How bad are you before you go to hospital?

fidleyspromise

fidleyspromise

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So I fell off last night. Pocket rocket highland rounded her back, head to floor and had a bucking fit. I just missed the fence, somersaulted and landed on my back winded. Possibly got kicked in kidney but not sure. First time I've not been able to get back up/laugh. Took a few minutes to get my breath and struggle to my feet, by which time another livery noticed and came running over. I told her to grab my horse - now standing in the middle of the arena and she helped me untack. Another livery helped me take my pony and some hay out to field and I managed to drive home.
In tears by the time got home and took a few attempts to tell OH what was wrong. Side is bruised and cut, shoulder is sore but it felt more like bruising than anything serious, so was a do I or don't I go to hospital? Decided against it, and to see how it was. This morning, it has eased off, but sore to move (as expected) and sore to take a deep breath.

A few other occasions have felt do I or don't I go, as its sore, but don't feel it's enough to warrant going to hospital so how do you decide, or do you err on the side of caution?
 
If you think there is a chance you got kicked to the kidney then go! I tend to not go unless I feel something definitely wrong but that backfired majorly a few years ago. Fell off landed on my back on a stone, was a very soft fall and i felt fine just stiff. Two days later was rushed to hospital by ambulance because my bladder wouldn't empty and I couldn't pee. Turns out I hit some nerve that worsened with swelling. Spent a week in hospital while they tried to figure it out
 
Personally - I only go to hospital if I get there in an ambulance. Otherwise I'll go for the GP or a walk in centre.

That said - if you have blood in your urine you may have kidney damage and that probably would send me off to hospital myself I think. I haven't done it - so I don't know.

Short of that - Have you a local GP or walk in centre you could try instead? From your description you're not likely to have broken a bone - I think you'd know about it - and X rays are about the only thing you'd need A&E for. No need to wait around for hours in A&E for something a GP could do.

However having said that. It is your body and if you are worried then you should abolsutely seek help from whatever medical professional you choose and totoally ignore any other advice! (But you did ask).

Oh... and replace your body protector.
 
Go and get checked out. I came off in May and whilst I had broken 6 ribs it turned out that I also had a haematoma on my spleen which necessitated a 4-day stay in hospital for 24/7 monitoring in case it ruptured.
 
If I think there's a high probability it needs treatment or if its still unbearable agony after max doses of codeine, ibruprofen & paracetomol. I have a pretty high tolerance of pain, so generally that's my guide. Or after anything involving a knock to the head causing blacking out, dizzyness, etc.
 
I got chucked off a horse recently and landed on the fence. Was also winded and sat on the floor for 5 minutes but I did get back on a horse for another 10 minutes to do the "get straight back on" thing but on the drive home started having breathing problems so went to the hospital. Had a chest ex-ray as they were worried about my ribs and kidneys. Slight internal bleeding and very badly bruised ribs so not too bad but the pain killers alone it worth going :D

So if it gets any worse I would recommend going :)
 
Slow! I left my 'flu and fever' so long I ended up in hospital with a ruptured appendix and peritiniutus and told I would have died in 48hours....opps

Took me a few hours to get there when I broke my collar bone, naughty pony needed lunging before I went anywhere!

Same with wrist and ankle...that took a while.
 
I probably wouldnt go to the hospital but i would certainly go and see my GP. Ive only once went to hospital following a fall because i couldnt walk, felt sick with pain and nearly passed out twice ( i landed on my hip ontop of a large stone ) X-rays didnt show anything but im still having problems with my lower back 4 years later, as i damaged muscle and ligaments :(
 
I broke something recently and tried to yank it back into place initially as is inconvenient timing!

