Update on the rapid referral to chest pain and cardiology clinic.

[Boudica1]

Well what a total waste of time!

First person I see was a nurse /technician who promptly informed me I was referred to the wrong clinic and there was nothing wrong with me but did the height, weight, BP and hooked me up to a ECG machine. Then informed me that it's a long wait to see doctor.

Eventually saw a registrar who didn't even look at the results of the 24hr holter monitor or the tests that had been requested and said if I get more chest pains to go to A&E so that they can do the blood tests. Then decided to write a prescription which I was not happy with and reminded him of the respiratory problems again so he changed it to Diltiazem Hydrochloride.

Finally left the hospital and had to pay for the over priced car park. By this time I was very hot and peed off big time.

Got home and read the blurb that comes with the pills he prescribed.

Really?

It states not suitable for asthma and lung problems and common side effects include breathlessness and constipation. The later will be a big problem as I have Diverticular disease as well.

So at the moment I'm not happy with the clinic or the staff and definitely not happy about the drug that was prescribed so will not be taking it.

I will be having some strong words with GP when I see her and will also inform her that I will not be going to that hospital ever again as every department I've had the misfortune to attend is a nightmare including the over night stay after gallbladder surgery with a "nurse" assigned to me repeatedly forgetting to give me the drugs I was supposed to have and making me feel I was bed blocking to the point that I walked out and went home.

Sorry for the rant.

X

[Alice70]

This cardiology clinic has treated you shamefully ,you could send in a letter of complaints, if your anything like me putting pen to paper would just add to the frustration,when you are feeling calmer get that letter in ,sorry to hear that you had such treatment

[Boudica1 in reply to Alice70]

I will be talking to my GP soon and will tell them and while I'm there inform them that I will not ever go to that hospital again. The hospital even brags that its the biggest teaching hospital and has one of the best reputations but so far I've found them to be a catalogue of shameful disregard and neglect.

Should I need to see a consultant again I will ask to be referred elsewhere

[HungryHufflepuff]

What a catalogue of disasters, that’s just awful. And shocking how that nurse treated you after the gallbladder surgery. What a waste of time and effort for you today. I hope your doctor can be more helpful when you see her.

[Boudica1 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Disaster is the word. I've lost all faith in this hospital and they have the cheek to tell me to go to their A&E department, NO CHANCE. Went to A&E years ago at another hospital and without checking gave me a Tetanus injection, I'm allergic to it but the "nurse" didn't believe me and said no one is allergic to that vaccine. WRONG. I and several of my sibling have a bad reaction to it and end up with all our joins locking and seriously ill to the point we need to be admitted to hospital. Thats why I don't trust A&E and treat myself at home no matter if it's my lungs or when I was collapsing on the floor with the gallstones and when I've badly cut myself I apply plenty of pressure to stem the bleeding and then apply butterfly stitches and wrap it up for a few hours. Plus as I come from a long line of Lungies I have also learned a lot of tricks and able to adjust my meds so I stay well away. I even told Para-medics last year the only way they would get me to A&E was if I was unconscious, I had to sign a disclaimer but no way am I going to A&E.

To be honest now I really don't want anything to do with any hospital department any more and will be signing myself off as they all seem a totally waste of time I can do a better job by myself. When it comes to my body I'm the expert as I've had it all my life, they don't know me and most of the time don't ask about my past medical history. All they know is what they have learned from books and what some senior doctor thinks which does not make them experts as they don't listen to what you are saying or what you know about your body and certainly don't listen with regards to your concerns about any drugs they think you should have.

To cap it all the GP put me on asprin 4 weeks ago and it appears to have played havoc with my Vasculitis and now the petechial rashes and purpura are running wild on my arms and legs.

Well thats another rant, can't be doing me much good at the moment apart from getting it of my chest. LOL

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Boudica1]

You have every right to rant. What a horrible time you’ve had with one thing and another. Sometimes getting stuff off your chest is helpful, I don’t know if it is for you, a problem shared and all that. I know it can’t make things better but at least you can rant to us and know we are listening and sending lots of best wishes your way.

[santisuk in reply to Boudica1]

Have a lot of empathy with your situation. I have not had my lung condition for as many years as you have had you affliction, but I like to take charge of my bronchiectasis and research as much as I can on the internet and listen to the wise counsel of others on Health Unlocked.

Net result I am continually running into medics who know much less than me and give advice I know to be wrong. Part of it is the fact I'm in Thailand where doctors are treated with over-much respect, some are lazy and some just guess. I walked out on a private hospital doctor in the run up to my triple bypass 4 weeks ago. I had been suffering night sweats for a couple of nights and a short fever on waking - potentially signs of an impending lung infection. Had myself checked out at a local hospital where the doctor told me she knew about bronchiectasis - "it's from smoking too much". Wrong. She concluded I had pneumonia but when I said this felt nothing like pneumonia I had had 3 times over the last 5 years and quizzed her on her analysis, nothing stood up to scrutiny so I declined her offer of hospitalisation and IV treatment and left. Later the same day I checked into a larger regional private hospital the night before I was due to travel to Bangkok for my heart op - a hospital where my normal pulmo doctor could be accessed. He took one look at the X-Ray from the first hospital, listened to my chest and asked about symptoms and sputum. "No way you have a bacterial infection and especially not pneumonia he said". Probably short-run viral thing - let's see how you feel in the morning. I was of course fine in the morning and went for my operation with a lighter heart.

[Carnival567 in reply to Boudica1]

I am allergic to anti tetanus toxoid as well, and that is always treated with surprise. They always ask me what reaction I have. How stupid to say you can’t be allergic to it. You are very wise to be so aware, because junior A & E doctors can be very inexperienced. I always take copies of reports I have which has helped. I hope you keep well, but if you need A& E again try somewhere else! All the best xx

[Boudica1 in reply to Carnival567]

My main concern with the Tetanus injection is if I'm unable to let them know and they make something fairly minor into a nightmare.

[Carnival567 in reply to Boudica1]

You could always get a medicalert bracelet or something similar from a jeweller where you add your own details. Well worth it xx

[Izb1]

So sorry to hear of your recent problems at the hospital Boudica1. It seems to be a common problem now, especially in A & E. Its awful to think you need to have a good knowledge of your condition so that you can feel confidant in the treatment they are giving you. I would put a complaint in even though you know nothing will be done, it will at least be on record x

[Hidden]

Bloody disgusting I was rushed in April breathing problems dangarous high blood pressure I was left ignored all night and not treated till the morning dispite alarms going off as sats were 82 !!! I complained then I asked for a letter showing what my bp was that night they sent a previous letter saying I was breathless but forgot bp reading so I asked for another this was for my pip but now I have to fill out a form to ask for my records plus 2 sets of I'd and get someone who knows me to confirm my I'd then they will send records within 30 days so whatever u do don't complain !!!!!!!!!

[Ergendl]

((((Hugs)))) Boudica1. There is a local hospital I won't go to for similar reasons. I hate it when nursing staff make you feel like you're bed blocking when it's their errors that have done the damage forcing you to stay.

[katieoxo60]

Rant on but while you do please contact Pals and give a feed back on your experience. The clinical bit about the tablets needs to be addressed and if you have nothing wrong why prescribe drugs??? We are constantly being reminded by the patients participation groups that no one complains so things don't change. Hope you feel better now you have aired your feelings.

[Boudica1 in reply to katieoxo60]

That's what both my husband and I are wondering about the prescription and the rather disrespectful conversation.

I know what ectopic beats are what would have been nice was to find out why they have got a lot more frequent and painful this past year not spoken to like a child and handed sweeties to.