Quick question re 111 - can I turn up at A&E?

[Builderscrack]

Hi,

I’ve been having relatively bad chest pains (a sharpish pain that lasts a couple of seconds, repeats fairly frequently) since yesterday evening. On left of chest, plus some mildish pain in left shoulder & arm but don’t know if that’s just that I’ve got a slightly dodgy shoulder anyway.

Obviously realise these are potential signs of heart attack/problems.

Felt a bit feverish yesterday eve but also had cystitis type discomfort, put it down to that.

111 online has said to call an ambulance- but can I just take myself to A&E? Should I, even?

Im a single mum to 10 year old, 45 years old.

Dad has always had heart problems & I’ve always suffered palpitations & low blood pressure. Have had heart murmur on record since I was a child/baby but in more recent years a GP has said they couldn’t detect one.

Thanks for reading - my basic question is can I (and should I) take myself to A&E? Feel fine to drive, 10 min drive max to hospital (have hospital phobia though.. 😬)

Don’t want to call ambulance..

Thanks for reading, any replies appreciated

You can take yourself to A&E. I know 111 is being used to ease the pressure but you can still go yourself. Just make sure you can get there safely x

Yes of course you should go. Women do tend to present differently with heart problems. If u can drive and feel safe go by car. Explain at the desk that you have been triaged by 111 but didn't want to use an ambulance.

Thank you @eeyore228 x

Will do, thanks @Soberfutures

Hope you are ok and get seen quick.

Hope alls ok x

Thanks all- I discharged myself after more than 5 hours, so will have to phone GP for results 😬 had an ECG & blood test- after a good couple of hours they took me back in for another blood test as something had gone wrong with the first.

Anyway- this is a whole other thread maybe but wondering what others make of this.

I have a truly deep seated phobia of hospitals- have done since early childhood, don’t know why. But I have the odd nightmare etc, and can’t watch them on TV or anything. Honestly used to even avoid driving past them if I could (issues, clearly!). Everything about them just freaks me out.

Hence why I think this is possibly just my weird over sensitivity on the matter - but I was taken to a little room in A&E for the EGC, and the nurse (who was otherwise lovely & friendly) told me that this was the room where they put people who have died in A&E.

I had to stop myself from begging her to not leave me alone in there (she didn’t thankfully). I realise this could just be me- but does anyone else feel that was highly inappropriate and possibly insensitive, and would anyone else be as freaked out as me?
I couldn’t sleep that night. I know I’m a grown woman but can’t help how I feel.

Given that I was there with chest pains, my anxiety was through the roof for the rest of my (traumatic!) long wait on a bed next to the resuscitation room (worst nightmare for me!!!) I left in the end, couldn’t get out fast enough!

@Builderscrack It's extremely bizarre that she'd mention anyone dying. I'm sorry you found it so terribly upsetting; phobias are just horrible

Don't assume your gp will get sent your results, the system is not necessarily that joined up. Odd for nurse to tell you that especially she knew you were anxious.

Thanks both- glad I’m not the only one to find it odd (understatement)!
@LIZS I told the receptionist I was leaving and asked if GP would have the results- she said they’d be sent there, although I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re not.
Do you think if that’s the case, I’d be able to call the hospital and find out?

Assume so.

I had to discharge myself once as I would have been stranded there. GP never got results and hospital refused to tell me due to confidentiality so I had to go back and wait all over again and get all tests done again etc

Oh no @Trinxsy… what an ordeal :(
If this happens to me I’ll not go back in for tests. What a waste of a day!

But if you are to resolve the problem you will still need tests. Even if you do get the results of these, you may need further investigation via an outpatients clinic. If you were taken acutely ill it may be out of your hands anyway.

True, @LIZS. If I do need further tests I’ll just have to brace myself..