Keep being told to go to A&E after fainting- think it’s pointless….

[rougheredges]

Today I passed out on the tube and hit my head on the way down. Got a big lump on my forehead just above and alongside my eyebrow and a bit of a graze.

I passed out as I’ve been working 12-15 hour days plus weekend for the last 10 days (very unusual circumstances, unavoidable), I’ve got a slight temp due to an ear infection and I’m on weight loss jabs and forgot to eat breakfast before sprinting for the tube. A lot of daft choices.

The reason I keep being told to go to A&E is because I’m on Apixaban (blood thinner I take daily due to a history of DVT.) The one thing you’re not supposed to do on blood thinners is hit your head due to to the risk of brain bleeds.

Im on 2.5mg twice a day (low dose) but did forget my morning dose at the same time I forgot to eat breakfast. I think if I turn up at A&E with no symptoms other than a big lump I’ll be sitting in a chair for 12 hours and never be seen. 111 say to go in but they always say that and I don’t know why I call.

DS who is 15 and a worrier is hovering and telling me to go and has enlisted DD to call from uni to tell me to go. DH says to wait but he’s the one who broke his foot in 3 places and didn’t go in until he had to have his shoe cut off so he’s not to be listened to.

I don’t think they’ll see me if I turn up. What does everyone else think?

Did you get the drug from an actual Dr or buy it online? With your medical history you should go in. A possible bleed on the brain can be life threatening. Admit about taking the weight loss drugs maybe there is a contra indication taking your blood thinner.

Oh come on, you know you need checking over. Better than dying in your sleep - which sounds dramatic but you never know.

Use the waiting time as an opportunity to reflect on how to get your life better organised

If you’re on blood thinners and hit your head, of course you have to

There was an article on the news about someone dying from exactly this today. His first symptom was a headache a couple of days later by which point it was too late. It's probably fine but also not worth the risk of not attending.

Another who agrees you have to go.

Always go to hospital when you bang your head.

It's NICE guidelines for a reason.

Go to A and E to be checked over, it’s annoying but has to be done.

You've got 2 choices OP.

Go to A & E.

Go to bed with a potential brain bleed and not wake up tomorrow.

I had a head injury from a very silly fall in the garden. Recovery was nearly 2 years and I still get symptoms if I'm overtired.

Just go to a&e

Grieving widow's warning over blood thinners https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cev7jm8xd3do

I would go to A&E, my Dad is on Apixaban and slid off the chair he was sitting on the other day, hitting his head on the floor (so not a fall from standing) and had a bleed on the brain. They have stopped his Apixaban for two weeks because of the risk of further bleeding.

Ok. So I’m here.
I was roundly told I was being a dick and I can listen to feedback! Tragically I’m working on my laptop because passing out wasn’t enough to tell me I’m working too much….

Estimated wait is a loooong time.

Glad you stopped being a wally. Hope you're not waiting too long and that you're told you're fine!

Please try and take more care of yourself OP. Hope A&E looks after you x

It’s good you went. Hopefully you’re fine but it’s def best to check especially on blood thinners. I hope the wait isn’t too horrific

Get off your laptop. Work are not going to give a damn that you are 'going the extra mile' in A&E. Bonkers

How are you @rougheredges?

I’m fine thank you! Had a CT scan and they worried me for a minute when they went and got a second opinion but no bleeding. I’m off the Apixaban for the next few days just to be certain so I have to drink loads of water and stand every hour.

Everyone was fabulous at the hospital. They may have solved my “I feel dizzy when standing up” problem, which may also explain the faint, as they suggested I get tested for something called POTS. I had a ECG and they did some measurements with me getting on and off a tilted table. They didn’t have time to do it properly (I think I just got a super keen new resident who liked solving things) but I will look into it as the dizziness has been getting worse recently.

I finished my work and uploaded everything at 11.50 last night. I can relax now! I don’t usually work stupid hours but this has been a very unusual few weeks and I’ve been doing something that I feel really strongly about from a values perspective.

On antibiotics for the ear infection.

Bruise coming up nicely !

You need to start looking after yourself. Eat, get daylight and exercise.
How old are you?

You need to look after yourself, not only for you, but for your children.

You are completely replaceable at work but completely unreplaceable at home.

This. Employees can be replaced, but at home (and to your family) it is another matter entirely.

Glad you're ok OP. Just want to add that Mounjaro etc can make PoTS worse