NHS 111 - 12hrs wtaf!!!

[frenziednurse]

I’ve had paramedics out, I thought I was dying - rapid breathing and sweaty. I have a tooth abscess and have antibiotics but I’m in agony. Taken max amount of paracetamol and ibuprofen and a propanol for my anxiety. Paramedics safety netted me and offered to take me to hospital but as it’s a tooth infection rightly said I’d be waiting a long time in a+e. So advised I ring 111 for pain relief - call back time 12, yes TWELVE hours! What has this world come to! I have a little dd to be here for - and I feel like I’m dying a slow death!

Rant over!

How fast are you breathing? What was your blood prrssure and oxygen ?

A tooth infection can lead to Sepsis

BP was 140/107 - which obviously wasn’t considered a problem as it’s within normal range, but my usual bp is more like 99/70, temperature fine 37.8, HR 110 though, I’m in agony and know I’m behaving a bit weird. Years ago a neighbour of my mum died from a heart attack secondary to a bad tooth which is why I rang 999…… I’m an NHS nurse and know the pressures and don’t want to waste anyone’s time but I feel so unwelll - I’m beside myself

Sats were also fine, 99% resps 28 but I am anxious

You won’t be wasting anyone’s time, get seen as soon as you can. Good luck.

Thank you - currently laid awake waiting for a call back - it’s gunna be a long night!

Temperature is only just ok at 37.8 and HR of 110 is high....
Please dont underestimate how quick Sepsis can take hold.

What time did you call? Usually the dental helpline will call you well within the timeframe

Really hope your callback happens soon!

I'm wondering - would it be preferable bundling your daughter up, jumping a taxi and get to nearest ED?

Do you feel any worse from when you were seen by paramedics?

I'm thinking At least you'd be triaged in person pretty quickly I think?

I have used 111 a few times and it's always been a few hours wait for the call back, particularly at night. The standard is 4h in my experience, but I imagine that's for high risk cases.

I was told once by the triage person that the day team started at 8am and for non-emergency night calls that's when the "clock" started.

If what you need is a prescription, you'll still get it next day which is pretty good IMO.

Sorry for the pain though, I've had a week wait for a tooth removal, and it was horrendous. I hope it gets sorted quickly.

Does the hospital you work at have an A&E? If you presented there would your colleagues not give you a quick check over?

37.8 isn't ok. 37.2 is the borderline. 37.8 is high

Not everything is sepsis. OP has a mild fever and is having a panic attack.

This. Never encountered sepsis before but every second person on mumsnet seems to have it.
First port of call is surely an emergency appointment at your dentist, they can prescibe.

I think the point about sepsis is that it can be very easily be missed until it's got to a very serious point, so it should always be considered and ruled out if someone is very unwell with relevant symptoms and is deteriorating. Most won't have it, but unless it's checked then people who do have it are missed until it's too late. And we certainly can't tell from posts on here. OP, I hope you can get checked out and feel much better soon.

A tooth infection which has turned systemic needs to be seen quickly as you may need IV antibiotics. I hope someone is helping you now.

17 hours callback last time I used 111 - by the time my husband received the call, I was in hospital being treated for sepsis. We'd long since given up on them and when my husband called to say symptoms were getting worse, he couldn't even get through. An utter shambles.

I'd never use 111 again. For anything remotely serious out of hours it's straight to A&E. Hope you get sorted soon OP!

What is 111 going to do that paramedics couldn't? If you are so worried, you should have accepted them taking you to A&E.

You’d assume so. But no, everyone with a mild fever must have sepsis!! No wonder the NHS is on its knees.

'Not everything is Sepsis'

'Never encoutered Sepsis'

These comments DO NOT HELP and Sepsis is a killer. Doesnt matter if you have come across it or not... Its fast and Everyone should be aware of what the symtoms are.

Op already has a slight temperture AND a high heart rate. BOTH being signs that Sepsis COULD be starting...

My cousins Mum died of Sepsis from a tooth infection

Trust me the NHS is not on its knees because of people going to A&E with an infection and feeling so ill that they may have sepsis

5 People an HOUR DIE of Sepsis

Why has your dentist not prescribed antibiotics if you have an abscess?

Just have the tooth out already.

It’s on its knees because of people like OP with a dental abscess going to a&e rather than the dentist. Sepsis is dangerous. But not every raised temperature is sepsis.

Could ≠ is.

Can you get to a Pharmacist and get some codeine/paracetamol?

You're a nurse yet you're calling 111 for advice?
So you'll be speaking to someone who doesn't have the knowledge you have??