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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to A&E? I’m desperate.

539 replies

Havanawinter · 26/09/2022 01:45

Early hours of Saturday morning (48 hours ago) I woke with the worst stomach cramps. I’ve been pooing liquid ever since, over 50 times a day. I can’t keep anything in. I haven’t been sick but I feel sick. It’s getting no better, the stomach cramps are indescribable, I can’t even lie down they’re so awful. I feel like death and I’m scared of dehydration. Do I call 111? Go to A&E? DH meant to be away in London for work tomorrow and I have 2 young kids by myself. I need help.

OP posts:
CrampMcBastard · 26/09/2022 07:56

I seriously hope your DH hasn’t gone anywhere.

Magicpaintbrush · 26/09/2022 07:57

Food poisoning - the stomach cramps... well, I've been there myself, and I'd bet that's what it is. Horrific stomach pain that is beyond what you'd get with a bug.

Foxinmygarden · 26/09/2022 07:58

It could be Norovirus. It could be campylobacter/shigella/cholera/dysentry how the f* can anyone tell from here.

The OP needs a proper medical assessment and given that is likely to include blood tests to check kidney function, I would suggest that A&E is entirely appropriate.

Magicpaintbrush · 26/09/2022 07:59

Also, if it is food poisoning I'd alert the authorities if you think it came from that pub - they need an inspection.

LizzieSiddal · 26/09/2022 08:00

Ring 111 first or your own Dr before contemplating A&E.

Ilovenutellaaaaa · 26/09/2022 08:04

Call your gp surgery this morning and tell them about the diarrhea and pain and not able to keep anything down and how long you have had it..if they say go to a+e you might get a letter from them to take with you....

Original poster
Havanawinter · 26/09/2022 08:04

Hi all. Wow I’m overwhelmed at the messages. Things got really bad in the night. I am passing significant amounts of blood in my poo and can’t get comfy at all in any position. It’s agony. My husband is frankly being a complete twat about the whole thing but that’s a different story. I never got a call back from 111.

OP posts:
bruffin · 26/09/2022 08:05

donttellmehesalive · 26/09/2022 02:02

I wouldn't go to A&E for this. You haven't had an accident and it isn't an emergency. Surely you wouldn't be able to get yourself there and wait hours, if you need the toilet so frequently? Phone for advice. I think they'll give you advice on self-care and tell you to call your GP if symptoms persist beyond 24 hours. Your dh will have to look after the children if you can't.

How do you know it's not an emergency. I had much lighter symptoms than went to gp turned out I was severely dehydrated with sky high blood sugar and ketones.
Gp sent me to a and e where I walked in. Within 10 minutes I was in resus.Then a week in hospital on 3 antibiotics and straight onto insulin and a diagnosis of diabetes. I would be dead if I had listened to your type of advice

Redkettle · 26/09/2022 08:05

Havanawinter · 26/09/2022 08:04

Hi all. Wow I’m overwhelmed at the messages. Things got really bad in the night. I am passing significant amounts of blood in my poo and can’t get comfy at all in any position. It’s agony. My husband is frankly being a complete twat about the whole thing but that’s a different story. I never got a call back from 111.

I'd go to a and e

Doingprettywellthanks · 26/09/2022 08:06

Havanawinter · 26/09/2022 08:04

Hi all. Wow I’m overwhelmed at the messages. Things got really bad in the night. I am passing significant amounts of blood in my poo and can’t get comfy at all in any position. It’s agony. My husband is frankly being a complete twat about the whole thing but that’s a different story. I never got a call back from 111.

Show him more bloody shits (better yet, lob it at him)

girlmom21 · 26/09/2022 08:06

Go to the hospital.

EmmaH2022 · 26/09/2022 08:06

Havanawinter · 26/09/2022 08:04

Hi all. Wow I’m overwhelmed at the messages. Things got really bad in the night. I am passing significant amounts of blood in my poo and can’t get comfy at all in any position. It’s agony. My husband is frankly being a complete twat about the whole thing but that’s a different story. I never got a call back from 111.

