"Upset by the way I was treated by ambulance staff"

I had a severe panic migraine. I had just drove home from Manchester from picking up stock for work, I texted my partner to say I didn’t feel well and two hours later I woke up and tried to stand up to go get water, back of my head went ice cold, my hands and legs lost feeling in them and my heart was beating out of my chest. I had vibrations all over my body and couldn’t really move I quickly called 999 before I felt like I would lose consciousness I felt like I had a stroke. Regardless of all of this, the way I was treated by one of the ambulance responders yesterday was absolutely horrific and traumatising. One of the crew was helpful and did their job well and was friendly and caring.

I have done first aid since I was 12 and run several successful businesses but yesterday I was the most vulnerable I have ever felt in my life, and the first time I felt like I really needed help and something was really wrong, this ambulance responder was huffing, laughing at me, making really horrible remarks about the way I was acting as if I was being crazy or was lying, making dismissive comments when I was struggling to catch a breath. Didn’t listen to a single thing I said, and some parts every few minutes I was unable to communicate back and they were laughing and smirking as my mouth was numb and I had completely no coordination. The first comment made as they entered my bedroom was that as I was on my mobile I wasn't as bad as I was making out. I was on a 16 minute 999 call as I couldn’t even lift my hand to hang up on it and end the call when the operator said it was coming, little did the paramedic know it was still on the 999 call which I am sure must be recorded.

I have 2 small children and the panic and fear of something happening to me when I lost control of my body really consumed everything and this attitude towards me saying it’s just anxiety instantly, before any checks, and wasn’t interested at all in anything I was saying this was just the beginning of the absolute hell I was put through. I feel traumatised by it. Every time I came round and able to speak I begged for help begged to be checked in hospital, my bloods or anything as the feeling I had been spiked or drugged was very real to me I have never in my life lost control of my body or had a migraine that severe or hallucinated it was terrifying.

They made me walk downstairs and into ambulance after me begging them to listen that I couldn’t really feel my legs and hands and mouth and worried about them making me walk. Once I got into ambulance they had me sitting in it outside my house for a long time but told me we were on way to hospital I could see my house window the entire time and no movement in ambulance, which again was apparently funny to the paramedic. This added to my panic and fear as I thought if something is happening to me, they are not listening, and have quickly dismissed it as adhd , anxiety and that this is a panic attack. Even if this was the case it should have been handled a lot better, being laughed at repeatedly made my stomach turn.

I was paralysed most of the time all over but my mind was all with it and I remember every single thing that was said. Despite this, they felt comfortable enough to say the things they did in front of me, no doubt thinking I probably would never remember.

Once in hospital the paramedic repeatedly told me to shut up as they couldn’t do anything, and told the doctor what I was experiencing and that I’ve to wait my turn. They talked openly about me to another responder standing behind the wheel chair chatting, I heard everything. I also heard this person making unrelated comments that were disgusting and racist. They described me as comical, mentioned being angry about work hours and was keen to get home and that I was being ridiculous, and again 2-3 times asked me to shut up until the doctor came. I complained of sharp pains in my chest and it being warm in my chest, but they just repeated that they're not a doctor and that I had to wait for a doctor.