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Horrible experience at a doctor. What can I do?
I am writing here because I had a horrible experience at a doctor and I want to see if this happened to someone else and what did you do.
I went to a proctologist because I have a hemorrhoid… Hello,
I am writing here because I had a horrible experience at a doctor and I want to see if this happened to someone else and what did you do.
I went to a proctologist because I have a hemorrhoid problem and I wanted to get some consultation on what to do about it.
I don't have any health problems about it, though.
I went to a proctologist and explained my problem and explicitly told him that I think I might have anal stenosis.
The doctor told me to lay off because he needs to see inside my butt and do a proctoscopy.
He put his finger inside my butt, and it hurt because he forcefully did it. I told him that it hurts, and he then used a cream which is supposed to be an anesthesia.
Then he proceeded to do the proctoscopy and it hurt a lot! I screamed a bit and told him he is hurting me. He then tried to do it a bit slower. After he was done, he wiped me. At that moment I thought it was maybe stool, but apparently it was blood.
I am privately insured, and I was told I had to pay via credit card. Other people before me didn't pay on the spot. The invoice had a line where it says that I have to pay in the next 3 weeks and not on the spot, which seems a bit shady. I have never paid before on the spot. I was always mailed an invoice and paid via bank transfer. I am privately insured.
The doctor wanted to prescribe me one cream and suppository for the blood. I told him that I have no blood when going to the restroom. He then prescribed the cream only without saying anything.
On my way home, the anesthesia started going away, and I had A LOT OF pain. I get home and notice a lot of blood on my butt. It seems like this doctor caused an anal fissure. I have a lot of pain and my rectum is bleeding. I had an anal fissure a few years ago and I know the feeling. I hope this is just ONE fissure and not many. It does hurt a lot.
What should I do? What are my options?
I cannot prove, but I got a strange feeling from the doctor when I asked him to speak English. Also, there was no one when the doctor did the proctoscopy. I was at another doctor in the past and there was a nurse present.
As you can see, I am a foreigner in this country and I don't know what should I do now. Should I go to the hospital? How do I document that he caused me this? What can I do in this case? What are my rights? The pain is horrible. Please tell me if something like this happened to you and what did you do about it.
I am not asking for legal advice.
Thank you in advance.
Ugh, that sounds awful. For the immediate pain and bleeding, I'd honestly go to a Bereitschaftspraxis or even the emergency room at a hospital like Charite to get it checked out properly, just to be safe. For the billing issue, you can contact your private insurance and tell them the doctor demanded payment on the spot, that's not standard and they might flag it.
That sounds really rough. First off, for the bleeding and pain right now, you should go to a Notaufnahme or a Bereitschaftspraxis tonight. The Charite or Vivantes emergency rooms are your best bet in Berlin, they handle stuff like this.
For the billing thing, that's not normal even for private patients. Most doctors mail you a Rechnung and you transfer it within 30 days. Paying with credit card on the spot is a red flag, I'd call your insurance and ask if that practice has any complaints against them.
You can also file a formal Beschwerde with the Kassenarztliche Vereinigung Berlin. They handle complaints about doctors, and they take stuff like this seriously. You don't need a lawyer for that, just write down what happened with dates and times.
And yeah, a nurse should have been present during a proctoscopy. That's standard practice here, especially for intimate exams. You're not overreacting.
if you want to report this, the Landesamt fur Gesundheit und Soziales in berlin handles complaints about doctors too, not just the kv. i'd also recommend getting a second opinion at a proctology practice that specifically mentions 'schmerztherapie' or 'minimalinvasive' on their website, a lot of the older ones in berlin are rough with procedures. for the billing, check if the invoice has a 'Gebuhrennummer' from the GOA, if it's weird or missing your insurance can refuse to reimburse it. and honestly, a nurse should've been there for that exam, that's standard practice here, you could mention that in any complaint you file
Berlin Hidden Gems (2026)
Begin your off-the-beaten-path exploration in the neighborhood of Neukölln. Take the U7 to Rathaus Neukölln and wander the streets around Weserstraße for a true local vibe. This… 🗺️ Where to Start
Begin your off-the-beaten-path exploration in the neighborhood of Neukölln. Take the U7 to Rathaus Neukölln and wander the streets around Weserstraße for a true local vibe. This area is packed with indie shops, street art, and a lively but unpretentious atmosphere.
