Falling

[Maximonkey]

Hi, I also suffer (as many of us do) with arthritis and after falling last year and not being able to get up my husband (on the doctors instructions) called the Fire Brigade. The firemen were wonderful but all they could do without the paramedic say so was make me comfortable. It was a busy day for the paramedics and to my horror the firemen had to wait 2 hours for them to arrive. I was given pain relief and they made me laugh a lot, when the para's arrived they immediately said that I could be lifted and placed in my chair. I was badly shaken and bruised but I knew I did not need to go to hospital. The para's got me to sign a form saying I was OK and that was that. I promised myself I would not call them again unless I was desperate. Last weekend I fell again and all week I have been using ice packs and pain relief and all was well until yesterday. My leg was pink and was swelling badly. I went onto 111 online and they told me to ring 999 for an ambulance. I was shocked to say the least but I did as I was told. The operator was really lovely but said that it would be a 3 hour wait for the ambulance as they were very busy. I said I would make my own way there by car, with my husband. When I arrived at the hospital I was impressed to see the new Accident and Emergency department, it was lovely and the new system very quick. I saw a lovely Jordanian doctor who sent me for an xray to make sure there were no broken bones or torn ligaments. I was OK fortunately. The doctor asked me about my blood thinning meds and he explained he thought they may be the problem. A medical doctor was then consulted and I was told to stop taking the blood thinners for 3 days and I have an appointment for Thursday to check the swelling has gone down. Apparently if it has not I will have to go to Whiston Hospital to have the blood drained. Yuk. I changed from Warfarin 1 year again to save going to and fro to have blood tests and have been very happy since, however, if anyone else has done and same and falls, please don't to silly like me and treat yourself, go to the GP, if I had done this I would have saved myself agreat deal of pain and worry. Take care all, Maximonkey

[Hidden]

I haven't 'liked' your post Maximonkey because I also have RA among other things and I can't like reading about someone's suffering the way you did. Take care. XXX

[Maximonkey in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. I didn't post for people to feel sorry for me i really wanted no-one else to do what I have done. Take care, Maximonkey