Sepsis for a second time

[fukkingthreadworms]

So have a history of sepsis
Earlier in the year it was life threatening and I was extremely unwell.
On Saturday morning I woke up with a temp of nearly 39.7, uncontrollable shivering and a sense I felt as I was going to die which was what it was like earlier in the year, went to A and E had blood cultures which showed infection but they felt they had caught it and started amoxicillin 500mg as my chest was crackly. First dose sat night, advised to return if didn't improve. It did a bit yesterday improve
Today I feel worse then ever- I've just spiked a temp of 39. Yes I know I should have returned but I couldn't face A and E. I'm in denial at the moment. Didn't work today and there is no pressure to work but my workload will increase with every day.
I'm going to have to go in ain't I? I'm terrified of sepsis but I'm trying to work out if I would have gone in otherwise.

Yes, you are. I really hope you are soon home again.

Could you contact the out of hours GP? You need to be seen by someone and I understand you not wanting to go to A&E.

You could also speak to 111 as you’d be able to explain your medical history to someone clinical and they could better assess your risk and advise you further.

Best of luck OP. Hope you feel better soon and get the treatment you need xx

Thanks all I tried 111 and they said A and E. if I wait until morning I have a great GP I will be seen by 10am and they can refer me straight to the acute assessment ward bypassing A and E.

I know im being stupid and I need to go im just scared that's all. Our hospital is 30 miles away so it's quite a drive and for husband to drive me we would need to get kids out of bed. Not sure I can drive myself

With your history you may not wait long.

My son has just spent this evening in A&E with suspected sepsis (nice to know it was high on their list). He was seen very quickly and put on IV antibiotics and been sent home now. He was out for about 3/4 hours but most of that in the emergency dept having treatment and waiting for blood results.

I am not shivering tonight despite high temp.
Cynical me thinks maybe the antibiotics I am on are keeping this at bay but I need stronger IV antibiotics to fully treat

Argh all I want is to be back to normal
Took me months to get over it and I still wasn't quite there

Don't wait until the morning. Please go now.. you have children, they need their mummy ❤️

@muchalover on Saturday I waited three hours to be seen despite me stating my history and I felt it could be sepsis
That's brilliant your son had a quick experience and I hope he's ok now

It’s ultimately up to you to decide but I would recommend you to go.

You can discuss your fears with the triage nurse and they can do their best to help, it’s what they’re there for x

Also OP could you get a taxi?

Took paracetamol an hour ago just took temp it's 37.8 which is not bad

I'm gonna have to go now. Hate living so rurally. I'm going to have to drive myself no option there is no taxi this time of night I have no one else to ask

I’m glad you’re going OP! Best of luck and I hope you get seen promptly. Please explain your anxieties to whoever triages you, they’re there to help and will do if they can x

OP,
I am a nurse and I have also had sepsis so I know how scary this is. I know that it probably feels too much and you just want to pretend it isn’t happening and it will go away, I get that. I get that the idea of having to get the kids out of bed and drive 30 miles feels too much. But, and I am going to be brutal here, sepsis kills. The choice you need to consider is your kids possibly not having a mum. If you have had sepsis previously you are more at risk of having it again. You need to go to the hospital NOW, not later, not in the morning, not after seeing your GP, NOW. Go prepared to be admitted as you will likely need to stay for IV antibiotics.

I really hope everything works out OK. X

I completely understand where you're coming from. I also have a history of serious illness, hospital admissions etc. I understand the worry that history may be repeating itself and the reluctance to go to A&E with all that entails.

That said, you need to go. As I'm sure you know, if there's a chance it could be sepsis again, it's serious. Explain your worries, that you don't feel right etc. I would expect they'll take you seriously and you'd hope you won't be waiting long. Best of luck.

I hate A and E you walk up to a desk in the entrance next to parking machines it is like checking in. You have to loudly explain the issue while they look decidedly pissed off. You are then directed to a reception two steps away where again you have to run through it all again before inevitably being told to walk to ambulatory majors in a windowless waiting room with all your papers etc hoping a nurse comes by so you can give it to them and make them know you are there. You then wait about 55 mins to get triaged before going round the corner to wait an hour for bloods back to the arse numbing chairs for a min 2 hour wait. This is a big 1200 bed hospital ED. I know they are busy but I never feel listened too and I don't want to be rude

Good wishes to you @fukkingthreadworms I hope you manage to get seen quickly. xo

I am worried about being called a frequent flyer too. I'm not shaking tonight like I was and I don't have that sense of dying I almost feel a fraud and I don't want to waste resources

Please go OP! Sepsis can accelerate very quickly. Soonest started, soonest done. Best wishes.

Norwich? I live rurally too and you’ve just described it to a T. I can relate to having to drive yourself - we live 24 miles away and I’ve got complex health needs so I have to go fairly regularly.

Sorry you’re feeling so unwell. You’re definitely in the right place though.