Avoiding A&E

[Red]

Post op, I think I somehow did myself a mischief during the week and have been physically struggling for days.

On Tuesday, my GP advised me to go to A&E for fear of internal bleeding… I wasn't sure I should go so didn't. I've felt a helluva lot worse and been turned away - who's to say I wouldn't face the same treatment this time?

Yesterday I woke in severe pain. It hurt to pee, hurt more to do anything (gas, defecation) with the back end. Sharp pains in abdomen. Dosed up and assured my husband that I was okay, that I just needed rest; slept most of the day.

Woke this morning in worse pain, the worst yet. Husband wanted to take me to the hospital but I didn't want to - it's Xmas! Best case scenario I'll be there for a good reason but will be there all day waiting and then getting treatment, ruining not only my Xmas but the Xmas of my family too. Worst case, I'll be there all day waiting only to be dismissed and treated horribly like other times I've been in.

So dosed self up with huge amounts of painkillers and, because Xmas, alcohol too. My inebriated mind has started to wonder if I'm deliberately avoiding the hospital in the hopes that something happens to take the choice of living out of my hands; an overdose, or whatever this is wiping me out.

Feeling quite pragmatic about the whole thing. Made a deal with my husband that if I wake up in the same amount of pain tomorrow that we'll go to the hospital but secretly wonder if I'll just shrug it off again instead.

Guess we'll have to see. Mornings are currently absolute agony so may finally cave in to go. Just wanted to vent it somewhere other than my own head.

 

[Crazy4u]

I'm sorry to hear about your pain. It mush be difficult especially on Xmas day! Please reconsider going to the hospital. You don't deserve to stay in pain

 

[Sherri]

Please think about going to the hospital , they can help you There. At least think about it.

 

[Chinaski]

Post op, I think I somehow did myself a mischief during the week and have been physically struggling for days.

On Tuesday, my GP advised me to go to A&E for fear of internal bleeding… I wasn't sure I should go so didn't. I've felt a helluva lot worse and been turned away - who's to say I wouldn't face the same treatment this time?

Yesterday I woke in severe pain. It hurt to pee, hurt more to do anything (gas, defecation) with the back end. Sharp pains in abdomen. Dosed up and assured my husband that I was okay, that I just needed rest; slept most of the day.

Woke this morning in worse pain, the worst yet. Husband wanted to take me to the hospital but I didn't want to - it's Xmas! Best case scenario I'll be there for a good reason but will be there all day waiting and then getting treatment, ruining not only my Xmas but the Xmas of my family too. Worst case, I'll be there all day waiting only to be dismissed and treated horribly like other times I've been in.

So dosed self up with huge amounts of painkillers and, because Xmas, alcohol too. My inebriated mind has started to wonder if I'm deliberately avoiding the hospital in the hopes that something happens to take the choice of living out of my hands; an overdose, or whatever this is wiping me out.

Feeling quite pragmatic about the whole thing. Made a deal with my husband that if I wake up in the same amount of pain tomorrow that we'll go to the hospital but secretly wonder if I'll just shrug it off again instead.

Guess we'll have to see. Mornings are currently absolute agony so may finally cave in to go. Just wanted to vent it somewhere other than my own head.

Totally understand that conflict between needing actual healthcare and the only thing available being the NHS A&E, a department which receives so much public applause despite routinely treating their patients like absolute shit. I have also put off going for this reason.

I would say from what you're describing you have an absolute right to access healthcare, which in principle should be available at the point of need. This is a fundamental tenet of the NHS, it may now be a brand which various corporate stakeholders slap on their Virgin Ambulance Vehicles but your right to access it is absolute - you also do not need to present yourself as likeable to the indifferent, dismissive doctors you meet there. I would say you should definitely go, state your symptoms clearly and assert that you are not leaving without appropriate healthcare (key word being 'appropriate'), they can't fucking arrest you for accessing a public service and refusing a denial when your health is at stake. Be clear to any doctors who assess you that you are taking names, that you are accepting no fob offs or denials, be up front in challenging them when they minimise, diminish, psychopathologise. These cunts get too much respect for such routinely poor delivery and they should not make you feel like a burden in the way that they do. I appreciate that nobody wants to be in an antagonistic position with healthcare providers but this is a situation l know only too well - don't be shy about demanding your right to good quality healthcare at the point of need.

If you decide you will attend I'll be around if you feel scared or need some support, but you should not suffer in this way just because our healthcare professionals go out of their way to make you feel uncomfortable for accessing your right to healthcare. This makes me so angry, honestly.

