AIBU to go to a&e

[Zd24]

Posting for traffic but basically I have been unwell for 4 months, in September I started feeling “dizzy” out of the blue, when I say dizzy I don’t mean spinning, I struggled to explain it to doctors at first. There is 2 ways I would describe the “dizziness” one is being on a boat like when you feel a boat move, it will feel like that for a split second, stop and then after it will happen again, only when I’m outside walking. Another way I could explain it is I’ll just be walking and all of a sudden it feels like the ground has moved beneath my feet for a split second, I went to the gp in September as I had this along with ear pain, doctor said could be labyrinthitis but my ears looked fine and said he didn’t know what it was and to come back if it contuined, I went back to the gp 3 times more within 3 weeks, by the end of the 3 weeks I ended up with a really bad sinus infection so the gp gave me antibiotics and put all my symptoms down to a viral infection turned bacterial. Dizziness eventually went away and then it started again mid October, sinus infection most of the symptoms resolved however I was still having green smelling discharge coming out of my nose every morning so it never fully went away even after course of antibiotics. I’ve been like this since mid October, dizziness some days is better some days worse, I had a viral illness last month and it ended with a severe sinus infection, I went to the pharmacy and had more antibiotics which I finished, but this time the symptoms haven’t got better, on the left side mainly I have pain and popping feelings in my ear, pain around my face where my sinuses are, constant green smelling discharge and a bad smell in my nose even after finishing the antibiotics, I went to the gp yesterday and explained all this and the “dizziness” she said she things it was acute sinusitis now chronic sinusitis, she looked in my nose and said the left side had congestion and most of the pain when touching my face and ear pain is on my left side. She said the next step will be to try steroid nasal spray, I started that yesterday and feel even worse, I had a really bad tension headache last night in the sides of my head, felt ok this morning and dizziness seemed a bit better, but after taking the spray this morning I have so much pressure in my face and loads of green smelling discharge coming out and ear pain, my mum things the spray is starting to work and the infection is coming out but I’m not sure ? Just been in Lidl with my 14 month old and i haven’t felt that “dizzy” before, I have so much pressure in my head and got back into the car and burst into tears, I’ve been dizzy for 4 months and now it’s got worse. I don’t know what to do, it’s genuinely ruining my life, I’m so depressed because of it and I’m scared there is something more that’s wrong or worse.

I’m feeling like I should go to hospital now as no one seems to be taking it seriously, I’ve got pain behind the back of my eyes since this morning and my face hurts to touch, my ears keep hurting and popping and as I said the dizziness has got worse since starting the spray, this can’t be normal how I’m feeling. Would I be unreasonable to go to a&e ? I am really worried this is something serious.

if anyone has been through something like this can you please give me any positive stories or advice? I thought for a long time the dizzziness was stress and anxiety but it’s not just making me physically ill it’s also making me mentally ill, it’s triggered severe panic attacks which I’ve never suffered with.

I just feel so “full” inside my head, nose and ears. I just don’t want to leave it and something bad happening. Honestly don’t know what to do.

With all due respect, if your dizziness was that bad you wouldn’t be driving anywhere. Let alone with your children in the car. Therefore, as much as living with this is no doubt horrible, this is not a life or limb situation, and therefore not an A&E event.

Your best option is to contact your GP. If you can afford to go to a private GP and feel they’d give you a faster, and more thorough service then by all means go. But A&E is not for those with a persistent nasal infection.

As for your DH call him home if you’re that unwell and have him look after his children until you’re better.

Thank you. I have decided not to go to an and e but to call 111 but some of the comments upset me saying people like me are the reason why the nhs is how it is.

I’ve got a very high pain tolerance, I’ve had very bad gallbladder issues in the past and given birth to 3 children without any pain relief so when I complain I am in a lot of pain and something is bad it means it is bad for me. I don’t just go to a and e for small issues every time something is wrong and my mum is the one who forced me to go back to the gp this time because I don’t like going for nothing and I try my absolute best to cope without antibiotics. I’ve been to the GP 8 or more times in the last 4 months and it’s got to the point I’ve started feeling embarrassed about going because I either keep getting told “ I don’t know what’s wrong “ or just given more medication to try and shift it instead of being referred so as I keep getting worse I am obviously getting more desperate as I’m struggling to cope looking after 3 young kids, a house hold and part time work on top, i opened my own business a few months ago and I am cancelling orders for my shop because I cannot cope with what’s going on anymore and that is the only thing ( that I did love) that could go as obviously looking after the kids and house hold is a necessity. I’ve told the doctors that every time that I’ve gone to the gp that it’s ruining my life and I cannot cope anymore.

only reason I asked about a and e is because I’m aware chronic sinus infections can spread to the eyes brain and as I’m getting worse I’m concerned and wondering which point is time to think all this isn’t normal and is getting worse and could become more serious.

