If you're heading to the emergency room, there's a good chance you're not doing it just for kicks. It's not exactly a fun place to hang out on a Friday night and make new friends.
People rush into the ER, or are wheeled in, for urgent medical assistance, and the staff sees things many of us couldn't even imagine. They're trained to work under intense pressure, prioritize patients, and perform their duties with compassion and care. But sometimes, the very people we entrust our lives to are the ones who let us down in the worst possible way.
Someone asked, "Have you ever been treated negatively by ER staff when you were having a medical emergency, but they didn’t believe you? What happened?" and a shocking thread followed.
More than a thousand people commented, sharing stories ranging from surprising to absolutely tragic. Bored Panda has put together the most hard-hitting responses, and many might have you hoping that you never have to be rushed to the hospital for anything after reading this.
#41
Had a spinal infection. Dizziness, vomiting, fever, and headaches. ER doctor belittled me and told me to stay off [illegal substances]. I was discharged after only 30 minutes of being at the hospital.
I had to have a friend take me to another hospital and they admitted me right away. The second doctor was floored I was walking and talking. I had a fever of 102 and was in the hospital for almost a week.
I had to have a friend take me to another hospital and they admitted me right away. The second doctor was floored I was walking and talking. I had a fever of 102 and was in the hospital for almost a week.
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22points
#42
Shattered my wrist, needed surgery. Arm from fingertips to elbow was like a balloon. X-rays all showed multiple breaks, and some had splintered into little shards.
One of the triage doctors didn't even look at me, looked at the computer screen, said that I have a very active imagination, and that I should go home and take some ibuprofen.
One of the triage doctors didn't even look at me, looked at the computer screen, said that I have a very active imagination, and that I should go home and take some ibuprofen.
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22points
#43
Yep! Very recently actually. I went in with a severe headache and one sided nasal dripping that was a CSF leak. They originally said they were going to transfer me to the big city hospital downtown and then last minute changed their minds and went “no, you can follow up outpatient.”
I knew something was wrong and that it shouldn’t wait for outpatient treatment so I advocated to be transferred. Ended up having a skull base fracture and part of my brain protruding through the hole in my skull base requiring major surgery which led to a second surgery. This has all unfolded in the last mouth, and if it wasn’t for me advocating for my own care, who knows where we would be on this journey.
Had a great surgery team and wonderful nurses once in the hospital, but the ER providers really dropped the ball in my eyes. I know it’s due to staffing though and it was an unusually busy day at that ER, I feel bad for them and wish they had more support so patients who don’t advocate for themselves do not fall through the cracks like I might have.
I knew something was wrong and that it shouldn’t wait for outpatient treatment so I advocated to be transferred. Ended up having a skull base fracture and part of my brain protruding through the hole in my skull base requiring major surgery which led to a second surgery. This has all unfolded in the last mouth, and if it wasn’t for me advocating for my own care, who knows where we would be on this journey.
Had a great surgery team and wonderful nurses once in the hospital, but the ER providers really dropped the ball in my eyes. I know it’s due to staffing though and it was an unusually busy day at that ER, I feel bad for them and wish they had more support so patients who don’t advocate for themselves do not fall through the cracks like I might have.
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21points
#44
I had salmonella and after a week of diarrhea (20 times a day) I was severely dehydrated. They suggested I try yogurt.
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21points
#45
My Dad tells this story that one time he contracted meningitis and he went to the ER. He had a massive headache and was slurring just like holding his head in pain and trying to talk to the triage people. They thought he was a drunk and were refusing to serve him. He couldn’t really communicate by then and he says he just dug through his wallet, found his insurance card and slapped it on the counter. He said they started taking him more seriously when he showed proof of insurance. He needed a spinal tap immediately.
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20points
#46
No, I'm a white male. The doctor who ignored my female friend's later proven heart issues because they were "anxiety" went above and beyond and literally saved my life.
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20points
#47
Yes, several times. I was severely dehydrated when I was in college and had to go to the Urgent Care/ER and the on call dr kept accusing me of being dehydrated from drinking. I didn't even drink. He was a younger guy and such a [jerk].
