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Original poster

Pulmonary embolism is an emergency, right?

58 replies

Tarberta · 10/12/2020 18:55

My Mum has a had a swollen leg and chest pain for the last couple of days. She’s high risk for blood clots. A very recent blood test showed she possibly has a blood clot and the chest pain indicates a P.E.
They told her the respiratory ward would ring when there’s a bed so she can go in for a CT scan. She’s been waiting since 2pm (now 7pm) and heard nothing. I’m so worried about her. Is this a normal waiting time for something like this?

OP posts:
YesMeLady · 10/12/2020 19:51

Who told her they would call her. She doesnt need to be on a respiratory ward to have a ct scan or treatment for a suspected pe. That can all be arranged in a&e. She should call an ambulance and get seen asap.

Original poster
Tarberta · 10/12/2020 19:52

@Thenose I meant they don’t take you seriously, not that you should have pushed with your Mum. Sorry that didn’t read right.

OP posts:
Elsiebear90 · 10/12/2020 19:52

I’m really surprised she’s not in hospital, every hospital I work in wouldn’t have done D-dimer test unless she was in A&E or on a ward, they might not have a bed, but she can be monitored in A&E until they find her one. Are you sure she’s giving you the full story?

Original poster
Tarberta · 10/12/2020 19:53

I’ve told her she could ring an ambulance. She doesn’t want to cause a fuss because of bloody Covid.

OP posts:
Hall84 · 10/12/2020 19:55

A&E straight away. Hope your mum is ok. The clinicians might be assuming she's still taking the blood thinners if they are on a repeat prescription.

AlwaysLatte · 10/12/2020 19:55

I definitely would just drive her to A and E. not worth the risk Thanks

CabinClose · 10/12/2020 19:58

Is there any other family close by who could go to her? It sounds like she is possibly a bit confused, which people can be when they’re seriously ill. If not, I would call the respiratory ward.

Original poster
Tarberta · 10/12/2020 19:59

I’ve no idea if I’m getting the full story. She had a blood test Tuesday at her GP because of other health concerns (she’s not been right- very sleepy). GP rang her today to say they want her to go into hosp because of the results of her blood test (whatever they were), her leg now swollen, her chest pain indicate possible clot. So they can’t be too concerned then @Elsiebear90 if she hasn’t been sent in to ED?
It’s like getting blood from a stone to getthe full story. It just seems so slow for something as potentially serious as this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Tarberta · 10/12/2020 20:00

I’m nowhere nearby. She is a bit. mixed up which isn’t like her.

OP posts:
CornishTiger · 10/12/2020 20:01

Why aren’t you calling an ambulance. She is confused now too?

Dyrne · 10/12/2020 20:03

If there’s any doubt just call 999 and explain the situation - she’s awaiting evaluation for a potential issue but her condition seems to have deteriorated and she’s acting confused. They can send an ambulance out to her.

Original poster
Tarberta · 10/12/2020 20:04

I thought she had had a medication review with her GP recently, so blood thinners should have been flagged up. One of the tablets was making her sick so she’d stopped it I know.
She hasn’t been moving much last few days being so tired, so she is a prime candidate.

OP posts:
YesMeLady · 10/12/2020 20:05

Agree if she also sounds mixed up she needs an ambulance. Just call one for her.

TenShortStories · 10/12/2020 20:05

I would just call the ambulance yourself. It doesn't matter if you don't have the full story - the story you have been given requires an ambulance and she is confused and not calling one herself. Flowers you must be so worried.

Original poster
Tarberta · 10/12/2020 20:06

She isn’t delirious. Still able to talk normally. Just sounds tired and forgetting names of stuff. I think I will ring her and then see about ambulanecS thank you everyone

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 10/12/2020 20:06

She is a bit. mixed up which isn’t like her.

She could have had a stroke, op. You need to do whatever it takes to get her to hospital.

BertNErnie · 10/12/2020 20:07

Definitely call an ambulance

AlternativePerspective · 10/12/2020 20:09

OP who has said she has suspected P.e? You or her or the 111 operators?

If she has chest pain and is breathless she needs to go to hospital now you can ring an ambulance and say that you’re worried about her and they will go.

And absolutely do not give her aspirin, if she’s already on blood thinners and it isn’t a clot, then aspirin can thin the blood even further and cause haemorrhaging.

She needs to be scanned and needs to be evaluated, it’s possible the breathlessness could be as a result of fast AF, it’s also possible that swollen legs could be due to fluid retention caused by heart failure (don’t be too alarmed at the term, it’s a cover all,) but there’s no way to know unless she is seen, given an ECG and a scan and any medications adjusted accordingly.

TheVanguardSix · 10/12/2020 20:10

Yes, ring the ambulance. My mum had a pulmonary embolism years ago. Don't mess about. Your mum's not in a good place and it sounds like decision making can't be left entirely in her hands at this point. Good luck! Act fast! Flowers

Cocolapew · 10/12/2020 20:10

You really need to get an ambulance to her, best of luck Flowers

Marmunia1975 · 10/12/2020 20:10

Please act now. The forgetfulness sounds like transient global amnesia.

SwanShaped · 10/12/2020 20:12

I’d just phone one for her.

OverTheRainbow88 · 10/12/2020 20:14

I would call an ambulance on her behalf and she’ll get taken to A&E by them

Abcdecat · 10/12/2020 20:18

ICU nurse here, she needs medical evaluation ASAP. 999 or ED.

Thenose · 10/12/2020 20:27

Thanks Tarberta. Although my mum wasn't elderly, she was 56!

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