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TIFU by trusting an ER doctor

A few weeks ago I randomly felt a crushing pain in my chest that I assumed would just go away. Twenty minutes after it started it turned into the most intense pain I have ever felt complete with sweating and vomiting. My friends drove me to the ER where I waited for three hours in complete agony before I was seen. The doctor seemed pretty unconcerned and told me I had acid reflux, without asking about my pain or doing blood work. I told him how painful it was for me and he told me he had it one time and it really hurt too. It could be noted at this point that I am 20 year old Latina woman, and the doctor did ask where I was really from.

I was pretty freaked out- but whatever life goes on. My mom said that it didn't sound like acid reflux and I should really get it checked out, but I told her the doctor said I was fine and had acid reflux and it wasn't a big deal and I had nothing to worry about.

Two weeks later the pain started again, not quite as bad but still horribly painful. I thought it was acid reflux and would be gone after I took my medicine. It did not. After 8 hours of suffering waiting it to go away, and it only getting worse I gave in and went to the ER again.

This time I was seen pretty quickly and the doctor was pretty unconcerned when I said I was here previously for the same issue and was told acid reflux. He said because I was just here and had bloodwork done I had nothing to worry about. I told him that I had not done any blood work and he suddenly seemed a little more concerned about me.

After a blood and urine test they found that my enzymes were not at the right levels and ordered a sonogram. They determined that I had gallstones and needed my gallbladder out. It was a Saturday morning and they discharged me with a hydrocodone prescription and told me to call the hospital on Monday to schedule a an appointment to see if I could get the surgery soon.

About 12 hours later I am in crippling pain yet again, the hydrocodone did absolutely nothing for my pain and I am forced to return to the emergency room again. The nurses took blood and once again seemed unconcerned.

After more bloodwork they found out that I was getting much worse and admitted me to the hospital. I ended up needing two surgeries and stayed in the hospital for 4 days(for comparison most people just need the surgery and return home the same day). My mom had to fly in, rent a car, and get a hotel to take care of me. I missed an entire week of my college classes and I am shuddering thinking of the bills from my three ER trips, two surgeries, and four days in the hospital.

TL;DR Trusted a first opinion from an ER doctor and ignored my moms advice and ended up hospitalized for several days for a simple issue.

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