A&E or would I be seen as wasting their time?

[illustrated]

I've been pretty unwell recently; Lots of lumps on my neck, joint pain, tiredness, night sweats, excessive bruising and headaches.

Things came to a head last night after I couldn't sleep due to the pain. I've had blood tests today and have to wait till Monday for results. I asked for pain relief and due to me breastfeeding I got an ant-inflammatory - Naproxen.

I've taken it but the pain is just getting worse by the hour. Paracetamol wont touch it either.

Is this something I should go to A&E for, would anyone know if I can actually get anything stronger whilst breastfeeding? I'm so tired and don't need another night of no sleep.

Its not that you are wasting their time as such, but they can't really help you. You've been seen by a doctor, tested and are waiting for results, there isn't anything that a&e can do for you on a friday night, and you'll probably sit there for many hours.

A&E.

A&E now.

It's sounds like you're really suffering and like you could do with those blood tests results sooner.

It's also really important if you're breastfeeding.

Go now before the Friday night rush, and let me know how you get on :)

You need the Out of Hours GP service, not A&E.

But all they'll probably be able to do is offer you pain relief, which will be limited by breastfeeding.

Do you not have a local Out of Hours GP service who could give you stinger painkillers?

Rather than A&E, do you have an out of hours Dr, who might be able to prescribe something stronger?
That way, you may well get an appointment time, rather than having to hang about at A&E.
Personally, I don't think it is an A or and E, but it sounds like you need to see someone before Monday.
Hope your feeling better soon.

everyone else types quicker!

she won't get the blood tests results sooner from a&e though, she'll sit there for 8 hours and then be told to go back to her GP.

OOH

Good Luck

This is not an accident or an emergency which probably answers the question.

Ring OOH dr for advice

I'm with griggson. Go to A&E and let us know how you get on. Good luck.

I imagine that A&E would be rather concerned by a breastfeeding mother presenting with the symptoms described and might be quite keen to fast-track bloods.

If it's severe and worsening headache then A&E (don't try to drive yourself).

If not headache then ring 111 or OOH - your symptoms need further assessment before Monday imo.

I would be very very surprised if they did.

I could be wrong though.

I'm only speaking from personal experience, OnTheBottom :)

A&E would almost certainly do their own full set of bloods which can be analysed within an hour.

If I was on call tonight I'd want to see you with those symptoms, think you should attend A&E if you pain isn't relieved after naproxen.
Funny question but do you know which hospital your GP surgery sends their blood tests to? It would normally be the closest one. Worth going to that hospitals A&E if that have one and they'd be able to view the blood test results. The majority of the tests I would presume you have had taken would be back by now.
HTH

I agree neither an accident nor an emergency but .... I was told this week when phoning the ward I was discharged from last week to ask for advice on pain management to go to A & E if pain got worse .

My situation was neither accident nor emergency and it
was a staff nurse who gave the advice .

Agree with those saying OOH GP rather than A&E for worsening joint pains. A&E if its severe / worsening headache that's stopping you sleep.

Breast feeding doesn't stop you being able to take painkillers but the stronger opioids are excreted to some extent in milk so the baby can become drowsy/sedated.

Codeine is unsafe so don't try any over the counter painkillers with codeine in!

How old is the baby?

OP with pain as bad as you describe I think you should go to A &E .

Not appropriate for A&E on the info given, ring your surgery get the out of hours number and see an experienced GP for assessment NOT an inexperienced junior in A&E.

It's not an accident but, since her symptoms are getting worse, it may well become an emergency.

I do hope OP is getting some advice right now.

Sorry but codeine is fine if your breast feeding.
Often what your discharged with post c/s

Any update op? Really hope you decided to go to A&E

Thanks for all the advice. Seeing as I've gone back to stay at my parents in a different area I couldn't ring up the doctor and there was no late chemists open. I had a good look about online and found out I could take some other painkillers with the Naproxen - its helped slightly. I just didn't have the energy to sit in A&E for hours, feel very weak.

Now to sit and wait for the results...I'm very aware that they are testing for signs of Leukaemia and its scaring me big time.

Ah, illustrated, what a worrying time for you.

You can be seen by local GPs as a temporary resident, so could ring 111/OOH today or any time over the weekend.

Thinking of you x