"Appalling Care"

Recently I presented to Royal Perth Hospital ED with complications from atypical asthma.

I was advised by health direct to present as my shallow breathing, tight chest, difficulty walking and talking, being light headed when walking etc hasn't resolved with steroids and ventolin that I've been on for nearly a week. 

That day at around 1:30-2pm I was called by a doctor to take me through. My bag got caught on the chair so there was a delay in coming through. As I made a joke of this to the ED doctor who was taking me through, the doctor responded with a grunt.

When we got to the cubical I explained that I have seen a respiratory scientist recently to triple confirm atypical asthma, that I don't wheeze or have low oxygen readings, however I still have a tight chest, difficulty breathing, walking, talking, getting light headed, triggers that trigger my asthma etc.

I mentioned to the ED doctor how I saw Respiritory Care WA, who the respiratory scientist from Respiritory Care WA confirmed I have atypical asthma, however I had to wait for the official report to come through which could take a month. As they are a public service with a lot of patients, I feel sure you can agree this is understandable.

The Doctor at Royal Perth, when I mentioned the above circumstances with Respiritory Care WA and waiting for the report gave what I felt was a condescending look and stated well I'm contacting them to follow this up.

I thought that was odd, but continued on.

They asked about my Lamotrigine and why I was on it. When I asked why this was a relevant question they said they were just getting the full picture and asked if I have problems with my mood?

I said occasionally, but that is not an issue right now.

They went away, I had a RAT test and chest listened too.

When they came back they said my chest sounds clear and numbers are normal so nothing is going on.

I stated that I don't present 'normally' but I still have symptoms going on.

The ED doctor stated that it's impossible to have an attack while your chest is clear and stat's are normal. It's physically impossible.

When I tried to explain my circumstances again the ED doctor interrupted me and said it's impossible. To present this way is impossible. It's not asthma.

I tried to explain that I thoroughly discussed my circumstances with Respiritory Care WA who we , the Respiritory scientist and I went through my symptoms, triggers, History, past treatment and emergency treatment, testing and they, the Respiritory scientist confirmed ' not normal presenting 'asthma.

When I mentioned the above the ED Doctor again said that's not possible and they've been a doctor for years and know these things.

At this point I was feeling shut down, defeated, scared and frustrated. I was not being listened to and every point I raised was being shut down.

I kept repeating that I didn't know what to do, that I'm feeling backed into a corner and defeated.

They said the pulmonary test will be coming through in 10 mins. If that's clear you don't have asthma, there's nothing we can do, see your GP and go home.

I again tried to explain that a pulmonary function test can still fail, for example You're not symptomatic that day but you can still have asthma.

The ED doctor said back that's impossible. You can't have asthma with a pulmonary test that shows nothing That's impossible. 

I tried to explain that I saw an after hours GP the previous night who prescribed treatment that didn't work, a course of steriods and more ventolin which has not helped. I tried to explain that I've symptomatic and struggling all week.

The ED doctor said they didn't know what I want them to do and they'll listen to my chest.

When they asked me to take deep breaths in I did the best I could.

They then stopped, and said in a stern and, I recall, almost yelling tone that I'm not breathing in hard enough to to fill my lungs!

On the verge of tears I said " I'm doing the best I can!"

They then stopped and said it's up to me if I stay or not. If the function tests come back clear, then there's nothing they can do. My oxygen levels are normal and chest is clear.

When I said that I felt like I was being gaslit, backed into a corner, not believed and like I'm being brushed off as ' just anxious' they bit back with;

"Have I said that!?"

They then asked what I wanted.

I explained how I have had burst therapy in the past when I had similar symptoms and injected with steriods.

They then said they've read your notes. I'm not like that now. So up to me. I can leave or wait.

By this point I was becoming light headed again and knowing I wasn't getting anywhere and not being believed I said I was going to leave.

They said okay and walked off, no goodbye or followup or anything. Just walked off.

Walking outside I spoke to a friend and my sister when I noticed I was out of breath while talking to them. 

They were also in shock with what I was telling them about my experience with this ED doctor from Royal Perth Hospital.

I spoke with Respiritory WA recently who are horrified by this Dr from Royal Perth ED. 

I've got no choice but to seek further urgent treatment as when I got home, I got light headed to the point of almost dropping. Could this have been avoided if this ED Doctor did something other than, in my opinion, gaslight me, assume they're right even if they're not, etc?