Is anyone about, waiting on an ambulance

[justwantmymum]

have just had a funny episode where hearing went, went all hot and cold, heart racing/fluttery, felt like I was going to die .

I’ve had a few times before and told they think it’s panic attacks but not sure .

am alone and scared I’m going to die alone

I don't think this requires an ambulance but I do know what panic attacks feel like. Theyre awful. But you're not dying.

For those advising the OP they don't need any ambulance, I assume the decision to send one was made by the ambulance services themselves. Better to be safe than sorry. Wishing you well, OP. Try to sit and stay calm while you wait. Glad you have someone with you.

Honestly OP if you can get a taxi or a lift to the hospital I would absolutely do that instead of waiting for an ambulance.

You could well be waiting 10+ hours.

Sounds like low blood pressure, if so your pulse may be weak. Make sure your front door is unlocked so paramedics can get to you.

Hope you feel better soon OP, and hang in there the best you can.

Call a taxi/get a lift to the hospital.

@Winterisalmostover so you would call s as n ambulance to save on Taxi fares?

Op has managed to get to a different part of the building so isn't exactly 'collapsing'

I hope you won’t have to wait too long OP, but also wonder whether a taxi would be better.

If this is a panic attack, I do understand your alarm. It is common for someone in the grip of a panic attack to believe they are dying/about to die. One of dear friends used to suffer. He had a panic attack while we were on holiday with him and he did look very unwell. He was having palpitations; was pale and sweaty and has a sense of doom, all of which could have easily been mistaken for symptoms of a heart attack, but we knew his history and his wife was present- she had sadly witnessed these attacks quite a few times. He was ok and didn’t need any medical treatment (other than the beta blockers he had already been prescribed, and had brought on holiday with him). 15 or so years on, he is in much better shape overall and no longer suffers panic attacks.

I hope you get answers soon, and feel better soon.

Firstly you will NOT die from palpitations. You will be very frightened and THINK you will die but you won't. It's a vicious circle and is more than likely panic.

Have the diazepam kicked in yet? Have you got chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath? Have you had ECG?

Get a paper bag and breath in and out of it. In for four - hold for four -out for four- hold for four. The rhythm will concentrate your mind.

If you haven't calmed down yet, try and get a lift to the hospital if it is close by. Surely someone there would be able to arrange this for you. Then cancel the ambulance of course. I feel you will be waiting for hours for help and that will make your panic worse.

Can someone accompany you to the hospital. You don't get seen sooner if you arrive by ambulance, could you take a taxi or bus, get a lift? But it really does sound like a panic attack and you have seen a doctor

If you are in halls, could university security give you a lift, many universities have medical schools so it's likely to be far unless you at a more rural location

If you get a taxi, that will take you to A & E and then you'll have hours to wait anyway. Get an ambulance and you'll be seen much quicker.

Fuck me, the lack of knowledge on this thread.

This isn't true.

Everyone is triaged according to clinical need, not by method of arrival at A&E

If you’re okay now OP, and this has happened before without obvious cause, can’t you make your own way to hospital without an ambulance?

So you think that the op should use an emergency response resource thus denying it to anyone else just to jump the queue for a medicated panic attack?

Really?

There are certain red flags like chest pain that will always mean an ambulance is sent. However if the pain has more or less stopped, and OP feels relatively normal, I don’t think it’s unreasonable that she now makes her own way to hospital and leaves the ambulances to patients who are still in a critical state.

No wonder we are in the mess we are in!

I completely agree. Dear God. Get a taxi, an Uber or a lift. Absolutely no need for an ambulance.

You are still triaged via the same system, people arriving by ambulance may appear to be waved straight through but that's because they tend to be very unwell/seriously injured. It isn't a queue jump! 🙄

Unbelievable. What a stupid, selfish and ignorant attitude.

That person in cardiac attest can just wait whilst the ambulance service provides a free taxi service.

Surprised you a) called 999 b) received an ambulance.

I hope you're okay, but surely a taxi/a friend could have helped out here?

Agree, if I was worried I was about to die, Mumsnet wouldn't be where I was...

What a ridiculous comment

Exactly, life or death emergency, I wouldn't dream of calling for anything else.

To the person who said use the ambulance to get seen quicker, Jesus Christ, is there any wonder people can't get an ambulance when they're dying. The way this gov has cut our services so much, it's essential that it's not wasted.

Op, you've got to a different location, do you actually think you're dying? Or could you be over reacting??

OP, that sounds a lot like a panic attack. However, I've had panic attacks so bad that I've sought emergency attention (really felt like something was medically wrong), so I completely sympathise. I'm sure the paramedics can help you and hopefully provide reassurance.

Ambulances are not a taxi or fasttrack to treatment. The abuse of this service is why those who really need it are having to wait. Disgusting selfish attitude by some.

I would try and get yourself there. Waiting is only going to fuel your anxiety.