Can a&e even help?

Biblioklept

Almost two weeks ago I fell down my stairs and I think I broke my arm, I iced it and kept it up as much as possible, which is hard as my shoulder going up to my neck is painful too

Next day it was very badly bruised and swollen and couldn’t move fingers or arm, it got so bad I actually went to a&e (for those that know me, that's huge!!) but after 4 hours I still hadn’t been seen and it was hurting so much and I couldn’t cope being there so I came home

I think it may hvae been extra bad as it was a Friday night and there were people shouting and police, it was so so loud and there wasn’t even seats available the whole time

It’s now been almst two weeks and I can’t move that hand, fingers or arm still, it’s really painful swollen and bruised and I know it’s probably broken but it is straight, so probably not out of place??

I really don't think I can cope with a&e again especially ifthey can’t do anything, if anyone has broken their arm (or maybe their shoulder??) do you know if they can they even doanything to help??

If it’s just to have an X-ray and be told not to move it then there’s no point going but I don’t know what to do as its not getting better and feels worse but maybe that's normal??

JessieJ

I'm so sorry you had the accident, @Biblioklept, that alone would have been frightening. Well done on actually going to A&E, that really was a big thing, but, you do need to go back. If you saw your GP, they would only send you there. An x-ray needs to be done & if you have a break, they will put a cast on. You know it isn't any better, in fact worse, so put your big knickers on & go back.

It's a shame that when you did it, you didn't call an ambulance, as you would have avoided the noise & chaos of the waiting room. Not sure if you could do that now. Maybe phone A&E to find out their waiting time at the moment, even explain the issues you have in going there. Obviously, the wait times are like a bit of elastic, but with some idea, it might be better for you.

But, please do go there & get it fully checked out 🙏

chiarieds

Oh @Biblioklept - I'm so sorry this happened - sending very gentle hugs.

You really do need to get some attention, particularly an X-ray to see if there's a fracture. You may need a plaster cast, & even if 'only' soft tissue damage this can often be helped by a removable splint to support the affected area.

Please try A&E again (trying to avoid a Friday night!), & let us all know how you get on.

I've had soft tissue damage (ligaments & tendons) to my shoulder, wrist & thumb, & that was painful enough, so please go to A&E again.

Yani09

Have you thought about going to the GP.. had a problem with my hand.. nurse was able to initiate x ray. Accident and emergency may help you still..

best wishes.

jackfruitteal86

Did you consider sending for a paramedic? You might have had more help contacting the NHS emergency by phone.

I would never voluntarily take myself to A & E either, so I cannot blame you for leaving, but you had a legitimate reason for being there. Did you tell them you had a fall? They should have given you priority, because you could have had a head injury. Perhaps you would have been seen faster if you had fell on your head?

Bluebell21

Hello @Biblioklept I am so sorry you have fallen down the stairs and broken your arm. I know when I have gone to A & E it has been less busy between 8 and 9 in the morning.

As has been suggested I would ring A & E explain your situation and ask when would be the best time to go.

I hope you manage to get your arm sorted asap.

Take care.

Kimi87

Try calling 111 and seeing what they advise.

luvpink

@Biblioklept

I found best way to avoid a&e is to not just turn up there as you rightly say it can be very rowdy, unpleasant and a long wait is usually inevitable.

I rang 111 who put me through to paramedics who sent me an ambulance and I was taken to the emergency medical unit and admitted to a bed.

On another occasion I was referred to the same unit and they were expecting me via my gp

Santosha12

I'm so sorry you've had an accident @Biblioklept and hope you can get your arm looked at, especially as it's not improving. If you have a Minor Injuries Unit near you it's possible they'd see you and assess/xray it. Mine's very local (compared to A & E) and open c 8am to 8pm and saw me/diagnosed my fractured foot; they also don't have such long waiting times.

durhamjaide2001

I was in all night both times twice on a chair all night apparently Monday and Fridays are the worst ones.

SheffieldMan1976

I feel your pain, A&E on a Friday and Saturday night is pure hell, due to all the drunks who end up in Hospital because they can't handle their drinks, and Druggies etc.

I ended up in A&E in Liverpool back in late January after I had that bad fall at Comic Con, they said at 21.00 that we'd be another 4 hours to get the initial X Ray results because it was so busy, I'm like, sod that, it was already gonna take us most of 2 hours to get back to Sheffield!

luvpink

@durhamjaide2001

I spent the night on a recliner chair in December in a room with 5 other people also on chairs because there were no available beds and not even a stretcher in the corridor free.

Mary_Scope

So sorry to hear about this @Biblioklept. Do you have a minor injuries unit near you that it would be possible to go to? In my experience, these tend to be a bit less busy and chaotic than general A&E.

It does sound like you really should get it checked out though, do you have anybody with you that you can take to A&E for support? I know it's not always suitable to bring somebody with you but if it makes it easier for you go and get some help then its definitely worth it.

Emilee

You really need to have this looked at. Without wishing to worry you, there are several possible issues that could be causing the ongoing pain and swelling, and these need to be assessed by a medical professional.

Could you call your local hospital to ask about estimated waiting times or ask for advice? They may be able to suggest a suitable time to attend. If not, you should at least see your GP, although they will likely refer you to A&E.

Adrian_Scope

Good morning @Biblioklept. Just checking in to see how your arm is doing? Have you been able to get it looked at at all? I know it’s not easy for you to get out to see someone.

SwiftFox

If it's broken you may need to have it set or it will stay out of shape and make life unbearable to do things.

WhatThe

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/144576/can-a-e-even-help

Good morning Biblioklept. Have you managed to return for an x-ray of your arm? Sending warm wishes your way.

Catherine21

I broke my foot years back they said i would need plates in it i left a@e never went back now i have problems pls talk to gp or 111 as suggested let us know how your getting on

Biblioklept

Thank you sooooo much for everyone's kind words I did eventually get back to the hospital thanks to some gentle encouragement from @66Mustang and xray showed a wrist fracture and a broken collar bone which hasn't been very fun!!

I'm not in as much pain now lots of the swelling has gone down but I'm meant to have some follow up appointments which I'm really worried about and I think it's shown me how dangerous my situation is and how important it is I work on getting out more reliably but yeah not sure what else to say

Love to all of you as you made me realise I really did have to go back❤️

JessieJ

Crikey, @Biblioklept, you made a darn good hash up of your arm, now you got it looked at properly to find out. Painful!! Well done, so pleased that you listened to @66Mustang & went back to get properly checked out. Do go back for the follow up, it will make your life easier in the long run. Wishing you a full & speedy recovery 💐

WhatThe

Thank goodness you have a friend like Mustang 😍

Ouch tho 😖