"Condition minimised by ignorance of women's health"

Admitted to the surgical ambulatory clinic with severe abdominal pain - suspected appendicitis. 

Surgeon who reviewed me was incredibly dismissive. Asked me who I lived with at home and when I told them it was just myself and my daughter they asked me if i thought it was normal to come to hospital with a sore stomach. I explained that I had this previously and was told that I had cysts on my pancreas and I was in a significant amount of pain. They said they could not find a record of this but ordered an ultrasound scan. On completion of the ultrasound scan I was found to have large cysts on both ovaries.

The consultant remained very dismissive when I was seen again on the ward and made me feel as if I was exaggerating my symptoms. I've since been diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis. The consultant's bedside manner made me feel as if I was wasting their time when in fact I was found to have a severe long term condition. Some empathy and knowledge of women's health would have gone a long way!