When this didn't work and we figured that I'd have to trundle down to A&E for the evening, OH pottered round and did the horses before we set off. 6 hours later and OH told docs he could probably bandage it up for me as it wasn't anything major. Docs not impressed and stuck me under general for a plate :rolleyes:

I always avoid if possible unless it's head related. I would drag anyone who hit there head straight down to hospital

Pan
 
littlelegs said:
If I think there's a high probability it needs treatment or if its still unbearable agony after max doses of codeine, ibruprofen & paracetomol. I have a pretty high tolerance of pain, so generally that's my guide. Or after anything involving a knock to the head causing blacking out, dizzyness, etc.
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This exactly. Straight away for head injury, or obvious treatment-requiring injury (leg bitten off by tiger, arm hanging out of socket, uncontrollable bleeding from stab wound :p etc). Probably never for anything else :D
 
if there's blood and bits of flesh hanging off ie like whn OH had an arguement with a chainsaw:rolleyes: then it's a straight to a&E job, if it's a bang on the head then for safety I'd pop along to A&E, anything else i usually have to be incapacitated before i allow myself to be carted off.
 
fidleyspromise said:
So I fell off last night. Pocket rocket highland rounded her back, head to floor and had a bucking fit. I just missed the fence, somersaulted and landed on my back winded. Possibly got kicked in kidney but not sure. First time I've not been able to get back up/laugh. Took a few minutes to get my breath and struggle to my feet, by which time another livery noticed and came running over. I told her to grab my horse - now standing in the middle of the arena and she helped me untack. Another livery helped me take my pony and some hay out to field and I managed to drive home.
In tears by the time got home and took a few attempts to tell OH what was wrong. Side is bruised and cut, shoulder is sore but it felt more like bruising than anything serious, so was a do I or don't I go to hospital? Decided against it, and to see how it was. This morning, it has eased off, but sore to move (as expected) and sore to take a deep breath.

A few other occasions have felt do I or don't I go, as its sore, but don't feel it's enough to warrant going to hospital so how do you decide, or do you err on the side of caution?
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Sorry you have had such a horrid time....I probably wouldnt go though but that doesnt mean I am right:

Disruptured AC Shoulder Joint - did go. Broken Toe - Didnt go. Fractured Coxys - Did go but 24 hours later having not been able to sit without screaming. Fractured rib(s) - Didnt go. Bitten kidney (black for weeks) - Didnt go. Gosh there are so many more I could mention that I didnt go for but as I said, doesnt mean I am right!!! Do what you feel best x
 
I went on Tuesday because I took quite a whack to the head and had lost consciousness and couldn't work out why I had fallen off a horse because I thought I hadn't ridden in years. :eek: I did remember enough to know that wasn't right. I wouldn't have gone for any if the injuries - bloody painfull but I knew there were no breaks. Hours sitting in casualty is worse than resting at home with painkillers for bruising.

I would be a lot more careful if it was someone else as I've had a few knocks over the years and have a good idea what is normal for me.

Paula
 
I went into the walk-in center when I last fell off Ned. I had been jumping while I was waiting for Mum and Ned refused at quick canter, which was completely out of character (unless at a show!). She found me trying to get back on and I told her what happened. I got him over that jump and a few more then went home.
Later at work I went to tell someone what'd happened, but I couldn't remember! I got a sharp, stabbing pain in my head and I decided to go after work. They said it was nothing bad, but to take it very easy.
I had a headache for a couple of weeks after that, but am totally fine now.

So, moral of the story is: I'd go and get checked out in the walk-in, but perhaps not A&E unless you get worse.
I hope you feel better soon!
 
Get it checked out. x

Broken arm, finally decided check it out 6 hours later, finger which I thought was just sore for 3 days, turned out to be very bad break and needed pins.
Broken ankle, was still riding, anyway managed to come off and rebroke while in cast, told doctors I stumbled :0).
 
