Woman left 'ashamed and humiliated' after going to pharmacy to get prescribed painkillers

A woman has taken to social media to open up about a pharmacist not taking her chronic condition 'seriously'.

Anna Dooley worked from home on 31 August because she was 'cramping' and it wasn't 'bad enough' she needed to go to hospital.

However, she went to the pharmacy on her lunch break to pick up her prescribed painkillers to help ease the symptoms she suffers as a result of her endometriosis - a chronic and often debilitating condition which 'sees tissue similar to the lining of the womb grow in other places,' as per the NHS.

After moving house, Anna was advised by her GP to pick one pharmacy to always go to

"Because the government will flag you and it'll look like you're shopping around," she explains.

So, the TikToker chose an independent pharmacy over a major brand in the hopes they would 'get to know' her better.

TikTok/ @thehooleydooley

As soon as Anna was called to the counter, she claims the pharmacy worker didn't even say 'hello' or 'how are you' but simply told her, 'Careful you might overdose,' in front of a whole room-full of people.

The TikToker tried to explain she has endometriosis but says the man working there 'didn't let [her] finish speaking'.

Anna says the pharmacy worker fired questions at her and kept 'talking over' her.

"He humiliated me in front of the whole pharmacy, accusing me of being an addict," she explains. "He was also talking about overdosing as if it's some sort of joke."

TikTok/ @thehooleydooley

Anna needs the pain relief so she doesn't have to always go to hospital and 'clog up a bed' when the pain she experiences can leave her collapsed on the floor, unable to move.

"All these women and uterus owners being labelled junkies because they've been told to take these pain meds," she continues. "He asked me nothing about my health, mental health, symptoms or directions on taking it. Luckily I've taken this medication before."

Anna had to spend $92 AUD (£50) - four hour's work for her - on drugs which aren't 'covered by the government' for 'a disease which has no cure and a condition [she] can't fix'.

TikTok/ @thehooleydooley

Anna continues: "I can't tell you how many times I've had to beg an inexperienced health professional to give me pain relief whilst in agony. Stuff I've been prescribed by a specialist.. And they say, 'Well you seem fine'.

"Pain relief is a human right. The amount of shame I have been made to feel over the last 15 years in regards to taking pain killers... Is wild. By the people who prescribe them."

And Anna notes she has to return to that pharmacy too, as it has the rest of her prescriptions and 'all [her] details'.

TikTok/ @thehooleydooley

The video caption reads: "Another day, another moment of dealing with a health professional that doesn't take endo/ chronic pain seriously."

Anna adds: "The conversation around pain relief is harrowing. We all understand the strict laws around pain killers, we’re well aware. Being made to feel as though ‘You’re the problem’ doesn't leave you and it certainly doesn't take the pain away. (He also owns the pharmacy which is scary).

"No one should have to convince someone they need help."

If you have been affected by the contents of this article, please find more information and support via Endometriosis UK on their website, or call 0808 808 2227.

Topics: Health, Mental Health, Australia, TikTok, Social media

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.