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Original poster

Having typed my symptoms into NHS Direct website, apparently I need to call 999!

74 replies

Saltire · 21/02/2009 07:59

I called the doctors to see if I could get in today, but they are shut on Saturday, so it said to ring NHS Direct. I went on their website,and typed in my symptoms, and it said I need to call 999!

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 21/02/2009 08:00

So why haven't you? What are the symptoms?

Original poster
Saltire · 21/02/2009 08:03

I haven't because I don't think I need an ambulance!
I've had chest pain ona nd off for 2/3 dyas, and sionce 5am its been quite bad, and when I breathe in it really hurts, my arm is aching as well. I'm inclined to think it's stress, DH is going away tomorrow for 4 months and I don't want to stay here,I'm miserable here at the best of time, so god knows what I'll be like on my own.
So I think its stress related, but it is pretty sore

OP posts:
kidcreoleandthecoconuts · 21/02/2009 08:03

NHS Direct are only really guidelines. You have to use your common sense too.
You know whether you need to dial 999, and as you're typing away on Mumsnet I doubt you do!!

Tee2072 · 21/02/2009 08:07

Chest pains that go into your arm usual do indeed signal something bad. Maybe not call 999, but I would take myself to A&E, if it was me.

Nabster · 21/02/2009 08:15

Get yourself to A&E.

If you hubby is going away you need checking out before he goes.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 21/02/2009 08:18

Yes, please do get yourself checked!

chimchar · 21/02/2009 08:23

is the chest pain from the front or in your back iykwim? i had it in my back, and down my arm and it was my gall bladder giving me problems....

for a heart attack (not that i think you could mistake having one!) if you lie sort of half back and take the strain off your body, the pain will not go away.....

hope you're ok...the thought of your dh leaving for so long must be horrible.

here, have a gentle hug ((((()))))

littleducks · 21/02/2009 08:24

i think that they say that for all chest pain, they wanted to send an ambulance to sil when she had chest pains, the said she was having a heart attack when she declined, she went to hosp herself and had a chest infection

i think the have to be extra careful, do you remember this story (and there were others) where children died when they werent so over cautious

smurfette15 · 21/02/2009 08:28

get yourself checked out. There should be an out of hours GP service but if you get no joy, then go to A&E. Hope you feel better soon

Original poster
Saltire · 21/02/2009 08:36

I will call the out of hours doc that covers the area and see what they say. I think it's got worse anyway, I keep getting a feeling like someone has my arm in a vice, then it eases off, and the pain has been pretty constant now for about 5 hours!

OP posts:
smudgethepuppydog · 21/02/2009 09:05

I think you really do need to get seen now rather than later.

I hope you feel better soon.

BoffinMum · 21/02/2009 09:17

Chest pain that lasts over 30 minutes is supposed to be really serious, isn't it? Really, I do think this a is one for A and E. Don't be a heroine. Can you take an aspirin as well? This is supposed to be a good idea in case of suspected heart attacks, if you have no previous problems with stomach bleeding.

Geepers · 21/02/2009 09:22

Threads like this frustrate me.

Just so you know, my mum had similar symptoms for a week, then died of a massive heart attack at home. She was 47. Go to a&e.

deanychip · 21/02/2009 09:26

GOGOGO!
Go to A&E dont piss about, get yourself there and checked out.

If its nothing to worry about, then fine....let them tell you that after looking at you properly.

It could be something to worry about......

LISTEN TO WHAT GEEPERS IS SAYING.

Nabster · 21/02/2009 09:27

You can have a heart attack and not know about it.

deanychip · 21/02/2009 09:28

my neighbour..aged 38 is now dead because he didnt go...with your symptoms. two kids and a wife.
GO

ShowOfHands · 21/02/2009 09:31

What happened to Geepers' Mum happened to my Grandad. A post mortem revealed he'd actually had 8 heart attacks. He thought it was a cold.

I am not saying for a minute you're having a heart attack or on the cusp of croaking but you must see somebody.

Geepers · 21/02/2009 09:34

Heart attacks aren't always obvious chest crushing pain, especially in women.

My mum was at work the morning she died. She obviously felt unwell as she HAD actually been to the dr overnight and it was missed, but she wasn't in so much agony that she couldn't drive and do her job as a carer for the elderly.

She was actually diagnosed with a trapped muscle in her shoulder and just given painkillers so don't be fobbed off.

TotalChaos · 21/02/2009 09:34

go to A & E - these are symptoms worth taking seriously. If it is a heart problem would have thought better to call an ambulance than drive yourself. My grandad died of a heart attack - he thought he had indigestion

BoffinMum · 21/02/2009 09:35

I supervise medical exams sometimes and make sure they are educationally sound. One of the tests doctors have to do for their exam is about angina. One trick question is whether it is significant that an Asian shopkeeper has periodic chest pain for 30 minutes when resting. The answer is that this is serious and he needs to see a cardiologist.

Your chest pain is worse than this example. You have heard the wisdom of MN. Ring an ambulance or at the very least a taxi, take an aspirin and go to A and E. NOW!

BoffinMum · 21/02/2009 09:36

PS Please post later if you can so we don't have a repeat of us all worrying like mad, as in the recent Lady of Waffle saga.

SecretlyPreppy · 21/02/2009 09:38

My dh works for the ambulance service and he says you need to call 999 now.

RubberDuck · 21/02/2009 09:38

Please go. My dad died of a heart attack at a young age - he didn't think he was that ill and didn't want to bother anyone

SecretlyPreppy · 21/02/2009 09:43

My dh has just said that if you phone NHS direct instead of using the website they will call the ambulance for you and keep you on the line.

He also suggests that you don't drive yourself.

Nabster · 21/02/2009 09:52

bump

[worried]