Misdiagnosis - genital warts

Mixedup

I posted here before about having genital warts and how worried i was about telling my boyfriend and got some great advice.

Anyway i was diagnosed in early november with having genital warts in my local Well Woman clinic, i took it quite badly and it really got me down.

I felt disgusting and even though my boyfriend was great about it (he didnt have any) i felt like i was the dirty one in our relationship. I could hardly let him touch me, and everytime i came back from the clinic i would cry in the car, living at home so making excuses to my mam everytime i'd be sneaking off up to the clinic.

I received 13 cryotherapy treatments, and the doctor kept telling me that i just wasnt responding as quickly as others but not to worry, eventually it would clear up. It cost €55 to see the doctor, and €35 to see the nurse for cryotherapy. I also got a full STI screening for €135 on their recommendation since i was more likely to have other sti's if i had warts, and a cervical smear which cost €150 since i'm under 25. All this was daunting, because i'm fairly inexperienced, and my boyfriend was my second partner, and i'd only had sex twice before i met him.

After 3 months with no improvement, i was so upset and frustrated that i got an appointment with a specialist, it cost €200 but i knew it would be worth it if she could suggest another type of treatment or offer some advice. When she examined me she said that i had NO warts at all, nothing that even resembled warts (they were internal so i had never seen them anyway). They were simply skin bumps that are totally normal apparently. She was very angry that the 2 doctors in the Wellwoman could have diagnosed this as genital warts and told me i was completely healthy.

I'm so upset now, because i feel like ive wasted so much money and so many tears on this, is there any way i can write to the clinic and ask for money back or is it a case of whats done is done? Ive put my poor boyfriend through hell for 3 months, not wanting him to touch me, not to mention the pain of the cryotherapy internally for 13 weeks, leaving me so sore and uncomfortable for days.

Is there anything i can do to demand a refund or should i talk it down to experience?

shellyboo

Mixedup wrote: »

Is there anything i can do to demand a refund or should i talk it down to experience?

Oh god. That's so so awful, OP, I'm so sorry. I remember your first post and you were so upset... that's terrible.

I don't know what to tell you other than get in touch with your solicitor... Is there a Medical Council you can report them to?

Also, will you PM me the name of that Clinic? I want to avoid it like the plague.

MagicMarker

Yep, name and shame and get yourself to a solicitor ASAP.

Gather all the information you have, as in receipts etc

Attol

That is appalling! I'm so sorry to hear that OP. Which one was it? I'd like to make sure not to go there...

Mixedup

It was the <snip>

I'm disgusted, i dont think i ever kept the laser card receipts which are the only ones i wanted, because the last thing i wanted was my mam finding well woman clinic receipts in my room! plus i never thought this would happen....guess i'll learn the hard way, they'll hardly give me receipts now!

Craft25

you must at least tell the clinic itself, so it doesn't happen to the next girl!!

Mr Benevolent

Get thee to a solicitor, the clinic will have your records. Seriously, do it. That's a dreadful mixup and you should be at least compensated for the total money spent. The solicitor will send a letter to them outlining your complaint and the clinic has to reply with 10 days. You may well be able to involve the PIAB. I deal with these sort of letters all day, and believe me your experience warrants a visit to one!

Go tomorrow!

shellyboo

Mixedup wrote: »

It was the <snip>

I'm disgusted, i dont think i ever kept the laser card receipts which are the only ones i wanted, because the last thing i wanted was my mam finding well woman clinic receipts in my room! plus i never thought this would happen....guess i'll learn the hard way, they'll hardly give me receipts now!

If you paid by laser, there'll be a record of the payments on your bank statement. If you've thrown them out you can re-order them.

biko

You should approach the first doctor with the second opinion, after all - it's word against word.

Rebel021

Solicitor

The physical pain and embarrassment you endured from their mis-diagnosis
is disgraceful.

Queen-Mise

jeez that is absolutely awful. as all the above posters said go to your solicitor, request a statement from the bank, all the transactions are on it.
Maybe even contact the <snip> for a copy of the receipts, tell them you need them for BUPA or VHI or something.

See what your solicitor says, as this was nasty a misdiagnoses.

