I felt too whakamā to go to the doctor

I had ongoing UTI's. If I even thought about sex I got an infection. After multiple visits over time, the doctor made me feel as though this was something I…

I feel to Whakama to go to the Doctor's as I was labelled as a 'Medical Seeking Parent ' due to my eldest having a chronic pain condition.

I don't know if this is what you are looking for. I am 71 and have not gone to the doctors on several occasions because it costs me $69 and…

I was to whakamā to go to the doctor with severe depression, anxiety and confusion that arose from being in a coercievely controlling relationship - with a medical doctor. My…

I had hyperemesis gravadarum in my second and third pregancies. During my second pregancy I went to an after hours clinic twice and the ED once due to severe dehydration…

Costs too much, I'm still 100 in debt that I'm still trying to work out how to pay. My kids are older now too so I prioritize their health needs…

I had severe hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnancy and couldn’t keep food or even water down for months, vomiting between 15-50 times a day. I should have gone to the ED…

Fat-shaming is a common experience for me. I have been to doctors with a cold and been prescribed asthma inhalers and laxatives. I feel like they're just waiting to diagnose…

I have had 2 Dr visits so far this year. The total for the 2 visits $250. In Feb I went to get a couple of things checked out and…

I'm 36 with multiple chronic illnesses. I KNOW when my symptoms are new and need investigating in case it's something else. I saw a public neurologist earlier this year who…

I subluxated my shoulder one night. Fortunately the shoulder popped back into place by itself after about half an hour. But my surrounding muscles were very damaged and I had…

I have always been an advocate for seeing the doctor. Being raised by Two sick parents, an only child, I was able to read and write by 3, and am…

I have moved with my children several times in the last ten years for work, and every time we have needed to get a new GP. In 6 different regions,…

I find it really hard to know when my kids are sick “enough” to go to a doctor. I have rung Healthline or Plunketline and they say my child needs…

Ive had both good and bad experiences over the years I havent had the same GP for a long duration due to moving Doctors can be very different to one…

I don't know if whakamā is the right way to describe how I feel about going to the doctor now - maybe it's more māharahara or mānukanuka. When I experienced…

It's too expensive to see a GP. We don't qualify for a Community Services Card, but times are tough and $65 for a 15 minute appointment is too much to…

In my 20s I was put on an epilepsy drug that's well documented as causing weight gain as a side effect. In a short period I time my weight literally…

I have been very dubious about going to the doctors in the town I live in for many years now, I only go when I absolutely have too. Years ago,…

For many years I had the diagnosis/label of borderline personality disorder, and I was also dealing with a very real (and potentially life-threatening) chronic physical condition that meant a lot…

I have a bladder disease and I should go to the doctors, but they had three years of constant visits by me to diagnose it, but never did. Dr Google…

I feel prompted to share my experiences after reading about the heartbreaking experiences suffered by Dr Huhana Hickey in her attempts to get a diagnosis of Primary Progressive MS. Her…

I decided to share my story because of a comment Nichola Willis made in the media - that "New Zealanders don’t turn up at the emergency room thinking about their…

After my second baby was born I realised my mental health was struggling. We’d just survived our first Covid lockdown and I had 2 small children. So I went to…

I burst my eardrum in my sleep on the 1st of Jan. After 3 months of constant leaking and pain and presenting myself up at AnE I finally got something…

The hospital system may be lacking and not enough money but every time I visited the staff have been fantastic and caring and I was not judge by the colour…

Five years ago my teenage daughter started to loose a lot of weight, her hair thinned, sore stomach and was very emotionally unstable. We thought it may be due to…

We are constantly being told to visit a GP if bowel movements have changed or if you have blood in your stool for more than 2 weeks. I had this…

2 years ago in winter I had a chest infection. It was at the beginning of the illness and I do get these infections a lot, but the moment the…

Six years ago I attended a GP in Wellington for migraines so severe I had to take 7 months off work due to the chronic migraines and chronic pain. I…

