Follow up with gynae (post ultrasound)

[magsxoxo]

Hi all,

I saw my GP who was extremely dismissive of all my symptoms (ticked everything on the endo symptom list), and who finally referred me to a gynae after a heated argument. Saw a gyno at a hospital, who said I probably didn't have endo and was also very dismissive. Put my foot down and said I wanted it explored further. She then referred me for a transvaginal ultrasound. Going this week for a followup appointment to see if there was anything on the scan. I've read that ultrasounds don't always show up endo, unless it's formed cysts or it's in big clumps. What have you done you done after ultrasound scan? I do not like the surgeon and she said that 'some women just have heavy periods' which made me really angry, as it's affecting all aspects of my life. I printed and completed a pain diary and she just looked at it as I was a little child showing a parent what colouring they had done.

Has anyone had experience of doctors dismissing them as they get symptoms all month around, and they just get worst during your period? All my symptoms are worse in the few days leading up to my period and then during- I get bloating so bad that I wear maternity clothing and no jeans/trousers, as it's extremely uncomfortable and I do not fit into them. She just kept repeating that it's probably IBS and I'll get heavy periods. I do not want to get the Mirena coil (she says that it'll solve every problem which I know it won't), but has anyone else refused the coil? I do not like the idea of it, and would feel uncomfortable knowing it's in my body due to anxiety.

Any help on how to deal with a dismissive doctor and any steps that you took after an ultrasound came back clear! Thank you all xxxxx

[Hidden]

Hiya, I understand completely how you feel. My doctor was also very dismissive of my problems. I had various symptoms but my main ones were bloating were I also looked pregnant, and pain in my lower left abdomen. Told me all along it was my bowels, and then told me it was in my head and actually asking me what I thought was wrong! Eventually after countless blood samples and different tests, she felt my stomach and finally agreed to refer me for an ultrasound, it showed a cyst on my ovary which she told me was part of my normal cycle but she would refer me to gynaecology anyway. She also started me on the pill as this is the first thing a gynae would suggest. I ended up paying for a private gynae who done an internal ultrasound and told me straight away she was putting me on the waiting list for a diagnostic laparoscopy. The private gynae I seen wasn’t available to do my surgery, but the surgeon who did it was also convinced it was my bowels, but he would proceed with the surgery to rule endo out. Turns out I had endo in my pouch of Douglas and ovarian fossa area and I needed specialist treatment in order to remove it. In my post op appointment I was offered the coil, which I refused along with the other hormone injections too. Instead I am continuing with the microgynon pill which is apparently a good treatment for me, so until I decide I want surgery to remove my endo I am taking the pill.

I would just be firm with your doctor until you get what you want, no one else is going to do it for you and things need to be ruled out so you can find out what is really wrong with you. Hope this helps x

[magsxoxo in reply to Hidden]

Hey, thanks for replying See they haven't done any blood tests, but I have had a few done in the last year for pre-op (unrelated to endo) and there was nothing abnormal. Everytime they've checked my hormone levels they've said it was fine, but that won't show endo!

How much was a diagnostic lap privately? Really keen to get it looked into, but took 3 months to get an initial appointment (I understand that that is quite short for NHS England waiting times), but also heard that it's a 6 month waiting time for MRI and then another 12-15 months for a lap. I'm switching jobs at the moment, and hoping that whatever one I get comes with private insurance so that I can get it looked into faster. I can't take microgynon as I get migraines and my blood clots easily, and when I was on it when I was younger it worsened my depression and anxiety. Thanks for telling me to keep persevering- you know yourself if your body isn't right and that the symptoms are painful and wrong! xx

[Kathy_Page]

Hiya,

Do you get extreme pain during periods and do you get it daily?

I am a case where the doctors have done almost all scans including the detailed MRI and still, no endo is found. I am in pain (almost daily) since last 3 years and has been increasing, the doctors have still put me on bowel problems (IBS) and no laparoscopy has happened. I have pain left side mostly but has also started happening during the right side. I am in pain most of the days. I will be requesting for a lap but this un-diagnosed pain is very depressing.

[magsxoxo in reply to Kathy_Page]

Hey,

I get average (lol for me after all this time) pain nearly everyday, and then 3 days before period and during period it's horrendous. A lot of bowel issues (have diarrhoea nearly everyday), extreme bloating, pain and aches so a whole myriad. I think doctors just say "oh it's IBS" as it's the easiest thing, as IBS has no treatment and they say it happens just out of the blue, feels like IBS just gets the blame for everything, when so many women with endo get misdiagnosed with IBS when they shouldn't. I totally get you about the undiagnosed pain, you want to get it treated but don't know what's wrong. I hope you do get a lap and get it looked into! xx

[Kathy_Page in reply to magsxoxo]

Did you have a detailed MRI ever?

I think it becomes difficult to go straight to laparoscopy when the MRI and all the scans are clear. My doctor was saying I was too young and haven't given birth ever so she was scared to do a lap. She never gave me confidance on lap so we never did it but because the IBS medicines are not working, now is the time to actually start believing that is Endometriosis for me.

I think your case is also add confusing as mine because you have diarrhea so it points to ibs, in endo you don't have diarrhea related symptoms.