Really don’t know what to do if unwell

[Reallydontknow22]

If you’re really pretty unwell and google (I know, never google) indicates that you should be seen by someone ASAP, but there’s just no one available - what the hell do you actually do?

There isn’t a functioning healthcare system and it’s scary

I’ve been trying to get help all
mornong, the problem is there isn’t any.

OP I really don’t understand where you are coming from. You seem to be incredibly passive.
You have a doctor calling you imminently who will be able to do an initial consultation and guide you on the next steps.
If you are so ill that you can’t move, need urgent medical attention but cannot get in a taxi then you need to call 999 and have paramedics come out to you.

There is plenty of help, you just have multiple reasons as to why you can’t take it apparently.

I did this morning yes @Cardio101

If it’s an ambulance you want then just phone one now. You’ll be waiting 6+ hours but that’s obviously the only answer you want. You can sit & wait for 111 to call you back for another 10 hours then phone you an ambulance which will take another 8 hours or you can just cut the bs & phone one now. Or get a taxi/lift to A&E yourself. You aren’t happy with the advice given to you on this thread so just do what you like anyway

ehat I want is an ambulance.

Then call one?? Or are you saying you can post on mumsnet for 4 pages but aren’t able to call for an ambulance?
What do you mean ‘there aren’t any’?
Have you called for an ambulance and they have refused to come?
Or are you just assuming?

All 999 calls are triaged and I’m assuming they don’t think you need an ambulance?
If you think your condition has worsened, you should call them back for a reassessment.

@luxxlisbon im not passive, I can assure you, but equally I do know that I am too unwell to get to a and e myself. As I’ve already said to you, you’re just going to have to take me at my word there.

And the ‘make it the OPs fault’ thing that AIBU admittedly excels at is quite annoying here. I’ve rang the services that should be available to me, and they are just too busy, I don’t blame the individuals but it is frightening as well.

Op I'm not sure what you are hoping for? You say you are too weak and dizzy to stand up, go to see a gp or go to A&E but you are certain that whatever is causing your condition requires some sort of examination or tests? As far as I'm aware gp's rarely do home visits these days so they only way that will happen is if you go somewhere. When you get your call back from a doctor if they feel you need to be seen they will direct you somewhere The issue isn't about the health service not functioning it's about you not having anyone to take you to hospital or not wanting to sit in a waiting room.

No one wants to sit in a waiting room but this isn't new. In the mid 90's I waited for hrs to get stitched up in a&e. In the noughties my dh waited for a similar time to get seen for a fracture. My dd was blue lighted to A&E 10 yrs ago and went straight to resuss so I've been on the other side and seen why the wait is so long, even then it was a long day of waiting for Dr's and tests. If you need to be seen then you need to go and join the queue

@Pepper62 that is truly scary. We had to call 999 for a relative recently and it was a suspected stroke. This was put on as the highest priority and it still took 30 mins or so which I thought was bad. A genuine stroke or heart attack and you're dead in 30 mins. It's scary stuff that they won't be there when you need them

Just because you and google think you should have an ambulance, doesn't mean you need one, it will not make you be seen at a and e any quicker
An ambulance may be hours away unless you are at immediate risk, which you don't sound like you are

@Reallydontknow22 its all just very weird that your OP was all about 111 and how a doctor calling you back wasn’t enough, now you have rang 999?

You are on mumsnet which means you are conscious and awake. If the fainting happens when you stand then can you try standing up more slowly, or can you bum shuffle downstairs. Have you eaten etc? If you genuinely think you need medical treatment right now then you need to accept that you are responsible for getting that. If it means taking a taxi to a&e that is what you must do. Complaining to the internet is definitely not going to have a positive impact on your current health issues.

If you are upstairs how will anyone be able to get in to help you. They may send a community responder but that will still require access. Have you eaten or drunk anything to help light headedness.

If you can't take yourself to A&E you get someone else to take you.
Do you not have someone to take you?

Not true, if it was a big enough cardiac arrest or stroke, death would be within minutes, there are severity of strokes and cardiac arrests

I asked this but OP has not explained how she will let someone in.

But if everyone uses two phones it will be a longer wait..

I use Babylon GP at hand. It’s NHS, you can make an appointment on the app and they have appointments from about 0600-2300 7 days a week. Usually can diagnose over the phone and then they send the prescription to your nearest pharmacy. Have been doing this for years now and it works really well. They can also book you in or send someone to your house.

@Cardio101 no, they obviously don’t think so - they told me that I should go to a and e myself, which I can’t.

it’s frustrating and I get that, and it’s so easy to think that oh well, they think you don’t need an ambulance so you can’t. But this is the problem with the questions they ask - they can’t see someone and they can’t do further tests. So many serious illnesses do start with seemingly generic or normal symptoms - going back many years here admittedly but my mum suffered vomiting and on its own someone being sick isn’t something to necessarily worry about although of course it is unpleasant. But coupled with some other worrying things it was something to be worried about.

As things stand, as far as I can see

you can’t get an ambulance
GPs are full to bursting and refer you to a and e
with the result that a and e (and walk ins, urgent care centres etc) are full to bursting

and this is a rather big problem

I know, it is probably quite comforting to think the system is working fine and I’m just a big drama queen. I’m not.

But you can't get to the GP and you don't want to sit in A&E so what would actually be a suitable service for you?

Phone a friend to take you to a & e if a taxi isn' t an option. They can help you walk to the car.

I’ve explained @Blocked , I do think I am unwell enough and symptoms worrying enough to justify an ambulance. Dr Google agrees

OP, are you safe right now? Are your symptoms worsening? When did they start? Is there anyone who could come to your home to be with you, either Joe or later today?

Sorry yes I've just seen that. Can you get a taxi? An ambulance will take much longer and you will still have to wait in A&E

The problem with Dr Google is that he is not the person who can do anything to help.

Joe now.