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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NHS24 or A&E?

32 replies

rough1985 · 15/04/2022 11:31

Okay, bit of a long one but trying to work out what to do.

So I had a baby 9 months ago. It was my third
c-section. My periods returned fairly normally and had a few what I’d call normal cycles. End of January I had some spotting for a good few days before my period at the start of Feb. This is unusual for me. Had a normal period beginning of Feb. Beginning of March I had light dark brown bleeding for a week bit it didn’t turn into anything. I put it down to a super light period. Then two weeks later I started spotting again. I’ve now been spotting/light bleeding ever since. This week I’ve started to feel quite ill. Almost like I have a hangover but haven’t been drinking. That kind of nauseating funny head feeling that is exactly the feeling I get if I’ve had one too many drinks the night before. The bleeding is still light and dark brown. I’ve now got a sore side almost where my kidneys would maybe be but I’ve no other signs of a kidney infection/uti. I’ve got a GP appointment but not for another two weeks. I tried to phone this morning but realised it’s closed for Easter weekend and I’m now feeling so rough that I’m contemplating phoning nhs 24. I’ve three young children though and my DH is working. Do you think this warrants an phonecall and trip to A&E. I’m worried it’s all related and I’ve got some sort of infection but don’t know if I feel bad enough to be bothering A&E. Feeling ill, worried and stressed. I know lots of people will tell me they can’t tell me what to do etc, I know that but just being super indecisive right now.

OP posts:
FusciasBright21 · 15/04/2022 11:33

111

tiredanddangerous · 15/04/2022 11:37
  1. They should be able to get you an appointment with an out of hours GP.
Plutoisaplanet · 15/04/2022 11:37

Another vote for 111

Mamamia7962 · 15/04/2022 11:38

I agree ring 111, they may be able to advise you of the nearest walk in centre or get a Dr to ring you back.

CuddlyCactus · 15/04/2022 11:43

NHS24. They'll arrange for you to see out of hours GP if necessary

Don't go to A&E today, you'll be likely still be waiting on SundayConfused

FrankLeeSpeaking · 15/04/2022 11:43

If you feel reasonably well, 111. They should be able to get you an OOH GP appointment.
But if you feel very unwell, don't hesitate to go to A+E.

Original poster
rough1985 · 15/04/2022 12:13

Thanks. My DH is home in a few hours so will phone then. Concerned I’m going to start feeling worse. Currently it just feels like an awful hangover .

OP posts:
frogsbreath · 15/04/2022 12:16

111 also take some time to refer to clinicians, call you back etc so don't wait til DH gets back to call. Write everything down that you want to say then call them, hope it's nothing serious Daffodil

LittleOldLadies · 15/04/2022 12:18

I'd ring now rather than wait until your DH gets home. Sometimes you can wait hours for a call back so better to get yourself in the system now!

SantaHat · 15/04/2022 12:19

Thanks. My DH is home in a few hours so will phone then.

Why on Earth are you waiting a few hours to call? It can take a while to get through to 111 and then it can take several hours to get a full response if you need a call back from a GP. Why would you wait?

CapMarvel · 15/04/2022 12:26

Don't fanny around waiting, just call. It can take a while for you to get to speak to anyone who can help you.

Overthinking22 · 15/04/2022 12:34

Another one to say don't wait, get ball rolling. My only experience of 111 was a 40minute wait, further 20mins on call, 4 hour wait for a call back then 3 hour wait for appointment. It was necessary, not urgent but hospital admission required. You can always cancel if you feel better.

ZeroCaffeine · 15/04/2022 12:35

Why do you need your husband home to phone 111 Confused

HangOnToYourself · 15/04/2022 12:40

Call now you might be on hold for ages. You dont need your husband with you to call them 🤷‍♀️

42isthemeaning · 15/04/2022 12:42

Perhaps OP is worried she might have to go somewhere and needs her dh to take her or look after dc?

No need to criticise her saying she'll wait for her dh! Hmm

OP, they won't be asking you to go anywhere asap, so it makes sense just to call now.

HangOnToYourself · 15/04/2022 13:19

@42isthemeaning

Perhaps OP is worried she might have to go somewhere and needs her dh to take her or look after dc?

No need to criticise her saying she'll wait for her dh! Hmm

OP, they won't be asking you to go anywhere asap, so it makes sense just to call now.

How do you know that? What if it turned out to be sepsis and they wanted to send an ambulance?
Sexnotgender · 15/04/2022 13:20

Phone 111, try and get an OOO GP appointment for when your husband is back.

ZealAndArdour · 15/04/2022 13:24

Why on earth would you consider A&E? Symptoms very non-specific and no apparent threat to life or limb currently.

Ring 111/NHS24 and take some painkillers for the pain, keep drinking plenty of fluids and rest. You don’t need DH to be home to do that and you’re probably not going to get a call back from a clinician before he’s home anyway.

Regenbogen22 · 15/04/2022 13:29

Any chance you could be pregnant (ectopic pregnancy can explain some symptoms)?

707smile · 15/04/2022 13:36

@ZealAndArdour

Why on earth would you consider A&E? Symptoms very non-specific and no apparent threat to life or limb currently.

Ring 111/NHS24 and take some painkillers for the pain, keep drinking plenty of fluids and rest. You don’t need DH to be home to do that and you’re probably not going to get a call back from a clinician before he’s home anyway.

That's not true. If she is feeling very unwell (as described) then she might have a serious infection, prolonged bleeding is not normal. It could even be an ectopic pregnancy. A&E can definitely be considered if 111 aren't helpful or if she feels worse.

Do you have a fever or fast heart rate OP? make sure to watch out for signs of sepsis.

CuddlyCactus · 15/04/2022 13:42

@rough1985
As others have said, don't wait until DH home to look after kids before phoning NHS24. They'll be really busy today and it may be hours before a clinician phones you back and then another couple of hours before they can get you seen by a GP

SantaHat · 15/04/2022 13:55

How do you know that? What if it turned out to be sepsis and they wanted to send an ambulance?

Even by that logic, with the current pressures on ambulances, even if she was marked as a number one priority, it could still take hours for an ambulance to get there. There’s certainly no point in delaying reaching out for help.

Original poster
rough1985 · 15/04/2022 14:02

@Regenbogen22 yes I actually thought this at the start of the week as my symptoms were similar. Have done the tests and both negative so it’s not that.

@707smile I feel like I have a fever but the thermometer is saying 37.1°c which it fine. Heart rate feels normal too. I feel like it’s definitely linked to the bleeding though as everything just doesn’t feel right.

OP posts:
707smile · 15/04/2022 14:05

[quote rough1985]@Regenbogen22 yes I actually thought this at the start of the week as my symptoms were similar. Have done the tests and both negative so it’s not that.

@707smile I feel like I have a fever but the thermometer is saying 37.1°c which it fine. Heart rate feels normal too. I feel like it’s definitely linked to the bleeding though as everything just doesn’t feel right.[/quote]
It sounds horrible rough1985, definitely consider A&E if you are feeling very unwell or start to feel worse.

YayitisfinallySpring · 15/04/2022 14:31

Phone 111. It can takes ages. Ask for an appointment for after your husband gets home. If you wait until he's back to phone, it could be late evening before you get an appointment.