I got told that I was being over dramatic saying I can’t do anything when I can because I can drive etc , because I have to, not because I want to. I have no help with the children so no matter how ill I feel I HAVE to otherwise my children wouldn’t be picked up from school or looked after, someone who had help probably wouldn’t be able to do everything I do because they wouldn’t have to. It doesn’t mean I’m not as ill as I am saying I am because all this and the horrible dizziness is literally ruining my life and my business and time with my children as I can’t do anything with them anymore because of the feelings I get when I do try and go out.

I will ring 111 and see what they suggest and I’ve read other suggestions and will try them but the comments about people like me are upsetting considering I am the type of person who pushes things off until I cannot bear it anymore. I just don’t get what I am supposed to do as I can’t go on like this and the gp isn’t referring me, I am in tears daily feeling like giving up on everything and my life because it is making me mentally ill being unwell like this. I am thinking about going private as i can’t wait anymore and keep going on like this.

if you can afford it please try cranial oesto if you have insurance they usually pay for this

You have my sympathy I'm currently half through antibiotic course for sinusitis if I don't remember to take paracetamol and ibuprofen the pain in my face head and teeth is horrendous. It ruined my christmas holiday I was so ill coukdnt do anything and my husband was so unsympathetic :(

I was doing the neilmed nasal rinse which helped alot and earlier in the week had a really bad dizzy spell in the office. It seems to be improving but not quickly. I'd avoid a&e at all costs right now you'll be there for hours and god knows what other diseases you might pick up

Do you have an ETC (Emergency Treatment Centre) near you? It could well be that the infection has reached a point where emergency intervention is necessary. A family member put off getting emergency treatment because they didn't want to add to the burden of the NHS and is in the middle of a long term recovery now as it caused more damage than would have been incurred with more rapid intervention.

Because I have to drive, I have no choice because my husband is not near by as he is working away and I have no family close. My children wouldn’t be took to or picked up from school, I have no choice. It doesn’t mean I am not absolutely making myself even worse by pushing myself to do this because I don’t have a choice, it also doesn’t take away from the fact how ill I am and have been for months. I have to get on with it and look after my children and because of how unwell I am it is affecting my mental health now too.

Do you know when you last had Covid OP? Loads of people get vertigo type symptoms (me included ) during and quite some time after a Covid infection. It does feel exactly as you describe.

Anti nausea meds really helped me. You must go back to the GP. I now it sounds manipulative but cry on them, don't underplay it. Seek a referral to ENT. You can now ask them to look for other providers nearby with shorter wait list, including private providers through the NHS. 4 months is far too long to put up with this.

I’d book a private ENT appointment, you don’t need a referral. Usually about £200

You sound desperate and I think 111 is a good idea and maybe out of hours this weekend is a good compromise but don't feel bad if you do need to go to a and e if it comes to it

and, also, anti biotics won't help viral infections!

@Zd24

only reason I asked about a and e is because I’m aware chronic sinus infections can spread to the eyes brain and as I’m getting worse I’m concerned and wondering which point is time to think all this isn’t normal and is getting worse and could become more serious.

This is why it's worth checking your temperature, heart rate etc if you're able to, your body will tell you if a bad infection is taking hold. It'll be useful information for 111 too, they'll be in a better position to categorise you with this info. If they think you need seeing as an emergency they will refer to A&E and going via 111 will save you a little bit of waiting time once there so you're far better calling them from the comfort of your own home than going straight to A&E where you could be waiting a long time just to be triaged.

My point is, if you can drive, you cannot be that unwell. If you’re driving whilst you’re that unwell, then that’s wholly irresponsible.

I understand your children need collecting, but you should be using a taxi if you’re as unwell as you are saying you are. It isn’t safe to drive whilst you’re experiencing dizziness to the extent you feel you might require A&E.

Ultimately, your DH needs to step up if you’re as unwell as you are saying you are.

111 can probably give better and more specific advice than mumsnet though, so I think ultimately you made the right choice.

I do feel for you as I also get chronic Sinusitis. I currently haven't been able to taste or smell for a month (following the initial illness) and still get the headaches, dizziness and heavy eyes.

I've been using the steroid nasal spray for years, it does help but also takes a few weeks to work. The dizziness is also really common as the areas are all linked. The only other option of it's chronic is to ask for a referral to ENT (I'm on the waiting list). Although I think it's a long wait!

