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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Really don’t know what to do if unwell

220 replies

Reallydontknow22 · 06/12/2022 08:00

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

OP posts:
Newmama29 · 06/12/2022 10:26

Reallydontknow22 · 06/12/2022 10:09

In fairness I don’t think I’m at deaths door imminently but there are quite a lot of red flags for cancer which is very worrying. Thank you for your kind words.

Honestly, if you Google any symptoms, possible cancer always comes up. While your symptoms may be worrying, the fact they might point to cancer does not make it an urgent medical emergency that requires an ambulance. Does it need seen & investigated? Yes of course, but that doesn’t mean you require a 999 ambulance. Paramedics are not able to do the investigations to diagnose you with cancer, only the hospital can & A&E probably wouldn’t even do this & would treat your initial symptoms at hand then refer you on for further investigations. You don’t seem to want to listen to any advice you’re being given. Get yourself in a taxi or stop posting.

Allthemojitos · 06/12/2022 10:28

I think some of the people commenting on this post have not needed to get emergency treatment recently or have been very lucky with the care they have received.
The system is broken and getting worse people reassure themselves that an emergency will be treated quickly but A&E waits and ambulance response times show this is not the reality. People are having to wait scary amounts of time for cat 1 and cat 2 responses from ambulances and people can't be admitted to A&E as there are no beds.
People are dying as a result of this, it is important this is discussed and highlighted. People should be up in arms about it but this thread shows that people are not aware how bad the situation is and I find that depressing and scary.

SleepingStandingUp · 06/12/2022 10:29

no, they obviously don’t think so - they told me that I should go to a and e myself, which I can’t. sorry, see you called. So what did they say when you sod every time I stand up I pass out?

JusteanBiscuits · 06/12/2022 10:31

Last time I called 111 they called me back within 10 minutes - that was scary as I didn't think it was as serious as it turned out to be! Luckily they did realise.

111 won't come out to you. If you're too unwell to be able to make it anywhere to an appointment, then maybe you need an ambulance.

CousinKrispy · 06/12/2022 10:31

There were some good practical suggestions upthread--make sure your phone is charged, put a few essentials together for a hospital stay, or ask a neighbor/friend to come in and do that for you. If you truly need to be in hospital then it would be good to prepare!

If you need to be taken to hospital it will be difficult for them to move you downstairs. Can you shuffle down the stairs slowly on your bum, as suggested, and do you have a sofa downstairs you could lie on with a duvet?

If you can manage that, maybe you could manage to get out the door, slowly, into a taxi or a neighbor's car, to get to A&E?

i share your frustration with the state of the health service but being frustrated won't fix your current problem.

Original poster
Reallydontknow22 · 06/12/2022 10:31

‘Move to Surrey’ was not what I expected I must admit 😂

Doctor agrees it’s urgent and so hopefully an ambulance will be here if not soon as soon as they can.

Re cancer there are red flags and red flags though. I do have some very red red flags and it probably is not cancer and I hope very much it is not cancer but I would of course like to be sure and in any event whatever it is needs looking at.

OP posts:
Elecktra22 · 06/12/2022 10:32

I’m currently on hold to 111, having phoned my GP surgery as soon as they opened this morning and waiting for 30 minutes to be told that none of their 3 surgeries have an appointment. This is for my 12 year old DD who has (I think) a chest infection and her asthma is terrible.
my sister took her 3 year old to a&E on Saturday and the doctors were shouting at a couple for calling an ambulance for their son who had an egg allergy and did in fact need treatment. Apparently the staff were awful to everyone
its at breaking point

luxxlisbon · 06/12/2022 10:34

Allthemojitos · 06/12/2022 10:28

I think some of the people commenting on this post have not needed to get emergency treatment recently or have been very lucky with the care they have received.
The system is broken and getting worse people reassure themselves that an emergency will be treated quickly but A&E waits and ambulance response times show this is not the reality. People are having to wait scary amounts of time for cat 1 and cat 2 responses from ambulances and people can't be admitted to A&E as there are no beds.
People are dying as a result of this, it is important this is discussed and highlighted. People should be up in arms about it but this thread shows that people are not aware how bad the situation is and I find that depressing and scary.

But non of that applies here. OP called 999 who felt her condition was not one for an ambulance. She also called 111 who felt an ambulance was not appropriate, she was triaged and booked her a telephone consultation with a clinician. The clinician will be able to make the first move on the next steps for care based on the appointment.
What about OPs situation shows a broken system?

EmmaAgain22 · 06/12/2022 10:35

Re stairs, please don't worry

both my parents have been carried down a narrow stairwell with narrow steps by the paramedics, I've seen them use a regular chair and an evac chair. Paramedics are fab.