Advice would be to go if you're worried, but personally I wouldn't. But then I never do unless there's blood and I need stitches! I got chucked off last month and it was the first time it truly hurt. Got galloped off with an flung into a plastic jump block. My hip area was extremely painful. I couldnt get up for 10 mins and then needed help to limp back to the house where I lay down and cried for 2 days! It was so so painful, I honestly thought I might have broken my hip. But OH called GP who said nahh it'll just be bad muscle damage (how she knew I dont know...) so she prescribed some decent painkillers. It was very sore for a good 3 weeks and still I cant run. But then again, Ive barely been able to run propely since I fell off and landed right on my cocynx about 3 years ago which I didnt go to the doc about but still causes me pain even now!

So if you're in pain and ibuprofen etc. doesn't help - always worth calling your GP or NHS Direct as they can often arrange prescription painkillers.
 
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i would urge you to go and see your GP at least... but know i wouldn't go myself...:rolleyes:

i don't think i've ever actually been to hospital (other than being born, or visiting someone) and the only time i went to the docs after falling off i was taken there by my mum (i was only about 9/10 max) and had broken my collar bone! :o

better safe than sorry- do as i say, not as i do...

hope you feel better soon!
 
When I had a harry potter inspired cut inbetween my eyes from an unfortunate, but well aimed kick....

There are times when I definitely should have gone, but, I am such a doctor/needle/hospital phobe....unless I'm physically dragged, I don't.

I should have the other year, possibly. Got jumped off and then consequently my shin stood on by the ex- 17.3hh heavyweight. That remained absolutely crucifiable for weeks, but, painkillers it was and hobbling about. Still have a slight partial hoof shaped dent on my shin and no feeling on the impact area, though it's coming back slowly now....Woops.
 
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My general rule of thumb is if there is blood, something sticking out that shouldnt be, or something disengaged from its usual location, then I will go to A&E, dito head injuries.

However, my Dad once put a penknife through his thumb and had to be forcibly dragged there for stitches (12 hours after doing it) he still cant really feel parts of his thumb!
We cant pursuade him to go to the Drs with the needle stick he got the other day....apparantly a 20times used needle with Heptavac-P attached is fine when pushed into your knee and bouncing off the bone because the needle has goine through an instomatic! Men!!
 
Unconscious! Fell off youngster yesterday in manege at home and got knocked out. Came round to a paramedic car, ambulance and helicopter in the garden. Got carted off to hospital as couldn't remember my mare being backed and couldn't understand why I was on her. After excellent care I was deemed good to go home. Stiil sore and woozy. Bl***dy mares - her mother was the same!
 
Usually if an ambulance takes me or if I am still in agony 5 days later and the codeine/bute etc hasn't worked... Saying that, last time i went was with a fractured cheek bone that I had lost sensation too and my face was starting to go numb from receiving a rearing hoof to the face... I waited 4 hours and gave up and went home.

I've dislocated my thumb before whilst taking 3 down to the fields at the same time, naughty pony bombed off and realised I had rope wrapped around my thumb. Dropped me to my knees in agony but had horses running around everywhere, so gritted my teeth, screamed so loudly whilst putting it back in place, caught horses and did morning stables before going to hospital.

The time before that, voluntary!! was with a severed ligament in my foot after a car accident. I was working on a show yard at the time and boss was away at RIHS so bam to work next day with a plastic bag on foot bathing a group of bewildered looking show horses!

Our first pony decked my sister at the age of 6 and broke her wrist and elbow whilst jumping it. Dad told her to stop being a wimp, popped her back on the pony and made her jump it again... It wasn't until 5 hours later that he realised her paleness and occasional whimper that he took her to hospital. We were bloody tough kids!
 
The only time I have ever gone was the first time I dislocated my shoulder. Wish I hadn't bothered - I've done it about 10 times since and just pop it back in myself. I would always tell someone else to go if they are unsure, better to err on the side of caution! Do as I say, not as I do lol
 
ChristmasSparkles said:
When I had a harry potter inspired cut inbetween my eyes from an unfortunate, but well aimed kick....
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Off topic, but this reminds me of the time I got into an argument with a moving vehicle and ended up cutting my forehead open. When the stitches were removed I realised I was going to be left with a stunning lightning bolt scar. All very well, but at the time I worked in Waterstones, in the kids section. It was two weeks before the launch of the Deathly Hallows and our midnight opening party which I was working.

