Sprained ankles

[stealthwolf]

If he's had it for 4-5 days, does it really constitute an emergency? An ambulance for what may be gout/sprained ankle? Really?

Is this why the NHS is in dire straits? People ringing ambulances for frivolous things?

Short answer is: he's had the problem for 4-5 days. It can wait until the morning IMO.

[ArildStavrum]

Drop the condescending tone.
Given the amount of pain he is in I think it's in his interest to get it seen to immediately. Just my opinion.
Oh and im 100% private healthcare so he can use my share of the NHS!!!!

[sub39h]

That's not really the point. You wouldn't otherwise being using the service, and an ambulance call out could potentially be depriving a car crash victim, heart attack or stroke sufferer with life-saving treatment.

If you ever worked in an A&E department you would understand why this sort of presentation is frustrating. It's not that we don't want to help, but it diverts resources away from patients with serious conditions (accidents and emergencies) when your GP can give you the same advice in the morning at your own convenience.

OP - if you can take ibuprofen then take some along with some paracetamol at the maximum doses and frequencies and see your GP in the morning. If you are genuinely unable to get out then a home visit would not be an unreasonable thing to request.

[stealthwolf]

^^^+1

[RedRobin]

It all makes sense, I've still not been docs yet as the pain is too bad to go out and logistically it's a nightmare.

However from reading of symptoms, it's all there.

I had the worst pain of my life with it today, or just utter pain, like out and out pain on the whole ankle. Towards the latter stages of today the pain was focused along the big toe bone.

The swollen areas are red, and painful to touch, any kind of bang or knock is very painful. It came on one morning after waking up.

Everything points towards gout.

This is todays image, elephant foot not as bad, but redness has come out more now.

....What i have great difficulty understanding is why after several days of pain you have still not been to the doctor or specialist - Your posts suggest that your condition is not showing signs of getting any better.

If you can't arrange a home visit, you could easily get your partner or a friend to drive you there. Get a walking stick or borrow some crutches to help the journey. I am generally very distrustful of the medical profession (I have good reason to be: Son > Hospital > Subsequent Death > High Court) but it seems very foolish not to at least learn their opinions.

[stealthwolf]

RR, I know you've had an horrendous experience but you can't tar all health professionals with the same brush.

[RedRobin]

RR, I know you've had an horrendous experience but you can't tar all health professionals with the same brush.

....I don't tar them all with the same brush and I know that most do all they can to help their patients. I'm only saying that I have a general mistrust and I was posting that in spite of that mistrust, my advice to Moz would be to see a medical professional. 

[Moz]

Thanks for all your input guys, I appreciate it.

I'm not being deliberately obtuse, but didn't think it was ever bad enough for A&E, or a Ambulance or 24hour Doctor, after all I'm composmentis and fully abled, apart from one hell of a throbbing ankle.

I'm not trying to be stubborn or hard, but after a few days I've managed to now get some Ibuprofen for during the day, and tramadol for the night. Having been on this for a couple days, today, I'm able to walk, using weight on it. It's literally only downwards pressure with no twisting.

Don't get me wrong, it still throbs and hurts like hell, but it's not hurting as a result of any weight on my heel or anything.

It's literally came at really bad timing, as my sister just jetted on a honeymoon, my mother has just gone into hospital for a knee replacement, my old man is working away and non of my mates drive, and I live in the sticks.

My partner has been away, so without feeling sorry for myself, I "maned up" for a few days eating cold beans and water (as we had no shopping in) until the Mrs returned to get me some pills!

Joy.

I think it's starting to retreat a little now, the swelling has gone down, as per Y.days picture, and the pain well, is either bearable, or I've just built a tolerance to it after 5 days!!!

I don't agree with the theory of, don't call an ambulance as it might be deterred for helping a road car crash victim, if I think my pain and suffering warrants it, I'll call one. I pay my taxes to be entitled to do so.
 
Although I had no crutches, live on the top floor of a block of flats with no lift, and no one to help, I kinda kicked back and watched copious amounts of films every day whilst trying to ignore the pain.

Worst of all, I had to sell my Chelsea away ticket on Wednesday, and I've just had to sell my Arsenal ticket for tomorrow at Old Trafford as well!!

What a thoroughly rubbish week!

[stealthwolf]

Hope it gets better. Not clear whether you sought medical advice or not. Never tried it but what about online shopping? Companies like Tesco and Ocado do home deliveries so might be useful?

Gutting about the footy.

[Moz]

Hope it gets better. Not clear whether you sought medical advice or not. Never tried it but what about online shopping? Companies like Tesco and Ocado do home deliveries so might be useful?

Gutting about the footy.

Never even thought of that, do they bring them upstairs though? Or just to the premises, I've never even looked into that in 4 years! HAHA

[stealthwolf]

I'm trying to think how elderly people who are immobile cope. I know some use online shopping.

Just read that your block doesn't have lifts. Surely that can't be right? I thought all places had to have lifts if they had three storeys or more?

[stealthwolf]

The news has provided a marketing coup for rivals like Ocado, Tesco and Asda.

All three said that they deliver to your door - with Tesco and Ocado even saying they will ‘deliver to your kitchen table’ no matter which floor you live on.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1376577/How-Sainsbury-s-deliver-online-shopping-door--unless-live-second-floor.html#ixzz2B4ijN6Xh

It's a daily wail article, which I attest but apparently Ocado and Tesco will deliver to the door. Might be of some use. 

[Moz]

I'm trying to think how elderly people who are immobile cope. I know some use online shopping.

Just read that your block doesn't have lifts. Surely that can't be right? I thought all places had to have lifts if they had three storeys or more?

Technically I'm the 2nd story, as there is a ground, then level 1, then level 2, which is mine. But it's strange, they have 2 levels of stairs to each floor, so it's 8 sets of stairs to get to my door, height wise it's ok, but just the logistics.

I'd imagine if I told the chap how much of a demic I was, he'd bring em to the top for me. ;)

[driver rider]

To the OP I work in the medical profession.  i really am of the thought that your body should never be ignored.  Please organise transport to your GP and get a thorough medical examination.  I applaud all the posts but no Dr worth his weight in salt will give an accurate diagnosis via pictures and without a detailed medical history.  This is why Dr's spend years studying their specialities.

PLEASE get someone to see you.  Men in particular tend to delay seeing their DR's with potentially grave consequnces.  This isn't me having a go more me being very concerned.

[Moz]

To the OP I work in the medical profession.  i really am of the thought that your body should never be ignored.  Please organise transport to your GP and get a thorough medical examination.  I applaud all the posts but no Dr worth his weight in salt will give an accurate diagnosis via pictures and without a detailed medical history.  This is why Dr's spend years studying their specialities.

PLEASE get someone to see you.  Men in particular tend to delay seeing their DR's with potentially grave consequnces.  This isn't me having a go more me being very concerned.

Thank you for your input, I'm planning a trip to the Drs on Monday. The ankle has let us a lot today, there is no hour to hour pain and I've not taken any pain killers today.

I can walk with the aid of one crutch I've got now. Hoping it releases more tomorrow, and if not, I'll go to the docs Monday.

Appreciate your input