Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What’s wrong with me, hospital clueless

757 replies

elm26 · 26/03/2026 15:24

Yesterday at 1pm, I put my 6 month old on the rug with his toys and went for a wee.

As I was walking back I had a sudden severe pain in my right side radiating into my lower back and up to my shoulder, I was in agony.

I called DH who was luckily only on a job 15 mins away, he came straight home and took one look at me and called ambulance, I was shouting out in pain they gave me gas and air and morphine.

I had an emergency CT when dye last night and also have a catheter as lost the ability to wee. Nothing showed on CT, they got me settled on morphine and today I’ve had a transvaginal scan which shows ovaries and womb look normal.

Gynae can’t find a reason so they’ve stopped painkillers and just giving me paracetamol but somethings wrong I feel like somebody’s twisting my insides. The gynae consultant was horrible and said the surgical team will come see me if they think it’s worth it?? So I’m waiting for that if they come.

I’m in so much pain and genuinely scared they’ll send me home not knowing what is wrong with me.

Has anyone has anything similar?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
Shiticandowithout · 29/03/2026 10:40

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 10:23

Oh for goodness sakes

Multiple medical professionals have been involved across multiple departments. No one is bullying the OP. They have done extensive testing and the consensus is the op can be discharged.

Exactly. It’s nonsense to say to refuse to leave or to demand this or that test.

Politygal · 29/03/2026 10:38

It need not be gynaecological. Kidney stone? They hurt like hell. They could check for bowel problems too.

KenAdams · 29/03/2026 10:30

elm26 · 27/03/2026 19:42

I’m beginning to think maybe it is something to do with my endo on my bladder or tubes or cysts etc but the only way they can see this is by opening me up (I’ve had 3 laparoscopies before) and I very much doubt they’ll suggest that tomorrow

This isnt true, its the bullshit they spout to make you go away. MRI will give them a much better idea of where the endo is.

Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2026 10:29

Mine was too big to shift anywhere, but I understand small gallstones can be passed out of the body.

likelysuspect · 29/03/2026 10:27

Lougle · 29/03/2026 10:15

Sorry you're struggling. The point is that doctors aren't necessarily saying that there is nothing wrong with @elm26 , just that there is nothing that can be directly treated, and they have ruled out anything that needs urgent inpatient treatment.

Yes this is what I had, discharged despite being in pain and apparently gallstone stuff, only months later to be told no gall stones despite some scans saying I did have them. What happens to these things I wonder

And no proper pain control

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 10:27

likelysuspect · 29/03/2026 10:25

I havent said it doesnt exist and I dont know any doctors. What are you talking about?

Yes @bigboykitty has made a bit of a tit of herself

likelysuspect · 29/03/2026 10:25

bigboykitty · 29/03/2026 10:11

Please stop embarrassing yourself. So far you've given us "it doesn't exist", "I know a doctor" and "it happens to men too". Stop digging.

I havent said it doesnt exist and I dont know any doctors. What are you talking about?

Piggywaspushed · 29/03/2026 10:25

Medical gaslighting is real and it is well documented that women suffer from it a great deal and that experiences and pain are often diminished. This may well be why the OP is being given less medical attention than it seems like she needs.

But we need to stop perpetuating the myth that it doesn't happen to men or that men are treated differently when in pain. There are many many cases of dismissal of EM men and women in medicine. My DH, not an EM, was sent away multiple times by GPs , hospitals and clinicians when he was, in fact, less than a week away from an emergency heart operation due to endocarditis. And men do have to undergo pain - anyone who has a man close to them who has had a prostate biopsy will know this. In fact, the 'man up' trope is pretty toxic in medicine.

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 10:23

SadSaq · 29/03/2026 10:22

Oh goodness how horrific. Sounds like they're bullying you into leaving.
I hope they back down.

Oh for goodness sakes

Multiple medical professionals have been involved across multiple departments. No one is bullying the OP. They have done extensive testing and the consensus is the op can be discharged.

SadSaq · 29/03/2026 10:22

Oh goodness how horrific. Sounds like they're bullying you into leaving.
I hope they back down.

Glindaa · 29/03/2026 10:17

ThatBusyRedWriter · 28/03/2026 18:24

Not had similar but do not go home! Stand your ground. I had meningitis a few months ago, went to A&E and told multiple people o think it might be meningitis….doctor tried to send me home saying it was anxiety and stress. I am a nurse aswell, which I told them and they still didn’t consider what I was telling them

I bet they wouldn’t have said that to a man. It’s sexism.

Lougle · 29/03/2026 10:15

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 09:58

Sorry but I can’t decipher your point

Sorry you're struggling. The point is that doctors aren't necessarily saying that there is nothing wrong with @elm26 , just that there is nothing that can be directly treated, and they have ruled out anything that needs urgent inpatient treatment.

bigboykitty · 29/03/2026 10:11

likelysuspect · 29/03/2026 09:11

I dont know what the balance is in terms of how men and women are treated but I gave an example upthread of a client who was dismissed, almost the same as OPs experience, not the same, because he was a male. But still sent home with no diagnosis, same situation with scans being clear, huge pain. Been back in hospital since then several times, still no diagnosis, no communication with him cleaerly that he can understand about whats going on. Hes elderly of course and so no one cares about that.

