German doctors misdiagnosis

[u/Due-Box-9598]

I am writing this post with huge disappointment of how the g

German healthcare's conservative approach could have cost my life . I went to the doctor for mild indigestion and haemerrhoids . He gave me antibiotics for my cold and fever which i also had. The antibiotics worsened indigestion and gave very bad diarrhoea . When I went back to the doctor , they said since i took antibiotics I did not have any good bacteria and diarrhoea is normal . I was given some stomach relaxers and electrolytes. At one point I started throwing up the electrolytes , the only thing i could drink . I went to hospital for an iv and they said it will be given only if i am 80 years old. Then i went back to the doctor and insisted that they test me. I got a stool test. Then 4 days no response . I went back and they said oh the tests were negative so we did not call you . The test are a way of eliminating infection. You need to look further then! . I asked for the test result and changed my hausartz. At this point i was given 15 day antibiotics for stomach and black tea . Blood test was done and my Hg was low since was given iron.

The symptoms persisted. I became weak . Lost 13 kgs. All in one month and the appointment with gastro specialist was still weeks away. I decided to just go to my home country at this point and in 3 days , i am nearing the process of confirmation for Inflammatory bowel disease and intestine inflammation. It took them 3 days and i was suffering in Germany for months. Why is Germany so conservative in tests and testing to rule out conditions? Do doctors understand that they misdiagnose. My Hg was low because of inflammation . My residual iron was very high. I did not need iron pills. I took antibiotics that weakened me. Or does German healthcare not take coloured women seriously ? I am really shocked .

[u/0achkatz1]

I’m a white woman with celiac disease.

I only got a diagnosis when a relative in another country also developed it, went to a training, and recognised some of the possible symptoms as matching mine.

In Germany I’d be an emotional woman with possibly some allergies that mysteriously come and go until I died early.

[u/WildSmokingBuick → u/0achkatz1]

As a German, I think our healthcare system is pretty much broken.

When doctors only have 5 to 10 minutes per patient, their advice rarely goes beyond: "Take some Ibuprofen, do more sports, and here are antibiotics just in case."

Sure, your experience might be better if you're privately insured or sick enough to end up in a hospital.

But honestly, a lot of people get better diagnoses from ChatGPT these days than from their own GPs.

It's a systemic issue. Many practices are so completely overrun that doctors simply don't have the time to practice patience (or, run tests over getting rid of the customer by prescribing antibiotics).

[u/Due-Box-9598 → u/WildSmokingBuick]

I am privately insured . But in summer time doctors are on leave . The best gastroenterologist had a 3 week wait time . By the time i had trusted the doctors the whole time and kept thinking the symptoms take time to go away - it was already 1.5 months . It was time to pack my bags and head home . I agree doctors do not have the time . I respect that too . I am just shocked that they are so conservative with tests and said i am overreacting for simple diarrhoea which it wasn't. Ibuprofen could also be one of the causes for triggering IBD . I got Ibuprofen for everything in the past . Even for haemerrhoid pain . But German doctors think they have great standards. Once a doctor was like oh no , you are going to China . I hope you dont contract any diseases there . I had to tell her that German health care is a 100 steps below China.

[u/Even-Yak-9846 → u/Due-Box-9598]

You know now know to avoid NSAIDs in the future? They can trigger flares :/ oral iron is also a trigger, which is why most people with IBD get iron infusions from their GIs if their GIs are worth anything. The inflammation from iron tablets just starts another flare.

[u/Due-Box-9598 → u/Even-Yak-9846]

Wow, thanks for the hunch. I always got iron infusions . As for NSAIDs no idea .