Hi
Thanks for your replies I have found support there, and in the fact that this place exists. I suppose others have had the experience that some medical staff can misinterpret a person presenting with physical symptoms as being "only...grrr" suffering from stress and anxiety.
My two most recent experiences with this were in the Emergency Department, about 3 months ago, when I had been suffering bearable chest pain - my GP sent me in and the first Dr to examine me said "Do you have any other conditions?" and I unwisely replied I had a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She laughed at the nurse and trainee at the other side of the bed and said "see how they always say they have PTSD these days". I was aghast, cut to the quick, so upset - I only got angry later after they sent me home. That Dr could be doing a whole lot of damage to a whole lot of people.
More recently (3 weeks ago) it was discovered by my GP (who believes me when I say I feel something is wrong physically) that I have lymphoma in the chest and neck lymphs. So two weeks ago I had my first chemo and a few days later started to feel intense pain, my sister (who is bossy thank goodness) took me to the GP, who had me admitted back to the oncology ward. When the Hematologist saw me (he had also been told about Abbey, PTSD and some heavy drinking I had tried as a self med (worked in a way but then backfired) said "I think this is in your head, you will be fine tomorrow". He said no pain medication allowed except paracetamol (some of the nurses were really upset). The next day (I had been quietly crying most of the day) He came and asked how I was and I said still in pain and I need you to speak to my psychiatrist please (I had already given him the details). Well thank goodness when the Dr did speak to my psych he was told that if I say I am in physical pain then I am and should be treated accordingly (I have a good psych - but what if I hadn't had that back up?). The Hematologist has been far more reasonable since.
This stuff should not happen.
Even if you present to a Dr. or ED with PTSD symptoms - flashbacks,sweats, whatever - these things are just as serious (even life threatening) as any physical issue. We should be treated like any other patient.
Sorry so wordy...Just saying.
My next chemo is today, oh joy.
regards and thanks Pippa
Thanks for your replies I have found support there, and in the fact that this place exists. I suppose others have had the experience that some medical staff can misinterpret a person presenting with physical symptoms as being "only...grrr" suffering from stress and anxiety.
My two most recent experiences with this were in the Emergency Department, about 3 months ago, when I had been suffering bearable chest pain - my GP sent me in and the first Dr to examine me said "Do you have any other conditions?" and I unwisely replied I had a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She laughed at the nurse and trainee at the other side of the bed and said "see how they always say they have PTSD these days". I was aghast, cut to the quick, so upset - I only got angry later after they sent me home. That Dr could be doing a whole lot of damage to a whole lot of people.
More recently (3 weeks ago) it was discovered by my GP (who believes me when I say I feel something is wrong physically) that I have lymphoma in the chest and neck lymphs. So two weeks ago I had my first chemo and a few days later started to feel intense pain, my sister (who is bossy thank goodness) took me to the GP, who had me admitted back to the oncology ward. When the Hematologist saw me (he had also been told about Abbey, PTSD and some heavy drinking I had tried as a self med (worked in a way but then backfired) said "I think this is in your head, you will be fine tomorrow". He said no pain medication allowed except paracetamol (some of the nurses were really upset). The next day (I had been quietly crying most of the day) He came and asked how I was and I said still in pain and I need you to speak to my psychiatrist please (I had already given him the details). Well thank goodness when the Dr did speak to my psych he was told that if I say I am in physical pain then I am and should be treated accordingly (I have a good psych - but what if I hadn't had that back up?). The Hematologist has been far more reasonable since.
This stuff should not happen.
Even if you present to a Dr. or ED with PTSD symptoms - flashbacks,sweats, whatever - these things are just as serious (even life threatening) as any physical issue. We should be treated like any other patient.
Sorry so wordy...Just saying.
My next chemo is today, oh joy.
regards and thanks Pippa