Title: Frightening and painful NHS treatment

Source: Young British autistic lady.

Date received:  May 2019

Details: 

I went in with breathing problems and blood clots. They said I was hyperventilating and had autism-related anxiety. They left me in a room alone for hours. It turned out I had Bradycardia and ended up on the ward where they wouldn’t let me off the bed for days . It ended with me kicking off and self-discharging.

They also found a nodule on my lung when they shit it after they thought a clot had moved. 2016/2017 I was constantly at A&E accused of wanting pain relief when I already had morphine on me so I was there for genuine health concerns, not for medication. I was on a busy ward which was constantly overloaded and where staff were not able to pay adequate attention to individuals.

They said because I kept discharging it was my fault. I understand that technically their job was made harder, probably, yes, but their treatment of me is what made it so difficult for me to remain in their care when I had no confidence in their actions. the medical registrar stood at the door for over an hour, arms folded, watching me struggle to breath but said or did nothing to help.

They also said the clot didn’t show in scans, just blood tests. That was a lie. They couldn’t do the doppler scan as my leg was so bruised and sore. They still tried despite my obvious pain, with two men, one holding my ankle very hard to keep it still. At one point I could not help myself as I was in so much pain. I jabbed him with my fingers screaming “you’re hurting me,” and I have always had a high pain tolerance

For me to have felt so much pain and and openly react to show meant I really was in agony. Believe me, I was ready to chop my own leg off.

I feel that my complaint was not taken seriously, that those involved did not investigate my case sufficienly, look at the correct details or provide me with any kind of satisfactory response.