u/Battleofthebus

What happened/original post is here

9th August , Sunday evening I submitted formal complaint letter to the practice manager.

This morning, 11th August they emailed their response. So within 1 working day. Is this something that can be addressed in 1 working day?

Before I highlight the issues I will say they have ; apologised that I have felt this way and my experience left me feeling x , said that they have reminded their clinical team about ensuring patients are feeling fully informed, supported and ensuring patients understand their procedure.

Issue RE chaperone

They do not deny nor confirm in the letter I was not offered one ( I wasn’t) but said they find no indication I would have been refused one if I had asked myself. They have mentioned there are signs and posters around the surgery - however to my understanding the clinician should offer one and not rely on posters with intimate exams?

Issue with exam and informed consent -

They stated I was aware what I was coming in for and exam would be part of this. Which I don’t understand because I already said this. I’ve told them I was not informed fully of what exactly she planned on doing, and did not tell me as she was doing it.

“ when it appeared an internal examination would be helpful, you advised you did not wish to proceed with an internal examination” - But it appeared when I felt the clinicians finger moving towards that area, I had to say unprompted I don’t want that. It was never asked/discussed.

Overall feeling rushed, dismissed and uncomfortable (least of my worries/not basis of my complaint but adds to the whole consultation) - The clinician says she was focused on addressing the problem I came in for.

They did not once address recent sexual trauma being on my medical record, and whether the clinician saw this and why/why not. Other than “I appreciate your previous experiences may have made your experience more challenging”.

Also reiterated at the end I’m entitled to ask for exam to be explained to me. I already said upon reflection I realised I could have asked for x. but I don’t feel it’s fair to shift having an explanation onto me? these things should be expected as a minimum, not asked for. I was distressed and anxious. They were aware I had been putting off this appointment for a long time and I have recent trauma.

They have not confirmed or denied my account of events either.

Am I reading into it too much? Should I just accept it, move on or take it further? I’m feeling rather dismissed and frustrated, even though my original intention was to ensue it doesn’t happen to others.

For context I am female

Edit 2 - thanks for all of your comments. It has really changed my perception and I realise that this was not acceptable. I would like to just forget about it and move on but I would absolutely hate for someone else to feel like this. So I will make a complaint.

Edit - just wanted to add I’m not accusing the dr of deliberately doing anything bad. I just feel like the whole appt may have been handled badly?

I’ve had an issue ongoing for a couple of years that I haven’t seen a dr about. Last week I sucked up courage and contacted my surgery as it got worse out of nowhere. I had a phone call with a clinician who was lovely, he listened to my anxieties around the exam and my symptoms/ issues. It’s on my notes re anxiety around rectal exam. I had my appt today with female GP.

As soon as I walk in she’s staring at me, I thought I was in the wrong room! She didn’t say hello, take a seat, it was just so awkward. She asked my name and said “you have anal fissure and want examination?” To which I replied yes. She gave me very vague instructions, and then carried out the rectal exam. Half way through I have an inner panic thinking oh no what if she tries to go inside? So I say I don’t want internal exam. She poked and prodded a bit to check for pain and moved the “area” around to visualise. After, she says she can’t see anything as I was too tense and it’s probably piles, but luckily ( and unfortunately, Was very undignified!) I took photos last week, and I showed her. She said yes from photos she can see multiple fissures/tears higher up. She said I will give you GTN cream, but I said I’m concerned this may cause me bad symptoms due to my medical history, and if I can have the second line treatment cream. She said confirm with your consultant and we will give you GTN.

As soon as I left I was holding back tears and went home and cried so much. But I didn’t know *why*. But thinking about it -

I was not offered a chaperone. Chaperone wasn’t even discussed. The procedure was not explained to me whatsoever and it was based on “rectal exam”. That’s the only info I had. I’ve never had one I don’t know what that would entail apart from someone looking at my butt? And that I had to guess half way through what she might or might not do. I was sat down for 15 seconds before I was told to go to the bed and instructed to remove clothes and lay down. No questions, discussion of symptoms, questions about my bleeding. But she wrote down “small amount of bleeding when passing stool” on notes. Yet I’ve had large amounts in the past. Very minimal discussion after.

I was a victim of rape a few months ago. This is also on my recent notes. I also have ADHD, on my notes. I just assumed a bit more care would be taken.

Not holding too much against it but everything I’ve read about my specific symptoms (multiple fissures and how pain presents) NHS says that this is red flag and needs IBD queried.

I just feel so so rubbish after this morning. I don’t know what to do or if it’s because I’m sensitive. I’m not going to take offence if you think the issue is my sensitivity, rather than anything the doctor did wrong.

Started 20mg. First few days bp was elevated and even hypertensive (1) at some points. Settled down and it actually went lower than my usual baseline due to reduced anxiety, salt intake etc.

Started 30mg today it’s elevated again.

Had a lot of short episodes, very sudden flip flopping or rapid fluttering that stops very abruptly at rest. I’ve only pressed the activator for 3 of them as they only really lasted 5 seconds or so. They have gone on for a bit longer (very rarely, once every few weeks/months) in the past and made me dizzy and very pale. Still don’t know what it is. I’ve had a 7 beat run of SVT on a holter, didn’t even realise. But that’s all that’s ever been caught.

They have said it’s all just sinus rhythm on my reports. I wanted to cry when they told me this. It is very real, intense, I’m not anxious or anything.

Can it be missed as it’s so short? Or is it truly just in my head?

I have been on elvanse 20mg for 6 days. I skipped Saturdays ( I was told it’s ok to have breaks) because I woke up super late.

I don’t know if it was something else or a withdrawal but I felt EXHAUSTED and like I was coming down with the flu. My stomach hurt a bit, had 0 appetite and I felt sick. I just felt so so horrible also anxious af. It felt better when I woke up this morning and didn’t develop into a full blown illness.

Also had brain zaps/shivers this morning. As well as LOW bp. 117/57. Never had that before. But I felt ok and it came back to normal.

Waiting for this dose to kick in, took it an hour ago.

Anyone else?

So I have taken my first dose of 20mg today. It’s 11 hours after and I feel no more effects and my resting heart rate has returned to normal/slow.

My baseline BP is pretty good, and I have taken it a couple times through the day it’s stayed around 120/80. But 12 hours after it’s 130/89 and it won’t budge. I’ve taken it several times, relaxed, still and seated.

Anyone else found the same?

So I have taken my first dose of 20mg today. It’s 11 hours after and I feel no more effects and my resting heart rate has returned to normal/slow.

My baseline BP is pretty good, and I have taken it a couple times through the day it’s stayed around 120/80. But 12 hours after it’s 130/89 and it won’t budge. I’ve taken it several times, relaxed, still and seated.

Anyone else found the same?