🏘️ Hidden Neighborhoods
Beyond Neukölln, explore the quiet charm of Rixdorf, a historic village within Neukölln with cobblestone streets and a medieval church. Another gem is the Gartenstadt Falkenberg in Treptow-Köpenick, a UNESCO World Heritage housing estate with colorful gardens. Both offer a peaceful escape from tourist crowds.
🍽️ Off-Map Eateries
For a true local meal, head to Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg, especially on Street Food Thursday. Try the handmade pasta at La Casetta on Weserstraße or the vegan döner at Vöner in Friedrichshain. These spots are beloved by Berliners and rarely crowded with tourists.
🌳 Quiet Viewpoints
Climb the Müggelturm in Köpenick for a panoramic view over the Müggelsee and surrounding forests, far from the city center. Alternatively, visit the Viktoriapark in Kreuzberg, where a small waterfall and a hilltop monument offer a serene city view. Both are free and open year-round.
🎨 Art Off the Beaten Path
Discover the Urban Nation Museum for contemporary street art in Schöneberg, which is often overlooked by tourists. For a more intimate experience, visit the Sammlung Boros, a private contemporary art collection housed in a WWII bunker. Book tickets in advance for the bunker.
🚲 Getting Around Like a Local
Rent a bike from a local shop like Bike Citizens or use the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) app for public transport. The Ringbahn (S41/S42) circles the city and connects many hidden neighborhoods. A day ticket costs around 9 euros and covers all zones.
🌙 Best Evening Spots
For a relaxed evening, head to the Klunkerkranich rooftop bar in Neukölln, which offers great views and a laid-back crowd. Alternatively, enjoy a craft beer at Hopfenreich in Friedrichshain, a cozy bar with a huge selection. Both are popular with locals but not overrun by tourists.
tbh the gartenstadt falkenberg tip is underrated, most tourists never make it out that far. i went last spring and the gardens were blooming like crazy, each house has a different color scheme and the whole place feels like a tiny fairy tale village. the s-bahn ride out there is pretty too, you go through all these foresty bits before reaching the station.
for a different evening spot try the schwarze riese bar in friedrichshain, it's a tiny place hidden behind a heavy black curtain with no sign outside. they do experimental cocktails and the lighting is super dim, feels like being in someone's weird living room. gets busy after 10pm though so go early if you want a seat.
also if you're near neukölln on a weekend check out the neuköllner oper, they do affordable opera and theater in german but the building itself is worth seeing, it's this old factory turned into a performance space. tickets are like 15 euros and it's never packed with tourists.
fwiw the viktoriapark tip is solid but the waterfall is seasonal, it's usually turned off in winter so don't plan around it. the view from the top is still worth it though, especially around golden hour when the light hits the monument.
if you're doing the boros bunker thing, book like a month ahead minimum, those tickets sell out fast. i'd also check out the KW Institute in mitte as a backup, they have rotating contemporary shows and usually no queue.
one thing missing from this guide is the flea market at mauerpark on sundays. yeah it's kinda touristy now but if u go early around 9am it's chill and you can find weird old berlin stuff. the karaoke in the amphitheater after noon is pure chaos, def a local experience.
honestly this is a solid list, i live in neukölln and you nailed the weserstraße vibe. one thing i'd add is that markthalle neun is great but thursdays get packed by 7pm, go earlier if u can. for a real hidden meal try the falafel at alibabas on sonnenallee, it's a tiny spot with no seating but some of the best in the city.
the klunkerkranich tip is good but be warned it's on top of a parking garage and the stairs can be a slog. if you want a quieter view with less climb hit the tempelhofer feld at sunset, it's an old airport turned park and you can just lie on the runway watching the sky. no beer up there but you can bring your own.