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AIBU?

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Original poster

In A&E worrying I’m being a complete hypochondriac

175 replies

Headsissues · 24/10/2023 20:22

I’ve been getting daily headaches for around 6 months with random dizziness and loud whooshing sounds in my ears that get so loud I can’t hear anything for about 30 seconds. GP never seemed overly phased so I’ve always just taken paracetamol and got on with it. I never get migraines, just your standard headaches.

On Saturday morning I woke up with a banging headache that is still ongoing. I’ve been taking paracetamol and ibruprofun around the clock, tried relaxing activities etc, and nothing is stopping it. I’ve been feeling incredibly dizzy and nauseous with it and its just a prolonging, heavy headache that doesn’t come and go, it stays - It seems to be worsening so I called the doctor yesterday and explained what was happening thinking she would give me some better painkillers. She told me she wants me to go to A&E because she’s concerned and wants me to get a scan. I got some cocodamol and decided to stay at home because I just felt so silly.

It’s worsening even more today and I haven’t coped with it at all so I’m here at A&E waiting to be seen by a doctor. Been given codeine by triage but not touching it at all.

The headache is all across the front of my head and temples.

Ive had the dizziness, some blurry vision (looks like most in my eyes), nausea and feeling weaker than normal but bright lights don’t bother me and my neck isn’t stiff. I’ve never had a proper migraine before so wouldn’t know whether this is one or not.

Anyway, anyone experienced this before or have any advice? I’m feeling quite silly being here and worried they’re going to think I’m a hypochondriac.

OP posts:
givemeasunnyday · 25/10/2023 06:43

AngelAurora · 25/10/2023 06:03

Why have you not gone to your GP?

You should not of gone to A&E especially when you have had this problem for 6 months.

Shocking that you would take their time up

Shocking that you would not bother to read properly before berating OP. Her GP told her to go to A & E - it's in her first post!!

Unithorn · 25/10/2023 06:52

AngelAurora · 25/10/2023 06:03

Why have you not gone to your GP?

You should not of gone to A&E especially when you have had this problem for 6 months.

Shocking that you would take their time up

Nothing shocking about going to A&E for a worsening issue, especially when you have already seen the GP who has advised this.

Hibiscrubbed · 25/10/2023 06:59

Viviennemary · 24/10/2023 23:29

I don't think it's an emergency or an accident. See your GP.

Deleted. Poster had apologised.

DaftyInTheMiddle · 25/10/2023 07:00

Symptoms sounded like mine when I had intracranial hypertension. Has anyone checked your eyes for signs of optical nerve swelling? Does it ease when you lie down? I hope you’re being well taken care of

Squirrelsbite · 25/10/2023 07:01

If the OP’s gp is anything like ours , you can’t get an appointment for 3 weeks then it’s only a phone call and possibly an in house app if your really ill

Mongrelsrbeautiful · 25/10/2023 07:05

Hope you are OK, and being taken seriously OP. You are definitely not wasting anyones time. If you are getting some sleep, let us know, when you feel better.

Salacia · 25/10/2023 07:06

Squirrelsbite · 25/10/2023 07:01

If the OP’s gp is anything like ours , you can’t get an appointment for 3 weeks then it’s only a phone call and possibly an in house app if your really ill

Except the OP has literally said that she’s spoken to the GP who has advised her to go to ED (as they feel she needs a scan which obviously can’t be provided in primary care). Don’t let it get in the way of a good GP bash though.

Hope you’re ok OP. This sounds an entirely appropriate reason to go to ED and I hope you get sorted out.

Whatsgoingon12345 · 25/10/2023 07:19

Hope you’re ok . A and e is not the best place to hang about. X

FannyBawz · 25/10/2023 07:22

so what did A&E say?

Blueey · 25/10/2023 07:23

OP, are you overweight? Your symptoms sound very much like idiopathic intracranial hypertension, which often links with a PCOS profile. Which does need to be treated and NICE guidelines for "whooshing", which is called pulsatile tinnitus, are for imaging to take place.

Something you can do yourself, if you are sent home without a diagnosis, is make an urgent optician appointment. You want them to check if the blurry vision is caused by papilledema, which can be a sign of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. If they do see papilledema, they will write to your GP, just make sure they do.

Hope you're OK.

EatYourVegetables · 25/10/2023 07:30

You need a referral to a neurologist and a lot of scans, not A&E.

vivainsomnia · 25/10/2023 07:40

I don't know if it's been mentioned but I get all these symptoms when dehydrated. I've never been much of a drinker and was fine but with age I've noticed I need much more. Even when I sometimes think I've had enough, I haven't and the symptoms come. Unfortunately, once they come, water doesn't help much at this point. It needs to be regular.

Bananabreadandstrawberries · 25/10/2023 07:41

It sounds like you probably have intracranial hypertension.

pumpkinpiesarefab · 25/10/2023 07:59

I HRTFT but this needs to be sorted.

It could be something called a 'cluster headache' but a scan will give more clarity.

Superduper02 · 25/10/2023 08:07

Hsving experienced this myself post partum, my instant thought was anaemia. PP also said blood pressure. What investigations has your GP done? Best to get checked by the hospital if you can't rely on them. Hope you get seen soon.

jessycake · 25/10/2023 08:20

In my experience no over the counter painkillers stopped my migraines , and I'm usually sick too .

hellosally · 25/10/2023 08:27

poor you, OP. have you had your prolactin checked? as a prolactinoma could give all the symptoms you are getting. hope it all goes ok, you are in the right place

Trickytimer · 25/10/2023 08:44

Hope you’re ok OP

Whalewatchers · 25/10/2023 09:02

Work colleague presented with chest pains. Sent home. Died that evening. Another colleague went in hospital, thought it was sciatica pain, cancer all over, never left hospital, dead in 12 days. Both of these happened within weeks of each other. You aren't being a hypochondriac.

Conkersinautumn · 25/10/2023 09:04

I had an ongoing bout of vertigo and they were very firm that if I got a terrible headache to go to A&E, it's about risk. It's likely its something you're going through (infection of some sort) BUT as it CAN be a serious symptoms its a case of ruling things out AND if the NHS considers it worthwhile as much as I felt.silly (when they thought I might have a blood clot eg) then I'm not arguing. Nhs isn't too prone to over stating need like the more money making healthcare set ups in the world.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 25/10/2023 09:37

i mean it could be something super serious so best to get checked out

Ineedasitdown · 25/10/2023 09:41

rtft.

Jaxhog · 25/10/2023 10:09

Your doctor was worried enough to send you there. Even if it turns out not to be serious, you've done the right thing.

NancyJoan · 25/10/2023 10:14

A CT scan doesn’t take long, and will be able to rule lots of things out. Sit tight.

Luckyduc · 25/10/2023 10:21

you've only mentioned one problem so how is the being a hypercondriac?

Think you're silly for phoning a dr, who tells you to go to hospital and you thought you knew better and decided to stay home. They need to give you a mri scan.

Sounds serious....let them decide. If it makes you feel any better, I'm in hospital alot and if you go at night the majority of people wasting Dr's times are drunk and people who have been in fights, totally self inflicted. Then you get people come in with colds or my child has a fever of 38 ....I think your case is more important than most that go to hospital.