Unbelievably dismissive doctor

[Upthebracket22]

I’ve been in a lot of pain over the last few days with a weird pain in my side- it feels deep inside rather than a muscle thing.

anyway just spoke to the doctor on the phone and he was unbelievably dismissive - basically the equivalent of shrugged his shoulders on the phone & said the equivalent of I have no idea, nothing we can do and made me feel like a total malingerer. I actually cried when I came off the phone.

Aibu to expect at least some standard of patient care. I’m in loads of pain but he ran thru a few questions and because I didn’t fit his answers, that was it. Nothing.

@Breezycheesetrees thank you. So sorry about your poor friend too, it's actually quite frightening isn't it?

Ffs don’t call an ambulance! They’re taking hours to reach people with strokes and cardiac arrest as it is. You do need to see a doctor in person though.

Just go private. Noone needs to take up nhs time with a side pain they’ve had for “a few days”.

Have you tried analgesia? Anti acids? What have you don't to help yourself?

@HairyKitty

Just fucking stop it. Your post is utterly ridiculous and dismissive, and dangerous to boot. Pain in the side could be multiple things and just because it's been there for a few days doesn't mean it isn't potentially serious. It's not your place to gatekeep the NHS.

"Just go private" is fucking rubbish too; the NHS is there because most people in the UK can't afford to "just go private!" Honestly I've read some stupid fucking stuff on here but your post is up there!

@Upthebracket22 needs a proper in person check by a competent doctor. I don't mean any of that to scare you but if your pain isn't getting better you should consider ringing 111 or heading to urgent care for advice.

I went to urgent care with a pain in my side a couple of days ago. I’ve been given antibiotics for a kidney infection but have been told to go to my GP to get it properly investigated (possible kidney stones) - I’m concerned that my GP will also be dismissive.

@QuestionableMouse nice manners you’ve got 🙄
Read This posted on mumsnet by a GP (unless you are one)

no and I told him this too but he didn’t seem interested. It’s almost like a stabbing spasm which is the only way I can describe it

This honestly sounds like a bowel problem as I have the exact same thing and it turned out to be IBS. It is very painful, and no matter what position I'm in, the pain won't go away, I just have to wait for the "wave" to finish. I've had it for 8 + years. Sometimes I don't have the pain for months, then will come out the blue on and off all day. It's awful. Sharp, spasm, stabby pain right under my ribs on the right hand side. Obviously still get it checked out though. At the very least, a scan to rule things out

Please ring the doctor back and be insistent in getting a face to face appointment and in that appointment be insistent in asking for a scan. My mum complained for years to her doctor about abdominal pains and feeling weird. Doctor kept telling her it was IBS related and/or "old lady problems". They diagnosed the, by then, metastatic ovarian cancer at the point her bowel completely closed up and she died three months later.

Absolutely not saying you have cancer, but doctors unfortunately have a long history of fobbing women off when they present with abdominal pains.

@FatherDougalsBlueJumper I'm so sorry.. it makes me so sad, reading things like this. One bloody scan is all it would have taken. Hugs..

It does sound like gall bladder area, but that can also be gastric etc.

I managed to get to my GP, had scans, got a text message to say "you have a gallstone" that was over a year ago and I've heard nothing since!

In todays UK you have self advocate and choose to push for checks and treatments or not.

I don't fancy my gallbladder being removed so for now I changed my diet, and ride out any flares. When it gets worse I'll go back.

I now think what outcome would I like, surgery no, antibiotics no thanks so I research and find ways to manage at home.

You win the Stoopid Internet. 🥇⭐️

Get a second opinion and then make a complaint to the GMC if its something like appendicitis. British doctors think they are so bloody special

I'm not rude.

I'm fed of of people telling others with genuine medical issues not to seek help.

The op isn't a time waster - she has abdominal pain which the NHS says needs to be seen by a GP. Not a shitty phone appointment. You saying what you did could put the poster off getting the help they need.

It is not your place to gatekeep the NHS.

A severe, intermittent, spasm like pain in your side going into your back could be a kidney stone, does it make you want to writhe or pace around?

Also echo pp who said a stabbing side pain could be shingles ( in fact I once diagnosed a possible kidney stone in DH but he developed a shingle rash 24 hours later not my finest hour!)

Gallstones typically cause pain under the ribs on your right-hand side and may spread to your side or shoulder blade. You should get back in touch with your doctor/another doctor if it hasn’t gone by now.

Sounds like gallstones, especially with the spasm aspect. Call back and ask to be referred for an ultrasound OP.