Mixedup

biko wrote: »

You should approach the first doctor with the second opinion, after all - it's word against word.

that's what i was thinking, although the second opinion is a specialist, how would i prove it, would i need many different opinions? i dont think i could face more doctors and it was embarrassing, and intrusive ya know?

Mr Benevolent

it's word against word.

No, it's report against report. Everything is recorded in writing. All the evidence is there in plain sight. The solicitor may recommend a second opinion to ensure it was misdiagnosed, that's all.

Craft25

If you talk to the first doctor in the clinic you may find theres no need for a solicitor, they may be willing to re-imburse you without hassle.

dudara

I am not comfortable with the clinic being named in public just yet.

OP I would advise you to contact the Medical Council first of all, and find out what the procedure is in such a case. They are the medical professional body and are the people best qualified to advise. They do take complaints seriously.

dudara

CDfm

I am with Dudara on the medical council but also think you should see a solicitor.

This is a total disgrace not only from the money side but the stress an anguish its put you thru and thats not OK

LegacyUser

Can you get a third opinion? I don't mean to be pedantic but one doctor says warts, one sayd no warts.... a third opinion might sort this out once and for all, and would give you a sturdier leg for you to stand on if you seek legal advice. And please do, if not for yourself for other people who might be subject to the same thing.

CDfm

Unregistered wrote: »

Can you get a third opinion? I don't mean to be pedantic but one doctor says warts, one sayd no warts.... a third opinion might sort this out once and for all, and would give you a sturdier leg for you to stand on if you seek legal advice. And please do, if not for yourself for other people who might be subject to the same thing.

Most Citizens Advice Centres have solicitors in attendence 1 evening a week- and will tell you what your legal options are for free.

THey will see people by appointment and give confidential advice. You would only need to tell the Centre you need to discuss a wrongful diagnoses.

My key concern for the OP is that this would have impacted on the trust you and your partner had cos its an STI and therefore infidelity could have been an issue. Why do you think they are called genital warts.

Just my view and IMHO you have been treated disgracefully.

Mixedup

Unregistered wrote: »

Can you get a third opinion? I don't mean to be pedantic but one doctor says warts, one sayd no warts.... a third opinion might sort this out once and for all, and would give you a sturdier leg for you to stand on if you seek legal advice. And please do, if not for yourself for other people who might be subject to the same thing.

I was thinking the same thing, but then again, i trust the specialist, i i wouldnt like to think i forked over €200 to someone who didnt know what they were on about!
i'll get advice, and even write them a letter myself, its weird but i can't get this out of my head, im trying not to think about it too much but im totally over reacting and crying when i do, because im still sore and to think that theres no need for it is driving me crazy.

Thanks everyone for all the advice, i really appreciate it, and i needed somewhere to vent because its not the kind of thing i can just tell all my friends and family about!

Thanks again.

CDfm

Mixedup wrote: »

I was thinking the same thing, but then again, i trust the specialist, i i wouldnt like to think i forked over €200 to someone who didnt know what they were on about!
i'll get advice, and even write them a letter myself, its weird but i can't get this out of my head, im trying not to think about it too much but im totally over reacting and crying when i do, because im still sore and to think that theres no need for it is driving me crazy.

Thanks everyone for all the advice, i really appreciate it, and i needed somewhere to vent because its not the kind of thing i can just tell all my friends and family about!

Thanks again.

I do think you should get legal advice -probably from the Citizens advice centre solicitor and there are some solocitors posting on the legal forum who might tell you your rights.

Nevyn

CDfm wrote: »

I do think you should get legal advice -probably from the Citizens advice centre solicitor and there are some solocitors posting on the legal forum who might tell you your rights.

The legal discussion forum on this site is not for getting legal advice.

CDfm

Thaedydal wrote: »

The legal discussion forum on this site is not for getting legal advice.

TY Thaed - but it seems like an awful predicament.

girl2

I am just wondering about this - but what made you get checked? You mentioned the warts were on the inside only and that you had never seen them, was there another reason you were being checked?

SarahSassy

I am so shocked at the volume of people who are coming on here shouting 'sue them, sue them'. No wonder our insurances costs are as high as they are.

OP, get another opinion and make sure you are healthy firstly. If you have been misdiagnosed find out how or why this can happen. At minimum you should look for your costs back from the clinic so get copy bank statements and find the various transactions and retain them.

The most important thing at the moment is your health. Are you in pain?

