"Frustration at mixed messages"

About: General practices in Lanarkshire University Hospital Wishaw / Emergency Department University Hospital Wishaw / Gastroenterology

(as a service user),

I underwent an endoscopy back in around 2019 after an admittance to A and E with severe pains. Upon discharge I was told by nursing staff that I had a hernia. No other information so I just figured that it was no big deal.

Fast forward to now and I’m again experiencing this horrid pain again. Upon attending A and E I was treated very well by the nurse however I felt that the Dr who saw me was very dismissive and automatically attributed the pain to my Fibromyalgia although I explained clearly that this was a different and unusual pain. 

I was discharged with minimal advice and pain relief. A week later I ended up back - this time when I queried if I had a hernia I was told no. 

Discharged again with a diagnosis of gastritis caused by painkillers. Back to the GP where I saw a fantastic Advanced Nurse Practitioner who checked my notes and told me that I do have a hernia?

Either way - I need to know what is causing this pain and discomfort. But I can’t comprehend how I have had so many different answers. And also why it is almost always assumed that if you live with a long term health condition, that everything you experience is attributed to that.

It is very frustrating and I can’t help but wonder if someone without a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia would be given better care and attention and more exploration. 

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Responses

Response from Jennifer Montgomery, Improvement Coordinator, Quality Directorate, NHS Lanarkshire 14 months ago
Jennifer Montgomery
Improvement Coordinator, Quality Directorate,
NHS Lanarkshire

Operational Lead for Care Opinion in NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 26/09/2023 at 02:47
Published on Care Opinion at 02:47


picture of Jennifer Montgomery

Dear Dazzle,

Thank you for sharing your experience on Care Opinion.

I am pleased to hear that the nursing staff treated you well at A&E and that the Advanced Nurse Practitioner at your GP practice was able to confirm the diagnosis that you suspected having been told several years previously. I am however sorry to hear that the doctor did not take your pain seriously and attributed this to your fibromyalgia.

We always want to make things better for patients. It would be helpful if you could contact Patient Affairs at University Hospital Wishaw so that they can understand the issues in more detail.

PatientAffairs.Wishaw@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

Tel no 01698 366 558

I hope that you have got some clarity now with your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Kind Regards,

Jenni

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