When I went thru my miscarriage, they kept me propped up on a bed pan for hours trying to decide what to do I guess (sparing the gorey details) because it was Texas in a post roe v wade world.
When I went thru my miscarriage, they kept me propped up on a bed pan for hours trying to decide what to do I guess (sparing the gorey details) because it was Texas in a post roe v wade world.
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19points
#48
My time to shine!
I was admitted after an angina attack age 33. The Emergency department was full and they had opened an extra area next to A&E in an old ward which was being run by bank staff. Namely a single nurse and an HCA.
The nurse came in and said I need to give you your insulin...I said I'm not diabetic. She said, the drs have written you up for it, it must be from your blood results. I said, I'm not diabetic, no-one has mentioned it all, I'm here for cardiac reasons. I don't want it, she said well let's just give you this one and then I'll speak to the Drs... But I refused and she got mad and stormed out.
Later I started having chest pain again, rang my bell, she said it's fine, probably anxiety or from being laid down too long.
It got worse, I buzzed again and said it's going down my arm and into my jaw, she said, you're very young to be worrying about this, I'll get you some paracetamol.
I started sweating and finding it hard to breathe and this time she didn't even come to the bell so I got up and hobbled into A&E and grabbed a Dr. I was having a heart attack and was taken straight to the cath lab and spent a week in CCU.
Later came to find out that the insulin was meant for the patient in the next bed.
I was admitted after an angina attack age 33. The Emergency department was full and they had opened an extra area next to A&E in an old ward which was being run by bank staff. Namely a single nurse and an HCA.
The nurse came in and said I need to give you your insulin...I said I'm not diabetic. She said, the drs have written you up for it, it must be from your blood results. I said, I'm not diabetic, no-one has mentioned it all, I'm here for cardiac reasons. I don't want it, she said well let's just give you this one and then I'll speak to the Drs... But I refused and she got mad and stormed out.
Later I started having chest pain again, rang my bell, she said it's fine, probably anxiety or from being laid down too long.
It got worse, I buzzed again and said it's going down my arm and into my jaw, she said, you're very young to be worrying about this, I'll get you some paracetamol.
I started sweating and finding it hard to breathe and this time she didn't even come to the bell so I got up and hobbled into A&E and grabbed a Dr. I was having a heart attack and was taken straight to the cath lab and spent a week in CCU.
Later came to find out that the insulin was meant for the patient in the next bed.
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19points
#49
Bro finally convinces me to go to the ER after days of massive pain and difficulty moving. We get there, he grabs a wheelchair, wheels me in to reception...immediate glares at the tattooed dude in the wheelchair and that more than likely assumption im just there for [meds].
I get treated like dirt, we can overhear nurses complaining about having to "waste time" on people like me when people with "real injuries" are having to wait.
I get xrays, go back to my waiting area where we can see into the nurses station. A couple minutes later we can see all the nurses standing around the xray display, hands over mouths, wide eyes, and double takes in my direction.
Doctor comes over, says reaaaaally non-chalantly "So you didn't 'break' your neck, but you do have fractures in your C7 vertebrae, here's some [meds] to help with the pain."
I get treated like dirt, we can overhear nurses complaining about having to "waste time" on people like me when people with "real injuries" are having to wait.
I get xrays, go back to my waiting area where we can see into the nurses station. A couple minutes later we can see all the nurses standing around the xray display, hands over mouths, wide eyes, and double takes in my direction.
Doctor comes over, says reaaaaally non-chalantly "So you didn't 'break' your neck, but you do have fractures in your C7 vertebrae, here's some [meds] to help with the pain."
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18points
#50
Yes! Brought husband in because he was so dizzy he could barely stand up. I had brought him in for this before, but this time we were dismissed like he was a hypochondriac. We were given no aftercare instructions. They basically took the cannula out of his arm and sent him on his way. They did no testing. Less than 12 hours later he fell down, broke his back because he had a pulmonary embolism.
