Hi folks - last time in 2016 it was December 27th this year Xmas eve. Had a nice xmas planned, going to stay with my daughter and son-in-law on xmas eve, just bring ourselves and a few pressies and we could just chill and be waited on. Five days before I knew I was down with something, and by Sunday I knew I would not be going away so visit put on hold. Xmas eve breathing bad (I have mild COPD as well as AF and HF) and any infection now seems to really affect by breathing, I had not slept for two nights as could not lie down because of breathing issues. By 6 pm I had to give in and call 111, it was very difficult to breathe, having coughing fits and choking and tightness in chest and heart rate all over the place.
1st responder arrived within 6 mins, started all the tests but said she was sending for the ambulance, five mins later ambulance arrives. 20 mins later all test done and get into ambulance, once settled in I was told off for not calling them earlier.
Arrive at A & E, 5 min wait for ambulance crew to book me in at booking in station, then straight into A & E. Only two ambulances outside of A & E. Took an hour to see a doctor but it was very quite (this was about 8 pm). Bloods taken, ECG ect and A & E doctor decided my HF might have something to do with this, so wanted to give me a high dose of furoseimide, he thought these might be some fluid on my lungs. I had in fact taken a Furoseimide that afternoon and the day before (I have them only as a stand by if I think I have any excess fluid) but I had no extra trips to the loo after taking them. I said I would not rather the intravenous Furoseimide but he persuaded me that it might help. so I let it happen. 45 mins later I had severe cramping pains in ribs, arms, across my shoulders across my chest, I was in agony had to stand up and stretch as much a possible to try and relieve the pain. I had only been for two small wees after the large dose of Fluroseimid so I think it almost completely dehydrated me. So the had to have fluid drip for 2 hours to counter act this plus some antibiotics and steroid tabs and drinking water. A & E doctor told me that I should be taking Fluroseimide daily as I was diagnosed Heart Failure. I explained that this was all under control, in the last 3 years I have had just the odd occasion of fluid retention, have fluroseimide as back up and very rarely use them, so why should I take a tablet that I do not need all the time, it also tends to raise HR. His answer again was if you have HF you take daily fluroseimide - I will not repeat my answer.
Was eventually admitted to one of the medical assessment wards off A & E at about 2am. All wards seemed on about half full if that.
Come mornings rounds, asked doc for blood test results, no infection a virus infection so no more antibiotics, just steroids (forgot to mention over the course of the evening I had 4 nebulizers ) and two more xmas morning. I managed to get the doctor to let me go home after he took me on a little walk to check my Oxygen levels were okay - they had been low when brought in so have been on oxygen most of the night. Came home late xmas afternoon, had a better nights sleep but still very tired, weak and still breathing is not brilliant, but was told it would take time and I must rest. If it gets bad again I must go straight back. I am off now to see if I can lay down a little and get some sleep.
Regarding A & E hubby went in reception several times between 8 and 12 pm there were never any more that 3 people waiting and no ambulances queing. So a quiet Xmas eve for a major East Anglian Hospital and when we left late on xmas afternoon about the same.
Hope you all had a wonderful xmas, next year I am arranging nowt, I seem to be jinxed!!.
Cassie
A and E Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh.
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