, can be referred pain and have a serious cause. It was the first symptom my friend had when she suffered an ectopic pregnancy.

I know it's a controversial subject, and we all know the NHS is massively underfunded, and under huge continuing pressure from Covid, but I don't think it does the staff or patients any good at all if we are not allowed to criticise the NHS.

Successive governments have relied on the good will of staff and patients for far too long.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 17/07/2021 06:31

GO, you can get vaccine related complications 2 weeks plus after vaccine. Don't hang about. I work in the NHS.

SwanShaped · 17/07/2021 06:33

Oh that sounds an exhausting night. Good you can sleep now

Scrawlanddoodle · 17/07/2021 06:35

Glad to hear you have been seen op.

I’ve been told to take codiene even though I’m not meant too and if the pain gets any worse I’m to come back for something stronger

I sincerely hope you don't have to wait ten hours if that happens. I wonder why they couldn't give you a "just in case" prescription for stronger painkillers with the instruction to use them only if necessary?

frumpety · 17/07/2021 06:40

Were your blood results ok ? that's one bit of good news. Have they given you codeine to go home with ? just to be aware its a bugger for bunging you up.
Hope you get home soon and manage to get some rest.

SorryPardonWhat · 17/07/2021 06:44

I had the same thing! Pain deep in my right shoulder joint, started about ten hours after vaccination. Mine got worse over the next two or three weeks and I did go to my GP about it and was referred to a physio. But it did very gradually go away on its own. I didn't have the same reaction to the second jab. I was told it's unlikely to be vaccine related but I have no doubt in my mind.

grealush · 17/07/2021 06:48

@Scrawlanddoodle

Glad to hear you have been seen op.

I’ve been told to take codiene even though I’m not meant too and if the pain gets any worse I’m to come back for something stronger

I sincerely hope you don't have to wait ten hours if that happens. I wonder why they couldn't give you a "just in case" prescription for stronger painkillers with the instruction to use them only if necessary?

Because they would be oramorph or tramadol or similar and highly inappropriate.

bunnybuggs · 17/07/2021 06:59

@olympicsrock

This sounds like a musculoskeletal problem perhaps with cervical nerve root involvement with referred neck pain and headache. I struggle to understand why 111 said A&E. GP or physio assessment would have been more appropriate.

This is why A&E is such a nightmare at the moment with people being sent unnecessarily . Not the OPs fault for following advice. It’s partially due to GP services being overwhelmed. At the hospital where I work all doctors are being begged to take on extra shifts in A&E or medicine as they are snowed under . And patients are waiting 8 hours as a result.

the GPs are not necessarily overwhelmed - they are not available

Is there any wonder A and E are overwhelmed - they are no longer just front line for accidents and emergencies - they have also become the only NHS resource available for many medical situations. I don't blame the A and E staff, nor the patients it is the NHS as a whole that is not doing its job - wholesale reform is needed not throwing money at something that does not operate efficiently. I am sure the OP would rather have seen a GP/physio - but the triage she underwent in A&E meant that although she had a long wait - someone seriously ill was seen more quickly.

Original poster

CharlotteRose90 · 17/07/2021 07:08

@Scrawlanddoodle

Glad to hear you have been seen op.

I’ve been told to take codiene even though I’m not meant too and if the pain gets any worse I’m to come back for something stronger

I sincerely hope you don't have to wait ten hours if that happens. I wonder why they couldn't give you a "just in case" prescription for stronger painkillers with the instruction to use them only if necessary?

It probably would be 10 hours in my hospital. We don’t have enough walk in centres in my area so everyone turns up at the hospital. I think the next option would be oramorph as I can’t take tramadol but fingers crossed the codeine does it.

OP posts:

Original poster

CharlotteRose90 · 17/07/2021 07:11

@olympicsrock

This sounds like a musculoskeletal problem perhaps with cervical nerve root involvement with referred neck pain and headache. I struggle to understand why 111 said A&E. GP or physio assessment would have been more appropriate.

This is why A&E is such a nightmare at the moment with people being sent unnecessarily . Not the OPs fault for following advice. It’s partially due to GP services being overwhelmed. At the hospital where I work all doctors are being begged to take on extra shifts in A&E or medicine as they are snowed under . And patients are waiting 8 hours as a result.

111 only sent me to hospital as I’d tried my GP and they couldn’t fit me in for 2 weeks. Wouldn’t give me an urgent appointment as not urgent enough apparently. Plus with my medical history it’s where I always get sent.

OP posts:

Melitza · 17/07/2021 07:14

I would book an osteopath. They help a lot ime.

ScrollingLeaves · 17/07/2021 07:33

111 said A&E so just go.

