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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be angry with this Dr in A&E??

86 replies

whenskiesaregrey · 14/11/2011 19:33

I am currently 5-6 weeks pregnant. Yesterday I started getting some pain down my right side, predominantly just below my right rib. I was a bit worried but tried not to let it bother me too much. I had a mmc in August, and don't know if I am just reading into things too much.

Today, at about 11am, I started getting sharp pains in my right shoulder. I was in work at the time about 150 miles from home, and wasn't sure what to do. So I rang NHS Direct, who weren't that helpful to be honest. I remember from when I was miscarrying (there was a period of about 7 days where no-one was sure whether I was miscarrying or the pregnancy was ectopic) the midwife told me, if I ever had any shoulder pain to admit myself to hospital straight away. Having googled this, I know that it can be a sign of some internal bleeding, or irritation. I was worried that I was so far away from home, with a 2 hour journey at least. I also have my 2 year old DS with me, who was being minded by my dad at the time. There is an A&E about 5 miles from where I was working, so after about an hour I decided to go along.

After waiting for about an hour and a half in A&E, a Dr took my blood pressure and pulse, and then walked off. The Dr then came back in and asked what the problem was, so I explained. He then walked off again. 20 minutes later a nurse came in and requested a urine sample. I asked the nurse would it be better if I left my bladder full incase they were going to scan me, and she said 'we won't scan you here love, we don't do gynae stuff'. I was then told to go back to the waiting area. At this point I was wondering what I was actually waiting for if they wouldn't scan me, or they didn't do 'gynae stuff'' I waited for another 45 mins, and another Dr then shouted me in and asked what the problem was, so I explained again. He asked me if I had injured my shoulder, and if I had full range of movement etc, which I do. He then paused and asked 'so, what is it you are here for'. So I said that I was concerned about the possibility of the pregnancy being ectopic and that I had previously been told to look out for shoulder pain. He chuckled and said if I wasn't being sick or bleeding (which I'm not) it won't be ectopic. He said he had never heard of shoulder pain as a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. I said it was a midwife that had told me about it previously, so he said 'I'll ask if anyone else has ever heard of it'. He then stood on the other side of the curtain and shouting around the assessment area 'has anyone ever heard of shoulder pain being a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy?' to which I heard a few replied of no. He then returned to the cubicle, shrugged his shoulders, laughed and said 'you must have misunderstood what you read, this isn't ectopic'. At which point I picked my coat up and walked out.

AIBU to be upset at his attitude? And AIBU to go to A&E with shoulder pain at 6 weeks pregnant? Is he right and have I misunderstood? I was so annoyed when I left; I felt like he spoke to me like a child. I explained to him I had had a miscarriage in August, but he still treated me like a silly little girl. Am I just being hormonal?

Sorry for such a ramble, I just wanted to include as much detail as possible.

OP posts:
RomanKindle · 14/11/2011 19:54

Did the 'dr' give any explanation as to what he thought was causing the pain. What did the urine results say?

susiedaisy · 14/11/2011 19:56

Tbh OP we can't answer all your questions if you're concerned I would go back to a&e or your local out of hours gp and take hubby with you for support

hiddenhome · 14/11/2011 19:56

Your condition would be worsening if you were having an ectopic. If you're worried call NHS Direct.

susiedaisy · 14/11/2011 19:57

Take care op Smile

whenskiesaregrey · 14/11/2011 19:57

He asked if I had injured the shoulder without knowing, which I am pretty sure I haven't as I have been sat in a classroom all morning. The urine results were clear of blood and infection he said, but I didn't really think I had an infection and wondered what they would actually be looking for.

OP posts:
LadyEatsCrispsALot · 14/11/2011 19:58

I would miss out ED and head straight up the Early Pregnancy Clinic. Do you have one near you? With your history and this pain they will see you and probably scan you too.

whenskiesaregrey · 14/11/2011 19:59

Thank you, I understand susie, I suppose I am asking you to do the job of the Dr Wink!

OP posts:
RomanKindle · 14/11/2011 19:59

Urine infection can cause shoulder pain so they were probably looking for that.
I would try not to worry too much. My tube didn't rupture until I was in theatre but I'm pretty sure you would know about it if it did.

whenskiesaregrey · 14/11/2011 20:00

LECAL There is an EPU nearby, it is where I went to have early scans last time. Its a hugely depressing place, and was hoping to avoid it this time around!

