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?

Well she’s already going to A&E now so all sorted 😊

Hopefully you won't have to wait too long at A&E. it certainly would like something that needs to be looked at quickly.

YY to quicker maternity pathway; you're under 28 days postpartum and they'll be worried about PE or another complication

A few years back, I woke one morning with bad shoulder pain, hurt to do deep breaths. I thought it was muscle/trapped wind. Felt sick to move. This went on for 4/5 days when I finally called 111 as breathing was hard. I had pneumonia.

Yes go to A&E

Absolutely A&E especially as you have recently given birth.

Good luck

This is terrible advice. 111’s “assessment” process is a joke and not being seen properly in the right setting could have disastrous effects

I also thought PE, especially as you've recently given birth. Glad you're going to be seen OP, good luck.

I'm glad you're getting help OP and sorry your DP is being vocally frustrated with you. Whilst it is understandable that he is a little frustrated, you are allowed to be unwell and this is unlikely to be the only time that he needs to hold the fort for you! Good luck at A and E

does it feel like a deep ache OP? I felt as you do when I slipped a disc in my neck. The nerve was impinged with the fluid from the disc and the pain was unbearable in my shoulder

Terrible advice. With a 2 week old op should be going to A&E to rule out blood clots as a matter of importance. Wasting time faffing about with OOH and walk ins can potentially mean the difference between being fine and incredibly unwell.

Hope you’re being seen asap op. I doubt you’ll be in A&E very long with those symptoms, and I would also pack a bag if you can with the view of staying in. May not happen but easier to be prepared.

And if your condition worsens at all call 999 straight away.

My first indication of pleurisy was shoulder pain. Apparently a lot of lung issues are felt there? Usually I'd say 111 or GP but you've tried that; at 2 weeks postpartum A&E is definitely the way to go.

My first thought was a PE, as they can have deferred pain.

Hope it's just a muscle sprain though x

Did you have a c section? The trapped wind caused by operation manifests in the shoulder / chest area. Never has pain like it.

Dd had that. It was a severe chest infection.
Get it checked out.

Exactly as @Ostryga says. Awful advice. Listen to your own body and make your own risk assessment. 111 just fobbed you off.

Yes go! This is how my pneumonia started! I was 28 weeks pregnant at the time so they had to do loads of tests to rule things out like blood clots, covid, preeclampsia etc. I had X-rays and CT scans and eventually they found I was seriously unwell with pneumonia and was admitted. It started with shoulder pain and then as you’ve described with the pain shallow breathing. I was on morphine, even when discharged they sent me home with liquid morphine! X

Go in.

You just gave birth.

Blood clot would be a concern.

Glad you are going. Like someone said above referred shoulder pain is a thing.

If it ends up being muscular you sound like you need some better pain relief. I've had shoulder issues and was screaming from it.

Absolutely 100% get seen by a doctor today.

Get seen OP. Good luck.

Your husband sounds unsupportive but maybe he is struggling.

Wishing you well.

This

PE can have a genetic component. If someone in your family has had one, you’re at high risk. Two weeks after birth is a very high risk time. Get to A and E straight away.

Definitely go to A&E - I am currently recovering from massive bilateral pulmonary embolism and some of the symptoms you mentioned are what I had. Unable to eat, crushing chest pain, pain in my shoulder. I had to have emergency surgery and I have been left with damage to my heart. Don’t waste any time and ignore those saying you should go to the GP because A&E is under pressure. Pulmonary embolism is exactly the kind of thing that A&E is there for.