 

[http-410]

I agree with @freemindnsoul and @Sherri, you shouldn't have to go through all that pain or risk something worse when it could be avoided. It's not worth even Christmas, even if I can understand you on one side, but as I said, it is not worth it if you risk your health, especially when you have put your hopes in this surgery. Don't you think your family would be understanding of your situation?

Even if you decide to go to the hospital, don't feel bad about it. I wish you all the best and hope you are treated well contrary to your previous experience. Maybe the nurses and doctors are a little more empathetic because of Christmas.

 

[Sherri]

If you were my neighbour I would drive you there myself.

 

[Red]

Thanks for your replies, it's just difficult to weigh up considering the dire "treatment" I've received there before.
I'm sure that both the morning pain and the deal I made with my husband will find me in the waiting room tomorrow, likely regretting being there lol

 

[Chinaski]

Thanks for your replies, it's just difficult to weigh up considering the dire "treatment" I've received there before.
I'm sure that both the morning pain and the deal I made with my husband will find me in the waiting room tomorrow, likely regretting being there lol

Completely understand this and you have my every sympathy, I'm in a not entirely dissimilar predicament myself and some of the bullshit they've thrown at patients to simply get them out the building is unreal, but healthcare is your right, they are paid handsomely and applauded publicly for what they do, please don't allow their dreadful attitude to patients be the deciding factor when weighed against your need for healthcare.

 

[Red]

Thank you for your passion on the subject, I'm sure I would much be the same when speaking to someone else lol
However I've not much fight left in me, being in such a weakened state has disarmed me for the moment.
I think I'll be able to hold out for an ultrasound at least - having had the GP insist that I go earlier in the week to seek this out specifically has made me think that this is indeed what I need… also I plan on calling NHS111 in the morning to pave my way in as much as possible so ideally I'll have the advice of two separate sources on my side and not be dropping in unannounced. Perhaps I could swing an urgent care centre with an ultrasound machine rather than having to go to A&E, you never know…
If it isn't offered to me I will make sure that I get an audio recording of them denying me the treatment and will send it to everyone I know lol
Then if something happens they'll be totally effed

 

[Chinaski]

Thank you for your passion on the subject, I'm sure I would much be the same when speaking to someone else lol
However I've not much fight left in me, being in such a weakened state has disarmed me for the moment.
I think I'll be able to hold out for an ultrasound at least - having had the GP insist that I go earlier in the week to seek this out specifically has made me think that this is indeed what I need… also I plan on calling NHS111 in the morning to pave my way in as much as possible so ideally I'll have the advice of two separate sources on my side and not be dropping in unannounced. Perhaps I could swing an urgent care centre with an ultrasound machine rather than having to go to A&E, you never know…
If it isn't offered to me I will make sure that I get an audio recording of them denying me the treatment and will send it to everyone I know lol
Then if something happens they'll be totally effed

Again, totally understand this - l also intended to turn up to A and E every day last week and put it off for the same reason, this has been a very long and exhausting battle for me and l know too well how dispiriting it can be - ringing 111 is a good shout, will be helpful getting you past the attack dog they put on reception. Honest to god l absolutely despise doctors and l especially dislike the way our NHS is treated as a sacred religion when the reality is the fight for free, good quality healthcare is as necessary now as it was when the Beveridge report was produced.

Good luck when you attend, as stated previously I'll be about if you need to vent.

 

[Red]

Again, totally understand this - l also intended to turn up to A and E every day last week and put it off for the same reason, this has been a very long and exhausting battle for me and l know too well how dispiriting it can be - ringing 111 is a good shout, will be helpful getting you past the attack dog they put on reception. Honest to god l absolutely despise doctors and l especially dislike the way our NHS is treated as a sacred religion when the reality is the fight for free, good quality healthcare is as necessary now as it was when the Beveridge report was produced.

Good luck when you attend, as stated previously I'll be about if you need to vent.

Bless you I hope your health situation has improved?? Did you manage to get treatment or are you still suffering?

 

[Chinaski]

Bless you I hope your health situation has improved?? Did you manage to get treatment or are you still suffering?

Nah it's been over a year, shit doctors initially telling me to fuck off as l got steadily, and visibly worse - the reason l go to a and E at times now is to be a pain to them, I'm compiling a huge complaint to the ombudsman and some of the a and E fob offs are hilariously dreadful.

I'm never getting better, that's why I'm here, and it was our beloved NHS who did it, so l absolutely understand how you feel about them.

