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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder why the doctor seemed so angry with me?

193 replies

Welshey · 13/10/2024 14:56

Hi,

Had a bit of a weird one at a health clinic today. I had an ECG which showed I had a fast heart rate. I was asked to wait to speak with the doctor.

When I went in she was really curt with me. No niceties, no “good morning” or “how are you?”, etc.

She immediately said “explain to me why your heart rate is so high.”. I was really taken aback. I said I wasn’t sure, it might be linked to a medication I am taking. She said she knows what medications I am on and that doesn’t explain it, what else could it be? I said I didn’t know but I do occasionally get alerts from my Apple Watch. She asked to look at my Apple health app. It was over in what felt like a couple of minutes and she’s will be writing a letter recommending I’m referred to a cardiologist. Chucked me out of her office without so much as a goodbye.

I am really quite shocked. She seemed so angry with me. And now that I write this, she had no consideration about how I might be feeling either. Never had an experience like that before.

I spoke to a friend and she suggested maybe the doctor thought I was taking drugs and perhaps lying about it? FYI I have never taken any drugs in my life.

OP posts:
thanksanyway · 13/10/2024 14:58

Very busy
towards end of her shift

i wouldn’t give it any more thought

thanksanyway · 13/10/2024 14:59

on a sunday
You had a follow up app to discuss ECH results?

or you went to a drop in?

Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:00

thanksanyway · 13/10/2024 14:58

Very busy
towards end of her shift

i wouldn’t give it any more thought

You’re right. I shouldn’t. Although it was the morning. Just a bizarre interaction! Thanks

OP posts:
thanksanyway · 13/10/2024 15:00

Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:00

You’re right. I shouldn’t. Although it was the morning. Just a bizarre interaction! Thanks

i’m baffled you had an app at a clinic to discuss your ECH results on a sunday?

Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:02

thanksanyway · 13/10/2024 15:00

i’m baffled you had an app at a clinic to discuss your ECH results on a sunday?

Yes, I had an ECG and then I was asked to wait to speak with the doctor.

OP posts:
thanksanyway · 13/10/2024 15:03

Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:02

Yes, I had an ECG and then I was asked to wait to speak with the doctor.

so you went to A&E?

TenderChicken · 13/10/2024 15:04

I would guess her bad mood was nothing to do with you.

Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:04

thanksanyway · 13/10/2024 15:03

so you went to A&E?

No. I booked it a few weeks ago. I was invited to a screening programme.

OP posts:
usererror99 · 13/10/2024 15:08

I found doctors who spoke English as a second language often have a way of phrasing questions which is much more "explain to me this" - they definitely weren't meaning to be rude just a turn of phrase really

I'm pretty sure if I was working in such a scientific field in a language that wasn't my first my questions may come across less conversationally

VickyEadieofThigh · 13/10/2024 15:10

I'm guessing she's pissed off at having to work ona Sunday.

BabyCloud · 13/10/2024 15:10

I find that attitude unacceptable.

I had my heart rate checked this week as I was in hospital for surgery recently and they picked up on it, I’d also had an abnormal ECG. On Tuesday they checked it again at my GP and it over 150 at resting. They couldn’t have been nicer to me. I had a full check over with bloods and more tests booked for this week.
They never once alluded to me taking any drugs or asked what caused it. They were more concerned to know if I had any symptoms.

I hope you get to the bottom of it.

MotherJessAndKittens · 13/10/2024 15:12

It seems a bit strange. You would expect a doctor to reassure you not be angry at you. At least she has referred you.

thanksanyway · 13/10/2024 15:12

Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:04

No. I booked it a few weeks ago. I was invited to a screening programme.

nhs?

Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:12

usererror99 · 13/10/2024 15:08

I found doctors who spoke English as a second language often have a way of phrasing questions which is much more "explain to me this" - they definitely weren't meaning to be rude just a turn of phrase really

I'm pretty sure if I was working in such a scientific field in a language that wasn't my first my questions may come across less conversationally

Interesting observation. In this case she was British. English certainly sounded like her mother tongue.

OP posts:
Lottemarine · 13/10/2024 15:13

Lots of doctors don’t have bedside manners, especially in hospitals, too busy, overworked, try not to take it personal, you don’t know what’s going on in her life.

Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:15

@VickyEadieofThigh Ha, maybe. I guess I would be too.

@BabyCloud I am glad you received such good care. I hope you get to the bottom of it. Mine was almost 150BPM at rest as well.

OP posts:
Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:16

Lottemarine · 13/10/2024 15:13

Lots of doctors don’t have bedside manners, especially in hospitals, too busy, overworked, try not to take it personal, you don’t know what’s going on in her life.

You’re right. Thank you for the reality check. I’m probably never going to see her again so need to stop thinking about it.

OP posts:
Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:17

@thanksanyway No, not NHS

OP posts:
weirdstoriesdontaddup · 13/10/2024 15:18

I agree with you. My heart rate is very low. Elite athlete low. I am NO athlete. If someone asked me why it was so low I’d probably say, aren’t you the doctor?

DuckBee · 13/10/2024 15:18

It’s the weekend she probably thought you had been taking drugs. When my hubby had a nosebleed that last 19 hours they were insistent he had been snorting cocaine. They didn’t clock from his notes he has an enzyme deficiency which means he had snorted cocaine he would have been dead.

WhimsicalGubbins76 · 13/10/2024 15:18

Honestly OP, as upsetting as this sort of thing is, I wouldn’t waste another moment worrying about her behaviour. She either has no people skills, OR she was tired and grouchy. Neither of these are excuses. The main thing is she’s everting you to a specialist. She’s done the medical side of her job and now you never have to see her again.
We’ve all encountered horrible drs I’m sure 🤣 years ago I had this awful pain in my side, towards my back (where your stomach and left lung are) The Dr said “well there’s no organs there so there’s nothing it could be, you’re probably imagining it”
No organs 🤣 not to mention he didn’t even consider musculoskeletal causes!
Went to a different Dr and it turned out to be a herniated thoracic disc referring pain to my side.

BabyCloud · 13/10/2024 15:19

VickyEadieofThigh · 13/10/2024 15:10

I'm guessing she's pissed off at having to work ona Sunday.

That’s what they sign up for as a doctor.

RosesAndHellebores · 13/10/2024 15:19

Lottemarine · 13/10/2024 15:13

Lots of doctors don’t have bedside manners, especially in hospitals, too busy, overworked, try not to take it personal, you don’t know what’s going on in her life.

Perhaps so but they are providing a service for which the patients have indirectly paid. This would not be tolerated in any other sector. Rudeness and discourtesy are not acceptable.

I'd have asked her to whom she thought she was speaking. She was very rude, it's unsatisfactory and it warrants a formal complaint in my opinion.

Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:19

MotherJessAndKittens · 13/10/2024 15:12

It seems a bit strange. You would expect a doctor to reassure you not be angry at you. At least she has referred you.

It was a very weird interaction. Immediately opened up with asking me to explain why it was so high. She didn’t even tell me what rate the ECG showed until I asked her.

OP posts:
BabyCloud · 13/10/2024 15:20

Welshey · 13/10/2024 15:15

@VickyEadieofThigh Ha, maybe. I guess I would be too.

@BabyCloud I am glad you received such good care. I hope you get to the bottom of it. Mine was almost 150BPM at rest as well.

Thank you. Don’t let one bad experience upset you 🙂 They are the problem not you.