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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to go to A&E?

283 replies

halloumi1 · 18/02/2023 10:46

Hi,

I woke up in the early hours a couple of days ago (2 week old newborn!) with a sharp pain in my shoulder when I rolled onto that side. It seemed manageable throughout the day though.
Yesterday, I woke up in excruciating pain with it - my DH had to manoeuvre me out of bed as even sitting up was sickeningly painful. All day I had horrendous pain in that shoulder which was also in my chest when I tried to take anything other than a shallow breath. It was there constantly even when I was just sitting. It started going across my back too and is like a shooting, stabbing pain.
It brought me to tears many a time and physically stopped me from eating or moving at times as swallowing seemed to make it worse. I’ve given birth twice with no pain relief and that was nothing compared to this.

Any sneezes, sniffs etc caused an extra stab of pain and it was impossible for me to hold my newborn as it felt like my chest was going to cave in and I panicked feeling like I couldn’t breathe. She’s been really unsettled from last night into this morning and it’s incredibly distressing because I physically can’t do anything to comfort her. DH is trying but he’s just getting increasingly frustrated - there’s lots of swearing and he’s saying he can’t look after me or get on with anything else he needs to and voicing his frustration that I need to do something.

I’ve tried strong painkillers but nothing makes any difference. I can’t get comfortable in any position and today it’s still no better. It feels like it’s moving into the side of my breast now as well and painful to stand up straight.
I did ring 111 yesterday, explained how painful it was but they just told me they were referring me to a pharmacy and put it down as referral for shoulder pain. The pharmacy rang me and just told me there’s nothing they can do as they can’t give me anything stronger than what I’ve already had.

I’m well aware the NHS is under strain and don’t want to be one of those people that just waste everyone’s time when there’s people that seriously need them. I don’t understand what they could do for me or what’s causing this but at the same time, can’t continue in this pain.
We have a walk in centre near us but there’s no facilities there so I don’t know what they could do. I physically can’t move or care for my 2 children (have a 2 year old too) without excruciating pain and can’t go on feeling like this. WIBU to go and sit in A&E to try and get seen?

OP posts:
Stelmosfire1 · 18/02/2023 10:47

Can you call your Maternity assessment unit/triage and arrange to be seen there?

NewIdeasToday · 18/02/2023 10:48

I wonder if it could be gallstones rather than shoulder pain?

Aldisfinest · 18/02/2023 10:49

Sharp pain in your shoulder and chest area and hurts when you breathe. Absolutely go to a&e.

LolaSmiles · 18/02/2023 10:51

You need to be seen medically so either arrange an out of hours GP appointment or go to the walk in centre and get their advice.

vivainsomnia · 18/02/2023 10:51

It very much sounds like a lung collapse which can spontaneous, ie. out of the blue. It could be just a muscle strain, but you'd be right to go to A&E to rule out the former.

Chocolateismyfavourite · 18/02/2023 10:51

Yes I'd be going to A and E.

StellaElevator · 18/02/2023 10:52

Go to A&E now. Could be related to giving birth and sharp pain relating to breathing is a big red flag that needs investigating sooner rather than later.

LolaSmiles · 18/02/2023 10:52

Posted too soon

Or if you feel like this is really bad pain and it's going through your chest then go to A&E.

I'm surprised if you reported chest pain to 111 that they sent you to a pharmacy to be honest.

FadedRed · 18/02/2023 10:52

Agree with pp- severe pain when you breathe in is a medical emergency, you should go to A&E

Rowthe · 18/02/2023 10:52

Go straight to A and E.

You dont wanna risk it.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 18/02/2023 10:53

You need to go to A&E to have some conditions ruled out. Don't wait - go now. 999 if unable to get there immediately or condition deteriorates.

StellaElevator · 18/02/2023 10:53

And just to add, you’re going to get lots of different advice on this thread, some saying go to A&E and others saying seek help elsewhere but if you have considered you need A&E, you know your own body & should listen to your gut feeling

Dinogeorge · 18/02/2023 10:53

Go to A&E. If there is no obvious mechanism of injury then I would want this to be seen to, to rule
out anything more serious.

GinUnicorn · 18/02/2023 10:54

A&E is just awful with super long waits so I’d be inclined to see if you could get an emergency doctors appointment first as you might be priority with a newborn. If not I think you will need to go.

CCSS15 · 18/02/2023 10:54

I had this and it was an infection - my oxygen levels dropped because I couldn't take breaths, it was like being stabbed. I also had a really high temperature but it wasn't covid. Luckily the stabbing pain passed within a day but I had never known pain like it - luckily I had oramorph in the house as that was the only thing that touched it

Original poster
halloumi1 · 18/02/2023 10:54

Thank you everyone - I told the assessor at 111 that it was painful to breathe and I could only take shallow breaths.
I will sort some childcare for my eldest and will get DH to drop me at A&E as I can’t even close a car door right now, never mind drive.

OP posts:
Singularity82 · 18/02/2023 10:55

Stelmosfire1 · 18/02/2023 10:47

Can you call your Maternity assessment unit/triage and arrange to be seen there?

Noo please don’t do this.
could be a PE. Equally could be muscular but you never know and it isn’t worth taking a chance.
A&E is entirely appropriate for what you describe, OP. I would absolutely go if I were you. Hope your ok.

Singularity82 · 18/02/2023 10:55

Sorry, cross posted. Absolutely the right call. Hope you aren’t waiting too long!

Original poster
halloumi1 · 18/02/2023 10:55

@Singularity82 Do you mean pulmonary embolism? My grandad on my mum’s side had that

OP posts:
gotmychristmasmiracle · 18/02/2023 10:56

Hope you get sorted soon, defo go with your gut Xx

youshouldnthaveasked · 18/02/2023 10:57

Oh please go to a&e, you are definitely not one of those time wasters. Bless you, get better soon

Singularity82 · 18/02/2023 10:58

halloumi1 · 18/02/2023 10:55

@Singularity82 Do you mean pulmonary embolism? My grandad on my mum’s side had that

Yes. You’re at an increased risk of blood clots if you’ve recently had a baby.
It may not be but it’s definitely worth ruling it out x

cptartapp · 18/02/2023 10:58

Recent pregnancy. I thought PE too.

Stelmosfire1 · 18/02/2023 11:00

Singularity82 · 18/02/2023 10:55

Noo please don’t do this.
could be a PE. Equally could be muscular but you never know and it isn’t worth taking a chance.
A&E is entirely appropriate for what you describe, OP. I would absolutely go if I were you. Hope your ok.

Show quote history

I’m a midwife, our maternity triage can assess for signs of pe, start therapeutic treatment and arrange required scans and follow up and would be quicker than a&e, can also arrange ambulance transfer in if they feel it’s appropriate. Depending on the set up at OP’s local unit they may be able to do the same and if they can’t they would strongly recommend she attends a&e with those symptoms

Bamboozle123 · 18/02/2023 11:00

This is what OOH GP and walk in centres are for. Especially given your pain is movement and position related.

They'll send you on to A&E if you really do need emergency car, but given 111 assessed you and ruled out anything life threatening I would not be going and sitting in A&E for hours.