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18points
#51
My grandma was delirious from late stage cancer, we were in the ER waiting room for about six hours when she passed out. I had to beg a nurse to come check her out and she just rolled her eyes and said she’d be fine. When I didn’t let up they sent out a doctor who just berated me for wasting his time.
When she finally did get seen she was transferred to a palliative care ward and died a few months later. Luckily she received much better treatment in her final days but that night at the ER was so unnecessarily stressful for her, no one suffering from a terminal illness should be dismissed like that.
When she finally did get seen she was transferred to a palliative care ward and died a few months later. Luckily she received much better treatment in her final days but that night at the ER was so unnecessarily stressful for her, no one suffering from a terminal illness should be dismissed like that.
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18points
#52
After having my son via C-section I got sick, really sick. I could not eat, could drink a little but it usually came right out the other end, pain, I smelled from my body. I went to ER twice over a couple of days then to the GP since ER said it was "nothing", Dr agreed. My mom moved in as I was then bedridden, unable to care for newborn. She kept telling me I HAD to go back to ER, I couldn't face sitting there for many hours again to be told it's in my head. Well she almost dragged me and finally got a diagnosis. C-dificcile. I was hospitalized for 2 weeks after.
Another time crazy pain in abdomen , bad enough to go to ER. Again its in my head, go home lady. I just put up with it for months until I could not anymore. That when I found out I have a "tumor the size of a chicken" and that I would be having surgery that day.
My brother was on experimental meds for epilepsy, made things worse, kidney damage lots of things that had not happened before. We are telling Dr's that its the new meds, they think we are crazy. Got to the point where the Dr took me and mom into the family room and said " he will not be leaving the hospital and we won't know what [ended] him until his brain is on the autopsy table" . I demanded bro be taken off the [meds] and sure enough it was the [meds]. I'm taking bro out to dinner tonight.
Another time crazy pain in abdomen , bad enough to go to ER. Again its in my head, go home lady. I just put up with it for months until I could not anymore. That when I found out I have a "tumor the size of a chicken" and that I would be having surgery that day.
My brother was on experimental meds for epilepsy, made things worse, kidney damage lots of things that had not happened before. We are telling Dr's that its the new meds, they think we are crazy. Got to the point where the Dr took me and mom into the family room and said " he will not be leaving the hospital and we won't know what [ended] him until his brain is on the autopsy table" . I demanded bro be taken off the [meds] and sure enough it was the [meds]. I'm taking bro out to dinner tonight.
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17points
#53
I have CVS (cyclical vomiting syndrome). ER staff often thinks I am withdrawing or something so they don’t help me AT ALL until they do a [illegal substances] test. It’s infuriating because I only end up at the hospital after multiple days of not being able to keep water down, so by the time I get there, I need real help.
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17points
#54
I was at work and started going blind. Like my vision started fracturing. I sprinted back to the shop because I wanted to at least make it there before I died to inform someone lol. My coworker drove me to the hospital and on the way there the left side of my body went numb. She brought me into the ED and the triage nurse didn't listen to anything we were saying and asked for my health card. Because I was BLIND my coworker had to try and find it in my purse for me. The nurse said "If you don't hurry up and find it I'm going to go ahead and see the patient behind you". At this point I was just openly sobbing. My coworker finally found my health card and the triage nurse started verifying my info like "Is your address still (address)?" and I couldn't focus on anything she was saying. I couldn't stop crying. I was fully having a panic attack. And she shouted at me and said "I'm going to need you to pull yourself together or else we won't help you". My coworker started getting irate and told her to calm down. A nurse walking by overheard what was happening and my coworker explained to her what's going on and that nurse said "Oh [snap]" and ran off, and came back a minute later with a wheelchair and a doctor.
Obviously everyone thought I was having a stroke so I was seen immediately. Turns out it was a migraine. That day I learned that you can get migraines without pain that have the same symptoms as strokes. And also that some people shouldn't be nurses.