 

[FuneralCry]

I'm sorry you are in this situation, it sounds horrible what you have to deal with. I wish you the best, I hope you do what is best for yourself.

 

[Red]

Still avoiding lol
Took so many painkillers yesterday I think they're still very much in my system so don't feel unwell enough to be taken seriously at A&E. Still in pain but I don't think it's enough to warrant emergency treatment…
It's not a matter of being difficult, it's needing to be in a certain state so that they'll actually do something!
Maybe the painkillers will wear off and I'll feel bad enough to be taken in again; maybe it's fading back?
I just wish that my GP would've ordered an ultrasound at my local hospital instead of telling me to go to A&E in a hospital that's much further away - the assumption that they'll actually do what they are supposed to do seems a bit hasty.
So sick of this stupid healthcare system and the uncaring people that are in it.

 

[Red]

Finally here in A&E, been here since 10:50am… it is currently 15:50. Still not seem a doctor, only had bloods and swabs taken by nurse and only paracetamol and ibuprofen given for the immense pain I'm writhing and crying in my chair with…
Snuck a big swig of oramorph in the toilet to stop the pain being so bad, these fuckers don't give a shit!!
In a ridiculous amount of pain and feeling the most uncomfortable yet in these horrible chairs being outright ignored by these people who are supposed to be providing emergency care!!
I wish I was dying in bed instead.
Knew I'd regret coming here.

 

[Chinaski]

Finally here in A&E, been here since 10:50am… it is currently 15:50. Still not seem a doctor, only had bloods and swabs taken by nurse and only paracetamol and ibuprofen given for the immense pain I'm writhing and crying in my chair with…
Snuck a big swig of oramorph in the toilet to stop the pain being so bad, these fuckers don't give a shit!!
In a ridiculous amount of pain and feeling the most uncomfortable yet in these horrible chairs being outright ignored by these people who are supposed to be providing emergency care!!
I wish I was dying in bed instead.
Knew I'd regret coming here.

Yeah it's an awful experience, I've been there myself - everything about the place is designed to be off-putting to the patient. I hope at this point you've been seen, l guess seeing a "good" doctor is too much to expect but l hope you at least made them work hard to fob you off. Hope you're doing better.

 

[TooConscious]

Totally understand that conflict between needing actual healthcare and the only thing available being the NHS A&E, a department which receives so much public applause despite routinely treating their patients like absolute shit. I have also put off going for this reason.

I would say from what you're describing you have an absolute right to access healthcare, which in principle should be available at the point of need. This is a fundamental tenet of the NHS, it may now be a brand which various corporate stakeholders slap on their Virgin Ambulance Vehicles but your right to access it is absolute - you also do not need to present yourself as likeable to the indifferent, dismissive doctors you meet there. I would say you should definitely go, state your symptoms clearly and assert that you are not leaving without appropriate healthcare (key word being 'appropriate'), they can't fucking arrest you for accessing a public service and refusing a denial when your health is at stake. Be clear to any doctors who assess you that you are taking names, that you are accepting no fob offs or denials, be up front in challenging them when they minimise, diminish, psychopathologise. These cunts get too much respect for such routinely poor delivery and they should not make you feel like a burden in the way that they do. I appreciate that nobody wants to be in an antagonistic position with healthcare providers but this is a situation l know only too well - don't be shy about demanding your right to good quality healthcare at the point of need.

If you decide you will attend I'll be around if you feel scared or need some support, but you should not suffer in this way just because our healthcare professionals go out of their way to make you feel uncomfortable for accessing your right to healthcare. This makes me so angry, honestly.

This is really well said. Good one brother. Written almost like Bukowski alter ego. Sincerely... Spot on big thumbs up

 

[little helpers]

I'm with @Chinaski on this one. you deserve healthcare. and when they show any hint that you don't, *be your own advocate*.

 

[Chinaski]

This is really well said. Good one brother. Written almost like Bukowski alter ego. Sincerely... Spot on big thumbs up

Wow, thanks - always nice to get an @ that isn't "chianski u asshole, reported u 4 being dissrespectful".

@Red hasn't checked back in, really hoping this is good news and they've been admitted for appropriate investigation.

 

[Red]

After 9 hours was sent home with antibiotics and anti inflammatory meds; no ultrasound available, not yesterday or today. Can you believe it?!
Told to come back 4th January for the scan…
Let's hope there's nothing actually wrong in the meantime because there's no way I'm going back there