Feeling a bit deflated wonder if anybody had similar response to myself. Had my first gynaecology appointment today after 10 weeks now Of constant pain. Posted on here before as after researching myself I had a lot of symptoms of Endo. The consultant did another internal ultrasound and I had the same ‘everything looks normal, I don’t think you have endometriosis etc’ she then talked about a laporscopy but then decided against it as it’s a surgical procedure. Ended up just being told to take 4 months worth of naproxen for the pain and just see if it does anything in this time but not to come back before the 4 months. 😫 has anybody else had this? Perhaps It was just wishful thinking that they may suggest some other type of procedure or scan to see if they can find out the issue rather than just masking it with pain relief and not actually finding out what could be causing it?
Thanks Chloe
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Chloelouise92
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Another thing I forgot to mention was previous to this pain just over 2 years ago I had my gallbladder removed because after a few years of pain I had gallstones but they never really thought it was the gallstones that caused my pain so not sure if this could be linked in any way
I don't know anything about the gallstones unfortunately, but I have seen a lot of people on here mention gallstones within the group so maybe a post search might be helpful to see if you find any experiences similar to yours.
I walked out of my first gynae consultation in tears for numerous reasons, but one of which being that I was sent home hastily with a new pill to try for several months till I would be seen again. It felt like I was just going to spend years trying every different version of every different type of pill or coil or injection as trial and error through all the hormone options would be necessary before authorising a laparoscopy. However, when I went back after those months with the new pill I was seen by a new gynae replacing my previous consultant who, and I am telling you nearly word-for-word, "is unpopular with gynaecologists for this reason, but doesn't believe in diagnostic laparoscopy for endometriosis as it carries some risk and we can treat the symptoms without taking those risks". My heart dropped as I was convinced this was it and I'd never find out what was wrong with me - but he offered to put me on the waiting list anyway! This was a man who thought they were pointless and a poor choice, but still said he would put me on the waiting list and I can always cancel if I change my mind.
So, what I would say is, from what I've seen you'd be very lucky to have been offered a laparoscopy at your initial consultation. With the amount of pressure on the NHS with cost of procedures and waiting times for procedures, referrals aren't offered until preliminary steps can be proven to have been taken, so your experience in terms of deciding against a laparoscopy at this point sounds fairly normal in the wider context of the system. And don't worry thinking the next couple of years for you will just be trial and error with different hormones - you have a right to feel entitled to a laparoscopy if endometriosis is suspected given that there is no other way to definitively diagnose it. Keep in mind that this isn't the only consultant you have access to - you are always entitled to a second opinion and there are others if you feel the next time you see her that she isn't taking you seriously. In terms of pushing for a laparoscopy, if you feel you need to, I would take the approach of waiting times potentially being months and months on end, within which time you can try treat it and always cancel if you feel you don't need it anymore - just like my consultant said to me. Further down the line you might like to consider a private consultation as a lot of people here say they have paid for a private consultation and subsequently been referred for a laparoscopy on the NHS when they feel they were not being listened to either.
I hope the current treatment plan helps and the pain gets a little easier for you
I honestly think without hearing other people’s stories and advice I would have had a meltdown before now! I had so many issues getting any sort of resolution for my ‘gallbladder pain’ with no results after removal as nobody ever got to the bottom of what was causing it that I always walk away feeling so deflated, it really helps hearing other people’s situations. I end up feeling sometimes like it’s all just in my head and perhaps I’m making a fuss over nothing.
I’ve been on the lucette contraceptive pill for 10 years anyway, so I’ll give the naproxen a go. I just sometimes feel like even if they don’t do anything about whatever is causing the pain at least I have an answer to what it is just to confirm to myself I’m not mad!
Did you end up getting a diagnosis or are you still waiting?
Oh for some ridiculous reason I have only just realised that naproxen is pain relief not a contraceptive pill (I was thinking of norethisterone!) I am actually quite surprised that they didn't decide to change your pill to see if this helps when pain relief could have been arranged by your GP. If that is what she suggests in your next appointment then I would still ask to be put on the waiting list for a laparoscopy - it will take, what, 3 months to feel the effects of a new hormone treatment and probably is a longer wait for the laparoscopy. And a diagnostic laparoscopy is to find out whether you have endometriosis or not - whether a new pill has been shown to help or not is arguably besides the point if you still want to know/rule out that endometriosis is the cause.