OP posts:
youtalkintome · 14/11/2011 20:03

YANBU at all you were absolutely right to get it checked and we would have taken anyone very seriously with this complaint infact if i remember correctly the Manchester triage system flow chart for pregnant with shoulder tip pain puts you in the category to be seen in at least an hour. Where the hell was this hospital?

AteAWholePacketOfBiccys · 14/11/2011 20:04

I don't wish to alarm you or make you worry for no reason but my best friend had an eptopic pregnancy and it was left for too long and she had to have a major operation with serious complications after.
Please no one tell me off for saying this its trying to help this lady
If you do have symptoms don't let an idiot of a doctor put you off. PLEASE do something even phone NHS direct.
I am sure it is nothing and you'll be back on here in a few hours saying you are ok but just in case please get checked.

ShowOfHands · 14/11/2011 20:05

UTIs and trapped wind both cause shoulder tip pain too. Try some peppermint tea if you have some. Just a thought in case it alleviates the pain.

I had trapped wind following emcs and the shoulder tip pain was awful. Felt like I'd slept funny, but worse iyswim.

IgnoringTheChildren · 14/11/2011 20:05

Definitely complain - the "doctor" clearly needs training in the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy and how to speak to patients. Angry

As others have said shoulder tip pain without bleeding, severe abdominal pain or sickness is unlikely to be an ectopic, however if you have any worsening of symptoms you should go back to A&E. If not you should see a medical professional (as opposed to the arse you saw today) in the morning. If your gp or midwife have concerns they'll refer you to an early pregnancy unit for a scan.

Hope that all goes well.

whenskiesaregrey · 14/11/2011 20:06

Thanks Roman, sorry you had to go though it.

The hospital was in Solihull. Tbh, I did wonder whether they understood what I had came in for because a couple of people who came in after me with (I think) a broken finger, and a cut chin went in ahead of me, but I assumed it was because they were children.

OP posts:
helpmabob · 14/11/2011 20:07

How outrageous. You should definitely complain. How dare he humiliate you and not take your symptoms seriously. For the record when I had my ectopic I had no bleeding or sickness but did have severe abdominal pain. This dr is a dangerous moron. I would second going to the EPU as you will probably be sent there anyway. I hope it all goes ok for you.

IgnoringTheChildren · 14/11/2011 20:07

X posted with everyone as slow on my phone!

Towndon · 14/11/2011 20:08

What is a shoulder tip?

whenskiesaregrey · 14/11/2011 20:09

Will have some peppermint tea now!

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 14/11/2011 20:11

Tip of your shoulder Towndon.

whenskiesaregrey · 14/11/2011 20:12

Towndon, this was one of things I was unsure about. My pain is in the front of my shoulder, at the end of my collarbone. Is this shoulder tip? It is about 1-2 inches from the very corner of my shoulder, so when it refers to 'shoulder tip' does it mean the very very tip?

OP posts:
whenskiesaregrey · 14/11/2011 20:13

Thank you all for your help, I feel less neurotic now.

OP posts:
Itchywoolyjumper · 14/11/2011 20:14

Susiedaisy's right, if you're still worried go back to A&E. The day shift staff will be off duty by now so its unlikely you'll have to see the same doctor. Try NHS Direct as well, there may be an early pregnancy unit near you, which will be much better. I had similar pains early in my pg and it turned out to be ligament pain and an unrelated shoulder thing but I had to have an internal and a scan before they would let me go.
Once you've got everything sorted out and you know you're ok you should complain, that doctor's quite obviously an ignorant arse. The hospital will have a PALS department who you can phone and they are really good sorting this sort of thing out.

AteAWholePacketOfBiccys · 14/11/2011 20:15

Let us know how you get on please so we know you are ok op!

Itchywoolyjumper · 14/11/2011 20:17

cross posted with pretty much every one. Take care op, hope everything works out well for you

lisad123 · 14/11/2011 20:21

I haven't had ectopic at all but had major shoulder pain, after a stomach op and it was so painful! Confused
If your worried, I would call out of hours GP.