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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not go to A&E again?

188 replies

reallydontwantaande · 08/07/2023 17:14

Went to A&E on Thursday night after collapsing at home and then again in A&E, spent eight hours on a drip and sent home as bloods were normal. They said thought had a gastric bug as was +++ vomiting and fever.

Have been to A&E five times since the start of April with similar episodes of collapsing. Each time it’s been put down to panic/dissociative attacks. Which would sort of make sense as my MH isn’t great.

I’ve also however had diarrhea for well over a year. Had a normal colonoscopy end of Feb 22 and told its probably stress/IBS.

Went to the toilet this morning, and again twice this afternoon - heavy rectal bleeding. Toilet bowl bright red. Didn’t even notice I was bleeding until I stood up. I’ve had spotting before but never bleeding like that. Wasn’t when I was opening my bowels - was just having a wee - but the bleeding is definitely coming from the back. Felt a bit sick/giddy standing up.

111 have said to go to A&E again.

I’m mortified at the thought of going back there again, I feel like they must be thinking I’m an hypochondriac now - a couple of the nurses have said, ‘oooh, back again’ etc and have said no, the bleeding feels like it’s external, it’s bright red. There is a fair bit but it’s worse when I sit down on the toilet which makes me feel it’s something on the outside that’s splitting? It’s not so bad when I just sit still. It’s not pouring or anything.

I’ve managed to persuade 111 to get an out of hours GP to call me instead rather than spending another night in casualty, was that stupid? A&E is 5 mins in a taxi, I just don’t want them to think I’m being a hypochondriac when it’s probably only piles!

OP posts:
lljkk · 08/07/2023 17:38

piles?

reallydontwantaande · 08/07/2023 17:49

lljkk · 08/07/2023 17:38

piles?

well that's what I'm hoping, I don't want to go to back to A&E yet again as I'm sure they must be laughing at me in there now, I really, really dont want to go there. My pulse rate is normal (85) and I don't feel unusually drowsy or dizzy. A little bit after going to the loo but I'm avoiding going, as soon as I sit down I start bleeding again.

OP posts:
Xrays · 08/07/2023 17:51

Get your GP to do an early morning blood test to check your cortisol levels, they won’t have done this as part of any standard bloods. It’s very rare but those are all the symptoms I had before being diagnosed with Addisons / adrenal insufficiency- have a google. Although the red blood is something different, it may just be piles, you do need it checked though.

TheLifeofMe · 08/07/2023 17:57

This sounds gross to say but take a photo next time you have blood in the toilet bowl and explain it is coming from your rectum. Don't worry about what the staff think. It isn't like you are a drunk who is there most weekends. You have a genuine health concern and bleeding from your bottom is not normal at all. I hope you find out some answers.

calmcoco · 08/07/2023 17:59

You are being foolish to think the staff are judging you - it is very common to have repeat visits and the staff will understand.

I can't say whether you should go to A&E or not, but you definitely shouldn't base your decision n the fact you have already been a few times.

Kingsparkle · 08/07/2023 18:03

I think you need to get another GP’s appointment and be very insistent that you want to get to the bottom of what is going on.

I wouldn’t say A&E is the best place for this though, not because you’ve been a lot recently but more because it sounds like an ongoing issue rather than an accident or emergency.

Pythonesque · 08/07/2023 18:06

Xrays · 08/07/2023 17:51

Get your GP to do an early morning blood test to check your cortisol levels, they won’t have done this as part of any standard bloods. It’s very rare but those are all the symptoms I had before being diagnosed with Addisons / adrenal insufficiency- have a google. Although the red blood is something different, it may just be piles, you do need it checked though.

I agree with this, you need some more investigating for these episodes, this was one of the things your story made me wonder about too. Not something that can easily or realistically be investigated in A&E!

Good luck.

reallydontwantaande · 08/07/2023 18:55

GP has rang, I’m getting seen tonight by a doctor with ?admission to a surgical ward if they’re not happy. Said to take enough stuff for 1 night just in case.

OP posts:
Housekeeperbatcocoa · 08/07/2023 19:00

Really hope you get an answer!

Polkadotpjs · 08/07/2023 19:01

How stressful for you. I'm glad you're being seen

reallydontwantaande · 08/07/2023 19:03

It sounds awful but that’s from sitting down to go for a wee.

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To not go to A&E again?
OP posts:
reallydontwantaande · 08/07/2023 19:05

And same, two mins later - that’s just from sitting down, I don’t know what’s going on.

Sensitive content
To not go to A&E again?
OP posts:
Sirzy · 08/07/2023 19:06

Glad your getting seen, hope you get to the bottom of what is going on

RhosynBach · 08/07/2023 19:08

You definitely need to be seen. Are you wearing pads so you can show them the blood loss at the hospital? I hope you get it sorted soon

reallydontwantaande · 08/07/2023 19:09

I am, I’ve actually leaked right through so have stuffed a hand towel in my jeans. They said they’d try and get me an appt at OOH GP asap.

OP posts:
reallydontwantaande · 08/07/2023 19:13

I don’t have any relatives nearby so trying to figure off what I need, I’ve got pyjamas, soap bag, chargers, my phone, changes of clothes, underwear, a cardigan, and I’ll take a jacket. I can’t think of anything else I’d need immediately.

OP posts:
Littlemissprosecco · 08/07/2023 19:16

Toothbrush, paste, face cream

NowYouSee · 08/07/2023 19:16

I would take a flannel and a hand towel. Sanitary towels for the blood?

Leverageup · 08/07/2023 19:18

Op all the best. 💐. I hope you are seen quickly, diagnosed correctly and heal fast.

Tempone · 08/07/2023 19:19

Jeez op hope you are OK. That sounds stressful.

FourTeaFallOut · 08/07/2023 19:20

Ear plugs, if you have them. Best of luck.

Zanatdy · 08/07/2023 19:23

You definitely need to be seen so glad you’re going in. All the best OP

MostlyBlueberryFlavoured · 08/07/2023 19:23

Sirzy · 08/07/2023 19:06

Glad your getting seen, hope you get to the bottom of what is going on

Bottom lol 😅.

OP, wishing you all the best 💐💐💐

vipersnest1 · 08/07/2023 19:23

With bleeding like that, you really ought to go straight to A&E, sorry.
There will be little that an OOH doctor will be able to do if it's something like a thrombosed pile.
Wishing you well, @reallydontwantaande.

Hollyppp · 08/07/2023 19:23

Glad you’ve got GP on board and possible hospital stay. Good luck!