Worried about going to a&e

[TurtleWithPowers]

Hi,

this is absolutely not a pity me thread. I’m just really cross with myself and worried about what to do now

basically I have a long term condition which is well controlled with medication (finally, after a long time trying to get it under control). But the last few weeks have been completely insane and there’s been so much on. I won’t bore everyone with the details but it’s been a really tough time. Stupidly, I completely forgot about the medication. I briefly remembered and then thought I’ll start it again tomorrow at my usual time but then just forgot. I’ve probably been off it for about 7 days now.

i know it’s stupid and I don’t even know how I forgot. I’m usually so on top of it all. Unfortunately I felt it flare up again today and that’s when I realised oh shit I haven’t taken the medication - I took it today but it’s not stopping the flare up, I think because I’ve been off it for too long.

i could actually burst into tears. I know this is completely my fault, I’m NOT looking for sympathy or to be told otherwise because I know this is on me. There’s just been so many things and it completely slipped in my priorities in my mind.

but yeah, lesson learned and I won’t ever forgot it again. But in the meantime I think I’m going to have to go to a&e for it because it’s an arrhythmia. I’m just so, so worried I get into trouble or a bollocking from the staff. I know it’s what I deserve because this is my fault but it’s been such a shit few weeks and I honestly think I’ll burst into tears if anything else adds to it.

does anyone know, am I likely to get in trouble at a&e? Or will I get blacklisted as a time waster since it’s my fault this has happened because I forgot the medication? just a bit worried about what will happen when I go

Definitely been a big lesson learned not to forget medication ever again

They’ll be more concerned with how you managed to forget and helping prevent it happening again than telling you off. They’re there to help not reprimand and have seen it all before. Don’t be afraid or ashamed of crying. You’ll be fine.

Honestly i was just so busy I just kept forgetting, sounds so ridiculous i know but it just kept slipping my mind and I think because I felt fine it was a bit of over confidence as well that I was fine without it. I don’t usually forget, I’m usually so on top of it all! So frustrated with myself x

You won't get blacklisted or a bollocking, the most will be perhaps a gentle dig at your forgetfulness. Contrition on your part might required but I wouldn't be too dramatic. The professionals in A&E are there to help people and can recognise a genuine mistake. Good luck!

People go to A&E for all sorts of reasons. You're worrying about nothing. They'll be happy to help. Go along before you become really uncomfortable.

It'll be fine.

As others have said they will be more concerned about making sure your ok and working to try to encourage ways to remember.

I have an alarm set on my phone for one of DS meds which has to be given at a time I am prone to forget! The other two doses are given as part of a routines time of day - breakfast and bed. So perhaps you could leave them by the kettle or your toothbrush to remind you?

if you put them into a dosed box would that help with remembering?

No, you wont get any grief from them. They will help you. Go.

They won’t be cross with you.

What type of arrhythmia if you don’t mind me asking?

They would rather you attended than got sicker from embarrassment. Go if there's something they can do to help. They might be able to suggest a way to remember your betablockers.

I got a polite b*llocking from some paramedics and some A&E nurses once. It was my fault that I had not chased up a prescription which had run out and unfortunately I had an attack of my illness which could have been life threatening without that medication if the ambulance hadn't arrived quickly. Although it was partly because I'd struggled to get through to my GP to sort the prescription, I had given up too easily. It was basically my fault.

I took the telling off with good grace and made clear that I understood both their concern and frustration. I have learned from my mistake.

The world didn't fall in. Get medical help if you need it and be more careful next time.

A&E staff tend to be quite rude anyway to be honest it's just the culture. They fund something to moan about in anything.

They probably won't be sympathetic but just get the treatment you need & don't get into a discussion about it. Just a business transaction really - get what you need & leave.

You don't need to fawn in front of the staff so they tell you how worthy/not worthy you are. Just state the facts, get the treatment & get on with your day.

Dr. Absolutely not, noone is going to tell youoff, noone is blacklisted (unless violent and aggressive with staff, but even then that's pretty hard to manage! We just want you to be well. Go get yourself treated and think of a mechanism to try to help you remember, I tend to associate tasks together, so if you take it on the morning, balance your med pot on the kettle so you have to remove it to fill it, or in the sink where you normally brush your teeth etc xx

I agree with everyone else. It doesn't matter that you made a mistake, it's how you deal with it - and you won't be the first!

Go and get the help you need and don't worry so much. You're not going to get blacklisted.

Patient non-compliance with medication is very common for all sorts of reasons. I've struggled myself - lots of people set reminders on their phones, but the tip thats worked best for me is tying it to another routine action and keeping tablets somewhere I can't miss them.

I take mine at bedtime, but if I notice I've forgotten a couple of days I take them earlier in the day when I remember.

They will treat you as you need but will alert your specialist team that you are struggling to take the meds as directed. It also may mean they ask some difficult questions trying to work out why you have missed them (eg is someone preventing you from taking them, do you have another condition as to why you are forgetting etc and possibly offer advice on how not to forget. In extreme cases they can refer to social services for support if they feel you aren’t capable of managing your condition. All of this is not to reprimand but to ensure you take the drugs you need to be healthy.

meanwhile use your phone, devices like Alexa etc

I would ring 111 - are you talking beta blockers? i would have thought once you start again things are ok but best to check with 111 or doc

Thanks. Feel a lot better about it now, I’ll start heading over to a&e. Was just so scared about being blacklisted or blocked! Lesson learned never to forgot again x

Oh gosh I hope I don’t end up with them doing any of that, honestly I’m usually on top of it all but it just completely slipped my mind but I can safely say it will never slip my mind ever again after the fright I’ve got this time x

no not beta blockers, they’re anti arrhythmics. Honestly if I ring 111 they’ll probably automatically want to send out an ambulance because it’s heart related and I definitely don’t need that so I’ll just head to a&e, I can easily make my own way there x

No, no one is going to black list you or block you! Shit/life happens.
Just go in, say exactly what you needed to take and how long since you didn’t and what your symptoms are now. They’ll be fine, maybe a gentle tease to make light of the situation, but no one is going to punish you in any way.