Fantastic experience at a&e

[Bob987]

I have heard of so many asthmatics, myself included, who have had a poor experience at a&e as they cough rather than wheeze and wanted to share a positive story. My asthma has been up and down over the past few months and on more than one occasion I have struggled far longer than I should have as I didn't want to go to a&e and risk not being listened to/believed. I had no choice today when I started coughing uncontrollably and my amazing colleagues took me to hospital, despite me insisting I was fine. The hospital team were amazing! Not once did I have to justify my ok o2 levels or my minor wheeze (which for me means things have become really bad!). Instead they treated the symptoms rather than the numbers, gave me back to back nebs almost immediately and another neb an hour later. They also arranged a bed on a ward but left the decision as to whether I would be admitted up to me.

If you have had a bad experience at a&e before and put off going back, don't! I completely understand the reluctance but not all medics follow the 'if you're not wheezing it's not asthma' idea and getting help quickly is vital. Look after yourself and trust your instincts

[Yatzy]

Good to hear that, Bob. I’m a hospital-phobe but know I shouldn’t be. Very encouraging 👍 Hope you’ll recover fully very soon.

[Angelgoth in reply to Yatzy]

I am also a hospital phobe after many awful experiences

[RhiAngMaiDen]

Glad you had a good experience! Unfortunately I had the opposite recently after being put in a waiting room of four chairs because ‘there was much sicker patients than me that needed a bed’. In the four seated room were two ? Covid patient who were uncontrollably coughing and not wearing a mask. Consequently I asked to be discharged home because I became very frightened. I came down with Covid as a result in the next week. I was very sick!

[Angelgoth in reply to RhiAngMaiDen]

omg that's awful so sorry to hear that happened to you, I hope you are feeling better now

[Naomi_ALUK Partner Asthma Nurse]

Wow! This is a breath of fresh air - so glad you had a positive experience.

[Hidden]

That’s great to hear, Bob. Hell will freeze over before I go back to my local A&E tho, I’ve had such callous & incompetent treatment, I just don’t feel safe there

[Mayneffy]

Same as hanne62, only way you will get me in a+e is if I'm unconscious, but I have had many negative experiences with the NHS.