AIBU to go to a&e?

[Dagenhamdeb]

I’ve had bad dizziness, nausea and indigestion type symptoms and cold sweats (not prone to any of this) for an hour, I just really don’t feel right at all.

I googled the symptoms and am now worried it’s heart issues. I took an aspirin and called nhs24 in Scotland. They asked if my neck was hot cold wet or dry and I said normal
And they asked if my lips were blue and I said I wasn’t sure I didn’t think so.

They’ve said they will refer me to out of hours doctor and someone will call me back later today.

As I was googling all I kept reading was how womens heart attacks are missed because their symptoms are different.

I’m not a malingerer or dramatic, I tend to just get in with stuff, but something really doesn’t feel right, maybe it’s just vertigo or something but I’m considering just going to a&e, can’t decide if that’s over the top!

I took an aspirin before I called nhs 24 and am sitting on my floor knees bent just now (if I move I’m too dizzy)

[Feather12]

I am glad you are at the hospital and glad it does not seem heart related. I had all those symptoms with covid (and none of the typical ones) I am glad I did not know they could be symptoms of a heart attack because I would have panicked even more. Hope you get sorted soon.

[Masterblasterjammin]

I’m an Emergency Nurse Practitioner - clearly people have been given different information on how best to access services, and I can only speak for how things are happening in my area (central London). For more minor complaints, we would absolutely encourage calling 111 first - if needed they can give you an appointment slot with our GP ‘hub’, which is based in A&E. Patients can also be booked into those slots at triage.

For injuries/more serious conditions we would never tell someone that they should have called 111 first, and would do appropriate diagnostics and assessment.

It is dangerous to tell someone on the internet that you’ve never met, cannot see, and have no idea about the full history of their condition, that they are totally fine. Yes, dizziness/nausea/epigastric pain could be norovirus, but it could also be an aortic dissection, a stroke, a heart attack, or a myriad of other conditions. You should never try to medical judgements if A. You aren’t medically trained, and B. You are a stranger on the internet.

[Bagelsandbrie]

[quote TidyOmlette]@Bagelsandbrie when was the last time you went to a&e? It’s been this way for at least 6 months. One of the first things they ask when you arrive is ‘have you contacted nhs24?’

Obviously if you come in via ambulance it’s different.[/quote]
Actually I end up in a and e every 3 months or so. I have chronic life long conditions- lupus, Addison’s, sjorgens, pituitary issues etc. Everyone I’ve ever seen turn up at a and e get seen. No one is turned away. I’m talking Norfolk and Norwich. Perhaps it’s different in different areas but that’s definitely not my experience.

[TidyOmlette]

@Dagenhamdeb glad you have been assessed but what you don’t realise is the ooh who called you back had already informed A&E of your arrival before you went and your information was faxed through which is why they didn’t question you. They were expecting you.

This was set up by the Scottish health boards to help reduce numbers waiting in A&E during covid. The public are asked to call nhs24 if they are unsure if they need a&e to be advised appropriately. I have seen so many people turned away at the doors and told to contact nhs24.

[Bagelsandbrie]

I’m glad you’re being seen and getting help op.

[TidyOmlette]

@Bagelsandbrie it’s the Scottish A&E’s that have changed. It started quietly around January time. It’s not always the best sadly.

[Buggeringweather]

All the best OP

[Bagelsandbrie]

[quote TidyOmlette]@Bagelsandbrie it’s the Scottish A&E’s that have changed. It started quietly around January time. It’s not always the best sadly.[/quote]
Ah I see. Thank you for clarifying.

[Blondiney]

@stayathomegardener

Bicarb of soda in a small glass of water and if that doesn't relieve the indigestion then a and e

That's sensible advice. Fingers crossed for you, OP.

[Dagenhamdeb]

[quote TidyOmlette]@Dagenhamdeb glad you have been assessed but what you don’t realise is the ooh who called you back had already informed A&E of your arrival before you went and your information was faxed through which is why they didn’t question you. They were expecting you.

