"Adrenal Crisis Care"

I went into an adrenal crisis at home which is a medical emergency & both the rapid response paramedic and ambulance crew were fantastic. Chris in particular was fantastic- the knowledge around my rare condition & care and empathy is like nothing I’ve experienced with the SAS before. The rapid response paramedic (woman with short hair, currently doing a doctorate) knew me from a past emergency and was also fantastic. I really appreciated her humour to try and take the fear out of the situation for me.

Monklands resus team were also fantastic - they knew exactly what they were doing but kept me informed the entire time and treated me with respect, compassion & dignity. I can’t remember the doctor's name but he really was amazing. I’ve had lots of bad experiences in the past when in adrenal crisis and this was the complete opposite. Once stabilised and in majors, the nurses looking after me were so attentive and caring - nothing was too much trouble. Again I didn’t get any names as I was so unwell but I would love to thank them all for how well looked after I felt. 

The junior medic who then looked after me whilst in A&E was also fantastic. She took the time to get a really good history and understanding of what had been going on & kept me informed every step of the way even though she was extremely busy in MAU. She popped in and checked on me often in my A&E room. 

I’ve had horrible experiences in a&e at Monklands in the past with other staff when in adrenal crisis and this was genuinely like a different department. I couldn’t fault the care at all & was treated with dignity and compassion by every member of staff I came across. 

When I was moved to MAU and then AMRU the  care was very different. I know they are busy departments but the nurses I encountered did not seem to really care or listen. I had been receiving regular oromorph and cocodamol for adrenal pain in a&e which I knew was prescribed for me - when I asked for painkillers in MAU and AMRU at different points, I was point blank told no which is not acceptable. I was also given food containing lentils which I am allergic to for lunch in AMRU. My experience in AMRU (although not a long experience) was pretty negative. It was mentioned by some of the other women on the ward that they felt scared to buzz for help as the ward support staff and nurses were angry if they had to answer buzzers and often ignored what was being asked or highlighted to them. I had this same experience when asking to be disconnected from my drip to use the bathroom. 

Overall, I would love the ambulance crew & other paramedic to be congratulated on how they dealt with a very rare emergency. I was terrified as I was alone and they made me feel so at ease and treated me exactly according to guidelines. I’d also love the doctor and male nurse in resus to be congratulated and thanked for how they treated me as it was exceptional. The nurses that were working in majors room 2 should also be thanked for how attentive and caring they were towards me. 

I phoned the ambulance in the early hours and a rapid response female paramedic attended, followed by a crew from Kirkintilloch (I think the paramedic was called Chris) who took me to hospital. I was called in as a standby for resus, stabilised in resus and then taken to majors room 2. I was moved to MAU on Thursday afternoon and moved to AMRU around 1/2am I think. I hope this helps to identify staff involved. Adrenal crisis is so rare and having a medical background I know exactly the care I should be receiving. This is the first time I’ve felt like I didn’t have to correct things or advocate for myself and my treatment & could just focus on trying to be calm. Please try and thank the staff involved!