Obviously everyone thought I was having a stroke so I was seen immediately. Turns out it was a migraine. That day I learned that you can get migraines without pain that have the same symptoms as strokes. And also that some people shouldn't be nurses.
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17points
#55
I wasn’t treated badly, but the ER staff (at a standalone ER, not at a hospital, and it wasn’t super busy - this was a few years before Covid) was convinced I was either having a miscarriage or a case of food poisoning/a stomach virus/severe constipation when I showed up with the worst stomach pain of my life. The doctor was even like, “you didn’t eat any Chipotle or anything that you can remember?” I came in late afternoon and they took me back right away but didn’t order any tests other than a pregnancy test (negative) until the late evening when I had a CT scan with contrast … I actually had appendicitis. Oops! After that it was like, call the ambulance and get this person out of here to the real hospital ASAP. It wasn’t bad waiting around because they did give me IV painkillers since I couldn’t even stand up straight due to the pain.
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16points
#56
A dentist cut my palatal artery and it bled (spectacularly) but in an erratic and unpredictable manner. I couldn’t convince the first few doctors, nurses or ER techs that it was a problem because I swallowed all the blood as it shot out of the artery. By the time I could get to medical help, the artery would close shut by itself. Even the one doctor who believed me kept claiming it was only a teaspoon of blood-and I couldn’t convince him that it was a teaspoon PER every pulse of my heart, typically for several minutes. (I could close it off with my tongue, so I didn’t lose THAT much blood, but I had to hold it closed for several minutes each time it started. ).
After a week of back and forth, it finally occurred right in front of a doctor and I just let it make a mess. Even then, they couldn’t locate it accurately enough to cauterized it. They eventually realized that the painkillers for the original operation contained aspirin which stopped my blood from clotting.
After a week of back and forth, it finally occurred right in front of a doctor and I just let it make a mess. Even then, they couldn’t locate it accurately enough to cauterized it. They eventually realized that the painkillers for the original operation contained aspirin which stopped my blood from clotting.
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16points
#57
First time I ever presented to the hospital as a type 1 diabetic who knew she was in DKA - I went to the triage nurse and said ‘I’m in DKA, I’m a type 1 diabetic’. She took a blood sugar, she said it was 15mmol, so to sit down and someone will get to me. I told her my ketones were high, like over 2.0, she said she understood and someone will get to me.
2 hours later, I was finally taken back, and they tested me. BGL of 20, ketones at 3.8, and the doctor asked why I hadn’t come in earlier. Told him I’d been there for 2 hours and told triage I had suspected DKA, I hadn’t been able to keep anything down for the last 3 hours, I was stupidly thirsty, had been to the bathroom 6 times while waiting to be seen and was feeling like I’d [pass away]. Couldn’t even get an IV I was so dehydrated.
He told me if I had waited one more hour to come in, I would have gone to ICU, I was super, super sick. That visit I actually had to have an IV attempted on my foot as getting just one in my elbow was really difficult, the other wasn’t working and neither was my hand on either arm. Eventually when my foot didn’t work and I cried that I wouldn’t take any more attempts, they had to have an anaesthesiologist talk to and calm me down, use numbing cream on my wrist and try there. That visit that week was absolutely awful and I hated every minute. Denied water and food because of how nauseous I was, the IV problem, the on call endocrinologist blaming me for the issue… not a fun time.
2 hours later, I was finally taken back, and they tested me. BGL of 20, ketones at 3.8, and the doctor asked why I hadn’t come in earlier. Told him I’d been there for 2 hours and told triage I had suspected DKA, I hadn’t been able to keep anything down for the last 3 hours, I was stupidly thirsty, had been to the bathroom 6 times while waiting to be seen and was feeling like I’d [pass away]. Couldn’t even get an IV I was so dehydrated.
He told me if I had waited one more hour to come in, I would have gone to ICU, I was super, super sick. That visit I actually had to have an IV attempted on my foot as getting just one in my elbow was really difficult, the other wasn’t working and neither was my hand on either arm. Eventually when my foot didn’t work and I cried that I wouldn’t take any more attempts, they had to have an anaesthesiologist talk to and calm me down, use numbing cream on my wrist and try there. That visit that week was absolutely awful and I hated every minute. Denied water and food because of how nauseous I was, the IV problem, the on call endocrinologist blaming me for the issue… not a fun time.
