WIBU to walk out of hospital appt?

[Allfednonedead]

I'm waiting to be seen in an endocrinology clinic because my underactive thyroid gland has been problematic this year
I've just realised the doctor is the same man I saw last time, who apparently knew less about Hashomotos (my illness) than I do, who dismissed what I said, and triggered a major bout of suicidal thinking six months ago.
Do I run away, go in when called and tell him I refuse to see him or suck it up and risk similar?
Basically, IMO he is less competent than my GP and I can't bear it.
Ps I know I'm overreacting, but I cannot make myself calm down and be sensible.

Things people say, especially when they hold power over you, can be enough to induce trauma

This.

Well done OP. You were so brilliantly brave :)

It is (sadly) not just just you. Both my DH and I can relate. We've been desperate for medical help for various conditions and some doctors really can be just completely inhuman as well as shockingly unhelpful, and a few outright cruel.

Its very hard to deal with over and over again when you need help really badly becasue your life is going to shit. Not sure what the answer is but, don't feel it is any reflection on you. I hope you find something to hep you.

And there's always a few cold-hearted bastards on here so just ignore those posters!

I can sympathise! Years ago, I waited nearly 6 months for an ENT appointment only to find the Professor was a TOTAL incompetent and absolutely no patient/social skills.

I said 'My sinuses keep getting blocked and it's really painful and..' and before I could finish he starts in 'what do you mean 'sinuses' what is that? What are you on about?? What do you know??' I was shocked and so incredibly angry that I not only waited 6 months for THAT, but also walked away no better off than when I started!

Fortunately, I moved house not too long after that. Saw another ENT specialist in my new area who was brilliant (and knew what sinuses are!! )

Stick with it OP. If you don't like what he's telling you, challenge him with the information you know, ask to see someone else/second opinion, tell your GP about your experience. You will eventually find that someone who can help you!

Good Luck!!

Glad you went. You do have to meet them halfway/take personal responsibility and advocate for yourself if you want any chance of a decent outcome. I have a very rare severe chronic pain disability and have met my fair share of consultants who've been stumped, they can't know everything but should treat you with respect and listen to what you have to say about your own health given that you're the one dealing with it day in day out.

I was in this position recently although I last saw the guy 13 years ago and I had a major panic attack in the waiting room. Fortunately he's upped his game since then and knew what he was talking about this time.

It's frankly a disgrace when you see a consultant who doesn't understand your condition and it HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. There's no excuse, consultants are paid handsomely and if it's their area of speciality there's no excuse for them not being fully up to date.

I'm guessing you've already been in but I would go in and be assertive, and if it doesn't go well complain to PALS and demand a second opinion.

I've recently been trying to explain to my GP that I've been doing research into my symptoms for 10 years because no one will help me figure out what's wrong with me. I told him I now have a theory - a condition that's thyroid related but he's never heard of. He's promised to speak to an endocrinologist he knows but I'm not holding my breath. My life's been wrecked by whatever it is for a decade now and I've had enough!

Slightly different but, I went to hospital to have a mole removed behind my ear. The man was getting ready to do it but excused himself to speak to the other surgeon.

They spoke to me together and said ultimately it was up to me whether I wanted to have it done by the first man on that day (who didn't sound like he knew what he was doing!) or come back another day for the plastic surgeon who had been doing it for years.

Obviously I chose the plastic surgeon, and even the nurses in the room said they would've said the same thing. The plastic surgeon was much better.

I'm glad I chose to see a different person. If you're not comfortable then ask to see someone else 100%!

OP you were brave! Well done. Hopefully as others have said he'll have a think about his approach and change it for others

Regarding what others have said about consultants not knowing their stuff, I wonder how patients coped years ago when there was no google to look up the latest medical paper and inform themselves and advocate for themselves and were totally dependant on doctors who were revered as gods?

YAY, good on you OP. Hope it all goes well.

Have a hug!

@Sloe, you are clearly very lucky to have never had an appointment with a useless consultant. Treasure your ignorance.