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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to hospital?

31 replies

Theslummymummy · 17/10/2025 17:32

I've not had an accident or injured myself. But I've had swollen ankles and swollen wrists for a week now. One fist has swollen up very badly and is warm to touch. I also think I can feel a lump in a vein on my wrist. I can't grip anything and it's agony to walk.

My dad made me fill out the 111 form and it directed me to my local pharmacy. I can't lie, it wasn't very useful. She just recommended I request a blood test from my gp.

I've updated my dad and he thinks I should ignore that and go straight to A and E. Just wondering if that's what other people would do? I can't think straight at the moment and don't know whether I'm coming or going. I've got a lot of trauma from past hospital stays and waiting in a and e with a dog bite for 28 hours, so that might be clouding my judgement and putting me off.

OP posts:
Wherethewildthings · 17/10/2025 17:34

I wouldn't go. Friday night is not a time that you'll be seen quickly and will be rowdy with drunks. The fact it's all your joints and been going on for a while suggests it's not super urgent I think.

Phunkychicken · 17/10/2025 17:36

Surely you should have tried to get seen at your GP, this is not a Friday night /weekend thing

BIWI · 17/10/2025 17:36

Have you done what they suggested, and requested a blood test from your GP?

I certainly - at this stage - wouldn’t be going to A&E, as it doesn’t sound like it’s an emergency.

Did the pharmacist recommend any medication for inflammation?

MumChp · 17/10/2025 17:37

Call your GP on Monday.

BallerinaRadio · 17/10/2025 17:38

A week? Why on earth have you left it to the point of A&E?

YControl · 17/10/2025 17:39

It sounds like it could be some kind of inflammatory arthritic flare up (not a doctor but do have inflammatory arthritis). In which case a blood test from the GP is a sensible starting point.

I guess the question regarding A&E is whether you think you urgently need to be seen by someone and it cannot wait. So things like worsening or uncontrollable pain/fever/confusion/losing consciousness. Can you ring NHS 24? Sometimes they can assess if a and e or ooh gp are needed.

Original poster
Theslummymummy · 17/10/2025 18:11

Thank you for the replies everyone. I've just moved house so I'm not registered with a gp yet and I did try to call them yesterday but they were closed for training and I've left it all week as it wasn't as bad to start with and I just thought it would get better with a tubi grip. My step mum was a nurse and has been saying it could be DVT, she said it's not common to start in your wrist or arm but not impossible. It's the lump in the vein they are worried about. I am getting a weird pain in my arm now, but not sure what that is either.

OP posts:
BIWI · 17/10/2025 18:12

Did the pharmacist not recommend any kind of medication?

Original poster
Theslummymummy · 17/10/2025 18:12

YControl · 17/10/2025 17:39

It sounds like it could be some kind of inflammatory arthritic flare up (not a doctor but do have inflammatory arthritis). In which case a blood test from the GP is a sensible starting point.

I guess the question regarding A&E is whether you think you urgently need to be seen by someone and it cannot wait. So things like worsening or uncontrollable pain/fever/confusion/losing consciousness. Can you ring NHS 24? Sometimes they can assess if a and e or ooh gp are needed.

I thought it could be arthritis and was surprised to find out it's not uncommon for someone in my age group to be diagnosed with it.

OP posts:
Autumn1990 · 17/10/2025 18:13

You could ask for an out of hours GP appointment tomorrow via 111

Original poster
Theslummymummy · 17/10/2025 18:13

BIWI · 17/10/2025 18:12

Did the pharmacist not recommend any kind of medication?

No not at all. I haven't requested the blood test as I only saw the pharmacist at 5pm and the local surgery closes at 5.15 on a Friday.

OP posts:
Original poster
Theslummymummy · 17/10/2025 18:14

Autumn1990 · 17/10/2025 18:13

You could ask for an out of hours GP appointment tomorrow via 111

Oh right, wasn't aware you could do this. Thank you.

