You Couldn't Make It Up

[BAKERS DOZEN]

A couple of weeks ago my daughter was taken ill in the middle of the night. She'd had pains in her back and just generally felt 'uncomfortable and not quite right - her words'. About 3am she woke up and knew she was going to vomit so dashed to bathroom. She was violently sick but also brought up fresh red blood. She felt a little easier and went back to bed. She hates hospitals and also thought she thought they were busy enough with virus patients to deal with her. Next morning she rang her GP for advice. She had actually taken a photo of what she had brought up - weird girl - and was asked to send it to surgery and GP would phone her later with a telephone consultation. GP phoned and decided it could be an ulcer and she would need an emergency endoscopy so he would contact hospital and then they would get in touch with her directly. He did say he did not know how long it would take. About 5/6 days later she got a letter from the hospital saying they would send her an appointment within 18 weeks (emergency appt?). Today she got another letter cancelling that appointment and saying a doctor will ring her this weekend and give her a telephone consultation but did advise her to ring for an ambulance if she coughed up blood again. She lives over 90 miles away from me and I would have been round like a flash if she were any nearer and driven her there myself but for the present situation. How do you diagnose an ulcer over the phone with someone who has never had eating or digestive problems and has never even had indigestion.
She has never smoked, doesn't drink alcohol, she's never had a cup of tea or coffee in her life, she's very active and walks miles every day. We'll just have to wait and hope its nothing serious.

[Bobbisox1]

Oh dear BD,as a mother you must be terribly worried, I hope she gets sorted sooner rather than later

[bookbinder]

We're all clapping on Thursdays for our wonderful NHS, but your daughter's experience does tend to take something away from the enthusiastic clapping. I do feel sorry for the poor lady, and I hope that she is soon restored to health, but I am now wondering if there is much point in the Thursday evening activity.

[johnny.5]

how is your daughter now ?

[Prudie]

I hope everything turns out OK for her, you must be worried. This is just the kind of thing that irritates me about the current adulation of the NHS. My Surgery has locked doors and all you can do is hang on the phone for ages in the hope that someone answers. My local hospital has less than half its normal patients in. Goodness knows what they're all doing but I dread anyone in my family falling ill with anything non-Covid related at the moment.

[gness]

Oh lord, BD what an awful situation and an awful worry for you. Not weird at all taking a photo. It can be so hard to describe something verbally. I think she was very sensible to do that.
A horrid time to be taken ill. I hope she gets the attention she should and any treatment necessary very soon...x

[teacake44]

And this is our government repeatedly telling us that the NHS is open as normal for all other emergencies. If and when she has the same problem dial 999 and insist on an ambulance because that's the only way your going to see any action.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

She's not feeling 100%, just a bit off colour and lethargic. She's working from home so like a lot of people she's a bit fed up of her own company. She has good friend who lives nearby who will defy any lockdown procedure and get her to hospital if it was necessary but hopefully it won't come to that. Just a worry not knowing anything.

[teacake44]

It could be a hundred and one things, who knows, don't mess about next time, it seems unless you kick up a stink, nothing gets done.

[teacake44]

They don't think twice about scrapping up a drunk off the street or a druggie, and taking them to A&E

[gness]

I am in no way telling you what to do, BD but what I would do in your situation.
I wouldn't wait for the weekend if my daughter had brought up bright red blood in vomit.
I would either go to her or ask her friend to do the following. Take her to A&E and say she had vomited some more blood and would like it investigated now....not wait for a telephone consultation.
If the UK is like Ireland A&E is quieter than usual with separate areas for suspected Covid and non Covid.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Her friend did everything she could to persuade her to go but once she had spoken to GP she decided to take his advice. He did say if she coughs up any more, especially if it is brown and looks like coffee grounds, then get to A& E straight away. My car is full of fuel and small bag packed just in case I want to get there. Happy to unpack it if not needed.

[gness]

You're prepared then, BD and let's hope you're not needed! Take care.....x

[lady-janine]

Don't think I could wait until it happens again. Most hospitals not only have A&E but also Same Say Medical Assessment dept (SDMA) just for cases like that Think I would have to turn up there.

Hope all goes well.

[Sqad]

From what you have described I totally agree with all the ad ice given y qualified medical staff.
Clearly this was not significant bleed and it is not uncommon after severe heaving to produ E blood with vomit.
I presume that the G P diagnosed a peptide ulcer on the basis of pains in the back associated with th blood in the vomit.. a reasonable assumption.
More likely is that she had a small tears in a blood vessel on her gullet... Mallory Weiss Syndrome.
No big deal at the moment, just monitor the situation.

[david small]

Good old sqad. BD I would personally take sqad’s advice, his many years of experience should reassure you somewhat. Monitor the situation. Hopefully all will be well.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Thanks everyone especially Sqad. GP did say possibly gastric ulcer. We'll all keep an eye on her and monitor the situation.

[ummmm]

An ulcer would be the commonest cause. Had she attended A&E she would have had any procedures needed. She really doesn't want this to happen again. I've had 2 major bleeds, one nearly killing me, and it takes a long time to recover fully.

[anneasquith]

Peptic ulcer ummm ?

[ummmm]

Various ulcers. They haven't actually said peptic.

[anneasquith]

Take things slowly ummm.