For many years I didn't realise I had mental health issues I used alcohol and drugs to deal with my pain. Once I started using meth I knew there was…

I have suffered with horrendous periods and hormonal related mood instability for many, many years. Suicide attempts, job losses, relationship break downs are all products of the after math of…

I went to a doctor on Monday ..I’m waiting on a c t scan…priority…the pains getting worse.can be a ten out of ten my mental health is suffering which I…

I have been accused of being a drug seeker by my GP because she gave me narcotic pain relief which only worked for short periods rather than medication for the…

The saddest part about trying to write a story was having to pick which one I wanted to tell. I'm tired of fighting to be heard by people who are…

My cousin from Hawke’s Bay required surgery to get 3 stents put in. They flew him down to Wellington and he waited 2 full day while several others having the…

I was raped as a teenager and several years later went to my go for help after feeling severely depressed and suicidal. She told me I wasn’t depressed because people…

How come when I go to see the Dr the next week people at the Marae know about what is wrong with me. Does Māori people not deserve privacy? Who…

I switched practice to a new Māori GP in my area thinking it would be beneficial to be in the practice of someone more aware of my culture. I had…

I have a history of bad experiences with doctors. I am a Māori woman in a leadership position within the public sector, 31, birthed 3 children naturally and will avoid…

I stopped going to the doctor for anything other than my regular prescriptions for a long time, after a very negative experience. I was going through a nasty divorce at…

My son who is only 4 saw an ear nose and throat specialist back in January. He had severely enlarged tonsils and after a sleep study have found out he…

I have persistent pelvic infections. For the past 8 months I have lived every day in pain. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and I keep being fobbed off because…

Just ringing trying to get appointment (when they answer phone!)...easier to get to the moon best to go in and see them. Recepionist wanted to know problem...is she medical trained…

I have a lump in my back that can cause pain, stiffness and general all round discomfort, well had seen 2 GPs now about this and ohh it’s just tense…

I avoid the doctor as much as I can. I actually have quite good self-advocacy skills but there is still a high chance of me experiencing some kind of ignorance…

I avoid going to the doctor despite experiencing even severe pain due to embarassing perspectives such as it will come right, it's likely to be something small, common, and will…

I'm pakeha, but being female, neurodivergent and overweight my story is like many others here. I likely have endometriosis which aggravates bulging discs in my spine but have never had…

I always hold off going to the doctor for anything due to fear of being "fat shammed" and being told things wouldn't happen if I lost weight. Going for a…

Because I had a mental breakdown after losing my brother to suicide two days before my first baby's birth as a solo mum, that's on my medical notes and seems…

I was reading your stuff article today and I was shocked how much of the article resonated for me with the experience my partner has had through the health system…

I was always a sickly child. Constantly home from school with infections or a cold or the flu. One year was different, I never recovered from that illness. I am…

I'm embarrassed but I work and can not afford to see my GP. And when I do, I end up with a debt. I don't always see my GP, I…

My GP has left me feeling uncomfortable going to see him, he smirks at the word 'period' so I feel like I can't even talk openly about my complex health…

I think I'd not been eating well, I'd felt stressed out, exhausted. I'd ignored the fact that I was likely anaemic for a while. Midway through spending a week at…

I have a rare neurological disorder that is poorly understood to start with not just in NZ but globally although NZ is really behind in catching up. It makes it…

My stories are too many to really get a whole picture. But long story short it took GPs 18 years to give me a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and…

When I was 19 my best friend and flatmate of the same age became unwell. Typical cold and flu symptoms but she felt terrible. We were worried it might be…

I had an ingrown toenail and tried to do a DIY fix. It would feel relieved for a day then get bad again. In total, I suffered for 6 months…

I went to my GP for a UTI which was the tip of the iceberg really and for the first time in my life I ended up disclosing the state…

Got this new doc about 2017 when mine left for Oz. I have a family history of high BP and I, myself had been on meds for about 20 years.…

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Doctors just don't know what to do or just think it's in your head because there is no test that says yes it's CFS/ME. They…