Please stop embarrassing yourself. So far you've given us "it doesn't exist", "I know a doctor" and "it happens to men too". Stop digging.

Mandaxx25 · 29/03/2026 09:59

Sensiblesal · 26/03/2026 17:17

I don’t think your pain is gyno.

the back pain & radiating down your leg sounds like sciatica/nerve pain.

the loss of bladder control alongside could be Cauda Equina, thats really serious and could leave you paralysed.

its really hard to get the dr/pretend dr thats ‘helping’ you to listen and understand your symptoms but they need to do a test to at least rule it out

edit sorry re read & saw its pain going to the shoulder. This is more likely gall bladder related. Do you have like radiating pain or feel like you had a heart attack?

either way they need to do more testing

Edited

Not loss of control, retention. The opposite.

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 09:58

Lougle · 29/03/2026 09:46

Sometimes I think communication is the issue though. DD2 was having right upper pain and nausea. She had blood tests which showed liver dysfunction. They tests were repeated 2 days later and were worse. Then 2 days later, on a Friday afternoon, she had another set. I got a call from NHS 111 at 01.30 in the morning, telling me that her liver function was seriously deranged and I needed to take her straight to A&E. She was admitted. She couldn't go home because her liver function was too bad, and she needed an ultrasound but if she was discharged she would have to wait on an outpatient list and they wanted it done sooner. Even day release would mean she couldn't have her ultrasound. She has ASD so I couldn't leave her, and because she's an adult, there was no provision for carers to stay, so I had to just sleep on the floor beside her bed. The ultrasound showed gallstones. They didn't actually do anything except blood tests. But she wasn't allowed to go home. Eventually, her liver results were low enough that although not normal, they were happy to let her go home. The difficulty is that because she was no longer acutely unwell, and because she was a medical outlier on a surgical ward, we only saw a very new, very shy F1 who really couldn't communicate why we were allowed home or why they had come to the conclusion they had, or what the plan was. The discharge letter just said 'liver function was bad, gallstones seen on US, outpatient follow up'.

DD2 ended up back in A&E with the same symptoms a while later, and the on call medic happened to be a liver registrar waiting for his Consultant job to start. He was brilliant and talked to the outpatient Consultant about DD2 in preparation for her outpatient appointment.

Fortunately, we've had a wonderful Consultant in outpatients who has done both an MRCP and an endoscopic ultrasound, plus a fibriloscan, and has referred to the surgeons for removal of the gallbladder.

It may be that @elm26 has been told 'not gynae' but what they mean is 'there is nothing that a surgical treatment will help', because if they've referred for a chat about a different contraceptive, they must think there is something that will help her gynaecologically. It may be that they've simply decided that the acute symptoms have passed and there is nothing obviously sinister that they can treat. But if they haven't communicated that clearly, then @elm26 may have got the impression that they think there's 'nothing wrong' when clearly, if she's in pain, there is. It's just nothing that has a clear diagnostic or treatment pathway. In other words, there's no surgery or medical treatment that will directly fix it.

Sorry but I can’t decipher your point

Iwanttocomebackasmycat · 29/03/2026 09:52

have you been properly checked for twisted ovary? (medical name: Ovarian Torsion)

Iwanttocomebackasmycat · 29/03/2026 09:48

knackeredmumoftwo · 26/03/2026 15:28

I've had a burst ovarian cyst- agony but nothing to see on scans

Your symptoms sound similar to Burst ovarian cyst or Ovarian Torsion (ie twisted ovary).

The twisted feeling could point to twisted ovary? If it's intermittent twisting, then maybe it wouldn't show when the gynacologist checked you. But I imagine they would consider ovarian torsion as a diagnosis.

The cause can be unknown and remain a mystery (although for other people it the cause may be a cyst or lump)

(I'm not a doctor - just knew a 26 yo who suffered a twisted ovary. It came on so suddenly and was very painful. She never found out the cause.)

Twisted ovary:
Ovarian torsion is a medical emergency where one of your ovaries twists on the tissues supporting it. Your ovaries are oval-shaped glands located on both sides of your uterus. They release eggs during your reproductive years and make hormones that control your menstrual cycle and pregnancy. They’re held in place by bands of tissue (ligaments) suspended in your pelvic cavity.

Although it’s uncommon, ovarian torsion symptoms can be intermittent, which means the pain comes and goes. Sometimes, the ovary will twist and then untwist. The twisting cuts off blood flow, causing pain. When the ovary untwists and regains access to blood, the pain may go away. The back and forth can feel confusing. Even if your pain is intermittent, you need to see a healthcare provider for treatment if you’re experiencing ovarian torsion.

Menstrual Cycle (Normal Menstruation): Overview & Phases

Your menstrual cycle begins on the first day of your period. Your cycle prepares your body for a possible pregnancy. The average cycle lasts between 24 and 38 days.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10132-menstrual-cycle

Lougle · 29/03/2026 09:46

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 09:18

Not just one medical professional but multiple medical professionals from different departments, having done multiple scans, have come to the conclusion that you can be discharged with paracetamol.