This was set up by the Scottish health boards to help reduce numbers waiting in A&E during covid. The public are asked to call nhs24 if they are unsure if they need a&e to be advised appropriately. I have seen so many people turned away at the doors and told to contact nhs24.[/quote]
I can hear and see the entrance from my bed, people are turning up without out of hours or nhs 24 contact and they are being allowed in, I’m here seeing this with my eyes and hearing it with my ears, I can assure you it’s happening.

[MrsPelligrinoPetrichor]

And this is exactly why I don't use NHS direct,I'm still waiting for a call back from February

OP I'm so glad you went in and got seen

There's not always a long wait in A and E,dh was in and out within a couple of hours during the week,I don't know why people always say that.

[Dagenhamdeb]

@Bagelsandbrie

I’m glad you’re being seen and getting help op.

I’m in Scotland and people are allowed in without being referred.

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

You did the right thing, my next door neighbour had a heart attack and her symptoms are exactly the same as yours. And she is very slim, no excess weight at all. She was actually a guest at a wedding at the time and vomited in the church then fainted. They thought it was a tummy bug and took her to hospital but it turned out to be a heart attack.

[Blackberrybunnet]

OOH doctor may take hours and hours. If you're really concerned, go to A&E. You might have to wait hours and hours there, but at least if you collapse there will be someone on hand to deal with it.

[IncludeWomenInThePrequel]

[quote TidyOmlette]@krakia it’s not nonsense. The way we access A&E in Scotland has changed. The staff are monitoring the doors and asking people to call nhs24 for an assessment if they do not feel it’s appropriate. The days of turning up for back pain are long gone.

At no point did I say they were closed, they never have been closed.

If NHS24 had thought it was appropriate for A&E they would have advised that, they obviously don’t which is why she’s waiting for an OOH GP to call back.[/quote]
You're wrong.

We turned up at A&E in Scotland yesterday and were seen. Like the other dozen people who walked in behind me.

[Desnol]

@Dagenhamdeb
Very glad to hear that you are now in A&E - you're in good hands.
I hope you feel better soon.

[Zelvinka]

I work in a hospital in the South of England, anyone can attend the ED at any time without first being referred.

Staff would prefer someone to attend who thinks they may be having a heart attack and then happily turns out not to be than to stay away and be very ill or even die at home.

Glad you attended ED and that you are ok @Dagenhamdeb

[Sadsiblingatsea]

Could it be vax side effect?

[AbsolutelyPatsy]

GLAD IT DOESnt appear to be your heart op.
hope they can treat and make better whatever it is

[Seeingadistance]

I was at a Scottish A&E less than three weeks ago with a bad cut to my hand. (Needed stitches and doc assured me I had done right thing in attending). There was no one on the doors to turn anyone away. I think I may have been asked if I had phoned NHS 24 but I hadn’t as it was obvious that I would need stitches.

[gmwardy]

Glad it doesn’t seem to be heart related OP!
Hopefully it’s a virus or something equally minor so you can be away to home soon x

[justasking111]

No-one is turned away from our health board in Wales. Which health trusts are doing this?

Glad you're being seen @Dagenhamdeb

[TheVanguardSix]

I walked right into A&E off the street last week. Didn't even call 111 or anything. I was riding my bike, became unwell, went straight to A&E close by. No questions asked. I didn't even consider the possibility of being turned away. Where's this misinformation coming from?
I was treated brilliantly... admitted overnight for suspected brain bleed. All good. Went home next evening.
Most of the patients on my ward were being treated for adverse reactions to the vaccine, which was a bit worrying.

[TheVanguardSix]

TidyOmlette where exactly are you? Because that's just unacceptable if that's how your local A&E is operating.

[EmoIsntDead]

stiffness in back of neck /shoulder but I often get that so not out of the ordinary

Phone an ambulance, this is exactly how my mum’s heart attack started, she thought she’d pulled a muscle in her shoulder.