Off Topic. Anybody know what "? arrow down E + D" means on my A&E notes?

[nellie237]

I know its not erectile dysfunction or eating disorder

I was dismissed from A&E a few weeks ago :- "Likely due to tension headache - due to reaction to new medication ? arrow down E + D."

Is this another case of a Dr putting my symptoms down to Emotional Distress because I am female? I f*&%ing hope not. It was AKI.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Reduce, (arrow down) Effective dose query (?) one possibility Or Emergency Department although A&E used in UK.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

It is not obvious to me what it means.

You are entitled to an interpretation. Contact the A&E department and ask them. If they don't sound too helpful, you can put in a Subject Access Request and that very clearly requires terms to be explained to you. (It would be easier for them to tell you than comply with an SAR. So in their interests to be helpful.)

You might find it entirely innocuous.

Mind, I have no idea whatsoever what AKI means?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to helvella]

Could be "low electrolytes and dehydration"?

[nellie237 in reply to helvella]

Thanks Helvella, that would make perfect sense - Acute Kidney Injury. I obtained copies of the A&E notes using a SAR request....no explanation of abbreviations.

I am hugely annoyed at the "likely tension headache" and just saw red. I will contact them and ask tomorrow.

[cjrsquared]

If in context of AKI reduced eating and drinking.

[nellie237 in reply to cjrsquared]

This morning I realised that you are right - I had told them that I'd been struggling to eat and drink for a few days.

helvella I'm glad you came up with "low electrolytes and dehydration" this seems to be a very common theme with AKI, and I'd been wondering if my google searches were being swayed by my browsing history.

Thank you both

[nellie237]

Yes that would make sense in a lot of circumstances, especially if I was old and doddery....which I feel sometimes, er, actually quite a lot......or if I had dementia, which I also question frequently🥴

I drank 1ltr of water during my 3 1/2 hours there (I had to ask for water) and I tried to tell them that it felt like it was just sloshing around and I felt dehydrated.........and it did all come back up when I got home, but I think that was the taxi driver's fault.....he whizzed round a large roundabout....I must have gone green. I continued eating and drinking throughout, although I have to say it wasn't easy.

The AKI was caused by recent increases in BP meds, which I told A&E about. If A&E had acted on/listened to what I'd told them - the AKI could have been prevented which is really sad.

[waveylines in reply to nellie237]

Am so sorry to hear what has happened to you Nellie. Im not a fan of A&E myself. I once tripped and fell pouring a whole jug of turps I was carrying directly into my eyes. It flippin hurt! I rushed to the shower and threw myself in fully clothed and grabbed the hand shower to irrigate my eyes forcing them open. Not pleasent. I then rushed to A&E. Their response was to leave me waiting to be Triaged for over an hour, then the nurse panicked and did one irrigation of my eyes, didnt PH test, then they left me sat waiting to be seen for 3 hours with no prospect of any further treatment for hours after that. So I discharged myself as it was one in the morning and went to the eye A&E When they reopened at 8am. There the consultant ophthalmologist told me that it was my actions that saved my sight not a&e's plus he said they hadnt even made any notes on my visit at all. He was disgusted by them. He gave me some much need eye emolient as the turps and water had dried mine out. Ive long come to the conclusion that its lottery in the nhs whether you get some wonderful amazing treatment or you are totally neglected. Sorry! And Im even more sorry to hear what happened to you.

[nellie237]

Thank you wavylines. Oh my word, I would have thought eyes were a priority for A&E - that must have been so sore......and worrying.

[KnackeredKaty]

Hi, it means reduced eating and drinking, which will cause an AKI (acute kidney injury).