Mixedup

i was enquiring about a smear test, nothing out of the ordinary, my GP had mentioned it to me when i was up getting my last pill prescription, and i hadnt wanted him to to it because ive known him since i was a child!

Mixedup

SarahSassy wrote: »

I am so shocked at the volume of people who are coming on here shouting 'sue them, sue them'. No wonder our insurances costs are as high as they are.

OP, get another opinion and make sure you are healthy firstly. If you have been misdiagnosed find out how or why this can happen. At minimum you should look for your costs back from the clinic so get copy bank statements and find the various transactions and retain them.

The most important thing at the moment is your health. Are you in pain?

to be honest sarah, i had no intention of sueing, i would like to get some advice though, i'd be happy if they gave me the money back for all the cryotherapy.

I'm not in any major pain, but (excuse the bluntness) sex is still very painful, i think i'll just have to heal up, its been less than a week since the last cryotherapy session.

SarahSassy

Mixedup wrote: »

to be honest sarah, i had no intention of sueing, i would like to get some advice though, i'd be happy if they gave me the money back for all the cryotherapy.

I'm not in any major pain, but (excuse the bluntness) sex is still very painful, i think i'll just have to heal up, its been less than a week since the last cryotherapy session.

My heart goes out to you and I cant imagine the worry you have gone through. Just make sure 100% you are ok first. Then breathe a sign of relief. Go out for a night with your bf and celebrate. Then back to reality. I would at minimum be looking for my expenses and then I would be reporting them to the medical council.

It was an expensive mistake for you financially, emotionally and physically but hopefully the end is in sight...

LegacyUser

Bout 3 years I thought I had genital warts (male) despite knowing I not engaged in any high risk behaviour. Had just started a new relationship and was in the horrors that I may have put someone else at risk. Made an appointment at an std clinic but having being told I'd be waiting 3 weeks took myself off to my GP.

He made an examination and sent me off with a prescription for a cream and an appointment for 3 weeks later. In the meantime I hit the internet and lo and behold discovered I had nothing more than a very common, completely harmless and totally non-contagious skin condition that millions of men around the world have.

I brought all my research back to my GP and he agreed with what I had found. Needless to say he didn't charge me for that visit ! The whole adventure cost a lot between the gp visit and the prescription. Didn't give a damn about the cost, was just happy that I was alright. And bless the girl I was seeing (about 2 months at the time). She didn't run a mile and is now my fiancee !

Point is get second and maybe third opinions and do research yourself on the web (although don't diagnose yourself !!).

mud

I know how you feel about the mis diagnosis, I went to a clinic because I was experiencing some symptoms, my partner and I had the full screening and he was given the all clear while I was told I probably had chlamydia :eek: I was in total shock, having visions of phoning ex partners etc, the doc made me and him take 4 strong antibiotics in front of her and to come back the following week, such a rotten week contemplating the effects of chlamydia infertility etc, returned a week later to be told I had a urinary tract infection and nothing like chlamydia,

Pythia

Mixedup wrote: »

i was enquiring about a smear test, nothing out of the ordinary, my GP had mentioned it to me when i was up getting my last pill prescription, and i hadnt wanted him to to it because ive known him since i was a child!

I can't believe they charged you 150 for the smear test. My doctor did it for me at the same time as I was there for something else for nothing extra.

girl2

I cant believe generally what you all have to pay down there. We have smears for free, all sorts of treatments like those described for free.

In fact, if anyone was close enough to the border.....I would recommend going to Newry Sexual Health Clinic in Daisy Hill Hospital. It would be free for you and any treatment you would have to get would be free. And, as far as I know, is private - the records dont go to your GP. (I have never attended, but my friend did). They will ask you all your sexual history and if you havnt had a smear test done lately, they will do that as well when youre having the examination. You can also attend the Royal Victoria Hospital for the same things.

(You may have this service down there too, forgive me for ranting on if you do).

shellyboo

girl2 wrote: »

I cant believe generally what you all have to pay down there. We have smears for free, all sorts of treatments like those described for free.

In fact, if anyone was close enough to the border.....I would recommend going to Newry Sexual Health Clinic in Daisy Hill Hospital. It would be free for you and any treatment you would have to get would be free. And, as far as I know, is private - the records dont go to your GP. (I have never attended, but my friend did). They will ask you all your sexual history and if you havnt had a smear test done lately, they will do that as well when youre having the examination. You can also attend the Royal Victoria Hospital for the same things.

