"Spoken over at ENT appt Lincoln"

The dr was rude and spoke over me from the start of the appt.

They asked me symptoms and then talked over me giving drs referral notes.

I wanted to explain the history of facial and throat problems but the dr decided to read their notes over me, saying that I was there because my dr says voice changed. So I’m not sure at that point  as every time I tried to speak the dr talked over me til I gave in.

I tried  to talk to the student as the dr did not even look at me. I didn’t get to mention what hurts, or how it affects me.  It appeared they just wanted to do the camera and get back on schedule as they’re running a few minutes late due to an inpatient being shuffled into their schedule.

So we get to the camera up nose down throat, dr explains to the student how they will do this, showing him how to hold the camera.  There’s a sudden sharp pain makes me gag and gasp and my throat tightens like it does when I try to eat, the dr says “sorry but you had a tonsil stone”  Had they removed this or banged it or what’s happened  and they just assumed while I was choking that I even know what it is? I just knew it hurt.

There’s nothing wrong with my throat, they announced while it’s merrily tightening and I can barely breath. They told me my throat was not sore and my voice is fine, no nodules. As I live with my voice box I know currently this is not true, singing in the car I’m now way deeper and cough after higher notes.  Under my chin/jaw.is swollen, painful and I cannot tip my head back for the pain, but the dr has a camera to rely and doesn’t let me talk. They jabbed their fingers around, the student is way better when it’s his turn.

A reflux pamphlet is given and the dr questions my diet. I only get indigestion very rarely if I eat a big tub of yoghurt or loads of dairy, never otherwise, dr asks twice if I’ve lost weight,  if I’ve changed my diet, how much alcohol I drink, how much water tea or coffee and back to have you lost weight a third time looking at me like they find it doubtful but yes I can get into T-shirt’s I previously left in the drawer, ok I get it I’m overweight but I eat healthily.  Dr asked about my ears, “they itch sometimes and when I go in supermarkets  with the”  But it’s talk over me time again because the doctor is now giving me some gaviscon on prescription, so does not  realise the freezers make a noise that completely disorients me making me nauseous dizzy and confused.

A little I think relevant history....

I’ve had Bell’s palsy and neuralgia in my face.

Two to three years l ago I had a hearing test on outreach from Grimsby hospital at our local surgery because of the nauseating noise thing and was told but your ears are fine and nothing else ever happened. I would have like to have told the dr of this problem, cos they are ENT.  I should be allowed to at least finish the sentence. 

A referral to Grimsby 2 years ago because I clench my jaw in my sleep due to the nerve pain, I was told CDJ promised as 6 month appt but then sent a letter in lockdown approx a year later. stating as nothing further had been done he’s closing my case.  Two of my teeth have broken due to clenching and I’ve had to pay privately for the roots removed. This is all from a sore nerve the one that no one will address.

To me this all ties in to last weeks ENT throat appt but all the dr wanted was to stick a camera in, they did not want to talk at all, telling me to read the paperwork. I got the feeling they were annoyed by my referral.

I left with my pamphlet wondering what just happened and how it’s supposed to help I want to cry. I tell the student as I leave I’m not sure what was actually done but hey if I still can’t swallow at least I’ll loose weigh and  I giggle and make it myself a joke while inside I’m crumpling up.

My GP because of covid or can’t be bothered just referred me out of her way.  I have fibromyalgia, my throat could even be affected by that.

The appointment letter did not say you have to walk up a hill to outpatients that goes quite a way from main entrance which is difficult for me and my stick, which takes the brunt of my  tiredness.

The rest of the staff are lovely but the dr showed no intention of listening to any history or my concerns, hurt my constantly tense throat and dismissed me with 3 queries as to have I lost weigh have I changed me diet? No advice, no eye contact, about as welcoming and helpful as a brick.

Well I’m taking the gaviscon, and I can see I will soon requesting help with this again.