I got a lot of utterly hilarious comments that night I can tell you :cool:
 
fidleyspromise said:
So I fell off last night. Pocket rocket highland rounded her back, head to floor and had a bucking fit. I just missed the fence, somersaulted and landed on my back winded. Possibly got kicked in kidney but not sure. First time I've not been able to get back up/laugh. Took a few minutes to get my breath and struggle to my feet, by which time another livery noticed and came running over. I told her to grab my horse - now standing in the middle of the arena and she helped me untack. Another livery helped me take my pony and some hay out to field and I managed to drive home.
In tears by the time got home and took a few attempts to tell OH what was wrong. Side is bruised and cut, shoulder is sore but it felt more like bruising than anything serious, so was a do I or don't I go to hospital? Decided against it, and to see how it was. This morning, it has eased off, but sore to move (as expected) and sore to take a deep breath.

A few other occasions have felt do I or don't I go, as its sore, but don't feel it's enough to warrant going to hospital so how do you decide, or do you err on the side of caution?
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I don't err on the side of caution . . . ever . . . I pride myself on being tough . . . but when Kal dumped me on the floor and I found that when I eventually managed to stand up (hurt like hell) I pretty much passed out, I ignored it at my peril. I drove home . . . yes, I know . . . and the next day I dragged myself round Tweseldown with friends. I could hardly walk or drive. I went to the doctor almost a week later who sent me to hospital where it was confirmed that I had fractured my seatbones.

So . . . if you're sore, go to the hospital . . . not the docs (they will just send you to A&E) . . . go. Horsey people are notorious for being brave, tough and stupid.

It's not the same thing but I am currently walking around with infected blisters . . . green pus and everything . . . my two big toes are twice the size they should be and weeping . . . and I still hobbled round Tweseldown (yes, again) watching my boy do some schooling. I must be mad. And so must you.

Go to hospital.

P
 
I tend not to go unless something might be broken ie. both wrists at different times. I've never been one to go to hospital but now if I fall off, everyone's trying to rush me to hospital and I don't see the point - perhaps with last night as an exception.

My side is better although still a little ginger to touch. I managed to get back on tonight which is good enough for me :) although the first time I've ever been nervous getting on my pony. Lunged her first and she was fresh so stopped her before she wound herself up and got on. She was a little star and we managed a walk/trot and slow canter with me ensuring her head was NOT going down to the ground.
Can see hoof prints around where I fell off and was centimetres away from the fence and hoof prints are dug in all around where I came off. I got off very lucky.
If it gets worse, I'll go to hospital (there aren't any walk in clinics and it takes a few days to get a docs appointment).


JFTD - That sounds unfortunate
PolarSkye - sounds like that was really sore. Hope your toes are better soon. x
 
JFTD said:
Off topic, but this reminds me of the time I got into an argument with a moving vehicle and ended up cutting my forehead open. When the stitches were removed I realised I was going to be left with a stunning lightning bolt scar. All very well, but at the time I worked in Waterstones, in the kids section. It was two weeks before the launch of the Deathly Hallows and our midnight opening party which I was working.

I got a lot of utterly hilarious comments that night I can tell you :cool:
Click to expand...


I'm sorry. I giggled.....

But, I can sympathise!!!!! Mine was around the time of the final DVD being released....
 
Only once with a broken foot but which happened when trying to load stubborn horse. Husband was adamant I should go to hospital as my foot was black and the size of a football but I made him load said mare 20 times first!

Stud manager I used to work with once did a whole days work with a dislocated shoulder after getting trapped in the walker with a panicking stallion. She was hardcore! Once saw her sew up a nasty gash in her arm with plaiting thread!!!
 
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