How long does it typically take to get a ... - Endometriosis UK

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How long does it typically take to get a scan?

Rumbledoll profile image
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After being ill for the past 7 weeks (i did go to the doctors once before during this time and got told i just had a bug) with bad pain in my lower abdomen, vomiting, fatigue, back ache (to name a few) the doctor did an examination and told me it was either an infection or endometriosis. He's treating me for an infection with antibiotics over this week but as endometriosis runs in my family (and im still in pain, and was sick twice yesterday) i think it isn't an infection at all. He did ask me to go back to see him next tuesday and if it hadn't improved he would look at getting me a scan. How long do you think i would be waiting for that? Also, i have read on different websites that its either an ultrasound or a laparoscopy (not sure on spelling!), yet others are saying ultrasounds are no good. What can i expect??

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Rumbledoll
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Diagnosis21 profile image
Diagnosis21

He could be sending you for a scan to see if you have anything that they can see without you having to go into surgery. A scan cannot determine endometriosis, but a lap can as they can see inside your body with a camera a better image and more detail than a ultrasound scan . A scan referral can take anything from 3-4weeks from the initial referral being sent and then they will write to you tell you to choose a hospital, give you all the details you need and the choices you have then you ring them up tell them which hospital and they will then send you a letter with a conformed time and date for your ultrasound scan, unfortunately most often than not the sonographer doesn't like to tell you any information about what they have or haven't seen. So they will write their report and send pictures to your gp and you should have the results at your gp within two weeks after your scan, ring the doctors to make sure the results are in and make another appointment to see your gp, he should then be able to tell you what the next steps are for you.

Hope this is the information you was looking for hun.

PnutG86 profile image
PnutG86

I recently went for a scan, my doctor made a referral and I was told it would take 6 weeks. I went for the scan in the 6th week. I wasn't given a choice in regards to which hospital. The results should be sent to your doctor within 5 days. I am going for my second scan on December 13 as they found a chocolate cyst and that appointment is exactly 6 weeks since the last. I know every area is different and hope you are seen quickly. As the previous person said it will not show if you have endo but can show cyst which helped me with my diagnosis.

Emma-louise profile image
Emma-louise

Hey, hope your felling a little better now!

I've been referred for a scan too to check for Endo. I had my first GP appointment on 12th Nov, and i have my scans booked for 16th Dec, so it wasn't too long. I know in my case the consultant has booked me in for a normal Ultrasound, and then also an internal one. He said it may not show, but that the doctor who will be doing my scan apparently has an eye for endo.

If they can't find anything on the scan (there checking for endo, polyps and cysts) and I'm still struggling with the pain and irregular periods, then i can have the laproscopy.

Hope this helps xx

Rumbledoll profile image
Rumbledoll

Thank you all for the advice! Unfortunately, I've got worse since I posted. Ended up in A&E on wednesday night with severe pain and shaking (it was more like a convulsion at one point). My antibiotics are making me sick and don't appear to be working, doctor at a&e advised me to try and stick with them and go to my gp appointment on tuesday asking to definitely be referred for a scan. They gave me cocodamol to take home with me and it helps with the pain in my back,legs and tummy but makes me really drowsy to say the least (it feels like my head is too big for my body!) Talking of my head, for the past 5 days at least I've had this pain and it feels like ive constantly got a band around my head squeezing it. They took my bloods whilst i was at the hospital and said they had come back normal, which is a bit alarming cause at least if they showed something id know what was causing this!

I really don't know what's going on, whether it is an infection or something more like endo. I've gotta wait for tuesday and see what gp says, hopefully i can get different antibiotics as the ones im on are never going to have a chance to work if they're making me be sick.

It feels like it's never ending at the moment :(

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