To not go to A&E?

[schwaneverstressed]

NH 24 have fair put the frighteners on me.

I take propranolol 3 x a day (40mg) for anxiety and associated palpitations . Running out this weekend, I’m convinced I had 3 left for Saturday but there’s only two in the pack, which suggests I accidentally took a fourth one tonight . The pack says doses of up to 320mg a day can be prescribed safely to some people . I weigh 140kg (yes, I’m aware that’s way too much) . I suspect what I’ve taken falls within safe limits .

Rang NHS 24 to check and the nurse said I’m at high risk of coma, seizures, sudden collapse, and said make my way to A&E asap for monitoring .

The thing is I’m a full time carer to my mum, and I cannot leave her alone at all, she needs 24 hour care just now and we don’t have carers coming in as waiting on a package being set up . A&E is 30 miles away, would cost £60 in a taxi there and £60 back - I can’t afford that ..!!

They said I wouldn’t be able to take Mum with me either due to covid .

So nurse has said to sit awake as long as I can, at least 4-6 more hours, check pulse rate regularly and phone 999 if I become unwell, and said several times she was concerned I might collapse - wouldn’t even put it for a GP to call back as said ‘you might be seriously ill by then’ .

I don’t know what to do . Mum is rural, she doesn’t know her neighbours . No family nearby . AIB stupid not to go to A&E? My pulse is regular, 85-88 and apart from being a bit dizzy on standing I feel mostly OK .

Would you sit it out? Online says propranolol is severely toxic in overdose but then the pack says I’ve taken a normal therapeutic dose (admittedly for someone with angina and not anxiety…)

I have taken more than that and been fine. I take it for anxiety and when I feel it’s not working I’ll take another then another. I’ve probably taken 6 before within a couple of hours.

@Yellowcar2

I don't understand why you would bother calling if you are just going to ignore what they say. If you don't think it's that serious why call in the first place? No one here should really be giving advice on this, who knows hiw you are going to react. You could be absolutely fine you might get seriously ill.

Only called to get advice from 111, I understand they’ve got to cover their backs though and be very careful in what they say . It’s not ignoring as such, it’s more that as much as I’d be more than willing to go to A&E to get checked out (as I’m absolutely shattered and don’t fancy sitting up to 4am as suggested!) it’s not all that possible right now .

I am wondering if what’s actually happened is this …. I went to the pharmacist earlier to get a new box on emergency prescription… and handed her this months box over so she could see the dose I’m normally given .

I’m wondering the missing tablet was there in the box and they just binned it . If that makes sense !! I had three sleeves of tablets left in the box (disorganised) and I wonder if left sleeve with one tablet in, in the box . That would make sense why one has disappeared.

Agree with those saying try calling a 24 hour pharmacist for advice.

111 should actually have had a pharmacist call you back to assess

I’d guess they may be disbelieving the accidental part, and wanting to check up on you from a mental health perspective

It's hardly the LD50.
I'm sure you will be fine!

Why phone for advice and then not take it? The nurse gave medical advice on what you told her and it’s an extremely difficult job for them as they can’t physically see you so they need to be cautious.

A GP would just give the same advice so suggesting that should have been an option is a waste of time and could take hours. The best option would have been for you to speak to a pharmacist, they do have them at NHS24 so you could certainly call back and ask for a pharmacist to speak to you

@YukoandHiro

Agree with those saying try calling a 24 hour pharmacist for advice.

111 should actually have had a pharmacist call you back to assess

I think the problem is once they've given you advice such as attend A and E, they cant really ask you to wait and get assessed by someone else on the phone.

And if you dont follow their advice it's on you.

If someones got chest pains and they dont want to go to A and E. They cant very well turn around and say- oh well in that case we'll arrange a call back that may take two hours and then a home visit if you're house bound that may take another hour at least. If the advice is A and E, then it's A and E,.its not safe to wait for second opinions- by doing this the patient can turn round and say well I didnt think it was serious cos they said a pharmacist was going to ring me back.

I wouldn't go in the situation you describe, no way.

Would you get different advice ringing again?
Their advice has been given and it is your decision to do what's right for you.
If you're dead in the morning they'll know why.

Will you be more stressed going? If you're prepared to ring an ambulance if things go south then I'd stay put. But bear on mind ambulance delays might be more stressful.
I am not a doctor and my advice should not be considered medical advice.

I did a similar thing and took too many doses of my heart medication. I felt fine but, like you , was worried. I rang the pharmacist at a Boots branch and she was most helpful, told me what to monitor at home and when to seek medical assistance. Following her advice I was fine. Find a late night pharmacy and ask to speak to the pharmacist.

So heart rate is still up at 85-100 on standing/walking about, no weird dizziness or fainting, other than what I normally get at night with mirtazapine .

I’m still thinking I must have given the last tablet to the pharmacist this afternoon and not realised .

I’ve left the door open between my room and mum’s just in case but feel mostly OK . It’s four hours since I took it so should have hit peak levels by now abs I’d have thought if I’d taken two I’d have a lower pulse than I do .

Sounds like you’ll be fine Op. But you do need a back up plan for your mum if anything serious we’re to happen to you.

Hello everyone. We're just dropping in to say if you have health concerns, especially regarding medication, please seek the advice of a medical professional. Hope all is well now, OP.