Echocardiogram /Ultrasound - shouldnt need to hurt

[TheBoys]

Had my test yesterday... given i d become so stressed as to what might be found etc, i d been prescribed prozac.. i approached it with a lot of anxiety. Not least as then theres the waiting game for results.

Still, I d been told a male sonographer would do me as there is a good mix at the Royal London. This is a big thing for me due to scarring and weight.

Got there early...within a minute the nurse in charge shouts me over and says... " you ve asked to be scanned by a male? .. there arent any here.. sorry " so that was a good start in the waiting room for all to hear.

Anyways, i had to have it .. and it was rough as hell. Take your clothes off to the waist and lie on the couch. Very sore on the left side ..she was very rough. I felt I was being punished. Modern scanners like thus should never hurt the operative doesn't need to be heavy handed. I had an Ultrasound in a private hospital in Spain on my abdomen ...had a gown/vest thing with no problem.

Afterwards was left to clean myself up and leave the room.

Why are hospitals not able to consider mens dignity.. - all dignity.There have been scan friendly gowns available for years. Modern transducers dont need to be rammed onto the body. The Royal London is like a palace with shedloads of kit and resources in a massively diverse area of London. It never feels pressured. yet it takes a few snidey staff to undermine everything.

But i wish someone in the NHS would start thinking about the patient. It does not take a lot at all. A lot of blokes suffer it but am sick to death being "grateful" to nurses and docs. Most i have come across are pretty average and am sure a lot of us have heard of bad experiences in hospitals as well as good... I have complained.. fat lot of good it will do me. Thats my rant for the day .. ! now i have to wait for five weeks for results.

[sassy59]

What a horrible experience for you and shouting things out in the waiting room is a no no. Whatever happened to privacy?

You’ve made a complaint so let’s see what happens. I truly hope your scan results are good and they come through sooner. Xxxx

[Hacienda]

I do feel for you Hun, I too have had an Echocardiogram, before I went on Transplant List.( Not on it now). The Nursing staff were Great BUT, when it came to Admin to transfer the Image to the Transplant Hospital, this was a case of very Bad administration, it should have taken days to a week, almost 2 weeks later they sent it after Blaming each Department. I too have had excellent Treatment in Spain. Do you Know That today Spain has been voted the Best Hospitals in Europe. Obviously, some may not agree. I do however find all my Treatment in the two Hospitals I attend here has been and still is Excellent. I will always have a qualm with all Admin who I think lets the Side Down. The term Too many Cooks Etc comes to mind. Good Luck To you and hope all comes Good for you. have a Great Weekend & Monday. xxx

[TheBoys in reply to Hacienda]

Thanks for that... thats really useful

[Hidden]

I absolutely agree with you. There is no need to be rough and the result is active on the screen. Every two years I pay £250 for my heart consultant to do it in a tiny room at the local private hospital. It never hurts, he explains what he is seeing as he shows it too me and in the scheme of things that is not expensive.

And I don’t have to be grateful.

[TheBoys in reply to Hidden]

Thank for that. I ll bring it up with my NHS consultant when I see him. 250.00 is nothing, as you say if it brings peace of mind. I d rather go down that route.

[soppysokes]

Fully understand your points re lack of sensitivity in waiting room and also lack of gown if requested during the proceedure but regarding scan at times painful and being punished -maybe not that but more likely is that yes at times they need to push harder and firmly in places to get the clear view necessary. The comparison to abdominal scan cannot be made since the chest region has many bones the abdominal cavity not, therefor softer and pliable.that said sorry to hear you found it unpleasant overall.

[Fleurbaby]

When I had my ECG, I was positive that the Male sonographer was trying to break my ribs!

He virtually laid on top of me, then very roughly moved the device all over my chest, digging into the ribs of & on, so much, I came close to punching him!

Obviously, that is how the thing works.

[TheBoys in reply to Fleurbaby]

Gosh... that sounds rough. I couldnt have handled that!

[Fleurbaby]

Sadly, when you are a squeeky wheel, some people don't appreciate or understand why you are doing this, so, they get pissed off, because you have stirred things up, probably added to THEIR workload for the day, they 'get back at you 'by slowing or crawling, or being a bit rough in the way they handle you, whilst still doing what they have been told to do!

I am referring to the testing staff of course, not nurses etc, although they are still all human, prone to ups and downs of their moods!

A bit like the restaurant scenario, where you complain about the food, so, they drop it on the floor in the kitchen, or spit on it, you must remember, there are some very nasty, people out there, just ask the SPCA, for those of you whom doubt my cynicism.

[TheBoys in reply to Fleurbaby]

Thanks Fleurbaby..i ve heard plenty of stories where people get poor care now. We only have to look at NHS review pages. I ll always kick back at them though!

[tigersocksy]

I had an echo just this Friday gone. I am in Australia. No where near your experience. It was followed up on the same day with a stress test. The cardiologist was in the room with me when I did the stress test and told me the results of my echo and stress right there on the day. There is no way you should have been treated like this and glad you have complained. Unfortunately it sounds like you had the mix of a few staff with attitudes on the day. I hope all turns out ok for you and you get taken care of better next time. All the best.

[TheBoys in reply to tigersocksy]

Thanks tigersocksy. The UK health system seems to be full.of staff with attitude these days. I dont know why they do the role if they have off days. I ll always challenge poor behaviour!