I wouldn’t be worried. Do you suffer from anxiety @elm26 ?

Edited

Sometimes I think communication is the issue though. DD2 was having right upper pain and nausea. She had blood tests which showed liver dysfunction. They tests were repeated 2 days later and were worse. Then 2 days later, on a Friday afternoon, she had another set. I got a call from NHS 111 at 01.30 in the morning, telling me that her liver function was seriously deranged and I needed to take her straight to A&E. She was admitted. She couldn't go home because her liver function was too bad, and she needed an ultrasound but if she was discharged she would have to wait on an outpatient list and they wanted it done sooner. Even day release would mean she couldn't have her ultrasound. She has ASD so I couldn't leave her, and because she's an adult, there was no provision for carers to stay, so I had to just sleep on the floor beside her bed. The ultrasound showed gallstones. They didn't actually do anything except blood tests. But she wasn't allowed to go home. Eventually, her liver results were low enough that although not normal, they were happy to let her go home. The difficulty is that because she was no longer acutely unwell, and because she was a medical outlier on a surgical ward, we only saw a very new, very shy F1 who really couldn't communicate why we were allowed home or why they had come to the conclusion they had, or what the plan was. The discharge letter just said 'liver function was bad, gallstones seen on US, outpatient follow up'.

DD2 ended up back in A&E with the same symptoms a while later, and the on call medic happened to be a liver registrar waiting for his Consultant job to start. He was brilliant and talked to the outpatient Consultant about DD2 in preparation for her outpatient appointment.

Fortunately, we've had a wonderful Consultant in outpatients who has done both an MRCP and an endoscopic ultrasound, plus a fibriloscan, and has referred to the surgeons for removal of the gallbladder.

It may be that @elm26 has been told 'not gynae' but what they mean is 'there is nothing that a surgical treatment will help', because if they've referred for a chat about a different contraceptive, they must think there is something that will help her gynaecologically. It may be that they've simply decided that the acute symptoms have passed and there is nothing obviously sinister that they can treat. But if they haven't communicated that clearly, then @elm26 may have got the impression that they think there's 'nothing wrong' when clearly, if she's in pain, there is. It's just nothing that has a clear diagnostic or treatment pathway. In other words, there's no surgery or medical treatment that will directly fix it.

Autumngirl5 · 29/03/2026 09:40

Abricot1983 · 28/03/2026 22:46

Which hospital are you in? If they discharge you then go to the A&E of a teaching hospital

Please do not go to A&E. It is called ‘accident and emergency’ for a reason and will be a waste of everyone’s time now.
You have been seen by doctors, had tests and will be on a pathway so should have follow up.
I hope you are feeling better soon.

FunCrab · 29/03/2026 09:33

May I suggest you should request a copy of your medical records as soon as possible.
You will see exactly what they did and documented.
You should also take as much notes as possible of the experience. Such as responses you got to your concerns.
Women are often not listened to in healthcare and their concerns dismissed.
This would be the first steps.
How are you now?
Might be worth keeping a diary of your symptoms in any case.

Walksspecial · 29/03/2026 09:18

elm26 · 28/03/2026 10:03

They’re sending me home. Surgical team refusing to see me even though I’ve been promised for the last 3 days they’ll come and review. I’ve asked for it to be noted on my notes that they’ve refused. They don’t know what’s wrong with me, said the scans would have shown any kidney stones, gallstones, pancreas issues, bladder issues but they can’t find anything. Referred me back to gynae for a new type of contraceptive pill for those with endo. Still don’t know what that’s got to do with anything. Discharging me with paracetamol even though I’ve needed oramorph 3 times since 10pm last night. I’ve given up. I’m so fed up. In pain. She said if I get another “attack” like I did, to go to A&E and not to ring an ambulance unless life threatening.

Not just one medical professional but multiple medical professionals from different departments, having done multiple scans, have come to the conclusion that you can be discharged with paracetamol.

I wouldn’t be worried. Do you suffer from anxiety @elm26 ?

TwinklySquid · 29/03/2026 09:16

Gallbladder?

TwinklySquid · 29/03/2026 09:16

Gallbladder?

likelysuspect · 29/03/2026 09:11

I dont know what the balance is in terms of how men and women are treated but I gave an example upthread of a client who was dismissed, almost the same as OPs experience, not the same, because he was a male. But still sent home with no diagnosis, same situation with scans being clear, huge pain. Been back in hospital since then several times, still no diagnosis, no communication with him cleaerly that he can understand about whats going on. Hes elderly of course and so no one cares about that.

OpalSpirit · 29/03/2026 09:07

MyObservations · 28/03/2026 22:00

And the evidence is where exactly? While you dig it out I'll ask my DinL who is an Obs & Gynae surgeon.

Dismissal of women’s pain and experiences whilst saying you know a surgeon ‘so there’!
Embarrassing

Please try not to be part of the well documented problem whilst also denying the problem.