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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A and e experience

77 replies

Mincespie · 13/12/2022 01:01

I have a condition called endometriosis I’m on numerous medication see consultant’s doctors, private doctors have pelvic floor therapy have changed my diet and had 3 surgeries. I’m still left in so much pain every month I’ve had to quit my job because of it. Today I was in bed with morphine codine some other meds got water bottle etc. I’ve been sick constantly from the pain. in the past I’ve called 111 and been sent an ambulance which I felt was over the top especially as I live so close to the a and e department. My partner was so worried about me as I wasn’t myself and spent the evening crying on the bed in pain being sick. He took me to a and e as there was nothing else I could do for the pain. I got seen to have some obs done
quickly to begin with and said I had some morphine 2 hours ago and some codine 3 hours ago. After waiting two hours I asked the lady on the desk if I could have some pain relief as I would of been due some codine an hour ago if I was at home or could I take what I have in my bag they said no and to wait incase they want to give me something else. I spent the whole time crying under my mask trying not to be sick in the bowl as it was all so painful it was way worse than normal. They eventually took my bloods and and hour after gave me some morphine but said it could be up too 7 hours till I properly see someone who can help. At that point I didn’t no what to do I couldn’t do seven hours being sick in the waiting room but I also couldn’t be in pain at home crying I ended up going home as I was in more pain from sitting up and my hot water bottle had gone cold. I asked if when my bloods come back and my urine sample would I get the results and they said no even if I called up. I spent around 4 hours waiting. I know the nhs is underfunded understaffed and over run and the doctors and nurses are working as hard as they can but I feel so fed up I had to decide weather to put myself in more pain just to get some help or go home and lie down to get slightly more warm and comfortable. I’m now in bed crying while lying on a towel as I’ve soaked through my pad and pyjamas.

OP posts:
Therira · 13/12/2022 01:17

That sounds awful OP, I don't know too much about endometriosis but that sounds like hell. I'm so sorry you weren't given the care you need, and deserve. Sending big hugs to you.

EmmaAgain22 · 13/12/2022 01:19

I can only offer sympathy

mum's done 18 hours in A&E after a suspected heart attack, then about 15 after a stroke (if you count 3 hours in the ambulance).

the system is broken. Any chance of calling a private doc in the AM?

hopefully your test results will be sent to your GP or on your record?

Original poster
Mincespie · 13/12/2022 01:29

Thank you all for your support I can call a private doctor but they can’t do much they won’t prescribe strong meds as im already on morphine

OP posts:
Mumtobabyhavoc · 13/12/2022 01:33

I live with chronic pain. I understand. I can across some articles about how women are treated that you may be interested in.

www.health.harvard.edu/blog/women-and-pain-disparities-in-experience-and-treatment-2017100912562

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210406164124.htm

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5845507/

it's worthwhile to learn about disparities and bias to better advocate for yourself. I went medication-free while pregnant then while bf'ing and was all but abandoned by my gp.

EmmaAgain22 · 13/12/2022 01:45

Mincespie · 13/12/2022 01:29

Thank you all for your support I can call a private doctor but they can’t do much they won’t prescribe strong meds as im already on morphine

There might be other things to investigate or ways they can help

if you are still bleeding, it's good to be checked out

I am so sorry you are going through this.

itwas · 13/12/2022 02:01

I spent around 4 hours waiting. I know the nhs is underfunded understaffed and over run and the doctors and nurses are working as hard as they can but I feel so fed up I had to decide weather to put myself in more pain just to get some help or go home and lie down to get slightly more warm and comfortable

Understaffed and underfunded is a massive understatement and 4 hours is not a long wait for a&e unfortunately. how long were you expecting to wait? I guess be thankful that you weren’t so unwell that going home to lie down wasn’t an option

user375242 · 13/12/2022 02:09

I had appendicitis recently. I waited 12 hours in A&E to be admitted, and received only cocodamol for pain relief and only twice in that time frame. They had someone doing rounds of the waiting room a couple of times with a laptop on a trolley, to check if anyone needed a top up of pain relief and to inform them what they were waiting for next/making sure they had been triaged, which was reassuring at first but when they acknowledged I was due pain relief I was only told 'someone will get you it soon' but I'd then be left waiting hours.

HowdidIdoit · 13/12/2022 02:15

itwas · 13/12/2022 02:01

I spent around 4 hours waiting. I know the nhs is underfunded understaffed and over run and the doctors and nurses are working as hard as they can but I feel so fed up I had to decide weather to put myself in more pain just to get some help or go home and lie down to get slightly more warm and comfortable

Understaffed and underfunded is a massive understatement and 4 hours is not a long wait for a&e unfortunately. how long were you expecting to wait? I guess be thankful that you weren’t so unwell that going home to lie down wasn’t an option

at least she didn't die while waiting?
is that what you're saying?

Tabitha888 · 13/12/2022 03:15

I was 23 weeks pregnant on the floor in a n e during omicron. I had to wait 18 hours! With only painkiller. With a horrible infection that needed emergency medical treatment. I mean was it an emergency or was you better suited to ooh? If you are that desperate for medical treatment you would of waited to be admitted. No matter how much pain you were in. I don't think it's fair to bash the A&E system. There understaffed we have no choice but to wait Xmas

GiltEdges · 13/12/2022 03:19

HowdidIdoit · 13/12/2022 02:15

at least she didn't die while waiting?
is that what you're saying?

