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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think going to A&E would be a gross overreaction?

23 replies

DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 17:53

I had a sinus operation eight weeks ago, and randomly developed some bleeding two days ago. I phoned my GP and after a consultation they prescribed an antibiotic gel and told me if it happened again I should go to A&E, to be seen by an ENT consultant. Well lo and behold it happened again this morning.

I just think going to A&E is a massive overreaction. It’s not continual, it stops on its own and it doesn’t reoccur during the day. My family all think I should’ve gone though, because the GP said to. It just feels like a huge misuse of resources! If it happens again I probably will go over, but it’s a weekend and I really can’t be bothered to sit in A&E for an entire day. AIBU to think that it’s just silly to go?!

OP posts:
Gizlotsmum · 26/09/2025 17:56

Do you have an urgent treatment centre? They could triage you and either treat you there or confirm a&e needed

Arlanymor · 26/09/2025 17:58

Was it a FES? I had one back in the day and because my idiotic dad decided to take me for a trek two weeks later I had lots of fun with big blood clots that evening. But it subsided on its own and we knew why it had happened - over-exertion. I would ring 111 and get their take on it as Friday night is one of the busiest times for A&E and one of the most miserable times to sit there and wait for hours. 111 will probably get an OOH GP to call you back and then you’ll have a second opinion to make your decision. This is providing you don’t have any life-threatening symptoms of course.

Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 17:59

Arlanymor · 26/09/2025 17:58

Was it a FES? I had one back in the day and because my idiotic dad decided to take me for a trek two weeks later I had lots of fun with big blood clots that evening. But it subsided on its own and we knew why it had happened - over-exertion. I would ring 111 and get their take on it as Friday night is one of the busiest times for A&E and one of the most miserable times to sit there and wait for hours. 111 will probably get an OOH GP to call you back and then you’ll have a second opinion to make your decision. This is providing you don’t have any life-threatening symptoms of course.

Yes - I’m a little confused as I’ve been fine for eight weeks, and then out of the blue after doing nothing different it’s popped up! Last weekend I went on a long, hilly walk and was fine, but then out of the blue it’s started bleeding. I really don’t want to contact anyone again because I think they’ll just tell me to go to A&E and I really don’t want to

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InMyHealthyEra · 26/09/2025 18:00

Given its 8 weeks post surgery which is an good chunk of time, you’ve been prescribed antibiotic gel which suggests suspected infection and a doctor has advised you to visit if it happens again, I’d go to A&E.

I know it’s a Friday night and the last place anyone wants to be but unless you’ve been picking your nose/ have a cold/have been sneezing regularly, I’d want to get the cause figured out asap.

Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 18:00

Gizlotsmum · 26/09/2025 17:56

Do you have an urgent treatment centre? They could triage you and either treat you there or confirm a&e needed

Not anywhere near. If it happens again I might get a lift over there I suppose but even they will be rammed!

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Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 18:01

InMyHealthyEra · 26/09/2025 18:00

Given its 8 weeks post surgery which is an good chunk of time, you’ve been prescribed antibiotic gel which suggests suspected infection and a doctor has advised you to visit if it happens again, I’d go to A&E.

I know it’s a Friday night and the last place anyone wants to be but unless you’ve been picking your nose/ have a cold/have been sneezing regularly, I’d want to get the cause figured out asap.

I don’t think there is a suspected infection though? He didn’t ask if I have a fever etc (I don’t), he said the gel was mainly to keep my nose lubricated but then I’ve googled it and it’s antibiotics!

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cantkeepawayforever · 26/09/2025 18:04

111 may ‘book you in’ to some part of A abd E to circumvent some of the waiting. Certainly when DD (who has a chronic condition) was in great pain and I called 111, they gave us an ‘appointment time’ that meant we were only waiting about 10 mins, were triaged and treated by nurse practitioners and were on our way within about 30 mins.

Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 18:05

It just feels like going to A&E at all is stupid. It’s not an accident and it’s not an emergency (I’m not dying!), so I shouldn’t be at a&e!

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Arlanymor · 26/09/2025 18:05

DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 17:59

Yes - I’m a little confused as I’ve been fine for eight weeks, and then out of the blue after doing nothing different it’s popped up! Last weekend I went on a long, hilly walk and was fine, but then out of the blue it’s started bleeding. I really don’t want to contact anyone again because I think they’ll just tell me to go to A&E and I really don’t want to

Show quote history

Oh mate - it’s the walk, I promise you! We did a part of the Welsh coastal path. Anything hilly results in changes in air pressure. I think at the time the advice was nothing exerting for 12 weeks and we did the walk at 8 weeks… I would call 111 and mention that you had a trek at altitude recently. Nothing wrong with wanting to get fit and healthy, but these blood vessels are delicate things. Hope it’s made a real difference by the way, it did for me, even if I looked like a run over womble straight afterwards with a cone on my nose and a gauze ‘moustache’.

Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 18:09

Arlanymor · 26/09/2025 18:05

Oh mate - it’s the walk, I promise you! We did a part of the Welsh coastal path. Anything hilly results in changes in air pressure. I think at the time the advice was nothing exerting for 12 weeks and we did the walk at 8 weeks… I would call 111 and mention that you had a trek at altitude recently. Nothing wrong with wanting to get fit and healthy, but these blood vessels are delicate things. Hope it’s made a real difference by the way, it did for me, even if I looked like a run over womble straight afterwards with a cone on my nose and a gauze ‘moustache’.

Edited
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I was cleared after four weeks which is what’s frustrating. I had no real post-op care advice other than rinses for six weeks and no gym/running for a month! I just don’t understand why it would kick off after 3 days, and also why it’s only at night!

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 26/09/2025 18:09

Why not phone your consultant’s secretary and ask them to see what they suggest. If it’s what they’d consider normal then that’s fine and if it’s not they can say where they think’s best to be seen.

cantkeepawayforever · 26/09/2025 18:09

DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 18:05

It just feels like going to A&E at all is stupid. It’s not an accident and it’s not an emergency (I’m not dying!), so I shouldn’t be at a&e!

Oh I know, been there. Is OOH GP also there, or do they have co-located urgent care? Call 111 and they can make you an appointment at either of those, and it puts you on the hospital site if it turns out they need more investigation. Tbh, there won’t be a consultant on site till Monday am in all likelihood.

Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 18:10

And yes @Arlanymorirs made a huge difference! I had such an easy healing process which is making it all worse!

OP posts:
Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 18:10

Greybeardy · 26/09/2025 18:09

Why not phone your consultant’s secretary and ask them to see what they suggest. If it’s what they’d consider normal then that’s fine and if it’s not they can say where they think’s best to be seen.

I will on Monday, I called today and got voicemail and none of them work Fridays!

OP posts:
Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 18:11

cantkeepawayforever · 26/09/2025 18:09

Oh I know, been there. Is OOH GP also there, or do they have co-located urgent care? Call 111 and they can make you an appointment at either of those, and it puts you on the hospital site if it turns out they need more investigation. Tbh, there won’t be a consultant on site till Monday am in all likelihood.

Show quote history

I think I will if it happens again. Like a three strikes and you’re out scenario. It just feels like such an overreaction

OP posts:
DDivaStar · 26/09/2025 18:28

The people best placed to see whats going on is the department whee you had your surgery. A referral from a+e is most likely a quicker route to see them than your GP contacting them.

Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 18:36

DDivaStar · 26/09/2025 18:28

The people best placed to see whats going on is the department whee you had your surgery. A referral from a+e is most likely a quicker route to see them than your GP contacting them.

It’ll be a year minimum and im hoping it’s resolved itself by then!

OP posts:
LIZS · 26/09/2025 18:42

Worth going if it recurs, it may need cauterising. Or call the clinic who treated you and ask for a review.

MsTamborineMan · 26/09/2025 18:42

If its bleeding that stops, no swelling, no increased pain, no temperatures, then I would contact your consultants secretary on Monday. Is it a nose bleed you are having or back of throat? Fresh blood?

Obviously bleeding that doesn't stop is an ED matter but your not going to get to see an ENT consultant by going to a&e on a Friday evening. And tbh I don't think you need to see an ENT consultant that urgently

Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 18:53

MsTamborineMan · 26/09/2025 18:42

If its bleeding that stops, no swelling, no increased pain, no temperatures, then I would contact your consultants secretary on Monday. Is it a nose bleed you are having or back of throat? Fresh blood?

Obviously bleeding that doesn't stop is an ED matter but your not going to get to see an ENT consultant by going to a&e on a Friday evening. And tbh I don't think you need to see an ENT consultant that urgently

I THINK it must be constant but going down the back of my throat during the day? Sometimes I feel like I get a random whiff of blood, but I do work in the hospital so that could be anything. It just doesn’t make sense to me otherwise - I’m going to bed fine, and waking up and had a bleed in the night that’s not come out, clotted up a bit and then gets cleared in the morning

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Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 19:56

Right.

I had to walk up my hill tonight as no lift was available. I have come in, done a nasal rinse, eaten dinner and now having a bath. No bleeding. I have blown my nose and it’s just normal snot coming out. A little bit of green maybe tinged in but nothing drastic.

so where the hell does the bleeding come from?!

OP posts:
MsTamborineMan · 26/09/2025 20:42

If its clotted blood it can be normal for that to pass after it's been there for a few weeks

Contact your surgeons secretary on Monday and see what they say.

Original poster
DontReinMeIn · 26/09/2025 22:23

MsTamborineMan · 26/09/2025 20:42

If its clotted blood it can be normal for that to pass after it's been there for a few weeks

Contact your surgeons secretary on Monday and see what they say.

It’s a mix of clots and fresh. I have a picture, but fair warning it’s pretty gross!

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To think going to A&E would be a gross overreaction?
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