"Lack of doctor care"

I was admitted to the Emergency Department recently. I have had numerous testing done in regards to a diagnosis of Tachycardia, all testing had come back as Sinus Tachycardia and I was in the process of seeing a Cardiologist at the end of the month to get further testing.

I had had two previous Emergency admissions before that day with the same problem and was treated professionally on both of those occasions and given adequate advice/treatment for the condition.

However, on my most recent admission, I presented with shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and a racing heart along with chest pain. This episode occurred while I was at home watching television. On arrival, the Nurse triaged me and she was absolutely lovely very compassionate and caring. I had expressed to the nurse that I felt embarrassed about coming to the Emergency Department because I feel like I’m going crazy. She assured me that it was all right in front of me, my heart rate was at 151bpm and my heart was palpitating - her words to me exactly were “I assure you that this is not in your head” and instantly I felt at ease.

I was taken to a bed where an ECG was preformed and they put me on an IV drip. It took an hour for me to stop shaking and my heart rate to lower with the drip. I was being very well looked after by Dr. Miranda who may I add was an absolute pleasure, she was so lovely and made me feel at ease.

After six long hours hoping something would be done, hoping I would get some form or answer or medication to help reprieve my symptoms another doctor came to my bed. They had not spoken a word to me until the time of discharge, and the first thing they said was “okay are you ready to go home now”.

This doctor then went on to tell me that I was just having a panic attack and that they will either prescribe me an antidepressant or valium.

I felt so embarrassed and ashamed because I know I have been struggling with this for months now, this is not anxiety or a panic attack and I expressed this to the doctor firmly. They then said, take the medication and follow up with your gp in 4 days, who knows I might be right and you might be wrong.

Coming home from emergency I cried myself to sleep because I felt like I was going crazy, I do not feel like I was treated seriously, and I do not at all feel comfortable to come back should I have an episode in the future.

I saw my GP and followed up with them as the doctor had asked. I believe my GP was horrified when they saw I was prescribed valium 3 times a day and told me to stop it immediately. Knowing my history and knowing all my testing had come back with the result Tachycardia. I am now seeing a Cardiologist soon urgently, and since this admission, I have had another episode.

I believe that the second doctor couldn’t clinically put their finger on what the problem was because all my bloods had come back clear and I hadn’t at that stage had any appointments with a Cardiologist.

I believe this should never result in a misdiagnosis to a patient.

I felt defeated and I felt beyond hurt coming home from the hospital that night, I am writing this feedback purely because I do not want someone else to feel the way I did leaving a place that is meant to make you better. I feel disheartened.