Idroppedthescrewinthetuna · 17/07/2021 07:37

@olympicsrock

This sounds like a musculoskeletal problem perhaps with cervical nerve root involvement with referred neck pain and headache. I struggle to understand why 111 said A&E. GP or physio assessment would have been more appropriate.

This is why A&E is such a nightmare at the moment with people being sent unnecessarily . Not the OPs fault for following advice. It’s partially due to GP services being overwhelmed. At the hospital where I work all doctors are being begged to take on extra shifts in A&E or medicine as they are snowed under . And patients are waiting 8 hours as a result.

My DP's GPtold him to call 111. He did, they told him to go a&e. We knew he had onset of eye infection. He told them this. All he needed was some eye drops. He didn't go to the hospital. He went chemist and they gave him some. But being sent to hospital for eye infection is ludicrous!

I feel sorry for staff in hospitals at the moment. The pain OP is in I am glad she went, but seriously so many are being sent I wonder if GPs are hoping people will say 'I won't go just for this' and their non urgent issue rights itself.
It seems many are going hospital though and the staff are the ones who suffer after an already awful year.

JustcameoutGC · 17/07/2021 07:42

I think this might be a known side effect of the vaccine. Our neighbour had similar. His wife called an ambulance as she thought he was fitting, but he had a trapped nerve in his neck just after having the vaccine.

PrettyLittleFlies · 17/07/2021 07:45

V much agree with this. Cranial sacral therapy could do wonders, no drugs or long waiting times either.

Laleed · 17/07/2021 07:45

@scrawlanddoodle I'm well aware of the various causes of shoulder pain including referred diaphragmatic irritation, thanks. I'm a medic. Shoulder pain for nigh on two weeks in the absence of any other relevant symptoms is not an ectopic.

We should absolutely criticise how the NHS is run and (under-)funded, but my point is that it's also soul-destroying to work on a shift like this, when you want to offer care but literally cannot.

ViewFromTheTowers · 17/07/2021 07:57

Hopefully your physio appointment will be soon but my goodness that must have been one hell of a wait.

I self diagnosed a trapped nerve in my elbow due to specific finger numbness but I also then ended up with something going on with my shoulder. I had been trying to "floss" the nerve through the elbow joint but it wasn't helping. The pain became horrific.

Due to GPs being incredibly busy (Dh has to go every 2 weeks for an ongoing condition) I just contacted a chiropractor who did a telephone consult and then booked me in.

Best money I ever spent. My trapped elbow felt better after the first appointment. In subsequent appointments I had massage, dry needling, electric shock therapy and then adjustments plus daily neck exercises to do at home. I had to change my pillow to alter my sleeping position.

CutePanda · 17/07/2021 07:58

A 10 hour wait is scandalous. I usually have to wait 4 hours (I’ve been several times before the pandemic and recently).

stayathomer · 17/07/2021 08:07

Glad you were seen op, I always think people need to stop with the 'taking people's spaces' thing. Small things can be nothing, or a symptom of something

MiddlesexGirl · 17/07/2021 08:17

Rotator cuff tears can also cause the pain and sickness you are describing. When I tell people that my rc pain was greater than childbirth or kidney stones no-one believes me. I can promise it was ..... I was in agony, unable to move my shoulder or sleep for three nights as the painkillers I was prescribed didn't work. Painkillers along with physio sorted the issue.

I also have no clue what caused it. Just woke up one morning and there it was.

Orf1abc · 17/07/2021 08:23

If you're able to afford it, book to see a private physio. NHS physio is really poor, they're all about exercise sheets and self care. You need someone that is going to help with massage or other active treatment straightaway. An osteopath is another good option. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Inagalaxyfaraway · 17/07/2021 08:26

I frequently get pinched nerves etc from a back issue I have. I go to an Oestopath whenever I feel tight or if i know the nerves trapped. They are brilliant and sort me out straight away it’s really worth doing.

FlaviaAlbiaWantsLangClegBack · 17/07/2021 09:41

Glad it's not a clot and I hope the pain eases up for you soon

Scrawlanddoodle · 17/07/2021 10:31

[quote Laleed]@scrawlanddoodle I'm well aware of the various causes of shoulder pain including referred diaphragmatic irritation, thanks. I'm a medic. Shoulder pain for nigh on two weeks in the absence of any other relevant symptoms is not an ectopic.

We should absolutely criticise how the NHS is run and (under-)funded, but my point is that it's also soul-destroying to work on a shift like this, when you want to offer care but literally cannot.[/quote]
I am making the same point as you so why you are quoting my posts and saying "thanks" sarcastically.

I am sure it is heart breaking not to be able to offer the level of care you want, but that shouldn't be the concern of the patient waiting in pain for 10 hours.