"Mixed feelings"

I was recommended by my GP to attend a&e due to persistent headache lasting 5+ days and being 15w pregnant. I attended on the morning of 25.11.20. There was a wait in a&e (as is to be expected) but I was seen promptly and the dr examined me and said he thought it was linked to a sinus infection.

Some bloods were taken (very swiftly leaving no bruising) and I was sent back to the waiting room (I presumed to wait for antibiotics or discharge if they thought viral).

I was then walked to the ambulatory ward with no clear idea why or what to expect. I was checked in, had bp and weight retaken and then sat in the waiting room (which was the brightest room known to man- not great with a migraine) for over 3 hours.

After around an hour, there were not enough seats for patients and so I moved to the floor to let an older person sit.

I stayed there for the remainder of my stay and ended up falling asleep on and off on the floor. At multiple points, staff noticed this (one brought me paracetamol on request) and did not offer a solution or ask if I was ok. I had originally asked if there was anywhere less bright and they said not.

I was eventually called through and discussed my symptoms with the doctor (who did make sure we were on a dim room, hugely appreciated) who decided it was a long migraine and prescribed amitriptilyn (spelling) and an anti-sickness tablet, and gave me a printout about migraine in pregnancy.

He explained they did not want to do a CT scan due to associated risks to baby (I had no idea they were thinking that in the first place).

Upon getting home, I checked and amytriptilyn poses a risk or birth defects. This was not explained (though something was said about benefits outweighing risks, but not what the risks were).

I have not taken these and I am slowly improving (suggesting that the first doctor was right and it was in fact sinus related and probably viral).

I’m not cross or blaming anyone as I could see how hard everyone was working and how stretched they all were, but I left feeling more anxious and confused than when I arrived (not to mention uncomfortable from a floor-seat).

Lessons:

Inform patients why they are going to a department and what to expect.

Give full information about risks associated with medication so patients can make an informed decision about their care.

Have enough seats or spaces so ill people don’t end up falling asleep on the floor.