Dad, 36, found dead on bedroom floor after refusing to go to A&E due to his ‘crippling fear’ of hospitals
A DAD died on his bedroom floor after a “crippling fear” of hospitals stopped him getting help, his mum said.
Paul Macintosh, 36, from Livingston, Scotland, was found dead by his mum Suzanne on March 1.
He had suffered two fits the previous week but his family still don’t know what caused the sudden, tragic death.
Suzanne is now pleading with other young men who are put off visiting doctors and hospitals to get help before it’s too late.
She told the Record: “It’s just devastating and I can’t comprehend what has happened.
“Paul has never really had any health problems, he’s hardly been to a GP, so when the fits came out of nowhere, it was a shock.
“A week before he passed, I heard banging coming from his room and I went to ask what on earth he was doing.
“I saw him having a fit and his head was banging off a set of drawers. There was no response from him, so I called 999 immediately.
“He had come round by the time an ambulance arrived and the paramedics made sure he was ok, but advised that he should go to the hospital to be checked over.
“Paul was petrified of hospitals and had a crippling fear of them after his granddad went into one and never came back out, so he just didn’t want to go. “
Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works and can cause a range of symptoms.
These include fits —- uncontrollable jerking or shaking — losing awareness, staring blankly into space, becoming stiff, unusual smells or tastes, tingling in the fingers and collapsing.
They can be caused by a variety of medical events including epilepsy, a surge in blood sugar or salt and brain infections.
The NHS recommends only moving someone who is having a seizure if they are in danger, like if they’re on a busy road.
If Paul had gone to hospital last week, he might still be here now
Suzanne Macintosh
Cushion their head if they’re on the ground, loosen any tight clothing around the neck like ties, put them in the recovery position and talk to them calmly until they recover.
Paul suffered another fit a few days after his first.
The emergency services attended again and advised him to go to hospital for a second time.
Suzanne added: “I told him that he really needed to go in, but he just wouldn’t listen. Now I wish I’d forced him to go.
“He seemed fine on the night he died and the last time I saw him, at around 8pm, he was asking if I wanted a coffee. But when I walked into his room at 7.40am to wake him up, and he was lying on the floor dead.
“It’s hard to believe that just last week, I was moaning at him for raiding my fridge all the time, but now he’s gone I do anything to have him back here with me, winding me up.
“I would urge any young man like Paul to make sure they get medical help when it’s needed. If Paul had gone to hospital last week, he might still be here now.”
Suzanne is now waiting for a post-mortem and hopes it will give the family some much-needed answers as to what happened.A fundraiser has been set to help with funeral costs on GoFundMe.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE IS HAVING A SEIZURE
If you see someone having a seizure or fit, there are some simple things you can do to help.
It might be scary to witness, but do not panic.
If you’re with someone having a seizure:
- only move them if they’re in danger, such as near a busy road or hot cooker
- cushion their head if they’re on the ground
- loosen any tight clothing around their neck, such as a collar or tie, to aid breathing
- turn them on to their side after their convulsions stop – read more about the recovery position
- stay with them and talk to them calmly until they recover
- note the time the seizure starts and finishes
If the person is in a wheelchair, put the brakes on and leave any seatbelt or harness on. Support them gently and cushion their head, but do not try to move them.
Do not put anything in their mouth, including your fingers. They should not have any food or drink until they have fully recovered.
Source: The NHS