Back to A&E or accept it will just hurt?

[Larafromthe80s]

I had a nasty fall last night and have broken my arm badly.
It's being operated on in the next couple of days.
Tonight I feel extremely dizzy and sick and my fingers and shoulder hurt, the pain of the break is unbearable and the plaster feels so tight.
Dh keeps saying its bound to be like this based on what I've done.
Is this normal? Or should I be seen again

I would call 111 for advice.

I'm not a doctor, but imagine the swelling is probably coming out today, making the plaster tighter. Have you been given any decent pain relief?

Sorry - I've just seen you said the pain is unbearable. Definitely call 111 but expect for them to send you back to at least get the pain under control.

I'd be phoning someone for advice, what pain relief did you get given?

I had IV pain relief till 7am in hospital and have been given cocodamol but it's not even touching it 😔

Definitely seek medical advice. It may be that you need something stronger for the pain until your operation

Hi OP I would also seek more advice, there is a rare condition called compartments syndrome after a fracture or injury where the limb swells too much and puts pressure on underlying vessels and nerves causing serious injury.
It's rare and I'm sure it won't be that but always worth ruling it out and getting some better pain relief. Have you took enough co-codamol at appropriate intervals? Did they say you could add ibuprofen?

Are the tips of your fingers warm ?

Have you tried elevating the arm to reduce swelling ?

Is your DH a doctor? Probably not. Ring the hospital for advice. If your fingers swell ,up and or you experience tingling the cast could be too tight.

If it were me I'd go back to A and E and ask them to check the plaster. Can cause problems with circulation if too tight. Usually the immobilisation by the plaster helps pain - if things are getting worse that doesn't sound right.

( Used to work in A and E and would advise people to return for a check in the kind of circumstances you describe).

I'm not a medical professional but if it was me I would go back to a & e (now)

I'd give 111 a ring or if you have a contact in the hospital already try them. Sounds like you need something stronger prescribing at least.

Id dfinitely phone 111 for advice. They'll probably send you to A&E.

Yes sounds like you need to take some sort of action,111 as a minimum.

Hope you're much better very soon

Are your fingers normal colour and do the feel a normal temperature? Could be that the swelling is causing your cast to be too tight.

Worth contacting 111 for some advice and getting it checked over.

If the pain is that bad i.e. out of what would be reasonably expected for a break of your type, then you need to go back to A&E - they need to check to make sure you haven't got compartment syndrome.

I'd go back to A&E. Sounds like you could need more than advice and a prescription, which is all 111 can do.

I think you need to go back - if they are waiting to op it should be in a part open cast not all sealed up - mostly due to swelling tc. Pain wise it sounds like deep bone pain which needs more than cocodomal to be honest - go back

If codeine isn’t touching it, then 111.
I’ve recently broken my foot and solpadeine makes it manageable. A&E were very clear to me that if pain becomes worse or unmanageable call 111 immediately.

How are you now @Larafromthe80s ?

If you’re in severe pain and it’s swelling you need more medical advice.

I had to have my cast removed after a break- go back now!

Hope you’re in hospital being sorted out

How are you now, OP? Medical professionals always say to come back if you get tingling or numbness. X fingers it's getting sorted for you.

(Sounds gnarly, post xray pics here, may as well brag about the ordeal you've endured)

I'd go back, I did when I had the same thing, the cast had become so tight with swelling that my bloody supply was being compromised and my fingers went cold and purple/blue.
I hope you're getting looked at and getting some good pain relief.