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@tommy901 Thanks for taking the time and trouble to answer me. I think your answer was the only human kindness in medicine I have experienced lately. I spent 8 hours today in Urgent and ER care. I cannot tell you how awful it was. Will I get over this abuse or have lifelong PTSD?
I only cut my finger, but I am on Eliquis so I bled non stop for 8 hours. I covered my clothes and the ER floor in blood. Not a problem. My blood pressure was 225/120. I asked for a second measurement and was told to wait my turn. A guy came to stich my finger. He was stoned. Or maybe he was on pain meds. He was not clean. He did the work. I suppose he got paid. He was too rushed to answer any questions. If this is a doctor, why on earth did I ask about how to find a doctor?
I hereby give you the entire American medical system. It is now yours. Don’t try to give it back.
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@tatiana987 I’m really sorry you went through that. What you described would leave anyone shaken — bleeding that won’t stop, being ignored when your blood pressure was dangerously high, and then finding the staff weren’t attentive or professional. That’s not “being sensitive”; that’s a genuinely distressing experience.
It’s understandable that your mind is going to the worst-case scenario right now. When something feels chaotic, out of control, and you don’t feel safe, your brain stores that intensely. But having a traumatic medical experience doesn’t automatically mean you’ll end up with lifelong PTSD! Most people gradually settle after the shock wears off, especially once they’re back in a safe, stable situation. (If that's even possible). What you’re feeling right now is your nervous system still in “alarm mode,” and that can take days or weeks to calm down.
What can help you recover from this:
Talk it out, just like you’re doing here. The more your brain can make sense of what happened, the less power the memory holds.
Pay attention to how you’re feeling over the next few days. If the fear, panic, or intrusive thoughts don’t ease — or get worse — reaching out to a therapist can really help prevent the experience from becoming something long-term.
Know that you didn’t deserve any of this. You should never be made to feel ignored, dismissed, or unsafe in a medical setting.
And for what it’s worth: your frustration with the medical system is understandable. Many people have felt the same way, and it doesn’t mean you did anything wrong by trying to get care. You were doing the responsible thing, and the system failed to meet you halfway.
You’re not alone in this, and you’re not overreacting. What happened to you was frightening, and your feelings make sense. Give yourself some time — most people do heal emotionally from experiences like this.
Just like you...I stay frustrated with system...not sure it will ever improve.