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HI all,

I'm new to the forum.  Was suggested to join to read and connect with others who are going through similar issues. 

Has anyone experienced rude, condescending, accusatory treatment from ER personnel? 

I had a terrible experience the other day.  I had been vomiting quite a bit and had been to the bathroom twenty something times in 2 days. 

I was told by an irritated and condescending doctor that there was nothing wrong.  Even didn't want to tell me some other results that needed attention.  After waiting nearly 12 hours in a hallway, I lost it when I was talked down to.  I left with a high BP and in tears. 

Has anyone else been through situations like this only to find out later there was something terribly wrong? 
She didn't even want to look through my ultra sounds or address bleeding.  Had to beg for zofran.  

Am I crazy? The next time I flare up, I don't know what to do, I don't want to go back to that hospital, and I'm so embarassed and humiliated to be told that I'm a moron.  

 

 Reply posted for judys1967.

When I had my surgery to remove my colon because of sever uc I had many trips to er with complications. One time I went in with severe dehydration went in by ambulance they took me right in. Put me in the high way for 6 hours with 1 iv bag it was empty 30min later. I'm 19 and I passed out from the dehydration in the er because they wouldn't listen to me that I needed more fluid I was told they were busy and doing there best. lucky my surgeon got the call and came down to the er to check on me. He immediately admitted me for dehydration, infection and adrenaline inefficiency . Er nurses could have killed me

I, too, have had an ER doc treat me badly.  I had been having severe pain, vomiting, and loose stools for 2 days.  When I finally gave in and went to ER, the doc said to me, "what are you doing here? This place is for emergencies."  I have not been back to that hospital.  I have to drive another 30 minutes on top of the 20 I already drive, but I will not go back there.  This disease is hard enough to deal with but to have rude, obnoxious and condescending behavior directed at you, as a patient is unconscionable.

 Reply posted for aheartsit.

I, too, have had an ER doc treat me badly.  I had been having severe pain, vomiting, and loose stools for 2 days.  When I finally gave in and went to ER, the doc said to me, "what are you doing here? This place is for emergencies."  I have not been back to that hospital.  I have to drive another 30 minutes on top of the 20 I already drive, but I will not go back there.  This disease is hard enough to deal with but to have rude, obnoxious and condescending behavior directed at you, as a patient is unconscionable.

You are not crazy! Everytime I have been to the ER after a passing out episode (vasovagal response) they always tell me nothing is wrong with me dispite the fact I clearly can't stop shaking, am extremely nauseous and just lost consciousness for a minute or two. The thing that finally helped was having my nuerologist write a permanent note in my file for IV fluids and zofran or fenagrin. Although I still had to wait for blood tests to come back before they would start the IV, it made things easier to get what I needed emergently and follow up with my doctors after. Getting dehydrated can be so hard to come back from. My doc also wrote a prescription to get IV fluid and zofran from the Infusion center. This is obviously during office hours but then you wouldn't have to wait 12 hours to be seen in the ER just to get what you know you need. You know your body! You know when something is not right for your body. Keep seeking help. Don't give up. Try to plan ahead for what you can do when a really terrible episodes comes up. Just because the ER staff can't see your bleeding doesn't mean you don't need help. Best Wishes!

 Reply posted for alizardtown.

Hi.  I don't have Crohn's (my husband does), but i experienced condescending behavior from medical professionals during an ER visit which led to my hospitalization, and from a specialist thereafter.  I had been exposed to a toxic chemical after Hurricane Katrina, and it messed my lungs up and gave me severe, long-lasting fatigue.  I was having a very hard time breathing, and they acted like it was all in my head.  Later, I learned from online research that the chemical I was exposed to was also used in the Exxon-Valdez oil spill cleanup years ago, and that people who were exposed to it had the exact same experience I did.  I was told that most doctors aren't trained in treating chemical exposure, which I found to be true.  I just kept trying different doctors until I found someone that could help me.  The docs who helped were "integrative medicine" specialists who combined traditional medicine with natural therapies like vitamins.  It took awhile, but I finally got well.