Hi I've finally had a gyne referral, can you please tell me what I can expect?
I had an internal scan about a year ago and there was 'no further action' and my recent blood tests came back as 'normal' despite my life revolving around periods, discomfort and pain.
I also have just had my gynae referral. The consultant went through a long history and asked lots and lots of questions, most importantly and i hope you find this too, she listened. She empathised and she finally made me feel like someone believed me and I wasn't a total hypochondriac weirdo.
I had an agonising internal examination and from just the discussion and exam she has put me straight onto the surgery list for an imminent Laproscooy to diagnose and remove if possible what she is certain is endometriosis. I suggest take some strong pain relief before the appointment if like me you suspect an internal exam will be painful.
I had been through gynae referral at another hospital a few months earlier, sadly they were not as supportive, organised or understanding. Following this initial consultation I was sent for external and internal ultrasound and also X-rays, this I believe is standard in most hospitals so expect this too.
Most importantly know what you feel is real to you and don't give up finding the right consultant and the right care package for you
Good luck on your journey and be proud in the courage and strength you have had to get this far
Why not talk to the trained advisors at 'Endo UK'? They host this site - link to their website at the top of the page.
Do your medics think you have Endometriosis?
I'm not sure what you mean by an 'internal scan'. Do you mean a laparoscopy, where you were under anaesthetic? I doubt it, as you would already have seen a gynae for that to happen. Was it an ultrasound scan, where they put gel on your tummy and the radiographer can see your insides on the screen? If so this is mainly used to rule out other issues and conditions that could be causing the pain. However, it is not much use in seeing/ diagnosing 'Endo' - really, a laparoscopy is needed for this. An MRI scan might show more, but again I understood that a laparoscopy is the main diagnostic investigation.
Also, are you seeing a general Gynae, or is he/she at a BSGE Centre? These are the specialist treatment centres for Endo. A general gynae doing a laparoscopy may be able to see some endo, if that is suspected, and then refer you on to a BSGE clinic, which is really what they are supposed to do. General gynaes are not usually able to find and identify (much less remove) all of the endo that can be in the abdominal cavity. So if 'removal' is needed it's best to see a BSGE gynae.
The 'Endo UK' site will have info on these centres - hopefully there is one near you. I would also read as much as you can on this site (try the posts by 'Lindle', as she is an expert on Endo) , as well as having a good look and read around on the 'Endo UK' site. Sadly, endometriosis is one of those conditions where often we have to become our own best experts.
Hope this helps, take care.
she probably means a transvaginal ultrasound when she says internal scan
I suppose it's possible that is what Li_B means, but I thought I'd ask, just to clarify. Plus, as far as I'm aware a transvaginal ultrasound still doesn't show 'Endo'.
Actually it can, if done by a specialist using a high res machine if your endo growths are large enough - the internal ultrasound I had at the bsge centre where I am being seen showed 4 large nodules plus adenomyosis. But it isn't usually seen on a standard machine used by a radiographer so as we all know a clear ultrasound doesn't mean much.
Okay, that's interesting. I had a general chat, in relation to Endo, when I was having a scan plus transvaginal for something else. The radiographer at my local (cottage?) hospital is great, but maybe she meant the machine she was using then.
Mind you, I do remember Lindle saying something on a post, a while back, about scans and a specific type of endo. I think, maybe, I tend to swing too much in the: 'query everything, and get everything checked, etc. etc.' way ... because there are so many women who are being fobbed off and told they are 'okay' for all sorts of bogus reasons: like clear general ultrasounds.
Thanks for the correction and info xx
Yes this is what I mean, thanks for the technical term. I had blocked this out.
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