Disgusted and distressed! I don't trust doctors!!!!!!

[Cafelatte]

First of all I am really sorry about the length of this post.
I am really really distressed because of an encounter with the doctor this morning.
I was diagnosed with a possible hernia last week (based on the doctor examining me through my trousers.)
Because I had 2 lumps on the top of the pubic area on both sides (more like a swelling) I was also told (not by a doctor) that it could be saphena varix (as I also suffer from varicose veins) which show very similar symptoms.
So I went to seek a second opinion (as I didn't think the first doctor was very thorough in his examination).
First of all I had to insist that he examins me, I mentionned Saphena Varix and he'd never heard of it (had to look in his book), he told me that the first doctor I'd seen was probably right as hernia was extremely common (although the first doctor said it was extremely rare especially in women) and more or less told me to ask the midwive for any concerns I have regarding the hernia affecting my pregnancy.
But the worst is still to come:
He realized I had a slight urine infection (I'd brought a urine sample as I suspected one) and gave me some antibiotics.
I asked him TWICE wether they were ok to take during pregnancy and he said yes.
When I went to the pharmacy I asked the girl behind the counter AGAIN if it was ok to take during pregnancy and she looked at me blankly and said: "Didn't you check with the doctor?"
I said: "Yes but I'd rather double check".
She gave the prescription to the pharmacist and mentioned I was pregnant.
The pharmacist called me and advised me that he couldn't give me those antibiotics as it could harm my baby.
I was almost in tears, went back to the surgery and advised the receptionist of what happenned.
She laughed, as if to say "ooops, silly doctor!".
I am appalled and at this moment in time, I hate all doctors.
Should I make a formal complaint?
A different doctor prescribed me some different antibiotics (which I'm not gonna take as I'm too scared now) and when I went back to the pharmacist he asked me how many weeks I was, when I said 24 he said: "those previous antibiotics that you were prescribed were only harmful to your baby for the first trimester. They are ok to take on the second and third."
How am I supposed to believe that now?
How can a medication be harmful to your baby before and not after.
I've booked a third appointment with a female doctor tomorrow (regarding the hernia diagnosis), but frankly I'm not getting my hopes up as at the moment I have NO faith whatsoever in the NHS.
I am disgusted.
I was in tears earlier and I still have to look after my little 2 year old and put a brave face on.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

How awful for you. The only thing I can suggest is to call NHS Direct - I think they may tape their calls so may be more careful about what they say - but see what the doctor says tomorrow and tell her everything that's happened WRT the vagueness over diagnosis and safety of taking antibiotics. I would be very angry too if I were you.

Message withdrawn

Explain all this to the doc you see - write it down. Get her to explain the medication and check it's ok.

Cafelatte- it is QUITE possible for antibiotics to be harmful in the first trimester, and not later on- the ones that can damage a developing foetus do not damage one that is already developed.

So, the doctor who prescribed the antibiotics was right. The pharmacist probably didn't know how many weeks you were, so to be safe was giving you blanket advice which would be safe for anyone.

You are going to have to decide who to believe, I'm afraid. If you do have a UTI, then you NEED antibiotics, it could harm your baby not to take them. Instead of going to see the third doctor tomorrow (who you have made your mind up not to believe, so it's going to be a waste of time), why don't you ask the MW if you can have an appointment with your Consultant? He/ She will know all about hernias, and how they affect pregnancy- my bet would be, they won't affect your pregnancy at all, and you'll have to put up with them until your baby is delivered.

Lots of drugs are harmfeul in the first trimester and not the second or third (during the first trimester the baby develops- so if something interferes with that it can cause problems, during the second and third it grows).

Remember that untreated infections can be problematic and harmful as well. If you're worried talk to your midwife maybe?

No, I know, I didn't mean that I hated all doctors, some are extremely competent. It's just at this moment in time I am very angry and emotional (+ hormonal).

Great advice tissy, you absolutley must treat an infection, in my experience, pharmacists know more about the drugs than the doctors, but make sure it is a pharmacist that you ask and not the pharmacy assistant! If you're still not sure, there is a website called bnf.co.uk or .com which gives you all the up to date info on all drugs (it's what the drs and pharmacists use for their info) hth!

What a rotten morning you've had. It's good you've got another appointment tomorrow to see another Gp as they shouldn't have left you feeling so confused.

To be fair though, it sounds as though the pharmacist gave you the wrong information about the antibiotics, not the GP. Some drugs are only harmful in the first trimester because that is when most of the organs are forming and they are most at risk.

I would take the other tablets you have been given if I was you, for a urine infection can be nasty if you neglect it.
If you are still feeling upset why don't you ring the midwife for advice?

I have needed abs for a UTI when pg and my baby is fine. Not taking them can be nasty.

