Bianca Padurariu, a 20-year-old nanny from south-east London, has been experiencing a painful burning sensation every time she uses the toilet or attempts to be intimate with her partner since September 2021. Despite multiple visits to her GP and rounds of antibiotics, her symptoms have persisted. Bianca was unable to secure a hospital referral from her GP, so she took matters into her own hands and paid £700 for a private gynaecologist consultation in September 2023. The consultation confirmed that she was suffering from a recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). Armed with this diagnosis, she managed to secure an appointment with a urologist at Queen Mary’s Hospital in south-west London. However, during a follow-up appointment, Bianca claims the doctor suggested she use Google to find answers to her health concerns. Frustrated with her ongoing health issues, Bianca lodged a complaint with the NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Service. She expressed her disappointment, stating that she sought professional advice rather than resorting to “panic” by searching for symptoms online. She has now given up on receiving help from the NHS after years of effort and is actively fundraising to afford private treatment. Bianca has been desperately trying to figure out why she experiences a painful burning sensation every time she goes to the toilet or tries to have sex. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are incredibly prevalent, affecting roughly half of all women in the UK at some point, as per Kidney Research UK. Typically, symptoms abate within a week. Concerns arose for Bianca in September 2021 when she noticed an unusual increase in her need to urinate. After waiting to see if the issue would resolve itself, she eventually booked a GP appointment. A urine test confirmed an infection, leading to a prescription of antibiotics for Bianca. However, even after finishing the prescribed course, her bladder issues persisted, prompting another visit to her GP in Streatham Common. Despite undergoing another urine test and receiving a different set of antibiotics, Bianca’s condition remained unresolved. She requested a referral to a specialist, but was told she would need to do another urine test first. When the test came back negative, her request for a referral was denied. Bianca lived with her troubling symptoms for two more years, experiencing frequent urination and burning during urination. She also said that her condition put a strain on her relationships, as she was unable to have a normal sexual relationship without it hurting. Feeling desperate and without options, Bianca opted to spend £700 for a private consultation with a gynaecologist in North London. The tests finally revealed that Bianca had a “recurrent urine infection” and early signs of endometriosis, a chronic condition known for causing intense pelvic pain. The gynaecologist also found high levels of protein in Bianca’s kidneys and advised her to see a doctor immediately. However, Bianca was unable to go back to the gynaecologist as it was too expensive. Instead, she requested they write to her GP so they could refer her to hospital. In November 2023, Bianca visited a urologist at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Roehampton, south-west London. She said the doctor told her to drink lots of cranberry juice and water, but it did not improve her symptoms. Bianca returned to the hospital on February 27, 2024, determined to get to the bottom of what was wrong with her. She asked for more tests, but the doctor said they could not do that and that she was there to offer her a plan that she could follow. Bianca continued pushing for answers, but the doctor seemed bothered by her questions. She then suggested that Bianca use Google to find answers to her health concerns. Bianca was visibly distraught when she left the medical facility with no further understanding of her health situation. Following her ordeal in February, she submitted a formal complaint through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service. She expressed that she went there to speak to a professional regarding her problems and that Google will never give her the right answer, it will just make her panic. Currently, she has abstained from seeking solutions through the NHS and instead, is raising money for private treatment. Bianca announced a fundraising drive on GoFundMe aimed at raising £8,000, although she confessed she does not know the exact amount her treatment will cost.
Woman Claims NHS Doctor Told Her to ‘Google’ Urinary Infection Symptoms After Years of Pain and Suffering