Show quote history

No, what the PP is clearly saying is that some people don’t have the choice to just get up and walk out of A&E and still have to wait. Is comprehension not your strong suit?

HowdidIdoit · 13/12/2022 04:43

GiltEdges · 13/12/2022 03:19

No, what the PP is clearly saying is that some people don’t have the choice to just get up and walk out of A&E and still have to wait. Is comprehension not your strong suit?

Show quote history

A&E isn't a morgue. It's a place to go to where you hopefully emerge alive from.

Wishiwasatailor · 13/12/2022 05:22

Is this you OP? It reads very similar. www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4549090-with-how-i-was-treated-in-a-and-e
unfortunatel a&e is not the best place to be for ongoing pain management. You say you have seen private doctors I assume that is gynae they are best place to resolve these issues. Your GP will have access to your results in a few days too.

KalvinPhillipsBoots · 13/12/2022 05:56

Codeine and Morphine? Wow no wonder you are being sick, A&E is not the right place for you. Have you a specialist nurse or consultant you can speak too?

TwoShades1 · 13/12/2022 06:05

i understand that you were very unwell. But 4 hours is unfortunately not that long to wait. Why didn’t you take your medications with you so you could keep taking them while you waited? Just make sure when the doctors/nurses offer you medication you let them know what you had and when so you don’t overdose or anything. If your not prepared for a long wait then it’s probably best you don’t go to an and e.

FP1000 · 13/12/2022 06:12

111 will offer or recommend an ambulance based on your answers to their questions. You're a grown up, if you think it's over the top you can decline, make your own way or speak to OOH.

Original poster
Mincespie · 13/12/2022 06:35

Yes I expected a wait but after waiting 4 hours I just couldn’t do another 7+ on top. I still feel bad but slightly better than last night. I’m just going to lay in bed today with my hot water bottle take some pain killers and try and sleep as I’ve been in and out of sleep all night.

OP posts:
daffodilandtulip · 13/12/2022 06:52

I'm sick of this "you should be grateful it's free and you can't complain because the nurses work hard" mentality.

Saying the conditions in A&E are shocking isn't saying the nurses don't give a crap, it's saying the system is broken. We shouldn't have to accept being treated like this when we are ill.

Ollifer · 13/12/2022 06:52

Could you maybe be being sick with taking morphine and codeine? I have endometriosis (not long had surgery though) so I understand. But just the way you're describing being sick all the time it's likely because of the morphine etc.

Original poster
Mincespie · 13/12/2022 10:36

im sick even if I don’t take the pain relief I get like waves of extreme pain and throw up

OP posts:
EndlessRain1 · 13/12/2022 10:40

I am sorry for your experience, it sounds awful.

That said, it's well known that the emergency medical services are on their absolute knees at the moment, and what yu are describing, while hugely unpleasant for you, isn't going to rank high on their priorities. What I would do though is contact the GP and insist on getting some treatment and pain management sorted.

Original poster
Mincespie · 13/12/2022 10:54

They won’t give me anything stronger unless I go to a and e they already give me morphine and I’m on the list to see a pain management specialist but it’s been over 12 months waiting. I’ve waited over 1.5 years for pelvic floor therapy and had to pay to go privately. As I work minimally at the moment it’s all so expensive. I thought of applying for pip but I really don’t want to as I love working. I do have some good savings but they will dwindle away if I carry on

OP posts:
stopbeeping · 13/12/2022 10:59

Private pain specialist

Dr Singh at the London pain clinic changed my life

And have an appt with Angus mac indoe

Re the endo

Life changing

Sugarplumfairy65 · 13/12/2022 11:09

Mincespie · 13/12/2022 10:54

They won’t give me anything stronger unless I go to a and e they already give me morphine and I’m on the list to see a pain management specialist but it’s been over 12 months waiting. I’ve waited over 1.5 years for pelvic floor therapy and had to pay to go privately. As I work minimally at the moment it’s all so expensive. I thought of applying for pip but I really don’t want to as I love working. I do have some good savings but they will dwindle away if I carry on

Pip is an in work benefit. There's nothing stopping you from applying for it

KnickerlessParsons · 13/12/2022 11:14

KalvinPhillipsBoots · 13/12/2022 05:56

Codeine and Morphine? Wow no wonder you are being sick, A&E is not the right place for you. Have you a specialist nurse or consultant you can speak too?

That was my take from this too. You shouldn't be taking both codeine AND morphine OP. They are much the same thing anyway. It also sounds like you're taking them too often.
Have you tried other types of pain relief?

CatSeany · 13/12/2022 11:18

I think this is tricky, because if you know the cause of your pain, then all the ED can do to help is to give pain relief. Sadly there is often an 8 hour plus doctor wait, and whilst a doctor will happily prescribe a one off dose of morphine for patients coming in, they aren't happy with prescribing lots more than that until they've seen the patient. You ended up going home, which to me means that you didn't feel that you needed to be assessed as to the cause of the pain, rather that you needed good analgesia. I have endometriosis too so I can fully understand how awful the pain is that comes with it, and how little it is taken seriously by professionals. I think you need really decent pain relief available to you at home for when you need it. Can you approach the GP for some oral morphine?