(You may have this service down there too, forgive me for ranting on if you do).

I don't think they'll let you use NHS services if you don't have an NI address, tbh. I come from a border town, and we always went to our local health centre... if it were possible to get free healthcare in the North, I can't imagine we/everyone I knew wouldn't have been doing it!

People DID used to go across and go private in the North, simply because the facilities are better and it's a faster system.

LegacyUser

Just so everyone knows there are free std clinics around but you may have to wait a few weeks for an appointment. Unfortunately they can be quite busy. I think there is a sticky somewhere pointing the way.

jess61067

Hi there,
Firstly let me say, i have had the same treatment done but thankfully it only took 4-5 sessions,and i experience pain, embarressment and a multitude of feelings so my heart goes out to you.
- I also work in the medical field , so just call them if your okay about it, and ask for a copy of invoice/ bills etc.. ask them to fax it to you.
- Go get legal advice if you like, its not expensive to get a letter from your solicitor
But i do think that if you contact them with a letter yourself that they should reply to you(howver i think u wont want to do that as the letter will go home to address you give)
Ask your second opinion person for a letter also stating her findings.

Sorry for your experience, its not a pleasant experience anyway, on the bright side although you were treated very disgracefully - you got the all clear honey!

I know how you feel about the mis diagnosis, I went to a clinic because I was experiencing some symptoms, my partner and I had the full screening and he was given the all clear while I was told I probably had chlamydia I was in total shock, having visions of phoning ex partners etc, the doc made me and him take 4 strong antibiotics in front of her and to come back the following week, such a rotten week contemplating the effects of chlamydia infertility etc, returned a week later to be told I had a urinary tract infection and nothing like chlamydia,

The same thing happened to me! What's with doctors telling you you have STIs without testing for anything? I went in for a regular smear test and my GP decided to tell me she thought I had chlamydia, but as it was so common, there was no need to go to a clinic, just take antibiotics to get rid of it. Normally I'd have reported her for unprofessional behaviour, but it put me in such a panic, I took the antibiotics and then started to wonder what on earth else I might have (bear in mind I'd had one partner, and used protection and told the dr that!) Cue three weeks of me worrying out of my mind that I had HIV and god knows what else (during my final year of college, ended up missing loads of assignements with the worry and stress), spent loads of money getting tested to be told I had nothing, and most likely didn't have chlamydia in the first place but a non sexually transmitted infection that I get regularly. HOW can doctors go around telling people they have STI's without doing a test? It's shocking!

LegacyUser

Years ago my ex gf was told by her college doctor that she had genital warts and that she probably got them because i cheated on her. She was given acid cream to apply that would have caused scarring from what i read about it.

i read up a lot about warts and decided it didn't sound like that was what it was at all. I asked her to hold off applying the ointment and to go to a well woman clinic for a second opinion. She did. She found out she didn't have warts at all - she just had thrush.

CDfm

jess61067 wrote: »

Sorry for your experience, its not a pleasant experience anyway, on the bright side although you were treated very disgracefully - you got the all clear honey!

I cant get this reluctance to complain about a medical diagnosis. Do women only complain when they get cancer or a womb removed (sorry if thats sounds crass).Its like a guy saying only complain if you loose a testicle.

Now I know parts of this involve reluctance to discuss sexual history but surely if these doctors get it wrong with these conditions its not such a big leap to misdiagnosed terminal diseases.

Pure disbelief at the reactions to a misdiagnoses. Its more then " Oops"

You should be deciding on what you want

- a refund - by all means complain to the surgery but this implies admitting liability if they give you a refund -so I suspect they wont entertain it. Whoever heard of a Doctor giving a refund?

- A complaint to the Medical Council - well Doctors regulate themselves and there maybe a clinical "reason" she can rely on. Can they give awards?

or

- A legal remedy via a solicitor for return of fees and damages for pain and sufferering.

Its up to you OP. It would be interesting to see if anyone has done any of these.

fabman

Hi OP

This is a textbook negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Go see a lawyer you have a case on your hands there and you need to be reimbursed at least for your time, embarrassement and money.