"Similar symptoms"

I recently visited the ED after what I believe was a reaction from my iron infusion. This was my second iron infusion in which my first landed me in hospital for a couple days with a severe infection. Because of my history I was told to go to ED when I presented with same or similar symptoms. Unfortunately I waited too long because I didn’t want to go to the hospital with all the covid going around. Come the weekend, I couldn’t handle the pain and extreme fatigue anymore. My head was throbbing my body was hurting. I had absolutely no energy not being able to get off the couch or bed and my blood pressure was low.

As I headed to ED I was covid screened (I had done 3 rats at home before attending, all were negative) I told them my symptoms and my history and I was told I had a few covid symptoms. My blood pressure was not taken, my heart rate, nothing. Only my temp, rats tests and PCR test. I was told it would be rare and not really heard of suffering this long from iron infusion. The clinician asked if my OBS were done and I said no. So my BP was quickly done. I was told being the weekend I couldn’t have bloods run and if I am still sick to come back or go to GP (because of PCR I was in isolation so couldn’t see my GP or get bloods).

For whatever reason it seemed my PCR was stuffed up and thrown out and I was called back on the following day. As I hadn’t improved and still felt quite unwell I decided to also be re triaged and see a clinician. During triage again my BP or heart rate was not taken, it wasn’t until another staff member came in and looked at my file and said they saw I had a low Bp. Again I was told several times I’m showing signs of having covid.

Again I was taken into the covid interview room, not touched, no OBS. I explained about why I was there and my history and in particular with iron infusions. I was basically told it seems I have a viral infection or covid. I was given anti-nausea medication and again told to see my GP.

I felt I was not taken seriously that my history was not taken into account and I was labelled as a covid patient. I understand covid is spreading in town but last time I checked you can also be sick with other things that also have the same symptoms.

After around 4 days in isolation I finally saw my GP who said I have a immune response and because of iron infusion I was suffering another infection again!

They said I should of been given IV fluids and pain relief.

I reluctantly went to the ED as a last resort as my last iron infusion made me scary sick and being treated for sepsis to then making this trip and I felt basically being labelled as a covid patient and sent on my way.

Because of my asthma and low immunity, I had a bad lung infection. $169 in medication $85 in doctor fee and over $1300 in loss of wages. All my 6 covid tests including PCR were negative.

Once again I was left feeling gas lighted, and not treated properly or accordingly and if it wasn’t the weekend or in isolation from PCR I would have never of attended the ED but felt I had no choice. I felt like I was making things up and not listened too.

My last admission I was told by ED doctors why I left coming in to ED so late and let myself get so sick and this is the exact reason why. My last iron infusion reaction I was admitted given IV fluids, IV antibiotics and pain relief and was not released until my blood pressure went back up.

I suffer from a chronic Illness so it’s not my first rodeo and very rarely do I present to hospital unless I really need to.

Now that I also had a lung infection and I was on a lot of medication I have expressed my concerns about re-presenting to the hospital if my breathing gets really bad and I become very unwell again. I’m worried I, again after negative tests, will be treated as covid only and everything else will be missed and not treat accordingly. It’s already concerning when there are no other options, or second opinions, or with reduced staff, getting into a GP at late notice seems to be impossible.