Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you would take elderly DM to A+E again?

34 replies

Mouldyfoodhelp · 12/01/2023 12:04

She's got recurrent chest infections over the last few years and they've been doing some checks and they suspect COPD. Well she had a bad back and was feeling awful and tbh was worried and took her to A+E a few days ago chest xray, blood work ECG done again suspected COPD, chest infection her xray was meant to be better than the one she had a week before after having the respiratory nurse appointment, but her bloods were worse.

Well last night for about 3hrs in bed she was crying about the unrelenting pain and not being able to move etc and still very breathy when walking. I know A+E is for vital stuff and I'm not sure this counts but on the other hand I hope people can see how difficult it is seeing her in such pain.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mouldyfoodhelp · 12/01/2023 12:05

Chest infection + Pneumonia* and pain moving down her back and struggling to move and carry stuff

OP posts:
Ohdearnotagain76 · 12/01/2023 12:05

Can you call the doctors and see if you can get them to advise

Cocolapew · 12/01/2023 12:08

If you can't get a GP to see her I would.
I had terrible pain and breathlessness and it was a blood clot.

Original poster
Mouldyfoodhelp · 12/01/2023 12:10

Ohdearnotagain76 · 12/01/2023 12:05

Can you call the doctors and see if you can get them to advise

She had a doctors phone call yesterday to discuss the last weeks xrays and they saw this week's she mentioned it but they seemed unconcerned, our GP is very econsult and get back to you within 48hrs to do a phone consultation and then they'll do a face to face a day later or so if they deem necessary

OP posts:
Cocolapew · 12/01/2023 12:11

Definitely take her up then @Mouldyfoodhelp

Bestcatmum · 12/01/2023 12:14

Really your GP should be dealing with this. That's if you can ever get through to one. We shouldn't have to use A&E like this as they are in crisis especially with the ambulance strikes. Your GP needs to sort out a plan of action. If in doubt ring 111.

Swimswam · 12/01/2023 12:15

Tell GP your mum needs urgent in person consultation? Exaggerate symptoms if necessary

stopbeeping · 12/01/2023 12:15

If unable to manage pain at home it's a&e

Delectable · 12/01/2023 12:15

Ring 111. Rang them just after Christmas for my DMIL and although she was better hy the time they got the out of hours doc to call; the OOOD asked that we take her to the medical decisions unit where they observed her and then discharged her the next day. Very seemless service. She and my DH felt it would be a long wait but it wasn't and it gave us all peace of mind as she's almost 90.

cantkeepawayforever · 12/01/2023 12:19

Call 111. In my experience, they can male face to face GP appointments for you, even when the GP themselves are hard to access. They can also refer on to specific parts of the NHS system so you don’t have to endure the long waiting times of ‘general’ a and e.

MavisMcMinty · 12/01/2023 12:20

GP should be able to manage COPD exacerbations, some surgeries have their own COPD nurses. Does she have “on the shelf” antibiotics and steroids? A nebuliser? Peak flow machine? Her hospital should have COPD/respiratory nurse specialists who can advise or even visit, if she’s known to them from previous admissions - maybe you could ask the hospital switchboard to put you through to their office/answerphone?

sillysmiles · 12/01/2023 12:22

last night for about 3hrs in bed she was crying about the unrelenting pain and not being able to move etc

personally I would have taken her in then.

Original poster
Mouldyfoodhelp · 12/01/2023 12:28

MavisMcMinty · 12/01/2023 12:20

GP should be able to manage COPD exacerbations, some surgeries have their own COPD nurses. Does she have “on the shelf” antibiotics and steroids? A nebuliser? Peak flow machine? Her hospital should have COPD/respiratory nurse specialists who can advise or even visit, if she’s known to them from previous admissions - maybe you could ask the hospital switchboard to put you through to their office/answerphone?

Its not been actually diagnosed yet basically she got one and the nurse on the phone said oh we should find out why it keeps happening and after listening to her chest and listening she suspected COPD sent her for xray and bloods, then was meant to hear back from her bit it was a doctor who said the bloods showed she had an infection, which we knew. At the hospital they said they suspect she has COPD with a chest infection and Pneumonia

OP posts:
Greatly · 12/01/2023 12:33

sillysmiles · 12/01/2023 12:22

last night for about 3hrs in bed she was crying about the unrelenting pain and not being able to move etc

personally I would have taken her in then.

Me too.

Original poster
Mouldyfoodhelp · 12/01/2023 12:38

I didn't hear her another member or the family did

OP posts:
MavisMcMinty · 12/01/2023 12:39

Pneumonia can be painful, can she take anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen? She can add paracetamol too, while you’re waiting for an answer.

PinkSyCo · 12/01/2023 12:44

I think it’s pretty vital that your mum isn’t in so much pain that she is crying for 3 solid hours OP. I would definitely take her to A&E.

sillysmiles · 12/01/2023 13:17

Mouldyfoodhelp · 12/01/2023 12:38

I didn't hear her another member or the family did

In that case, I would be taking her today and pushing for further information, diagnosis and treatment plan.
There also possibly needs to be a family discussion of what to do when...so if person A hears her, but doesn't know what to do, that they at least know they should call you or someone else who can make those decisions.

hulahooper2 · 12/01/2023 13:19

I wouldn’t hesitate to take her x

Peoniesandcream · 12/01/2023 14:16

Is she on antibiotics for the chest infection? She's recently had bloods and a chest xray so not sure what else you want them to do.

Lindtcat · 12/01/2023 14:18

I would absolutely be taking her back to a&e. I hope she feels better soon.

Greatly · 12/01/2023 14:30

Peoniesandcream · 12/01/2023 14:16

Is she on antibiotics for the chest infection? She's recently had bloods and a chest xray so not sure what else you want them to do.

Don't be silly. She's elderly and frail and could go downhill very fast.

PinkSyCo · 12/01/2023 14:41

Peoniesandcream · 12/01/2023 14:16

Is she on antibiotics for the chest infection? She's recently had bloods and a chest xray so not sure what else you want them to do.

Would you be saying this if it was your child crying in pain half the night or is it only ok because OP’s mum is elderly?

sillysmiles · 12/01/2023 14:47

Peoniesandcream · 12/01/2023 14:16

Is she on antibiotics for the chest infection? She's recently had bloods and a chest xray so not sure what else you want them to do.

Manage her pain.
Provide a diagnosis.
Provide a treatment plan
Refer on to appropriate consultant if COPD is determined.
Assess any other risk factors such as dehydration and resulting kidney infections in a lady who is elderly and possibly frail.

Original poster
Mouldyfoodhelp · 12/01/2023 14:53

Well we're at the hospital and it was busy checking in and everything, currently waiting for another ECG. One of the issues is she downplays everything to the doctors/nurses and last time I got told to be quiet when I was explaining what she told me.

I don't want to be in drip feed territory but when asking what I want them to do I'm unsure i guess its part second opinion/ check up / pain relief, as a PP said conditions can worsen and she has had to be hospitalised a few times with infections the last time she wasn't eating or drinking and got very confused among other things and has had a heart attack before, but (and I guess this is accurate to a lot of potential drip feeders) in my OP I was more focused on the back pain and its only now I'm replying I realise I should have mentioned that.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread