"Emergency Department Visits with Seizure-Like Symptoms Dismissed as ‘Anxiety’"

In the early morning hours recently, my relative developed sudden-onset episodes that involved full-body jerky tremors (seizures??) that made it difficult to walk, with intermittent moments of being “stuck” in certain positions involving rhythmic movements. They would stutter severely and their hands and feet went red and blotchy during episodes and remained so for a while after. Immediately afterward, their saliva glands would go into overdrive and they felt frequent urgency to urinate without actually needing to. They also experienced a strong, unpleasant taste (described as “bug spray”) during some episodes, I believe these were clearly neurological symptoms. My relative attended Plantagenet Hospital ED  where they were monitored and underwent basic testing, was told they had anxiety by a Telehealth doctor and sent home. 

These episodes were still continuing four full days later and my relative was becoming exhausted, so I drove them to Albany Health Campus ED extremely concerned. Once again, they did what I understand were basic tests, dismissed it as anxiety and sent them away. I felt that the critical care doctor who oversaw my relatives care was one of the most arrogant and condescending doctors we’ve ever dealt with, and we’ve dealt with many throughout my relative's life of with multiple medical conditions. The younger doctor, who I believe was a student doctor, tried to mention a certain medication my relative takes to the arrogant doctor and was ignored; this information is pertinent to our third ED visit. We left feeling gaslit, scared and helpless.

By the following week (another four days later), my relative was battling their eighth consecutive day of these tremor/seizure episodes without relief and was utterly exhausted. I decided to take them to Albany Health Campus ED again, despite the trepidation I felt in doing so because of the previous visit. By the time we arrived, my relative’s heart rate was through the roof, they were sweating profusely and could barely walk.

Triage pushed them through quickly and they were taken straight to a resuscitation bay for assessment. The doctor who treated my relative this time was a blessing, his name was Alex. Alex actually listened to what we were saying, ran some tests and concluded that my relative had Seretonin Syndrome, which can be fatal if left untreated. The younger student(?) doctor at our second ED visit was mentioning the medication that caused it to the arrogant critical care doctor and was ignored. I believe my relative could’ve been diagnosed three full days earlier if only this doctor had listened.

Alex devised a treatment plan and even called our GP directly, informing them about my relative and the plan, knowing we had a pre-booked GP appointment for the following week. Alex administered some medication which settled my relative's symptoms and gave them reprieve from their eight day ordeal. We left the Albany Health Campus ED that day feeling grateful and relieved to have a diagnosis and a plan. 

To conclude, the I felt Telehealth doctor we saw at Plantagenet hospital was dismissive and barely even spent time with my relative to gather much information. The critical care doctor at Albany Health Campus ED was, in my opinion, extremely dismissive and condescending, making us feel like we had nowhere to turn for help in the following days. All of the nurses at both hospitals were amazing and the young male student doctor at Albany should be commended as I believe they were on the right path to a correct diagnosis and I reiterate, Alex was a blessing that day.