WIBU to go to A&E?

[halloumi1]

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?

Glad you got sorted. you did the right thing. Am I right in thinking that they have to take that d dimmers blood test from your wrist? I’m fascinated about how it works.

I hope you don’t mind but I’m just hanging around now for the people who haven’t read your updates as it’s really making me laugh.

Get well soon x

OP you should also cancel the cheque 😉

Just to say, A&E isn't always bad. I went recently for something that needed seeing to, but I wasn't in any immediate danger (as in I wasn't about to drop down dead from it). It was busy, and the screen in the waiting room said that the wait was going to be 11 hours, which I was dreading. I was seen, treated and on my way home within 2 and a half hours. Really couldn't fault the care I had.

A lot of people go to a & e for less. Sounds like you are really in trouble. Please get help soon hun! Xx.

What is it with some people? At least read the ops updates before posting!

Op did it so soon she did it yesterday @Inbetweenie993

Some posters really need to say over and again in their heads, “I must click See All before commenting, I must click See All before commenting, I must click See All…”

In defence of 111, I called them a fortnight ago for an out of hours appointment to get painkillers for shoulder pain. One short call later and they wanted to send an ambulance. I actually took myself to a&e and was diagnosed with a PE shortly after. I thought 111 were being a bit dramatic. Turns out they, along with prompt diagnosis in a&e, could have saved my life. I’m at home on anticoagulants for 6 months now. However I haven’t been given any follow up appointments which I want for my own pace of mind at some point. I plan to see the dr this week.
on another note: watch out for your period on this medication. Mine is crazy heavy.
incidentally they think mine was caused by thickening of the blood due to covid!

Just wondering if the hospital should have arranged follow up? Sending you to the GP on Monday when they wont have any appointments necessarily nor have access ti all tour records and might not even have your discharge summary. Surely its for the hospital to arrange follow up or medication in their ambulatory care or PE pathway? That the Gp tales over prescription once the hospital has established it?
Just in case your GP isn’t up to speed on Monday.
sorry 111 failed you and then you were sent away and brought back for the scan, but glad you didn’t listen to all the idiots telling someone 2 weeks post birth it was a poorly shoulder FFS. Prime time for clots.

Goodness, this could have been me a week after the birth of DS. One evening I developed severe shoulder pain and pain under the breasts accompanied by shivering and diarrhoea. Was admitted to the postnatal ward where they suspected a clot and did CT scan etc. All was clear and I was sent home after 5 days in hospital. Had a few more episodes and in the end gallstones diagnosed. I ended up having my gallbladder out when DS was one. Very glad to hear you are feeling better.

And indeed "I must check when the thread started". If it was 36 hours ago it's definitely possible that things have moved on somewhat since the first post.

@MilkItTilITurnItIntoCheese I had an over cautious experience with them once. I’d broken my ankle and didn’t realise it was and they wanted to send an ambulance to take me to hospital. Thankfully they listened to me and arranged a patient transport one instead.
I’m glad you were diagnosed so swiftly too and coincidentally I was wondering whether medication would impact my period when the time comes.
I know you haven’t had any follow up planned but has anyone given you any indication around how they work out if the medication has been successful? That has been my biggest ponder as to how I know if this could happen again, whether it’s cleared and any future planning.

@BlueSeaWave I think they wanted me out at this point but can’t fault them for being quick with their investigations. It was basically, here’s your diagnosis, here’s your antibiotics and prescription, ring your Dr and they will take over the rest, we’ve sent them a letter over explaining everything.
I plan to ask the Dr for a more in depth review of exactly what has happened and push for follow up.
I really did think it was a trapped nerve when it started, I’m so pleased I had the wisdom of many on here!

@Pigeonpair1 I’m sorry that happened to you, sounds gruelling not knowing for so long! Glad you got it sorted though.
I can’t stand up without feeling out of breath at the moment and shoulder is still very painful but we will get there I hope!