In my late teens I had cancer cells burned from my cervix, and later developed endometriosis. My doctor in a large town (location withheld for privacy) was well aware of…

I have a long list of things I need to see the dr about. Things that I've been experiencing for years but either there's no appointments for months, I can't…

I have been battling mental health issues since the age of 12. They started me on heavy medication at that young age. Every 6 months I was having to up…

I have been dealing with fatigue for over a decade. Finally brought it up to my dr and asked to get my thyroid checked after an ED dr told me…

I have autism (low support needs) and find the environment stressful and overwhelming. I also find it hard to identify what is wrong, which makes communication difficulties with medical professionals…

It's just depression and anxiety they say. I didnt ask for that stuff to happen to me. I have severe fears of abandonment and it's not normal get upset each…

It's hard, everytime I try to tell my doctor that something is wrong. I just get given a blood test and told everything's normal. I do have anemia but I…

In 2020, around May I experienced what I thought was a bad headache, I debated going to A&E but thought paracetamol and sleep would help. It didn't. The following day…

I've been treated like a dog trying to get the professional help I needed.I went to my doctor for help on Friday. I had been fighting woth them for years.…

In 2016 my life changed forever when I had an accident at work. In 2018 after constantly fighting the medical and ACC system I was finally diagnosed with Complex Regional…

I have a story to share don't know how far it will go or if even read.. I have suffered for over 15 years in and out of a&e, not…

Frequently as a disabled woman I am turned away from the ER when having anaphylaxis so I am on the floor struggling to breathe (lucky to have asthma meds always…

I’ve been experiencing side effects from medications. The doctors and nurses keep gaslighting me - saying it can’t be the pills. That I must be mistaken. They deny that I’m…

Don’t listen, don’t read notes, just tell us what to do but they’re not listening. I constantly have to advocate, not even for what I need but just for my…

I’m not stupid, I’ve got a brain tumor but I’m not stupid, so don’t talk to me like I am – that’s what I get when I go to the…

Lets talk about the misappropriateness of assessments. Everytime I go to the doctor the nurse asks me the family violence questions, every single time, even though they know I live…

I have to constantly reshare personal information and I don’t know whose reading those notes. That’s what contributes to the whakamā, not knowing where all this personal information is going…

I do go because I know how to advocate for myself, only cause I’ve got a background in nursing so I know my rights, but my 82 year old aunt…

Its all about relationships and trust, if I don’t have that I don’t go

I go to the doctor with my whanau to advocate for them cause they’re too whakama to do it for themselves. You know, they get given all this medication but…

What I’m seeing these days is some people and organisations have got these fancy Māori titles but I don’t see them honouring the kupu, you know you’ve got this fancy…

I have been dealing with fatigue issues since I was a teenager, and multiple doctors have dismissed my experience entirely. Whether under the regards of mental health issues, weight, medications,…

My doctor treated me with doubt and suspicion regarding my ADHD medication. She would make comments like “You know you’re on a really high dose” and made me sign a…

Like anyone who’s overweight - I know it. I went to an after hours doctor as I had a gastro bug and needed a doctors certificate as I was going…

My doctor has downplayed my symptoms in the past. It took hospitalisation for my doctor to realise that my mental health issues were past the point of just talking it…

I have been struggling with my mental and physical health for years. All my doctor's tell me my blood tests look fine and I'm managing to hold a job so…

I once had a swab taken and the doctors must have lost or misplaced it - it took over 1 month to get the result. They rang me and told…

I had just moved to a new city for uni and was constantly sick and tired for more than a year and had gone to the doctors 5 times. They…

I went to the doctor for a cold, they pulled up notes from a "confidential" counselling visit where I said I was stressed about University and they told me I…

The last time I went to the GP she was rude and uncaring. My blood pressure was raised (I explained that this always happens at the Drs (white coat syndrome)…

i have really struggled with wanting to go to the doctor as i have been misdiagnosed in ways that really hurt me and have been through a lot of mishandling…

