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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Was I an ambulance timewaster?

96 replies

Orangejuice5 · 04/02/2024 01:27

Hi- im hoping that im tired and overthinking this but would really appreciate some perspective as I’ve got myself quite worried about it

I actually posted last week as I wasn’t sure if it was even an asthma attack or not but it was, but regardless of what it was I’m worried I’ve been a timewaster or called for help inappropriately

basically I have asthma and had a really bad attack in a public place. Someone called for help and I took 10 puffs of my inhaler which helped. By the time help came 15 minutes later, my attack had stopped and my inhaler had basically helped it. My heart was racing because of how many puffs I’d taken lol but apart from that I was fine and my wheezing and tight was was gone

was I a timewaster for getting help when I was actually able to manage it myself? Just wasn’t sure because if it had been a really serious attack obviously getting help is the right thing to do but for an attack which can’t have been that bad since I was able to manage it myself, did I call for help inappropriately or do something wrong since I was fine by the time they got there? and will there be some kind of black mark against my name for the future?

really hope I’m just over thinking this and I’m worrying about nothing but just worried I’ve somehow mis used the service as I should have given my reliever inhaler the chance to work before getting help and I’m worried that I’ll have some kind of black mark next to my name etc x

OP posts:
FireworksAndSparklers · 04/02/2024 01:30

No. Asthma can kill. You did the right thing.

endofthelinefinally · 04/02/2024 01:31

FireworksAndSparklers · 04/02/2024 01:30

No. Asthma can kill. You did the right thing.

Absolutely agree with this.

EBearhug · 04/02/2024 01:31

No. Someone from back home died from an asthma attack.

TimeForTeaAndG · 04/02/2024 01:32

You needed help at the time the ambulance was called. Had you waited and not been able to deal with it you may not be thinking at all.

teengirlmum · 04/02/2024 01:33

Please don't feel bad. Better safe than sorry, and all that Flowers
They will get so many actual timewasters that I'm sure they looked kindly on you!

Original poster
Orangejuice5 · 04/02/2024 01:33

Just as a back story so as to not drip feed, I’ve had mild asthma for a while but it’s gradually getting worse so I don’t have loads of experience on attacks and what a mild or severe attack is, and I’ve never been given an asthma plan either, I just got told how to use my combination/preventer inhaler and basically got told if I have to take it a lot go to a&e but they never said how many puffs is a normal attack vs a severe attack and when to get help etc, this attack felt worse than anything I’d ever had and it took a lot of salbutamol to control it but once I’d taken the salbutamol 10 times it worked so I probably did get help sent too early, apologies for the long back story just didn’t want to drip feed x

OP posts:
bluetongue · 04/02/2024 01:33

As someone with a relative who died in their 20’s from asthma, no. Hope you’re feeling better.

Incognito2023 · 04/02/2024 01:33

Please don't worry - they will have been fine that your symptoms had eased. Much better to be called out and not needed, than called out too late.

never heard of such a thing as a black mark and I know several hypochondriac situations

Mothership4two · 04/02/2024 01:34

My cousin's wife's brother died alone at home from an asthma attack - he was in his 20s.

MissDaisyDot · 04/02/2024 01:44

My Dd works for the ambulance service & there is no black mark. A patient with asthma, having difficulty breathing would be a priority. Even frequent, nuisance callers are assessed on a call by call situation.

Butterandtoast · 04/02/2024 01:48

Some people call for an ambulance when they get a papercut, don't overthink it anymore 🙂

UnicornNarwhale · 04/02/2024 03:30

Agree with PP, not a time waster Asthma can be fatal. Does your GP have an asthma nurse? Maybe write down your questions and get an appointment with them. Your asthma needs to be monitored and got under control.

User236792 · 04/02/2024 04:11

Asthma can be fatal. You had a bad asthma attack that needed a lot of salbutamol to get under control. Literally the opposite of time wasting. If they had been more delayed and you had recovered before they arrived you could have called to cancel but clearly that wasn’t possible this time.

pinklepea · 04/02/2024 04:18

A few puffs in it could not be working. By that time you can't call for help, and even if you did ambulance isn't there for 15 minutes and you could be dead. As long as you sent ambulance away so they can save other people and don't keep them around when you know your fine then that's not time wasting.

ChocolateRat · 04/02/2024 04:36

So you were having the worst asthma attack you've ever had, and you didn't know whether your inhaler would be enough to control it.

At this point your options are:

  • Wait to call for help until you know for sure whether your inhaler is going to work or not. A bad outcome here could well be death.
  • Someone calling for help while you also keep treating yourself. By the time they turn up, you might still need extra help, or your treatment might have worked. A bad outcome here is more likely to be feeling a little embarrassed.
It's good to avoid calling or cancel an ambulance if it's clear you don't need it, but since people need to breathe to live I think you were fine to seek help.
FindingMeno · 04/02/2024 05:12

Don't worry.
I've had ambulances called on a few occasions for asthma attacks. Sometimes I have been OK, sometimes I've been taken in.
It's not a frivolous reason to call an ambulance.
Your asthma needs controlling better and you need to see your gp/ asthma nurse now.

confusedbythesystem · 04/02/2024 05:19

Book an ashma review at your GP surgery.

321user123 · 04/02/2024 05:22

OP you’re being silly.
you had a medical emergency and emergency service were called for you.

At the time of the incident it was an emergency and that’s what it felt like. You were very lucky you managed to deal with it yourself… you may not be so lucky another time. do not hesitate to call for medical help EVER.

321user123 · 04/02/2024 05:23

I hope you’re feeling better overall 💐

LightSpeeds · 04/02/2024 06:45

FireworksAndSparklers · 04/02/2024 01:30

No. Asthma can kill. You did the right thing.

I agree with this. xx

carrotbagel · 04/02/2024 06:48

You're fine. At the time help was called for you needed it.

MarieG10 · 04/02/2024 06:48

No prob not. My son has been a little slack going for his asthma reviews and the nurse quoted some statistic at him that something like the majority of asthmatics either die of their asthma or conditions linked to it. Not saying they lead a shorter life but I was staggered and gave him a good lecture about his reviews and good management if it

Newchapterbeckons · 04/02/2024 06:50

Absolutely not, and you must do the same again.

Book an urgent review of your meds, your asthma will now be classified as ‘uncontrolled’ which is risky. Dd had similar experiences, it’s truly frightening.

Tilleuil · 04/02/2024 06:57

My gp told me that if my inhaler doesn’t work after the second puff then call an ambulance.
My great gran died from an asthma attack.
My dm had very bad asthma but paid to go on the Buteyko course. It changed her life and she rarely uses her inhaler now. She used to panic and I think that contributed to the severity of her attacks.

Georgie743 · 04/02/2024 07:00

You called an ambulance at the time you thought you needed urgent help. That's exactly what an ambulance is for!

i do encourage you to book in for an asthma review with a GP as soon as possible though.

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