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Just thought I'd post something on my hospital experience. Two weeks ago I had a consultation with a surgeon at the provincial govt hospital under which my suburb is registered. I was referred there because my GP thought I had Gallstones. My cholesterol was 5.89 (AND THIS WAS WHILE I WAS NPO) and my bp was 142 / 97. I don't know what it is now since I have taken meds and changed my diet but yeah, to continue... The surgeon I was sent to turned out to be someone who really just didn't care. Aside from being rather weak in the language of English he also suggested that my illness was psychosomatic and that may I was just having a panic attack. I told him: "Doc, check my file. I haven't been to a hospital in nearly ten years. I have not been this ill for a decade. The common flu or bug I handled with home remedies because I hate hopsitals - why would you claim that it's all in my head if this is the case. My folder is barely a page long." Mortified and a bit irritated the doctor decided to check my symptoms and lo and behold my right side was tender. He put me on an ultrasound waiting of (wait for this) 2 MONTHS!!! I was furious. I was in extreme pain, struggling to breathe and I had severe chest pains and this guy was telling me to WAIT for 2 MONTHS. At least he had me take a blood test as well - which was one point in his favour but he still persisted; "But you don't have jaundice, and you look really healthy. You've even lost weight - are you sure you're sick?" I almost strangled him! Well as it stands I have six weeks between now and my ultrasound appointment and in the meantime I am SUFFERING. Chills all the way from my stomach up to my throat, pain around the upper right quadrant of my abdomen whenever I do something excessive like lift my legs when I walk or exercise. It's terrifying. Lord knows how many times I thought I would die, hemmorage or worse, get a heart attack (and I don't even have heart problems) I have dropped a whopping 25 kilograms since November last year and I am now 86kgs, only 16kgs away from my optimum weight of 70kgs. As happy as I am about this I am concerned about the healthcare professionals we are stuck with.
I understand that they are human. I understand that they are people that can get ill from overworking just like the rest of us. I understand every human issue. BUT STILL - show a bit more compassion won't you?
4 likes, 38 replies
janet74211 tamsyn59552
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tamsyn59552 janet74211
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janet74211 tamsyn59552
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For several years my pain was put down to my diverticulitis. But
When on holiday admitted to Exeter hosp. Gallstones found, emergency treatment to remove one stone as stuck in bile duct.
And worried it would move to the liver. All treatment was excellent. Nurses were really run of there feet, and did every -thing to make stay comfortable. Once home rushed back tohosp. In for a week with inflamed gallbladder. Back home andthen another stone found in gallbladder neck. Finally gallbladder removed 6 weeks later. It's sad to hear the horrors of others
and the treatment received. Totally agree with Debbies
comments.
Having had many ops, it's sad to see how the NHS is going downhill. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. I praise the staff and what they go through. I pray that whatever government comes to post will not destroy what we have.
tamsyn59552 janet74211
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debbie89808 tamsyn59552
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Like you the terrible worry of what can go wrong in the meantime is a constant issue - in the dead of night when the pain keeps me awake I think the worst - rupture of gallbladder, peritonitis, infection, pancreatitis etc. I voiced my concerns to the surgoen but he didn't think that there was anything to worry about - there again I'm not sure whether he believed how much pain I really am in. I've not worked for six months and my job is at risk. My partner is suffering from severe stress just from having to watch me writhing about about in pain day in and day out and constantaly shares my sleepless nights. No-one seems to care at all anymore - I don't know how they get away with leaving people in such extreme circumstances. My GP offered me morphine last time I went to see him (now I've got a physical diagnosis) but I declined otherwise I'm going to end up hooked on drugs too.
Sorry that I can't offer you anything in the way of a solution to your problem - just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I sincerely hope you get a solution soon.
tamsyn59552 debbie89808
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debbie89808 tamsyn59552
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tamsyn59552 debbie89808
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Spaced debbie89808
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debbie89808 Spaced
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Ihave had problems for many years and was fobbed off with irritable bowel syndrome - had I had the Hida test sooner, I probably wouldn't be going through the nightmare I am going through now - but at least I can see the light at the end if the tunnel as I go for my preop nxt week.
I'm not a great believer in scans for obvious reasons and I find it disgraceful that a doctor places a higher priority on test results and images and completely ignores a patients symptoms.
I fully sympathise and relate to your situation and hope that you get answers soon.
Best wishes
Debbie
Spaced debbie89808
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debbie89808 Spaced
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Best of luck
Debbie
Gem1384 tamsyn59552
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Firstly sorry your suffering at the moment. I can sympathise.
Here in the UK, I had to wait 8 months to see the upper GI surgeon. Who advised me it's not my gall bladder and probably my pancreas! All my symptoms match a dysfunctional gall bladder. I was refered for a CT scan which was a 10 week waiting list so I paid to go privatley. I cannot afford it and have put myself in debt for it. The next thing is I have been refered to a gastroenterologist this is another 10 week wait. I am now due to see them at the end of April. Meanwhile I have symptoms stacking up as long as my arm!
When I saw the surgeon, I had no compassion, he actually asked me at one point what exactly it was that I wanted him to do. So I told him "I want you tell me what's wtong with me and put it right" he said he couldn't do that.
It's so fraustrating that things take so long! I too have lost weight and ive lost weight passed where I feel comfortable, I like a bit of meat and curves on me but unfortunately they have all disappeared! I am 5ft 3" and 56kg. Which is still within normal range and my bmi is also normal.
Luckily for me my 3 month wait to see the panic management clinic is next week! So finally someone can help me with the pains.
I hope you manage to sort your pains soon.
Take care
tamsyn59552 Gem1384
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angela72602 tamsyn59552
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tamsyn59552 angela72602
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