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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Going to A&E?

25 replies

Lauryn95 · 29/08/2023 20:02

For the last 2 weeks I've had a chronic back ache like seriously bad ,numbness in my legs stiffness in my neck ,a migraine and the last 4 nights I've had a terrible fever and my entire body aches my legs keep siezing up ,my skin is mottled like corned beef and my hands and feet are frozen,I've rang the doctors and been told it's pregnancy related that it's sciatica and sounds like I've got the flu. However I've had 2 babies before, sciatica and flu before and it's way worse than anything ive experienced,never been this ill also where I work I've been exposed to someone who has meningitis and even after telling the doctor this he thinks it's just pregnancy related but I'm petrified I've caught it (he explained it's very hard to catch meningitis) but I'm so paranoid this things gonna get worse and doctor won't see me and midwife won't see me as she said it's just common aches and pains (I'm only 23 weeks pregnant not heavily) I'm thinking of going to A&E partner said wait til morning and ring doctors again, what would you do ?

OP posts:

FatandRoundBouncingontheGround · 29/08/2023 20:04

Ring 111 and get an out of hours doctor appointment. Probably quicker and more effective than A and E.

Underthemagnificentbeechtree · 29/08/2023 20:06

Yes go to A&E

Choconuttolata · 29/08/2023 20:09

Get an OOH appointment via 111, if they are worried when you phone them 111 will send you to A&E, you could have a UTI with those symptoms. Have they done a urine dip at all?

Original poster

Lauryn95 · 29/08/2023 20:18

I've not seen a midwife or doctor since 12 weeks ,apparently since I'm not high risk there's no need ,previous pregnancies I was there all the time, I asked midwife if she can just do some checks on me and she said no! So I've not had my urine checked for 10 weeks ,I will ring OOH I forgot about that for some reason ! I'm just scared it is meningitis and I'll lose my baby or something happens to me when I have 2 other kids already but also don't want to waste services seems like they think I'm being dramatic but I'm that person that never goes to the doctor when I'm sick ,I've not even been on antibiotics since i was 12 accept like the ones they give after birth so I'll definitely ring OOH I know I'm the last person to fuss over my own health ,thankyou all

OP posts:

tt9 · 29/08/2023 20:27

Hi OP. is there a maternity unit nearby? normally maternity units have their own A&E, that would be better place for you? alternately, can you call the maternity unit you are booked into and ask to speak to one of the midwives? you 100% need to be seen. your GP is an idiot (sorry not sorry). please keep us updated.

CrazyHedgehogLover · 29/08/2023 20:31

Best to be safe then sorry! Obviously don't want to alarm or scare you in any way, I lost my child at 29wks and I went to the doctor's three times regarding a nasty chest infection when pregnant, the doctors didn't think it was serious enough for antibiotics, turns out the infection went into my blood stream and also gave me flu like symptoms&an awful cough, unfortunately nothing could be done to save our daughter, absolutely heartbreaking. We found this out from the tests they carried out on the placenta, ring 111 explain your pregnant and what your experiencing chances are they'll ask you to go to a&e, my honest advice is to push to be seen! Don't let any of them fob you off.

Always best to be safe♥️

LavaMonkey · 29/08/2023 20:43

Since when is fever a pregnancy related issue?

Whats your temperature, OP?

Happygerbil · 29/08/2023 20:46

I think you need to be seen in person. If A&E only way to achieve this so be it. It's a brave HCP to turn away an unwell expectant mother.

C152 · 29/08/2023 21:05

I'd go straight to A&E, OP. Don't waste time waiting on hold to 111. My first worry would be meningitis.

SimplyReadHead · 29/08/2023 21:05

You have symptoms of possible sepsis or meningitis.

You need to go to A&E straight away please.

At the very least, you are clearly poorly and need medical attention.

coffeewithmilk · 29/08/2023 21:07

I'm an A&E nurse, with your symptoms that you're describing, especially being pregnant you would be prioritised to see a doctor very quickly.
Please don't waste time ringing 111 for advice. Get in the car and go to your nearest emergency department

Scrollingagain · 29/08/2023 21:14

Please seek medical help urgently x

FindingMeno · 29/08/2023 21:19

Listen to the A& E nurse above.
Go asap.

Tempone · 29/08/2023 21:21

Your symptoms sound potentially worrying, always err on the side of caution and go to a and e.

AliceS1994 · 29/08/2023 21:45

Go to A&E. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about it. I am a nurse and I am concerned by your symptoms, I think you should be seen in person. Please let us know how you get on :)

apapuchi · 29/08/2023 21:50

Call 111, I think with the numbness they'll want to see you. Hope all is well 💗

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 29/08/2023 21:51

Have you had your blood pressure checked recently? I would go to A&E it could be an untreated uti that has become a kidney infection or linked to increased blood pressure.

Randomness12 · 29/08/2023 21:54

You need to go to a&e, now. Please go. Better to be safe than sorry.

Parentingmishaps · 29/08/2023 21:57

That doesn't sound pleasant and sounds a bit more serious than pregnancy related or flu. Don't risk you or your baby, head to A&E tonight as it sounds like you're getting worse whereas with flu after 2 weeks you'd generally expect to be getting better.

Original poster

Lauryn95 · 30/08/2023 09:32

Hiya guys thankyou for all the replies ,I've got what appears to be a slipped disk and I've got an MRI to see for sure, think the fever is a coincidence and that I've just been ill as I've had a lumbar puncture also and that's not come back with anything, thankyou for encouraging me to ring 111

OP posts:

tt9 · 30/08/2023 10:13

I'm really glad you got seen and that you are OK! hope the rest of the pregnancy is uneventful! x

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 30/08/2023 10:15

I'm glad you got it checked and I am sorry to hear about the slipped disc. At least you are getting all the symptoms looked at now.

Original poster

Lauryn95 · 30/08/2023 16:31

So after being seen last night by a GP in the hospital she said I was to be signed off sick for four weeks and she's going to forward a sick note to my GP practice as they need to sign it, She said it should be ready this afternoon so I rang my GP and asked about this and the receptionist told me that's not how it works and that I need to self certify as sick for 7 days and then make an appointment with my GP for them to assess me and see if I'm to be on sick as it needs to be my own GP not a GP in the hospital to see me,Problem is I told my boss this morning what was going on and that I was going to be picking up my note this afternoon and that I'd show him later on today and now idk what to do and I don't know why the hospital GP would say all this to me if she didn't have the authority too ? Is it the receptionist being mistaken or do I really need to self certify and then go back in 7 days ,I've already been given a 4 week prescription etc I don't know if anyone knows

OP posts:

PragmaticWench · 30/08/2023 16:36

Yes that's right, you self certify for the first week. The GP will receive a copy of the discharge letter from the hospital in the next day or so, and they can refer to that to confirm your diagnosis etc. I'd call them to get the Fit Note as they won't automatically write one.

Parentingmishaps · 30/08/2023 16:36

The Dr should be able to issue a certificate for 4 weeks whether you've self certified or not, and it is up to the hospital doctor. Any doctor can sign you off.

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