Went to public mental health as my life is falling apart and I have no where left to go for help. The follow up letter they sent my doctor was…

I told my doctor I was treated so badly by a mental health professional it caused me to have a breakdown and selfharm for the first time in many many…

I was in my doctors office, tears streaming down my face, saying I don't know what to do any more, I can't function, life is so hard. They said "well…

Last time I was on antidepressants the wait to see my GP for a repeat prescription took too long I ran out. I gave up trying to see my GP…

Going to the doctor is a waste of time and really embarrassing. Nobody likes talking bout their bowel movements but a couple of years ago I “bit the bullet” and…

Portrayed as a lazy bludger - how embarrassing! A recent ACC Case Review report came back with 12 pages of “conclusions” regarding my 3-year recovery from a head injury, many…

I hate the way medical professionals make assumptions based on incomplete information or statistics and guidelines rather than treating people on a case by case basis. I got a copy…

About 30 years ago I had some “eating issues” and a diagnosis of “bulimia nervosa” was listed in my medical records. When I gained online access to my records I…

Why is everything done by telephone or email now? Why have we just become a number/case/file instead of a living breathing real person? Who decided that kanohi-ki-te-kanohi was old fashioned,…

For almost 2 years after a “concussion” I had been suffering from undiagnosed BPPV, (a form of vertigo). I would have “turns” almost daily where everything would spin, I’d want…

I haven’t been to the doctor for many many years. 20+years ago I had a great doctor who then retired , i was unregistered at his practice, I rang once…

I had always had very painful periods. I had my daughter at 16 yrs old. I am now 35. I had been rushed in to emergency plenty of times and…

I still continue to avoid going to the doctor about my potential external hemmroids. They have caused me significant pain and discomfort for over 15years. I do not feel comfortable…

I went to the dr because my anxiety was out of control and depression was creeping in fast. My child at the time, was about 13 months old and still…

I’ve felt too whakamā to go to the doctors multiple times in my life. I am a māori woman with a rare disability & also endometriosis. Anytime I go I…

I have a phobia of medical appointments after a history of negative experiences. I avoid going to the doctors when I’m unwell and I worry frequently about any undetected conditions…

I can't go to the doctor about my acne or pimples, doctors don't take that stuff seriously when you're 40. Only teenagers care about their skin. It's embarrassing to be…

I went for a cough, I couldn't sleep because of it, my ribs hurt and I had sharp pains. I used to have asthma and after 4 weeks of coughing…

When I got my first period, it was crazy heavy and extremely painful. I had no previous experience and all my Mum said was "oh, you take after your grandmother".…

I had an emergency csection 5 years ago and woke up from it deaf. Kept in hospital for a week due to stroke risk but fobbed off about my hearing,…

I've had 4 children , and after my last child's birth, which was brutal to say the least, I've suffered from incontinence. Which as a female, is super embarrassing to…

I was only diagnosed with ADHD at 45 after my son was diagnosed. It took a self assessment to get an GP referral then almost a year and large amount…

I’ve only just now received an ADHD diagnosis just about 27 years old, after years of waiting for my doctors incorrect info about referral acceptance - and after years of…

I know that I have ADHD but growing up I didn't and until I was 37, I didn't know. I just thought I wasn't as good as other people at…

Any illness I went to the doctor with would always end up with the answer to be, 'lose weight and we need to check for diabetes as you are an…

For years I endured painful swelling in my lower legs and knees, chronic pain in my hips, chronic lower back pain, and the gradual onset of debilitating chronic fatigue. I…

I am trans non-binary. Every time I go to the doctor I have a non-affirming experience in terms of how I am spoken to/about. This, combined with body dysphoria, means…

I experienced sexual trauma as a child and experienced ADHD like symptoms, hypervigilance, anxiety, nightmares, poor sleep, low mood, negative self assessment, difficulties at school, and anger. I could not…

Have lost count on how many times I have tried contacting Mental Health services requesting the Mental Health Clinician to contact us regarding medications for my son who has a…