In some hospitals a&e cannot arrange follow ups. This is precisely to stop certain groups of people coming to a&e hoping to get seen faster by whichever specialty they want (or whatever test they want). What should happen is the letter sent to the gp following the visit SHOULD suggest to the GP that this is done. But GPS hold their own funds and decide whether to follow the advice or not; remembering the most a&e drs are only senior house officers far below a GP :)
Plus you would need a whole slew of extra staff just to do that alone.

@halloumi1 no I’ve got no follow up at all and it’s bothering me too. The hospital said I’d need the tablets for 6 months and I know the prescription is on my list now as I do it online but there’s been no mention of repeat bloods or scans. I want to see my GP to ask about this as it seems odd to think that they’ll just stop the meds after 6 months and leave me to it! At the very least I want to know that the markers for PE and heart issues have come down and I’m hoping a blood test won’t be too difficult to arrange at some point.

@MilkItTilITurnItIntoCheese I hope
you get one sorted, it’s very worrying and not something you can just leave on the off chance it ‘probably’ or ‘might’ have gone away or lessened.

I’ve rang my Dr today, the reception team were great and very quick at getting me a call back. The Dr had a very rude attitude, asked me what do I want her to do, she doesn’t have the letter so can’t do anything until she has that and in her experience it’s the hospital that should arrange the follow up so she can’t do anything. She said she’ll ring me back ‘if’ the letter goes through. I only have blood thinners to last until Friday.

@halloumi1, you poor thing! Although you're incredibly lucky that you sought medical attention and are being treated appropriately. Phone your GP surgery every day so that you absolutely have blood thinners going into next weekend, it's absolutely vital. And in the event that your rude GP doesn't issue that prescription you will need to go back to hospital. I hope you feel better soon.

Go to a& e, I had tight chest and pains and they thought I had PE. You are needed snd therefore very important- go get yourself reassured at the very least xxx

@halloumi1 this is what worries me to be honest! I have questions about things too and I’m not convinced they’ll know the answers. At least I know my drugs are sorted. I’d kick up a fuss if I was you. It’s not acceptable!

Hope you can get it sorted soon @halloumi1. Are the blood thinners the hospital have given you injectable ones? Presumably you will then be moved over to Warfarin which is what the GP is supposed to be organising, and will then have to go in for regular blood tests at the surgery to check the levels? I had a post-natal DVT 20 years ago (thankfully mine didn't tune into a PE) and I can well remember what a worrying time it was.

Don't be afraid to be persistent to get the treatment you need. I think there's often a bit of a problem when these things happen post-natally because no-one quite knows who should take responsibility - whether it's the gynaecology team or the haematology team...

Can you ask for a different doctor, OP?

The doctor you spoke to at the practice - are they a partner or a locum? Call back and insist you are a young postpartum mother with a serious health issue who will have to make a formal complaint unless a senior GP partner speaks to you asap (if you get hold of an email address put it all in writing). It is outrageous that both the hospital and doctor are passing the buck, it is down to lack of communication and taking responsibility.

@gemgemgemgemgem OP already went to A & E yesterday and has posted numerous updates asking people to read her further posts

Good grief some of the response on this thread. If you’re not a medical professional please don’t throw about diagnoses.

Chest and shoulder pain should always be checked out by a medical professional for this very reason. The risk of it being a PE after birth is high! I had intense chest & shoulder pain after birth and it was taken very seriously-thoroughly check over and turned out to be birth related injury but nothing dangerous. Many others it’s something that needs swift treatment like the OP. Nurses and doctors would rather check you over either way.

OP glad you’re assessed and getting treatment. Try and call back and ask for a different GP. Also please make a complaint to 111 that they sent an actual blood clot to the pharmacist.

Another note: if your practise is not being co operative, you can try ringing NHS 24. They managed to secure me an antibiotic prescription when I had a post partum infection that my GP wasn't interested in hearing about/treating.

Get to a+e. All your symptoms are not something superficial.