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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I gave up waiting in A&E

206 replies

Saltandpepperchipss · 05/05/2023 23:00

Been in terrible pain for 2 days I’m pretty sure it’s an ectopic pregnancy by going of my symptoms. Excruciating pain on one side, headaches and light bleeding.My local hospital is one of the worst and try not to use it if possible. I sat in A&E for 5 hours and eventually gave in. Tons of people coughing, rock hard chair when I’m in tons of pain isn’t nice. I couldn’t get up to go to the toilet because my seat would be taken.

I’m terrified something will happen to me over night. But at least I’m comfortable at home.

AIBU? Would you have waited? Some people had been there since 1 in the afternoon. I arrived at 5:30.

OP posts:
TeaKitten · 05/05/2023 23:03

You absolutely should have waited if you honestly think ectopic. What have 111 said?

OuchIStubbedMyBigToe · 05/05/2023 23:04

Sorry, YABU.

If you need A&E, you need A&E.

And you've put yourself right back to square one and possibly missed out on important tests and care.

I'm struggling to think why you could ever have thought yourself to be reasonable to be honest. Or what you want from this thread.

EllandRd · 05/05/2023 23:06

Why did you not go earlier in the day or get a GP appointment whilst they were still open?

Dancingfairydreams · 05/05/2023 23:09

Please go back. You could die. I nearly did. Do not risk it please

Greenqueen40 · 05/05/2023 23:09

Any shoulder tip pain? Dizziness? You need to go back, a ruptured ectopic can kill you

shas19 · 05/05/2023 23:09

Sorry to say if it was that bad..you would of waited

Hellocatshome · 05/05/2023 23:11

So you think you have an ectopic pregnancy but didn't bother to wait to be seen at A&E. What do you want people here to say? That's its fine to go home with a potentially life threatening condition? If you honestly think you have an ectopic pregnancy you are being silly and playing Russian roulette with your life.

stupendous1 · 05/05/2023 23:11

I had an ectopic and my symptoms were the same as yours! You need to go back to A&E!

Blort · 05/05/2023 23:12

I'm so sorry, our system isn't working as it should.

Sounds horrendous. With severe pain I'm not sure i could tolerate 5 hours on an A&E chair either.

TomatoSandwiches · 05/05/2023 23:12

YABU

If you suspect an ectopic you should have stayed, what do you think is going to happen if you have a rupture at home, ambulances don't come as quickly anymore.

Naranjas · 05/05/2023 23:13

The waiting times are getting dangerous. Basically if you’re so ill that you can’t sit on a hard chair for 12 hours, you can’t get seen. I went to A&E in a state that meant I couldn’t sit and wait for that period, and they told me to go home because if you can’t sit and wait you can’t get seen. In fact they said go home and call an ambulance, because then they’ll bring you back in and you can lie in the ambulance while you wait for treatment. While I was there people were fainting and all sorts because they’d been sitting for so long with no access to food or rest.

Hellocatshome · 05/05/2023 23:13

I’m terrified something will happen to me over night. But at least I’m comfortable at home

I suppose if you value sitting in a comfortable chair over your life then you have made the right decision. If you were actually terrified you might die you wouldnt have left A&E.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 05/05/2023 23:13

Yes, I would have waited!

Starhead69 · 05/05/2023 23:13

Oh that sounds horrendous. Isn’t there a pregnancy assessment unit at the hospital?

SpinningWheelOfFortune · 05/05/2023 23:14

I also think you should go back, I totally unsestand how uncomfortable, unpleasant etc it is to be sat waiting in horrible conditions but the alternative of dying is surely much worse.
Is there another A and E close ish that you could go to of your local one is typically known as bad?

mamaison · 05/05/2023 23:16

I’ve been to A&E before suspected ectopic and, as it was early weeks, there wasn’t much that they could do. It was too early for a heartbeat on a scan. They followed the ‘expectant management’ steps and told me how to follow up with GP tests and fertility clinic. (It wasn’t ectopic).

You might have an early pregnancy unit you can go into for things like this during the day, without appointment? My local one is open weekends and bank holidays but I understand not all will be.

Kaaplumff · 05/05/2023 23:16

Wow ectopics are really really dangerous! Go back to a&e!!!

Tiredandknackered · 05/05/2023 23:17

It’s an absolute fucking disgrace that you have not been seen urgently,I despair….but you definitely need to go back ASAP. X

ShamefulNameChange1 · 05/05/2023 23:20

@shas19 im sorry but that’s absolutely not the case. I was begging dh to take me home after I’d been sat in A&E for 8 hours - if he had I’d be dead.

BanningTheWordNaice · 05/05/2023 23:21

Really not understanding people being so obnoxious to you - if you genuinely think you have an ectopic pregnancy and were in too much pain to be able to sit in a waiting room for 5 hours alone, I’d imagine you’re looking for basic sympathy and understanding. I would call 111 but if you really think you do, you will need to go back.

Starhead69 · 05/05/2023 23:23

BanningTheWordNaice · 05/05/2023 23:21

Really not understanding people being so obnoxious to you - if you genuinely think you have an ectopic pregnancy and were in too much pain to be able to sit in a waiting room for 5 hours alone, I’d imagine you’re looking for basic sympathy and understanding. I would call 111 but if you really think you do, you will need to go back.

I feel the same @BanningTheWordNaice absolute twits on this thread.

hope you’re ok @Saltandpepperchipss

CamsPaisleyCuffs · 05/05/2023 23:23

I had a 14 hour wait with my DM last weekend. We were both delirious with exhaustion by the time we left. The system is utterly broken. I understand why you took yourself home, but I would say go back with as much stuff as you need to keep yourself comfortable - food, drinks, a blanket and a cushion. Leave something not valuable on your chair if you need the loo or ask the person next to you to put their bag on it for a few minutes.

EmmaEmerald · 05/05/2023 23:26

I'm going to say call 111 and hopefully they'll get an ambulance, you can wait in there

mu's done 18 hours+ and 22 hours but the 22 hours, 6 she was lying down in ambulance.

please call 111.

Sunshineandrainbow · 05/05/2023 23:26

Go back and take a blanket to sit on and any other comforts you like.

Maebh9 · 05/05/2023 23:26

What happens if you lie on the floor? Is it worth turning up with pillow and sleeping bag/soft blanket? Presumably they can't chuck you out for being too sick to sit?

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