"Distressing outpatients appointment"

I had an outpatients gynaecology appointment at Whiteabbey Hospital recently. It was to have a colposcopy taken after an abnormal smear test.

I was very anxious and nervous about this as I did not know I was going to need to have this procedure done and I only found out when the appointments team rang me to book an appointment with me.

I was very worried as I knew they would be checking for any abnormalities and it is to check for pre cancerous cells. It’s always a very sensitive and invasive area which was also very daunting to me.

I was on my own for the appointment and was called in. A nurse greeted me and got me to change. I was then brought into the room and the doctor greeted me. They asked me a few questions and I answered these, that was fine. I happened to mention that I had received a letter from a consultant from gynaecology from the Belfast Trust telling me that possible endometriosis had shown on my MRI scan.

For me getting this letter and information about possible endometriosis it was a huge relief, it was years of me being in severe pain and waiting for answers and I was so grateful to finally have some possible answers. I was relieved that something had shown on my scan; meaning that the pain wasn’t all in my head and I wasn’t a wimp or a drama queen.

The doctor that seen me shut me down instantly by asking if I had had surgery, I told them I had had an MRI scan. They proceeded to tell me I couldn't have endometriosis as it doesn't show on scans, they said that the only way to know you have it is through surgery. They said that there was nothing wrong with me. I felt even more on edge and upset after this comment.

The doctor then explained the abnormal smear results etc to me. They  asked if I didn’t mind them asking if I had had the cervical cancer injection. I told them I did not have it as I did not feel comfortable getting it at the time, as I was the first year group to get offered it. They pulled a face and asked why.

I explained again that me and my mum had discussed it and we decided against it.

They just stared at me for ages and didn’t say anything.

I felt completely judged at this point and so uncomfortable as there were 3 other staff members present in the room - one was a student.

I am a health care professional myself and I honestly felt so stupid and embarrassed. It’s my body and my decision as to what injections I take and this member of staff should not have judged me for this.

I felt as though they were making a point, as in; I didn’t have the injection and that’s why I was there having the procedure.

I have previously had two smear tests taken and had absolutely no problems with them.

I felt so uncomfortable after the doctor made these 2 comments and then I had a very invasive procedure taken which was absolutely horrible and I felt like I just wanted to leave. I think it was more painful than it should’ve been because I was so tense and not relaxed.

Once it was all finished when I stood up I knew I could feel something dripping down my legs and I was unsure of what it was, I thought maybe some dye/water of some sort had been used. I was told to sit down and the doctor just said that I was all finished. When I was walking to the changing room I could feel something dripping down my legs even worse. When I got back to the changing room and I checked and I was bleeding quite heavily. This was quite a shock to me as I wasn’t expecting it to be so bad. I think it would have been better for the doctor to have told me that I was bleeding quite badly before I left instead of it being a complete shock to me. I have never wanted out of a room more in my life.

When I had got changed and sorted I just felt so upset and started crying. I had to go back to work after but I couldn’t as I was in such a state and so upset. My mum had to come down to my work to settle me as I was so upset and so frustrated at being shut down about my endometriosis and for being judged for not having an injection.

I don’t usually give bad feedback however I am this time as I left feeling horrible and I don’t think that should have been the case. When you’re going for this type of procedure you need to be made to feel as comfortable as possible. I don’t want people to feel the same way I did so I felt like I needed to raise my concern.

Thank you