Don't be afraid to go to A &E

[Snowdrop27]

I know a lot of us are afraid or nervous to go to A &E at the moment if our asthma flares up badly. I was a bit apprehensive to go myself last Monday night.

This is my story of what happen to me. Last Monday night my neighbour( know for his big bonfires on Bonfire night) set alight a big bonfire just after it go dark . I just gone outside to get my washing in. The bonfire was so fierce and so high coming up over my hedge at the bottom of my garden. As I graped the washing I shouted for my husband to come outside (I thought our hedge would be set alight). He gaped the hose and sprayed water on our hedge. Our neighbour then realized what was going on and put his hose on it too. Queue lots of smoke which came into the house ( I was inside by then). It set off my asthma and I grapped my Ventolin and lock myself in the porch of our house. I then decide to leave to get away from the smoke. So I graped my car keys and left. After two hours of driving around I decided to go to A &E to get check out.

My local department was empty apart from the staff on reception. Chairs were marked with green and red. Green for injuries etc and red for respiratory. I was seen a triage very quickly ( I had to put on a mask) and saw a doctor. I was fine just a little shaky after using a lot of Ventolin. I was advised that if I got worse again to use my rescue steroids.

I went to bed and put on my air filter on and left it on all night. I need a bit of Ventolin the next day 4 hourly as downstairs smelt of smoke. I spend the next day washing all my soft furnishing in my living room.

Do I think about not going to A &E yes I did but I am glad I did for my piece of mind if none thing else. The nurse and respiratory consultant was very professional. I even mange not to pay for the parking as I didn't have any money on me and security let me out without paying .

So don't be afraid to go when you need help get help.

[Gilly100]

I went to A&E last night as I have been ill for 4 weeks and not been able to get my chest listened to. Had 2 telephone conversations with GP took 30mg of steroids for 5 days and then reduced and 3 lots of antibiotics as prescribed by them. Did not work; on 3rd conversation they decided to give me xray and blood tests. Blood tests showed I had low iron which can result in breathlessness so got prescribed ferrous fumarate which can take a while to work. Had no option but to go to A&E as breathlessness getting worse and tachycardia. I was given fluids and ECG and tachycardia settled down. No deterioration on xray which was good news and blood tests hopefully will improve when iron kicks in. Taking 40mg of pred. I went with mask on, got seen straight away and they were all kind and helpful. Needs must!

[Meliko]

Thank you for the info. I really didn't want to go a couple of weeks ago and spent nearly the whole week in bed because walking or talking was too tiring . . . feeling a bit better now thankfully but if it happens again I will be less scared! It's not the going to A&E (though I don't like that anyway) so much as risking catching something worse.

[Gilly100 in reply to Meliko]

I was worried about catching covid but I had no alternative as breathing so bad and heart rate going like the clappers!

[Hidden]

Have to admit I put off going to A&E last week because of worrying about catching something. I had a bad spell of palpitations that made me feel faint. I emailed my docs instead who called me back giving me one huge ticking off. The smoke's a real problem for me too. The fine weather means lots of barbecues constantly around so have to stay inside. My neighbour uses an open fire so evenings are some times difficult aswell.

[Gilly100]

Hi What air filter do you use and is it good. Can you move it around with you?

[Snowdrop27]

Dimplex from Argos plug in and it has a removable filter