Questions I should ask

[Natalie_B]

Hi all, I wondered if I could ask for your advice please?

Last week was the first time I ever heard of this condition.

I visited my Dr last week due to some weird bleeding over the last few months. After an examination the Dr believes I have Endometriosis and has given me an emergency referral. I see the gynecologist this Saturday in the hope of being given a positive diagnosis.

Having no knowledge of this condition or the potential impacts it could have or been having unknowingly, I wonder if any of you could recommend some questions I should ask the specialist?

Thank you

[Tboag]

Is it just the bleeding you have or do you have other symptoms, unfortunately a gp cannot give you a diagnosis on this,

Endometriosis is very hard to diagnose, it rarely shows up on scans and can only be confirmed by a laparoscopy,

This early on, I would just listen to what your gyne doc says, make sure you tell him all your symptoms and at what time of the month these occur.

Good luck, if you gave anyquestions before or after, you have found a great place to ask them, we are a friendly bunch and are all suffering to some degree

Xxx

[Natalie_B in reply to Tboag]

Thank you so much for your welcoming quick reply and advice.

I will make sure I make some notes on my symptoms and time lines before I go.

The Doctor said she could actually see the cells when she examined me, which is why she believes it is endo.

They have referred me under the two week emergency cancer pathway. Do you know if this usual process for expected endometriosis?

Thanks again x

[Tboag in reply to Natalie_B]

Natalie, this isn't the norm, I haven't heard of a gp saying they can see endo, so she said your endo is in your vagina, is that right,?

I think you should just wait to see what the gyne says, then come back and give us an update, if you have any questions in the mean time do not hesitate

Xx

[Natalie_B in reply to Tboag]

Well she didn't clarify where and I am not sure how far they can actually see, but she had got me ready for taking swabs and then said she could see where the bleeding was coming from and explained about the cells.

Saturday isn't that far away, so I'll know some more soon enough.

Thanks again for your advice.

I'm so pleased I found this community xx

[Lottie88]

Hi, and welcome.

There's a lot of muddled info out there on endometrosis and from my own experience you can pretty much find an article linking it to any health worry that you have!

I'd recommend by beginning with the factsheets from endometrosis UK's site. They are considered, factual and give a wide understanding of what the condition can entail.

From reading on here you will realize that it's a very personal thing, Personally, I had significant pain pre a laparoscopy in 2013, and then it stopped. I've been trying to conceive for 2 years with no success and am now looking into the fertility options/ implications having had a second laparoscopy yesterday.

You also would do well t ask your Gyne if they are an expert in Endo. This seems a way to ensure you get specialist expert treatment from the start. Search for BSGE on here and online for more on this.

I'm sure there are others on here who can offer you wider advice, but hopefully that can get you started.

Take care, and look after yourself.

Lottie xx

[Weeshortie]

Hi, sorry this is going on for you. I would ask the Gynae how they plan to check for endometriosis eg by laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) or MRI.

You should also ask them to check the areas most affected by endometriosis as this may give an indication of the impact on your fertility. They will ask whether you plan to have to have children or not as your chances will quickly decrease with endo and your answers to this will determine the best treatment plan. Good luck!