I'd have a chat with your mw, and maybe ring your hospital too, they may be able to help on the phone.

you are obvious;y very upset byu this, but from what I have read in your OP your doctor's advice on the antibiotics was actually correct, they are fine to take after 12 weeks , and youa re way past that stage. You do need to take them to treat the infection

Thank you everyone for your replies. I feel a bit more reassured now and will take the course of antibiotics.
I am not going to make a complaint as the pharmacist didn't know how pregnant I was basically.
I just got so scared when he said "no you can't have these they could be harmful to your baby" that all I could think of was: "If I didn't tell him I was pregnant, I would have happilly been taking them for five days."
And when the receptionist laughed, that really annoyed me.
Maybe I'm overreacting because I'm pregnant or something I don't know.
Maybe I should accept what the doctors said but I find it really difficult to believe some of the things they said as I have the feeling they were trying to get rid of me and not taking me seriously at all.
But I will go to that 3rd appointment just in case.

Dear Cafelatte,

I'm so sorry that you've had such an upsetting experience. I didnt mention before that I'm actually a doctor too (only recently graduated though and dont have the years of experience your GPs do) but I don't blame you for feeling so angry towards doctors as there are plenty of incompetent ones out there.

I'm suprised at the handling of the lumps in the groin. I saw quite a few saphena varicies as a med student and I know they can be mistaken for hernias but it seems obvious to me thats what you have. If your GP tomorrow doesnt know then I think you should ask for a surgical consult but its not urgent as they cant do anything while you are pregnant.

As for the antibiotics, there seems to be a lack of thoroughness there as well. what is the name of the antibiotic? is it trimethoprim? if it is then it is only contraindicated in the first trimester according to the BNF (british national formulary). your pharmacist sould have checked how many weeks you were before scaring you.

I hope your GP consultation goes well tomorrow...if not insist on a consultant opinion, but dont worry as I dont think the lumps are urgent. If there's anything you're not sure about then please ask and I'll try to help if I can.

All the best xxx

Thank you so much!! I wish you were my doctor.
To be honest I don't think the doctor I saw this morning could have had much experience (not judging or anything but he looked younger than me and I'm only 30!).
Yes the name of the first lot of antibiotics was trimethoprim.
The second one is Cefradine 250mg. I suppose I should take that although it does feel that it is the end of the infection as the doctor said that my urine was very clear.
Wether it's hernia or saphena varix (which I read was more common in a second pregnancy and 10% of women get it either in the groin on on the pubic mons (like mine)) I should try not too worry as it's gonna do me more harm than good.
But mothertobe I really appreciate all the help you've given me since the beginning and I do not hate all doctors (not anymore!! ).

I have to take that cefradine 3 times a day.

Cafelatte, it is a nightmare when you feel that you can't trust your Dr.
You already had some good advice on the AB' and why they could harm in the first trimester and not thereafter!
Just wanted to add, that, when you take ab's you are more prone to thrush, and, I always found, when pg, I was more prone to that already, so, you may want to start taking those probiotic yoghurts/drinks ...they can sometimes help with avoiding thrush!
Also, great when you have a Urine infection, drink Cranberry Juice, it really does help relieve the symptoms and in general try to drink plenty to flush out the system, so to say!
Hope you feel better soon and that you get the otehr issue sorted!

Thank you! I have no more symptoms of urine infection so hopefully that's on its way out.
Hopefully I won't get thrush now!

Cafelatte, when I was barely 3 or 4 weeks PG with my first PG, my doctor prescribed me with antibiotics for sinusitis. He didn't ask whether I could be PG and at the time I didn't know I was. That pregnancy ended in a missed MC at 10 weeks - I was told the foutus was undersized and had 'stopped growing'. Shortly before I found this out, another doctor looked at my records and frowned and said "We shouldn't really have given you those tablets if you were pregnant because they can affect growth". So you are quite right to be cross and confused - I'm not saying those tablets definitely caused my MC, but doctors do forget stuff and make mistakes, clearly. I also think the receptionist at your practice was appallingly insensitive - I'd complain about HER to be honest!

Etenna...you say, that you were perscribed AB's before even you knew you were pg....surely no one could even think of blaming a doctor then, when they perscribe something not to be taken in pg???? What I mean, in your case it wasn't the doctors being uncareful!
Just as, wiht the ab's at least, the dr. the op saw wasn't wrong...

Hi Cafelatte I was on Cefradine at about 37 weeks as I had a terrible chest infection and was wheezing for England! I have had a beautiful DD 10 days ago and she is absolutely fine. I was very nervous about taking them but it was my Consultant that had prescribed them and she said they are fine to take over 12 weeks. I hope your saphena varicies gets sorted