A&E refusing to give more than paracetamol when I’m in horrific pain

[Wonderingmummy]

I found out I’ve got gallstones, I need it out but I’ve been put on a waiting list. I’ve also just had a baby which can apparently trigger the attacks.

I had an attack 4 days ago, called 999. The worst pain I’ve ever been in, rolling around the floor at hospital. They refused to give me any more than paracetamol and I was just left to it. 6 hours later, it passed and I was told to go home.

I’m still thinking about it, and it’s annoyed me that more wasn’t done. Do you think I’m unreasonable to expect more? When the inevitable happens and I have another one, I already know my A&E will refuse to help and I want to advocate for myself better.

Oh you poor thing, I had the same when my first baby was 3 weeks old and I have never felt anything like it. Scary, and so much worse than labour. DH called out an emergency doctor in the middle of the night and he injected me with something, I was too off my face in pain to remember anything about it, but it was definitely stronger than paracetamol.

Are you breastfeeding? They may be erring on the side of caution if so. If you are in a lot of pain, then you need someone who can advocate for you and fight with the nurses/doctors when you are in too much pain to do so.

You have to recognise you’re just one in a thousand people turning up and begging for morphine.

I don’t want a prescription just a dose of oramorph during severe attacks

I didn’t want to read and run but leaving the house v shortly. So have t read the full thread and others may have offered similar advice.

i had mine out a few years ago after awful attacks that lasted up to 9 hours a time.

the best advice I could have taken I learnt in the final few months was as follows:

Lie on your left and let gravity do some of the work to pass the stone.

Get a wrap around hot water bottle or wheat pack that goes around your ribs and abdomen

chew on kids magnesium tablets - I used to have about 5

Sip on lukewarm peppermint tea from a travel mug.

painkillers didn’t even touch the pain once ana attack was in full throttle.

Feel for you OP. The worst pain I’ve ever had despite a 27 hour labour. X

Someone explained that opiates are not the best drug for you.

Sorry I should of said, I went to A&E because nothing else was helping

That’s awful.
I’ve had gallbladder issues previously went to A&E was given codeine whilst waiting and also sent home with a box.Maybe call your GP and explain the situation I don’t think paracetamol helps atoll,when I have a flare up it doesn’t to touch the pain.

Codine and drydomol are not the best but morphine is the most accepted

And because there are druggies who abuse opiates and heavy duty pain killers, the OP, who is in agony, has to make do with paracetamol?? It's the job of the medical staff to relieve her pain!

You can easily spot the people on this thread who have never suffered with gallstones.

Well they did me, and tbh it didn't really touch the sides . . .

Reminds me of being in labour for the first time and being refused any other pain relief before having paracetamol and waiting an hour. Though I can see why they do, as knowing now how gradually worse it gets until the final act, I'm glad I waited.

Why they gave you nothing else as you're actively rolling around on the floor I really don't understand. State of the NHS for you, I suppose

. . . and this is a ridiculous comment.

My GP prescribed Oramorph, full bottle, when I was awaiting removal. Lifesaver.

I love MN.

I don’t want morphine prescriptions. that’s not going to happen, it’s too addictive.

I want morphine to ease severe gallbladder pain that is the only thing that has helped when I’ve had it the first time at another hospital. Second time I went to my local A&E in ambulance and wasn’t given any. I know morphine helps, but was refused it. I know every hospital is different it’s just a shame.

Yeah it’s ridiculous I got offered paracetamol when I was in labour and laughed at them! Doesn’t even get rid of my headaches 🤣

Yes I’m thinking this too! xx

Oh and hospital gave me IV morphine too after triage both times. Sounds like you were very badly handled.

I have been there and spoke to GP who gave me pain meds for when I had an attack.

Other things that helped me- peppermint tea, gaviscon, apple cider vinegar and buscopan. Also gulping a lot of water and hot water bottle.

I suffered for 2 years never went to hospital, the one time I was throwing up I went to hospital and stayed in a week and had it removed.

Good luck

Leaving a patient in pain when it can be easily treated is unacceptable. We can generally tell when someone is drug seeking, and even then I’d rather give a drug seeker morphine than risk leaving someone genuine in pain. One reason may be if there were no trolleys or beds, because it’s not really safe to give morphine to someone in the waiting room - the fact that this happens is a sad reflection of how pressured the NHS is currently. They could have given something else in addition to paracetamol though and I’d complain. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has the opium poppy as its emblem because pain relief is a key aspect of our role. (Senior AE doctor)

Thank you, I keep throwing up when I get my attacks really bad and I have nausea every day but have to go on the waiting list. I know others are in my situation too. It’s hard

Once I was at A and E I had pancreatitis hence the removal

And also the people who won't hear a word against the NHS which is falling apart at the seams. It's the actual JOB of the doctors/nurses to treat the patient based on their diagnosed symptoms rather than gatekeeping medication on the off-chance that the OP is a druggie. Their job!!

Gallstones are agonising. The pain is much different to childbirth, it's constant and acute and is so severe you can't breathe. It is far and away the most painful thing I've ever been through. Husband, who obviously has not given birth but has had both gallstones ansd kidneystones, agrees gallstones are better. You have to work out what's triggering you OP, for me it was dairy and things like pastries or croissants. Low fat, vegetarian food can help. But you need it out! My main concern was that it would flare again if I got pregnant again and surgery at that stage is more risky.

Many hospitals now are very cautious about opioids after what happened in the USA. Obviously the UK didn't have the same crisis but it did show how easily people can become dependent.

There are options besides paracetamol and morphine, though. They can give you a stronger NSAID for example.

why are you calling 999 and going to ED when you know what the issue is ? 999 is for life threatening emergencies.

paracetamol, codeine, buscopan, apple cider vinegar in hot water, heat pack and low fat diet to avoid attacks and just ride them out till they pass

Because I felt like I was dying then found out I had gallstones on a scan, have been put down for waiting list and discharged. Only just found out.

i didn’t say I’ve had it for years