"The consultant made me feel like I was wasting their time"

My GP made two appointments for me at St Mary's (Isle of Wight); one relating to a kidney stone and one for gynecological problems. The consultant for the kidney stone was very nice and also, on seeing a letter from my GP regarding a pelvic mass in my file, examined me by feeling my stomach and agreeing to the extent that an urgent CT scan be done.

My appointment with the gynecology consultant could not have been more different. I have had serious problems on and off for 3-4 years and have already had a previous experience with this consultant, which resulted in such a painful examination. I was put on a ward afterwards, in pain with blood pressure of 90/50. In my opinion this consultant has not changed. In my opinion they are rude, arrogant and I feel they comes from a time when consultants thought they were gods.

I have been through a distressful couple of weeks and finding out that a mass has formed is very worrying. The consultant didn’t even look up when I entered the room, was abrupt to the point of rudeness and their manner made me feel like I was wasting their time. I became tearful in the consultant’s office, to which they asked if I had considered tablets for my obvious anxiety problem!

They asked why my GP had written to them showing concern for my last experience and suggesting that is an examination is needed, to sedate me. They scoffed at this and told me to go in the next room and get undressed. A nurse accompanied me, I was in tears. They came in, saw the state I was in and just said "I've never had this reaction from a patient before" in what I feel was a condescending manner and walked back out. The consultant then scanned my stomach and just told me they couldn't see anything (so two doctors are wrong then?)

I would have to go in as a day patient under general anaesthetic. This was said as if I was wasting their time. The consultant then dismissed me. I would rather suffer than have to see this consultant again.