Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Wheresthebeach · 20/02/2023 11:53

I don't think I've ever seen so many people ignoring updates on a thread.

Sounds like you need to chase the hospital for the letter/records today, explain GP unhelpful and then ask to speak to a different GP. GP sounds awful, you'd think they'd be concerned and helpful.

ChrisPPancake · 20/02/2023 11:53

BatShitCrazyGran · 20/02/2023 11:45

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

She did. On Saturday.

Not sure if you're aware but at the bottom of the op you can click "see all" which gives all op's replies/updates to the thread. Maybe do that next time @BatShitCrazyGran even if you don't want to read the whole thing.

AdobeWanKenobi · 20/02/2023 11:55

"Go to A&E"

The "Cancel the cheque of 2023"

WIBU to go to A&E?
Bramshott · 20/02/2023 12:14

I don't think you can click "see all" in the app? Might explain why many people have missed the OP's updates.

piedbeauty · 20/02/2023 12:17

Bramshott · 20/02/2023 12:14

I don't think you can click "see all" in the app? Might explain why many people have missed the OP's updates.

Yes, you can filter messages so you see just the OP's posts...

rainbowstardrops · 20/02/2023 12:19

@Bramshott I'm on the app on my phone at the moment and I can click on the little funnel looking thing which gives you the option of just seeing all of the OP's posts.

AdobeWanKenobi · 20/02/2023 13:02

Even if you cant see all, you can set your own and an OPs posts to different colours so they are obvious even on a quick scroll.

Link to talk settings is here to do this:

www.mumsnet.com/settings/talk

ImnotanumberIAMAFREEMAN · 20/02/2023 13:35

IT WAS A BLOOD CLOT!
A BLOOD CLOT!!
IT. WAS. A. BLOOD. CLOT!!!!!!!!!!!
HTH

Bramshott · 20/02/2023 14:42

rainbowstardrops · 20/02/2023 12:19

@Bramshott I'm on the app on my phone at the moment and I can click on the little funnel looking thing which gives you the option of just seeing all of the OP's posts.

Interesting. Not in the Android version of the app I don't think, unless I am being very inept. The only 3 options I get are Flip, Share, or Reply.

Bramshott · 20/02/2023 14:42

Sorry for derailing your thread OP!

Coffeellama · 20/02/2023 14:44

Bramshott · 20/02/2023 14:42

Interesting. Not in the Android version of the app I don't think, unless I am being very inept. The only 3 options I get are Flip, Share, or Reply.

Show quote history

Even if you can’t work that out, posters can still see the that the OP was posted on a different date, and that there’s been 11 pages of responses indicating something may have changed. All they really have to do is click to the last page, read a few responses and gage wether it’s still worth saying ‘yeah go to a&e’

gemgemgemgemgem · 20/02/2023 14:49

Sorry yes I now read this- will look at “see all” op posts next time, glad op is getting looked after x

purpledalmation · 20/02/2023 14:51

If the gp is being awkward it may be worth giving the midwife a ring as you are still under their care and they might be able to speed things up They are used to blood clots. It's a known risk in pregnancy and postpartum.

emptythelitterbox · 20/02/2023 15:03

So glad you went and are now on the mend. Flowers
MN is pretty good with the encouragement plus there are usually quite a few professionals here.

Original poster
halloumi1 · 20/02/2023 15:46

Thank you all for comments and advice. Just quick replying as don’t feel the best today but appreciate them and have read!

Rang A&E to check they’d sent the letter. They confirmed I’d been discharged and letter had been sent. Coincidentally, not long after this call, the Dr called back and told me they’d received the letter now and want to see me tomorrow.
Dr stated the hospital should’ve discharged me with some leaflets about diagnosis/treatment which I didn’t get so they will give me those tomorrow as well as discussing the way forward in terms of future blood tests.
Hopeful it will be smoother now!

OP posts:
Merry0409 · 20/02/2023 15:59

After I had my son , via C section, I experienced a similar pain, it was a pulmonary embulsiom, I needed admitted to hospital, and clot busting treatment, try and get seen by medical staff.

ImnotanumberIAMAFREEMAN · 20/02/2023 16:11

Is there a screaming into a pillow emoji?!

Lurkylurks · 20/02/2023 16:14

Are people just trolling at this stage?😂

Original poster
halloumi1 · 20/02/2023 16:29

Well I’m glad my serious thread can provide some amusement out of it 😂

OP posts:
AdobeWanKenobi · 20/02/2023 16:31

Wonder if @MNHQ can add a "READ THE FUCKING THREAD" Warning to the title?

KrasiTime · 20/02/2023 16:32

Glad your GP is now on board but please do ask them to screen you for antiphospholipid. As @GnomeDePlume said it’s also known as Hughes & APS.

Mgi4243765 · 20/02/2023 16:44

Internal bleeding go to A&E

AdobeWanKenobi · 20/02/2023 16:49

Mgi4243765 · 20/02/2023 16:44

Internal bleeding go to A&E

I'm sure OP will be glad of this advice THREE DAYS LATER.

ImnotanumberIAMAFREEMAN · 20/02/2023 16:55

Lurkylurks · 20/02/2023 16:14

Are people just trolling at this stage?😂

I'm starting to think they must be!

BettyOop99 · 20/02/2023 17:10

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?

So glad you went and managed to get it all sorted!

I had one of these alongside pneumonia a couple of years ago. Mine started as a side stitch feeling that graduated to severe chest pain unlike anything I'd ever felt before - it hurt to sit up with my back leaning on the sofa even! Let alone laying down (excruciating pain and breathlessness). The pneumonia also caused a horrible cough (ouch!) and I was coughing blood.

I left it a few days to go to A&E as I thought I was a healthy 27 year old who would be wasting NHS time. Got told off by the doctor for that...

Mine was caused by taking the combined pill for the first time and I had to take blood thinning medication as a prevention every day throughout my recent pregnancy. A cousin was also diagnosed with one immediately post partum.

I still don't think there's enough information out there about the risks in pregnancy or when taking hormonal contraception for young women - who are unlikely to seek help due to thinking they'll be wasting time or being too focussed on their new arrival. It's so scary what could happen without intervention.

Swipe left for the next trending thread