Can you get a lift or cab to A&E?

leavesonthegroundsoon · 26/09/2022 08:07

I've just read your update. I hope you have gone to A&E. and I hope you're ok. Sounds really awful for you.

uggmum · 26/09/2022 08:08

Please take advice here and either call your Doctor as soon as they open or go the to hospital.
A&E gets significantly quieter during the day

Wouldloveanother · 26/09/2022 08:08

It’s A&E time OP.

Atmywitsend29 · 26/09/2022 08:09

A&E, OP.

Hope you feel better soon.

Fingeronthebutton · 26/09/2022 08:11

I have diverticulitis. I’ve hospitalised twice, so I know about pain and diarrhoea.
I have to say that the last thing I would be thinking about in the throws of an attack would be to post on MN.

Notimeforaname · 26/09/2022 08:11

Your husband's a selfish prick. Hope you feel better soon op💐

Crotonifolia · 26/09/2022 08:12

Havanawinter · 26/09/2022 08:04

Hi all. Wow I’m overwhelmed at the messages. Things got really bad in the night. I am passing significant amounts of blood in my poo and can’t get comfy at all in any position. It’s agony. My husband is frankly being a complete twat about the whole thing but that’s a different story. I never got a call back from 111.

Go to A & E, OP. You need help. Your OH can be thought about later.

GobbolinoTheWitchesCat · 26/09/2022 08:13

@Havanawinter don't waiver any longer, A&E op

Your gp might speed along your admission if you can get hold of them, but you need to go

Montana1612 · 26/09/2022 08:13

I had campylobacter from undercooked chicken in a Chinese restaurant once and I have never been so unwell. Pooped about 70 times a day and it was just green liquid with blood in it and I was hallucinating with terrible stomach cramps. I didn’t go to hospital but just basically lived in the bathroom for a few days with lots of water, dioralyte and tried to nibble on crackers to keep my strength up. A week later I was ok again and had lost almost a stone in a week which was the only silver lining. The fact you are in so much pain and passing a lot of blood now makes me think you should go to a&e incase you need a scope doing. It’s likely just a terrible case of food poisoning though and they will just put you on a drip for a couple of hours (which will make you feel a bit better)

GobbolinoTheWitchesCat · 26/09/2022 08:19

@Havanawinter please go to a&e

Pippylongstock · 26/09/2022 08:19

I would go to A&E sounds horrific. Leave husband with the children. Do not give him any choice. The prick

sonsmum · 26/09/2022 08:20

really hope you feel better. At A&E, be prepared for a long wait, possibly 6hrs plus depending where you live (though monday morning, perhaps the weekend rush has gone).
It sounds like this is food poisoning, especially with the temperature changes, however I am no expert. However I wouldn't say this is an A&E thing, mainly due to the uncomfortable waiting.

In your position I'd call your dr surgery and when you speak to the receptionist tell them all the gory details and state very clearly that you want to speak with a doctor today.

With a bit of luck the symptoms will lessen today (though you're likely to be weak for a few days), but if they don't, your doctor can decide if you need to be seen and/or if he wants to refer you for imminent tests.

If it is food poisoning, your body is trying to expel the bug, so the poo situation is very normal. It is liquidy as the body is trying to get it out quickly, ie. no time for water absoption in the large intestine. The temperature change signals the fight against infection/pathogen, ie. make your body less hospitable.
Keep your fluids up to combat the loss of water, and rest easy and your body will win the battle.
You'll probably find the symptoms ease off, though you'll still feel rough.
However if you think you are going downhill, seek further help.
Is there anyone you can call to spend the day with you today with the kids?

EgonSpengler2020 · 26/09/2022 08:20

You're DH needing to go away for work should not be a factor in your decision making for attending A&E. He can stay home if he needs to, that is logistics for him to arrange.

Diluted apple juice has been shown to be more effective than dioralytes at keeping kids with gastroenteritis out of hospital, so worth taking sips of that frequently. If you are passing urine with reasonable frequency, and you don't have some massive comorbidity back story that you've failed to mention, then it is worth giving sips a go and trying to ride out the misery at home.

One A&E around my way had 18-19 hour delays to offload patients from ambulances last night. So the waiting room and chairs in corridors will be a similar situation. In a utopian NHS this wouldn't be a factor in your decision to attend, but it is the reality of the situation currently. So your next 50 toilet trips could be to the hospital waiting room toilet, if there isn't a queue!!

Hope your feeling better soon, it sounds shit!