I have lost confidence in doctors, feeling like I always have to justify being there taking up their time - which is new to me as I had good experiences…

I arrived here when I was one years old, however going to the doctor was always an intimidating process. My family would change jobs frequently, and every time we shifted…

My relationship with alcohol wasn't a problem. Not as far as I knew. I was normal, fitted in with my family and friends, drank almost any beverage on offer. As…

As a trans person I am tired of feeling like I'm having to fight my doctors. Its been two years now of begging but they give me crumbs and expect…

When I went to the Dr for hormone therapy he refused for 6 months because he refused to read updated guidelines for informed consent

I choose not to go to the doctor because when I do I am treated and spoken to as if I'm negligent or an idiot. I have an extensive history…

As an immigrant, when I was on my student visa or work visa, I felt too WHAKAMĀ to visit the doctor because if they were to discover any serious health…

Back in my mid-20s, I was working multiple jobs. I would wake up early and finish late, after which I would participate in drinking and casual drug use. I became…

I feel whakamā when I visit the doctor for my insomnia. It's been a constant struggle for me, and I've seen many GPs about it. Their advice is to exercise…

I felt like I had to wait for symptoms to get worse or unbearable because they minimise the pain and almost always give me paracetamol and antibiotics and thats it.

I live in a very rural community, our district has fewer than two people per km2. Over the past four years, we have gone from having three doctor’s offices to…

I have children, children have accident. My son fell off a stool that shouldn't have been in the kitchen (thanks other children). Had a cry gave a hug and was…

I felt a hard lump in my breast it was small and hard and getting more uncomfortable, I thought to myself this isn't good. I told a friend of mine…

I noticed was a difference in the texture under my skin in my sternum area, felt like hard lumps - Im a Registered Nurse so dutifully went to my GP…

I was extremely disappointed how my Tane, Maori Male Mid 40's, was stigmatised and discriminated against,ed disrespect, arrogance, and racism practices. The non-Maori registered nurse, did not know how to…

Every time I go to the Doctor I am judge, and asked questions I don't understand. - Young Mum

I avoid going to the Doctor because I can't afford it. I would rather go through the pain and suffering, then spend our money on seeing a doctor for 5…

I'm a māmā of four boys living in ***** (location withheld) and I've put off visiting the doctors for a number of reasons. The biggest reason is I don't trust…

I migrated to Aotearoa from overseas as a skilled migrant to fulfil a skills shortage. On signing up with a PHO I arranged for my overseas doctor to send my…

Hello there, I am a mum of 3. My oldest daughter is 19 now and she is suffering from anxiety and depression. What I would like to share is how…

My kōrero is more about an experience that has now made me too whakamā to kōrero about it again. I went to see our local doctors and wanted some support…

It’s so hard to get an appointment for that day you need it. Multiple times I’ve called and they have no doctors or are fully booked.

When I called to make an appointment with the GP I tried to give them some info so they didn’t misgender me. I told the lady on the phone my…

The lady on the desk is so rude, always get the hit up for costs, “YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO SEE THE GP BECAUSE YOU OWE $133. $133!! YOU”RE GOING…

I hate talking about myself. I get overwhelmed with all the questions. My aunty tells them she will speak on my behalf, but they still ask me questions – even…

When my mum was young, a chiro pinched a nerve in her neck, leaving her with a permanent tremor in her right arm and neck. Years later she was misdiagnosed…

For a long time, I was having a really rough time in my relationship – my husband was violent and angry with me and the kids. When I was at…

I went to the GP about perimenopause. First question: Do you smoke? and then he prescribed antidepressants. “You think you’ve got menopause? And what makes you think you’re in menopause?…

Heaps of times I’ve gone to the docs sick and been asked if I’m a druggy or alcoholic. Like they think I'm just there to feed a drug addiction. I’ve…

In my family, we’ve been taught to believe that you basically had to be dying before you’d even think about going to the doctors - there’s a GP shortage, they’re…