Still waiting - I have a GP appointment tomorrow to ask her to push the surgeon's secretary to send me the post-op report of her findings. Trust me, I am still convinced it's in my head because I was told while I was groggy but till the E-word is printed in black and white in my hand with my name on it then I will still feel anxious about the same things as you mentioned!
It’s so difficult isn’t it to try and explain to somebody how you know your own body and that something isn’t right! Ive found the whole thing exhausting and I’m only 10 weeks in! I can’t imagine how some people feel that have been waiting sooooo long!!
I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed for you that you get an answer 🤞🏻
Hi I know how you feel I had the same experience as you many years ago I had scans and nothing showed but I was certain there was something going on.
I had to argue basically with the consultant to have a lap as I had been on many meds before my appointment and she still wasn’t giving in and said to wait and see, I went back to my gp and asked to be seen by someone else get a second opinion and finally I got a lap done in 2015 but it didn’t show anything and I’m still now going through the process to have a second one.
I would go and see your gp and explain how you feel and see if they can get you a second opinion. I’m now going through the private route due to timescales as I can’t wait 5-6 weeks for a scan as I’m in so much pain.
This is the other thing that scares me is that pushing for it and then nothing showing up. But like you say you know there’s something not right! Sometimes I feel like I’m the dr trying to self diagnose myself otherwise you don’t get anywhere!
Yes I feel like that too but it’s not the end I had my lap done In 2015 and like I say now back to square one with scans etc but I know somethings not right.
I had an experience similar to this with my first appointment. No scan were done but he was very dismissive of my constant agony and told me to come back in 4 months without bothering to sort anything else. I called his secretary the next day and complained that I felt I wasn’t listened to and didn’t get anything out of it. The following day, I got a letter with an appointment date for another consultant.
She has booked me in for an MRI and wants me to have a diagnostic lap.
If you’re unhapoy with your care, you are entitled to ask for a second opinion from a different consultant.
See this is what I mean! How you can go from either just being shoved on tablets or nothing to an MRI and a lap! It’s crazy! I understand we’re super lucky to have the NHS but sometimes you wonder if they are actually listening to us or just think we’re exaggerating. I’m a yes person so I always go along with it then once I’ve left wish I stood up for myself and think I should have been a bit more forceful!
Thank you and I hope you get the answers you need! X
I’ve had to learn to be more forceful - hence me being on the list of a lap as I’ve learnt that I get pushed around if I don’t speak up.
As someone who works in the NHS (as an admin non-clinical role) I hate how dismissive GPs can be. Yes, it isn’t like we have a broken bone that’s visible, but there is still clearly something wrong if we are in agony!
I’ve had to try all sorts of painkillers from my GP. Anti-infalms don’t agree with my body after not taking them for 10 months thanks to anti-depressants, codiene doesn’t hit it and paracetamol is nowhere near enough. Now on co-dydramol which isn’t working but too fed up to go back to the Gp AGAIN 🤷🏻♀️
Hopefully things will start moving soon. I chased up MRI today since it’s been over a month since I was told I’d have one but no appointment has come through. Ugggghhhhh 😂 xx
Exactly and that’s what’s so difficult to get across to them because it isn’t physical! I’m not even sure if it is endometriosis however what are we supposed to do just live in pain forever with no answers?!
I think I’m going to do the same after trying this naproxen is just start being more assertive because otherwise you get nowhere!
She also told me that being on the pill is the best form of treatment if it is Endo anyway but I’d dread to think what people are going through that aren’t on the pill then because it’s clearly not helping me!
Ah that’s so frustrating! Everything takes so long nowadays I hope you get it sorted soon 🤞🏻X
I can agree on the pill front! Been on it for at least 6 months now but other than helping me know when I am actually going to bleed, it isn’t helping. First time trying it for 2 months straight and OMG I am hating every second. I’m in so much pain but I can’t just stop it. God, I dread to think of the pain I’m going to be in when I next bleed 😭 xx
I’ve been on the pill for 10 years now so never really had a proper period! My only saving grace is I don’t have hugely heavy periods because when you’re on the pill it’s not a full period anyway! X
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First gynaecologist appointment 
Rubbish first gynea appointment. 
Has anybody had just ONE ovary removed?