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16points
#58
Yes twice unfortunately.
First time during covid; it was December, we were all just diagnosed and unfortunately my grandmother ended up passing away. My mom was really out of it and initially, we believed it was due to the sudden passing of my grandmother but I felt something was off (we're both nurses). I took her pulse ox, it was hovering around 83. Threw her in the car, took her to the ER (thought I was about to lose my mom too). Dragged her into the waiting room and they go "if she has covid just go home". I know they were overwhelmed, but I yelled back, "she WORKS here. At this hospital! PLEASE SEE HER." Something about that gave them compassion. She got admitted, ended up with pneumonia, on oxygen and IV antibiotics for a week, stayed on home oxygen for a couple of weeks after that. I shudder to think about all the other families that got turned away from the ER during that time...
Second time, I herniated L5-S1 really badly after doing CPR on a large patient. I didn't know it yet, but I woke up a couple days later in full body spasm and couldn't move. Couldn't dress myself, could barely use the bathroom, it was agony. My husband somehow got me dressed and in the car. Couldn't sit down when we got there, just kind of awkwardly stood and trembled, shifting and shuffling weight. They took an xray, said I probably just hurt my back and when I asked about an MRI they refused, gave me one diazepam and sent me home with follow up to ortho. Showed up to ortho a couple days later with foot drop (I just figured I was dragging my leg around because honestly it hurt less to walk like that). One emergency MRI later and I'm getting a call from neurosurgery telling me my herniation is the worst he's ever seen. Had emergency surgery, and then I was all fixed. But it was true pain for a couple days there.
First time during covid; it was December, we were all just diagnosed and unfortunately my grandmother ended up passing away. My mom was really out of it and initially, we believed it was due to the sudden passing of my grandmother but I felt something was off (we're both nurses). I took her pulse ox, it was hovering around 83. Threw her in the car, took her to the ER (thought I was about to lose my mom too). Dragged her into the waiting room and they go "if she has covid just go home". I know they were overwhelmed, but I yelled back, "she WORKS here. At this hospital! PLEASE SEE HER." Something about that gave them compassion. She got admitted, ended up with pneumonia, on oxygen and IV antibiotics for a week, stayed on home oxygen for a couple of weeks after that. I shudder to think about all the other families that got turned away from the ER during that time...
Second time, I herniated L5-S1 really badly after doing CPR on a large patient. I didn't know it yet, but I woke up a couple days later in full body spasm and couldn't move. Couldn't dress myself, could barely use the bathroom, it was agony. My husband somehow got me dressed and in the car. Couldn't sit down when we got there, just kind of awkwardly stood and trembled, shifting and shuffling weight. They took an xray, said I probably just hurt my back and when I asked about an MRI they refused, gave me one diazepam and sent me home with follow up to ortho. Showed up to ortho a couple days later with foot drop (I just figured I was dragging my leg around because honestly it hurt less to walk like that). One emergency MRI later and I'm getting a call from neurosurgery telling me my herniation is the worst he's ever seen. Had emergency surgery, and then I was all fixed. But it was true pain for a couple days there.
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16points
#59
I was difficult to wake after anesthesia as I was unknowingly very dehydrated. The nurse kept asking me what I took etc and wouldn’t believe me when I said I took nothing. I can still hear her horrible screeching voice. I reported her for unprofessionalism.
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16points
#60
When i was 21, I dropped something on my bare foot and it broke my big toenail in half and shattered the bone. Pieces of the bone were sticking out through the middle of the broken toenail. The ER doctor acted like I was crazy for being in a lot of pain- my husband had our toddler with us and the guy kept saying "you had a baby and thats worse pain than this! Whats your problem?". He even made a note that I was "highly emotional" in my notes. 22 years later that toe still hurts.
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15points