"This was a very long day"

I attended Bridgwater MIU after developing a severe throat infection, was unable to eat or drink anything for more than 3 days. I was given oral antibiotics despite struggling to take them and sent home. I had a nap and felt a lot worse on waking. Felt like I had a lump in my airway, voice had changed, airway felt tight. 111 advices seeing a pharmacist, so I dragged myself there to be told I needed to go to Bridgwater A&E. Bridgwater doesn’t have an A&E, so I attended the UTC at the hospital where I had previously been that morning and told them I was worse. They crossly told me that they’re not an A&E but they’ll ask someone to see me. 

I was in a bit of a state owing to breathing difficulties and when I was called through by an ENP I was firmly and crossly told to stop hyperventilating. I was making it worse for myself, I had tonsillitis but I was systemically well.

I tried my best to slow my breathing but my pulse was raised, I was hot, I felt like I had a blockage in my throat. The ENP then checked my obs and said I was making the readings worse by hyperventilating and again told me to calm down. They said I’m already on antibiotics but if I want they can stick some paracetamol up my bum. I said at this point I would literally take any help on offer. They told me the only other option is to go to Musgrove where I’ll wait for 10 hours to be seen, just to get hooked up to a drip and they’re already very busy and up against it, and is that what I want?

The ENP then checked my blood pressure using a cuff that was too large, and as such it took ages to pump up and left my hand completely numb, it then twitched and the reading came back as error. The ENP said oh it’s because you moved I’ll have to do it again now, and that my arm was numb because I wasn’t controlling my breathing. They eventually got a BP on my other arm and went to speak to Musgrove ENT to discuss that I may be triggering sepsis. They told them I was in 10/10 pain, words that never came out of my mouth, and again reiterated that I was hyperventilating.

The A&E physician in charge requested they give me steroids and 15 minute observation for 1 hour. I managed to drink the liquid steroids and laid down. When I informed them I am a nurse, they immediately softened and said why didn’t I tell them that initially? That would have changed everything! I asked why that should matter but didn’t get a response.

I did get kinder treatment going forward however. The HCA doing my obs was incredible, very kind and reassuring. A wonderful agency nurse then came in, she gave me the hug I really needed at this time and made everything immediately better despite the state I was in. The HCA and nurse both went the extra mile for me and are incredible at their jobs, I’m so very grateful to them. 

The ENP then tried to help me get some pain relief on board but all they could offer was large tablets of cocodamol. They recommended I break them In half. I managed to get one half down and then the second half got stuck in my throat, aggravating it further and making it spasm. This was terrifying but now I know it was because of all the oedema in my epiglottis and swelling in my throat.

I was then sent on to Musgrove, where I remain as an impatient. I was kindly offered a paid taxi by the ENP but declined as I was worried it would cost the hospital a lot of money when I was able to make my own way in.

I have been told I have a severe throat infection, which triggered sepsis, and following a camera test down my nose found out I also have epiglottitis which can be very serious. I remain on IV fluids, strong antibiotics and daily IV steroids. I've yet to be able to eat or drink anything. But have received nothing but excellent care at Musgrove.

I would like Agency nurse Annie and HCA Amanda at Bridgwater to please receive all the praise and my heartfelt thanks for believing me and not making me feel like a nuisance. I’m very grateful to them both.