To leave A&E…

[rainyskylight]

Sorry to add to all the A&E threads.

On Saturday I hit my head badly and I’ve had headaches ever since. I didn’t black out, but I did get knocked to the ground. No nausea, no vision changes. But have had general sense of not right, headaches, and deep desire to lie in a dark room in silence. Sharp pain has gone but the dull pain remains and isn’t going away.

Called the GP. She said it was borderline but ultimately I should probably go to A&E so a doctor there could make a call on whether I need a CT or not.

Got here at 3pm. Have had my obs done 2 hours ago but nothing since. At this time I’m thinking they won’t do CTs until the morning anyway.

Fully charged phone but I can’t really do sustained phone reading due to the headache. Mainly sitting here with my eyes closed and sunglasses on, looking v hungover.

Thinking I should just sack this and take my chances at home. AIBU?

Something between would be minor injuries, which is not appropriate for head injuries.

Were you a porter in A&E, or did you make the tea? You’re clearly not a clinician, or you’d know that most brain injuries have no associated skull fracture, and that x-rays haven’t been the recommended investigation for head injury for a good 25 years.

And not much point doing 15 minute obs on someone who has been stable for > 72 hours.

There’s nothing wrong with being non-clinical, but best not to give medical advice when you don’t know what you’re talking about. One day, someone might follow it and be seriously harmed.

@meowzeer yes I see, but I didn’t need a CT - the doctor shone a light in my eyes and then sent me home with a leaflet. I don’t know. I don’t really see how I was impatient. I sat there for a long time, very quietly and uncomplaining. I never once asked how much longer, although many around me did. And then about half way through I wrote a MN thread because I was tired and losing perspective.

I just think there should be a better way than a GP giving wishywashy advice and then sending me along to A&E… where I waited 7 hours to pick up a freely available leaflet. There has to be a middle road, surely?

Well aware that I was seen in order of priority and that’s why it took them so long to see me - and also why I sort of knew more and more that it really was so unlikely to be serious.

Sorry I don’t really know why I’m responding so specifically here, as these back-and-forths online can be a bit much. Anyway, thank you for taking the time respond, appreciated.

@LibrariesGiveUsPower I was accurate and did not embellish in my check in form, making quite clear I’d been stable and had had no vomiting etc. They streamlined me to emergency not minor injuries. Would have quite liked minor injuries! But that’s a very good point!!

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow thank you for that, some fair points, although the word slagging is a bit much.

I think perhaps the whole NHS subject has just become so so emotional, with everyone having different stories. I am in general normally very happy with my GP, and I try not to bother the surgery unless absolutely necessary. I think perhaps my opinion is currently coloured not just by the general commentary and political debate, but also their refusal to see a really bizarre rash my 18mo daughter has had on her back for 4 months. They just keep prescribing a different cream - currently on our fourth strength hydrocortisone without an examination.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow genuinely though, I take that on board, thank you.

I just think there should be a better way than a GP giving wishywashy advice and then sending me along to A&E… where I waited 7 hours to pick up a freely available leaflet. There has to be a middle road, surely?

In some areas there is a middle way in the form of a Minor Injuries unit. We have one near us and I must say on the few occasions we've used them they've been excellent. They really need to be rolled out all over the country.

I guess the main thing is that your ok and nothing serious and I'm sure you feel better knowing that than having left it and wonder. Take care op.

We used to have minor injuries but 4 or 5yrs ago, they decided it wasn't financially sustainable and closed it. We now have the GP or A&E, including signs in the GP's surgery reminding us that all cuts, sprains, bumps, bashes, burns etc are a matter for A&E. An A&E that's in special measures and one of the worst in the UK. In part due to the closure of minor injuries. It's frustrating and obviously nothing to do with the people who are, ime, brilliant but they're in a sinking ship where I live.

I hope you feel better soon op!

Welcome to the currently sporting a concussion club!

I didn't go to a and e or a Dr, I knew I had one, got nearly knocked out by a punch I didn't see coming in a venue when a fight broke out next to me.

I was gifted a black eye and a deep blue fist shaped bruise on my temple and cheek bone, plus swelling.

The punch was hard enough to daze me and knock me to the ground.

I have however had mild nausea, a headache, tiredness, and "foggy brain" for about a week now.

Googled NHS head injury, read the little write up. Shone the phone torch in to my eyes to make sure my pupils were reacting and my symptoms didn't match what was written in the "red box" for go to a and e.

I am however very lax about my own personal health. I can't stand A and E, have given up on ever seeing a GP again. I will only ever attend a and e if someone calls an ambulance for me, a broken major limb, if have like chronic unimaginable pain that I'm screaming about (such as the mass kidney infection I once had) or should I ever have severe chest pains. Other than that I operate a "It will clear up" attitude 😳

Glad your feeling reassured though OP, tea and toast sounds like a great plan.

Glad you got seen, OP.

I had a serious bash to the head 3 years ago and went to A&E, more for the stitches than anything else, but when i git home i was glad to have been checked out. I went into work the next day mainly because i was nervous about being by myself.

It took a couple of weeks for me to feel normal again - i had to really avoid screens/reading, exercise beyond walking, and general exertion for a couple of weeks.

Be gentle with yourself.

I hope you have been able to rest now, and are feeling a bit better today.