I do understand how horrible it is though and I've been desperate at times and have tried everything! I'm now getting nose bleeds from the daily nasal rinse! Unfortunately it can take weeks or months to resolve but no, I wouldn't visit A&E.

Op, stop this, please. @JustMyView13 made a valid point. You wouldn't be driving if you were horrendously dizzy, because you know full well you’d be putting your children’s lives in serious danger by getting behind the wheel.

Simply saying I have to because there’s no one else isn’t a valid reason to put their lives at risk. So no, you wouldn’t be driving if you were that dizzy, not if your children’s lives were the most importantly thing to you, which I think I can safely assume they are.
Depending on the cause, vertigo is something that driving licences get revoked for.
Driving while having a dizzy spell (or knowing one might come on) is every bit as dangerous as driving whilst drunk

If you're driving when you're that dizzy you could kill yourself or someone else.

It does sound like recurring sinus infections- a sinus rinse kit will flush it out and hopefully get you sorted.

I’m so sorry OP, this sounds horrendous. I can completely understand how it’s impacting your mental health. My nephew had a similar symptoms over a year ago and has been diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease. I really hope that you get to the bottom of this, whatever route you take.

I'm sorry you've had abuse OP that's not acceptable. I'm glad you've decided against A&E as I've previously posted i don't agree that's the right place but I do think you should chase this up with your GP/pharmacist, regardless how many times you've seen your GP already you should not feel embarrassed to go again and advocate for yourself that this needs further investigation as its clearly affecting your life/normal activities. I hope you get sorted and ignore the PP blaming you for the state of the NHS, that's bollocks, if you were one of those you'd be sat in a&e like you would've been several times over the past 4 months, not posting on here

OP, I would go to A&E because you clearly have a bad infection that's getting worse and as you say, sinus infections can spread to your brain.
I've had what you describe, the sudden "shift" under your feet, for me it's related to tension in my neck and jaw and also to tension related tinnitus, so basically related to neck and ear and if you also have a sinus infection then it makes sense that you're getting this "dizziness" with it. Once you get your sinuses sorted out and the infection clears up then Im positive the dizziness will go away.
A severe infection near your brain IS an emergency so I would go.

If you're capable of driving, you can't be seriously impaired.

If you're driving while very dizzy, you're endangering yourself, your passengers and every other road user.

OP, definitely phone 111 and if you're not reassured then go to A&E. There absolutely are circumstances where it is appropriate to go with severe infections and sinusitis is no different. The fact that your symptoms are worsening and you have significant facial pain are serious enough to warrant further medical investigation.

I understand how awful you must feel, frightened and tired and completely fed up, but this is not appropriate for A&E. Get back on to your GP. And, as exhausting as it is, keep on at them. They can make urgent referrals if they're really worried, or if they feel they can't get a handle on it. To be honest, all A&E would do is give you antibiotics anyway, after waiting for hours and hours in a noisy, unpleasant waiting room.

Can you afford to go private OP? I had a similar thing where I had exactly the same dizziness you’re describing. It lasted for a few months and was also stopping me sleeping. Luckily I had bupa through work and I had every possible test with the ENT but nothing really showed up. I eventually got referred to a neurologist who diagnosed me with vestibular migraine and put me on low dose old school anti depressants and it immediately worked for me.

I get both and whenever my sinuses are inflamed I can feel the dizzy sensation coming.

I find a sinus wash helps as does taking ibuprofen.

You'd be mad to sit in a chair in A&E for 15 hours in the middle of the busiest period for emergency departments.

We never should mess around when it's a risk of an infection spreading to the brain, but I would say given you can drive etc you're probably not there yet. But you should seek additional medical help, and 111 is a good place to start.

This sounds very similar to me, I went to GP and eventually they settled on Vestibular Neuritis as a likely cause, simialr to labrynthitis. I was given coedine and anti emetic meds which I took daily for a while, then when I had "attacks" and now I just have them, just in case but I havent had a bout of symptoms for a year or so.

Mine slowly improved over 18 months or so, and I feel for you, the mental stress of it was nearly the worst bit, feeling trapped at home in case it came on worse when I was out and about. I did have a very sever attack about 9 months into "recovery" and ended up in A&E because I honestly thought I was having a stroke. Bloods/CT scan etc all fine.

Keep pestering your GP and really play up how much it is affecting you mentally. I had to take time off work with both the physical and mental side of things and this helped get my GP more interested.

I still get odd twinges if I am particularly sleep deprived or stressed but touch wood have been fine for a while now, but it was really stressful and debilitating being in the midst of it.