OP posts:
FuzzyWolf · 17/10/2025 18:14

I would ring 111 and explain about the lump and that it is agony (they will probably ask you to rate the pain level).

It sounds like arthritis to me as well but do you have anything else like fatigue etc?

BIWI · 17/10/2025 18:15

If I were you I’d ring 111 again and ask about pain relief/something for the inflammation.

NoOneToCallWhenThePlaneLands · 17/10/2025 18:15

I would go.

fluid retention can be a symptom of something serious and the fact you’re now in agony means it can’t wait al weekend.

rumred · 17/10/2025 18:16

Check for a walk in clinic in your area. Quicker than a&e.
Also I've found 111 always advise a&e which isn't helpful usually.

acorncrush · 17/10/2025 18:20

A lump in a vein could be anything but th warm to the touch part also makes me think DVT risk. Phone 111 and ask what to do.

Devilsmommy · 17/10/2025 18:22

Have you got an urgent care centre at your hospital? Like a walk in clinic for stuff that doesn't need a&e but does need seeing?

mirrorsandlights · 17/10/2025 18:51

YControl · 17/10/2025 17:39

It sounds like it could be some kind of inflammatory arthritic flare up (not a doctor but do have inflammatory arthritis). In which case a blood test from the GP is a sensible starting point.

I guess the question regarding A&E is whether you think you urgently need to be seen by someone and it cannot wait. So things like worsening or uncontrollable pain/fever/confusion/losing consciousness. Can you ring NHS 24? Sometimes they can assess if a and e or ooh gp are needed.

I agree. I am also someone with inflammatory arthritis and not a doctor.

Uricon2 · 17/10/2025 19:01

I know you don't think there is an obvious cause but you need to be very aware of any other symptoms, including

  • Feeling very unwell or as if something is seriously wrong
  • Confusion, disorientation, or slurred speech
  • A very high or low temperature, or feeling hot or cold to the touch
  • Shivering
  • Severe breathlessness or breathing very fast
  • Not passing as much urine as usual, or not having passed any urine all day
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Cold, clammy, or pale and mottled skin, or a rash that does not fade when pressed

These are the early signs of sepsis. I had it in July, nearly died and while this probably doesn't apply to you, I'm quite evangelical about people knowing about it.

If any doubt, go to A&E, it's what it's for.

IAmThePrettiestManOnMyIsland · 17/10/2025 19:29

Any update @Theslummymummy
Those symptoms are not something I would wait on, I would be going straight to A&E if it were me.

PoppySaidYesIKnow · 17/10/2025 19:37

Personally I would go to A & E. It all sounds odd and you need to be seen.

Original poster
Theslummymummy · 17/10/2025 19:42

Uricon2 · 17/10/2025 19:01

I know you don't think there is an obvious cause but you need to be very aware of any other symptoms, including

  • Feeling very unwell or as if something is seriously wrong
  • Confusion, disorientation, or slurred speech
  • A very high or low temperature, or feeling hot or cold to the touch
  • Shivering
  • Severe breathlessness or breathing very fast
  • Not passing as much urine as usual, or not having passed any urine all day
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Cold, clammy, or pale and mottled skin, or a rash that does not fade when pressed

These are the early signs of sepsis. I had it in July, nearly died and while this probably doesn't apply to you, I'm quite evangelical about people knowing about it.

If any doubt, go to A&E, it's what it's for.

Edited

Thank you so much, I've screenshot that and will bear it in mind in the future. I'm paranoid about getting sepsis.

OP posts:
AutumnAllTheWay · 17/10/2025 19:46
  1. Let them decide, not a bunch of randoms on mumsnet

It blows my mind anyone advises against when they have no idea what's wrong with you

cuppacat · 17/10/2025 19:51

Sounds to me like Rheumatoid arthritis - inflammatory arthritis as a PP has said. It can come on quickly especially after some kind of trauma - where did the dog bite you and how long ago did that happen? Could be connected?
I'd call 111.