Go to A&E?

[RoxOff]

Sorry, I know this isn’t an AIBU and these threads are really annoying, but I’m home alone and can’t figure out whether to go to A&E or stay at home until DH and kids are home later tonight and reassess.

I’ve fainted three times today.

Firstly in the shower this morning, but managed to sit on the bathroom floor before I fell down. Thought maybe I just got up too quickly this morning, low blood pressure etc.

Then it happened again a couple of hours later in the kitchen. Fell to the floor, hurt my hip, think I was only unconscious for less than a minute.

Finally, it happened about an hour ago. More scary this time, as I don’t remember it happening, but woke up in my hallway feeling bruised as if I’d fallen. Think I was only out for a minute or two.

This is really odd. Never happened before. No underlying health conditions, although I feel like I might have a mild UTI today.

Not specifically, just sick of A&E bursting at the seams with people who don’t need to be there

I went to out of hours on advice of 111 because I passed out. While I was in the appointment, I found it hard to talk and the Dr said 'is it happening again?' I managed to nod before passing out. She took it very seriously, called code, then they took me round to resus. Weirdly, I could hear everything they were saying, but couldn't feel anything or open my eyes, etc. I could hear them saying 'airway clear', etc., but I couldn't say "I'm alright!!"

In the end, after many, many episodes, and social services suggesting that DH gave up his job so that he could be in the house if I passed out in charge of the children, a neurologist realised that two of my medications were interacting, causing me to lose partial consciousness (hence being able to hear but not move, see, or speak).

Incidentally, once I'd had around 3 episodes, an A&E Dr told me that I wasn't to attend A&E after an episode, because they knew what was happening, but didn't know why, so it was a waste of time.

I'm sure they will have taken OP seriously at A&E.

@Derbee

Not specifically, just sick of A&E bursting at the seams with people who don’t need to be there

Including those taken in by ambulance?

@Derbee

Not specifically, just sick of A&E bursting at the seams with people who don’t need to be there

So you’d potentially risk the life of someone you know nothing about with your dodgy advice. Seems sensible.

@Derbee

Not specifically, just sick of A&E bursting at the seams with people who don’t need to be there

She fainted, three times, for no apparent reason. Your advice was not only stupid, but also dangerous. Do not do it again.

I would definitely go to A+E.

@Derbee

Not specifically, just sick of A&E bursting at the seams with people who don’t need to be there

But that's not relevant to OP, she does need to be there! Because A&E is busy doesn't mean it's because people don't need it, it may be understaffed etc?

Are we too believe that you're some kind of health professional to be aware and irritated by A&E bursting at the seams? Are you in A&E a lot, to have this knowledge?

Someone with the symptoms of OP, should be in A&E, no matter how busy they are.

How are you doing OP? I hope that you are feeling by and that they have got to the bottom of things.

@Derbee

Not specifically, just sick of A&E bursting at the seams with people who don’t need to be there

"Not specifically"

So that's a big fat No then

No, A&E would be completely inappropriate

Not specifically, just sick of A&E bursting at the seams with people who don’t need to be there

This is why there should be a standard 'phone 111' response when people post 'shouldn't I go to A&E' questions.

An experienced professional has sent the OP a to hospital an ambulance, most sensible posters on here recognise the seriousness of multiple fainting episodes, especially as OP hone alone so no one knows exactly what happened.

And then you get truly dangerous responses like the above.

Best wishes OP Hope you get some answers at hospital.

OP.. How are you this morning? Worried about you and wishing you well...

I was wondering how the OP was as well.

I'm a fainter when my HB is low.
But I've never been unconscious 3 times in a day.

Morning all! Thank you for checking in on me . And sorry I caused a bit of a storm with this thread.

I’ve got a kidney infection. Had IV antibiotics overnight and being discharged soon with strong antibiotics. Glad the ambulance came as I started to feel rapidly unwell after initially posting here and fainted again walking to the ambulance.

Feeling a lot better already, though!

Thanks again for spurring me into action 🙏

Glad you now have an answer and hope you feel better soon

Glad you're feeling better op. Getting discharged the very next morning is great news.

That's great news, op. Hope you start to feel better soon, glad you called and went to the hospital!

Glad you got some answers.
Hope you feel better soon

Good news that you are on the mend.

Good news @RoxOff

Glad you got some answers and are feeling on the mend OP.

Does anyone share my theory that there are a number of posters who see the word A&E in a thread title and, like a moth to a flame, feel a strange obligation to jump on the thread and tell the poster she is a time-wasting malingerer who is wasting NHS resources, possibly without even reading the post and certainly without considering the facts and considering whether the OP might actually need urgent help? It's like a strange Pavlovian reaction to the word. One would almost think these people have literally nothing better to do with their time.

That is great news, I’m glad they’re were able to sort it

@lurkingfromhome

Glad you got some answers and are feeling on the mend OP.

Does anyone share my theory that there are a number of posters who see the word A&E in a thread title and, like a moth to a flame, feel a strange obligation to jump on the thread and tell the poster she is a time-wasting malingerer who is wasting NHS resources, possibly without even reading the post and certainly without considering the facts and considering whether the OP might actually need urgent help? It's like a strange Pavlovian reaction to the word. One would almost think these people have literally nothing better to do with their time.

I agree!

Glad you're on the mend OP.

I've read people on here stating categorically that you should never call an ambulance for a broken bone. Well, maybe not for a little finger, but I fell down the stairs once and broke my leg (spiral break of the tibia and fibula). Although I'd never broken anything before, I just knew it was bust as I felt it click inside my shin and my entire lower leg was pointing out sideways at an angle.
However, I sat for a while trying to compose myself and wondering if I could manage, with DH's help, to hop to the car and go to Urgent Care.
Then I passed out, with the pain and he called an ambulance. Later on (after gas and air and oxygen and goodness knows what else) and I was chatting in the back of the ambulance to the paramedic. He was chuckling a bit and shaking his head and I asked him why. He said, "I simply cannot BELIEVE you were intending to hop to the car and take yourself in with THIS injury." I said I was reluctant to waste anyone's time, and he said, "Love, you have NO idea. We get people phoning us because they can't find the TV remote. You are NOT a time-waster."
SO glad I didn't try posting here on Mumsnet for the wise ones who've popped up on this thread to tell me that "ambulances/A&E are inappropriate" for broken bones.

Glad you've been sorted out, OP.

So glad you got this sorted, OP. It really rang a bell with me as, like I posted, a friend had a vague feeling she had a UTI then suddenly passed out later in the day & was rushed to hospital.She was absolutely fine after a while but do take it easy and rest as much as possible.