Original poster
Reallydontknow22 · 06/12/2022 10:35

The fact that there were no ambulances?

My GP believes it was an emergency. 999 could not accommodate that. I rang at 6, my GP called me at 10.

OP posts:
luxxlisbon · 06/12/2022 10:36

Doctor agrees it’s urgent and so hopefully an ambulance will be here if not soon as soon as they can.

So in the last 10 minute you have had the call with the doctor and they are sending an ambulance?

Obviously you are still going to have to get down the stairs and answer the door.

Im glad you seem to have gotten the outcome you were looking for.

Original poster
Reallydontknow22 · 06/12/2022 10:38

I think they may well be capable of opening an unlocked door.

OP posts:
Booklover3 · 06/12/2022 10:39

I’m sorry OP it does seem hit and miss as to where you are. I had a brilliant experience with 111 and out of hours when I saw them on Sunday. Took nine hours but I was content to wait at home and could, but if I had left it much longer It probably would have developed into a full blown emergency. I didn’t realise I was having asthma attacks just thought it was a terrible cough.

I hope you get sorted soon!

Guitarbar · 06/12/2022 10:41

If you can manage that, maybe you could manage to get out the door, slowly, into a taxi or a neighbor's car, to get to A&E?

No no no, far more practical to wait hours upon hours for an ambulance and post about it on MN. Self responsibility, what's that?!

memorial · 06/12/2022 10:41

While I understand your anxiety your posts make no sense. You may very well be very unwell but that doesn't mean cancer and cancer doesn't usually present acutely unwell nor does it necessitate an A+E visit. They won't likely do tests for cancer.
So you may be unwell enough for A+E but if you really think you have cancer then your GP is you first point of call. And while obviously the risk of cancer is worrying it isn't an actual emergency.

Zone2NorthLondon · 06/12/2022 10:42

Remain where you are,no bumping down stairs given previous loss of consciousness.Paramedics will have evac chair for transportation. You are awaiting the ambulance, stay where you are and I hope everything goes ok

Nosleepforthismum · 06/12/2022 10:42

I hope you get the treatment you need OP and fingers crossed it’s not cancer 🤞

I think if this situation happens again, you really need to put in place some form of assistance if you need to get to hospital faster than an ambulance can get to you. I agree it shouldn’t be that way but in the short term you could do with a friend or family member on standby to take you to hospital just in case a similar situation happens again.

geraniumsandsunshine · 06/12/2022 10:44

@Reallydontknow22 what do you think is happening with you? Are you in pain? Really sorry you aren't well.

Layersoftaytoes · 06/12/2022 10:44

Hope you get to the bottom of it ❤️

NameChange1718 · 06/12/2022 10:45

The Googling won’t be helping your anxiety at all and could even be contributing to your fainting. Stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your body.

I’m glad someone is coming to give you a bit of help

Crunchymum · 06/12/2022 10:45

If you keep fainting and are so very poorly, what do you expect 111 to do? They'll tell you to go to A&E.

If you cannot get yourself to A&E and no-one else can take you (I assume you have explored this possibility) then you need to call an ambulance?

Stop Goggling your symptoms. It won't help at all.

Crunchymum · 06/12/2022 10:47

Oh right I see. So you have been refused an ambulance?

That leaves you in a bit of a pickle then doesn't it?

BloodyHellKen · 06/12/2022 10:48

Lonelyscrooge · 06/12/2022 10:23

Your surgery should have a clinic in place specifically to support their diabetic patients. Same as asthma clinics, blood test clinics etc etc.

Show quote history

I'm sure they do but

a) it is impossible to get through to the Surgery
b) my son is now registered with the university GPs and we need an option for the holidays as we're not sure he is still registered at his original GPs (see above)
c) He needs to be able to get his prescription here rather than 100 miles away.

MamaFirst · 06/12/2022 10:48

If you need an ambulance, you will get one eventually, you just have to get in the queue. Obviously they will prioritise those who are imminently dying, and yes there is absolutely too long a waiting time based on supply and demand. If your symptoms change after you call them, you call back again and they put you to the top of the list. If you don't phone them, you can't get in the queue though.

luckylavender · 06/12/2022 10:51

Citylady88 · 06/12/2022 08:19

If you are unwell in that you need to see/speak to a GP you should request an appointment asap, and/or go to your nearest walk in/urgent care. You can also get next day digital GP visits for about £40 via various services including Superdrug. If you're unwell to the point you think even a GP cannot help you should take yourself to A&E. I would not rely on 111 or an ambulance, always have money for a taxi to a&e, and if you're really ill try to have someone on stand by to help you out. I've had terrible health problems this year&eventually took myself to my local very busy city a&e where I was seen within 10 minutes & then immediately treated & admitted.

If only it were that simple. Also many people don't have £40 to spare

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