Getting diagnosed - do I go private?

[Gemc93x]

Hi,

I’m 25 and have had most of these symptoms since I was 13-14. My GP thinks I could have endo and referred me to a gynaecologist but they just referred me to sex therapy after thinking that my symptoms were caused by vaginismus as I ‘don’t have tummy pain throughout the month so it won’t be endo’ according to the reg dr I saw. I’ve seen previous consultants over the years and I’ve had ultrasounds and a camera into my bladder and everything has came back normal, obviously still pointing to endo being a possibility, but no one I see ever seems to acknowledge it could be that, apart from my GP.

My symptoms are:

Pain during sex

Pain just before and during urination

Pain during bowel movements

Painful periods, sometimes severe but it’s difficult to know what most people experience!

Not being able to use a tampon due to pain

Possible rectal bleeding during period - still not 100% sure about this one due to not being able to use tampons!!

Fatigue

I know it’s always hard for people to get diagnosed but I don’t know whether it’s worth going private to see a specialist and how much it be?

Any advice is much appreciated x

[Catness]

I’ve gone private a number of times and private consultants far exceed the usual gynaecologists but it’s obviously important that you make sure to see an excision endometriosis specialist (as opposed to a less experienced consultant who performs ablation).

Initial consultations are usually somewhere between £180-£200 for around half an hour and they will really listen and take your history. A private laparoscopy costs around £5000 and there are usually payment plans you can sign up to. OR it may be the case that the private consultant works on the NHS too and they will re-refer you into the NHS for your lap. This has luckily been the case twice for me! Any other questions please just ask xxxx

[Thecraftyadder]

So you were told you needed to be in daily pain to have endometriosis and about 14mths ago a gynea doc I saw told me that if I had too much pain for endometriosis that I'd only be in pain the week before my period but not during or at any other time! She said I had nothing to worry about and should take paracetamol! Within 7mths I'd had a diagnosis and excision surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis. How did I get there? I went to see a private specialist. Catness is right with the estimated costs. Its great to have someone really listen to you and your symptoms. General gynecologists often seem to get it wrong. I looked up the consultants in the nearby BSGE endometriosis centre and then googled them to find where they had a private practice. I'd totally recommend it even if you can just find the funds for the initial consultation and then ask for a referral for treatment on the nhs