I just received a letter from my GP with a note attached saying please find attached a referral request made by your GP, giving details of how you can make your appointment.
It's been made by the e-referral service for the NHS and have given me log in details for me to make an appointment but the options on the form say general gynaecologist or polycystic ovaries gynaecologist, my doctor has diagnosed me with PCOS after a recent ultrasound scan, but thinks I have endo.
My main concern is if I go to a general Gynae doctor will they have notes on the system from my GP explaining why I've been sent to the Gynae team? I don't want to go and have to explain that I'm there because my doctor thinks I have endo, and they just shrug me off and don't take me seriously.
I'd really appreciate some help and advice on what clinic I should go to, as I just want to be seen now, the pain is getting too bad to handle.
NiomiJane x
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NJG_98
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Hi NiomiJane - although I can't give any advice on what clinic you should go to I can tell you that if you go to the general gynae doctor they should have a copy of your records. The majorty of NHS hospitals now have access to a central database, so although there might be certain things like correspondence between your GP and consultant which may not appear on the system, everything else should. Obviously I can't give a 100% guarantee on this (what with things like human error and computers not working being major factors) but from personal experience each time I've been to see my consultant and/or GP they've accessed the same notes for me using the same computer system (the screens looked identical).
As far as I understand it from a specialist clinic point of view - I'm assuming in the case of a PCOS gynaecologist - they will usually request copies of your records from your GP and local hospital once you've made your appointment with them. I'm not sure whether they require your consent for this, but if you decide to go down this route it might be worth asking the question. Either way you shouldn't have to get involved with arranging the sharing of your paperwork as this should all be organised between the professionals dealing with your case.
I work for the NHS but obviously don't have access to a central system only our hospital one, so I wouldn't know if they could access info from my GP or not, the only info on my hospital system is my A&E attendances and ultrasounds, I decided to book in for the PCOS gynae as the earliest apt was 4th July, but for general gynae it was 25th or 28th August and I just can't wait that long!
Hopefully they'll be able to help in terms of endo diagnosis... I'm really sceptical about going to see a PCOS gynaecology clinic, as I feel they'll just dismiss me, but we'll have to wait and see :S
If your doctor's diagnosed you with PCOS based on scan results then it would make sense to go to the specialist who deals with this condition. However if I were in your position I would definitely mention the endo to the PCOS specialist as it would be another factor for him/her to bear in mind when looking into treatment for you. I certainly see no reason for them not to take you seriously and I'm sure you're aware - working for the NHS - that if you feel you're receiving poor treatment you have a right to complain via the PALS service and request referral to another consultant.
I wish you the best of luck at your appointment and hope you get the answers you're looking for... I know how frustrating it can be and how long these things can take, so you have my empathy!
Hi, yes that's what I thought, but I didn't want them to think "why is she seeing a PCOS specialist for endo?" When my GP thinks I have both.. I will see how my apt goes and just go from there and ask for a referral to another specialist if I feel appropriate.
My symptoms have been mostly lower abdominal and pelvic pain, I began periods when I was 10, they were very irregular until I was 12.
Then they were a bit more regular until 13-14, when they stopped and were every 40 days. Periods have been every 40-50 days since age 14 I'd say.
I have severe pain mostly in my right side, so multiple times GP's and doctors have thought this was appendicitis.
Had US in 2013, showed a ruptured ovarian foccile, pain still persistent, I'm constantly tired and lethargic, and I always have a sharp pulsating pain in my abdomen and pelvic region, also lumbar spine.
Other days it can be a dull pain which feels like there's a lot of pressure there - as if my insides are about to pop.
When I bleed, it's painful for the entire 4-7 days and quite heavy usually, but like I said this isn't often that I have a bleed, I've had nausea feelings and migraines, so had eyes tested and there's not much difference (Always had to wear glasses).
I had a recent US in 2016 which showed poly-cystic ovaries, my GP said this does not cause pain, I'[ve been prescribed co-codamol 30/500mg since Feb 2016, pain is still there everyday and often in tops of my thighs too, so GP referred me to gynae team for possible endo..
I have read many posts on here, and researched into symptoms etc of endo and mine don't seem as bad as some others, it's just the constant pain, I find discomfort eating solid food most of the time also.
Thank you so much for you reply, I was thinking a PCOS gynaecologist won't be much help, but I thought I'd try anyways to see if they can suggest any solutions for the pain as I really can not wait until end of August when I have a holiday coming up before then, I just want to get the ball rolling which may sound extremely selfish and inpatient.. but I promise I'm not as I know there's people in much worse situations!
I've read a lot of posts on here in regards to BSGE centres so will definitely have to research into them, is it free or do you have to pay?
Thank you for your help and advice on what to do, I really appreciate it
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xx
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