Medical Gaslighting

Enough with women being dismissed!

At the age of 30, I started having really subtle symptoms. Bloating and 5 lbs of weight gain. That. Is. It.

There is no test for ovarian cancer (this is not something that is screened for on a pap). So, you are left to just pick up on these subtle symptoms that (well let’s face it) most women experience on a monthly basis.

But I had a voice inside of me saying that something wasn’t right.

Medical Receptionists put me off.
Doctors said I was too young to have cancer.

So I persistently and politely pushed back. You see, when I want to be, I’m quite annoying.

It’s not right that women are ignored when they are in pain, bloated, having menstrual irregularities, pain during sex, or constipation. It’s not right.

But at the end of the day, the ONLY person truly responsible for my life is ME.

It’s not the doctors or medical receptionists that have to go home and live with the consequences of my treatment being ignored.

You have to trust your inner voice. If something doesn’t feel “right” keep going until you are satisfied with the answer. Keep advocating until women are taken seriously.

You owe it to yourself.

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[johnevans]

Every time I tell the doctor I have had some serious symptoms like lumps in my neck and chronic pain in my abdomen they tell me they don't know what it is and there's nothing they can do except give me pain meds. They make more money treating us than they do curing us. Its driving me insane

[alicegoldenvalley]

Medical gaslighting has traumatized me more than nearly dying. The medical gaslighting as a former covid and now Long Covid patient has been destroying my soul for almost 4 years and counting. I’m so sorry to hear that it even still happens with well known super scary illnesses as cancer, that’s absolutely shocking.

[BrittleSun]

The other side of this is addressing the gaslighting in health care workers. I’m a health care worker and I think we need to LISTEN. When people are unwell, it’s not always easy to self advocate. I would recommend bringing a support person who can help advocate along with you for appointments.

[ellenmunda]

Thanks for sharing Doc Amy. This is true I experienced and it causes stress and depression on my part. Good thing I listen to my guts and put my feet forward.

[marych]

Is there medical gaslighting when the doctors tell me that I am in danger, but I feel that I am not ? I am a ca survivor & I feel good

[davidflather]

Happened to me last year. The doctor said I don't have cancer. But I did have cancer. Unfortunately I believed him. But I knew something was wrong.

[benl]

As a man, this happens to everyone! Not just women. Inhad to tell my family doctor I was going to die for him to finally take me seriously after years. Turned out I had Systemic Sclerosis. Just be assertive if you know something is wrong.

[johnevans]

Just gonna say it now. In my opinion men go through this more than women. Because everyone says "grow a pair and be a man" this is why most men don't want to go to the doctor unless they're on the verge of dying because it's a waste of time. Every time I go to the doctor for a serious problem they tell me it's all fine and it will go away. I feel like I need to fuckn' scream at these idiot they are hiring to actually get some help. My grandpa can't even get medication for his heart because the doctors just straight up don't give a sht

[-timothe-]

Me : I think I've experienced medical gaslighting before.
Her : yeah, but you're white and not a woman, so it's in your head.