Second Opinion

[rae02]

I saw my GP this week after seeing my consultant 2 weeks ago who told me my hip and leg pain isn’t related to endo. My GP is stumped and has said he thinks I need a second opinion. Has any one else had a second opinion if so what happened??

[FLO5]

Hi

Bravo to your GP.

I surmise that you have had a scan on your hip and leg to rule out other causes?

Endo and Adenomyosis, can and do cause hip and secondary pain in the legs. Endo can travel to the pelvic girdle and the congestion and inflammation hurts and aches. The weight of Adenomyosis places further pressure and swelling upon the pelvis and hip. All of which causes pain in the leg. I used to get pins and needles at the top of my thigh, into my groin, and couldn't at times sit down as the pain and inflammation we're so bad (I found out after my op, that the endo had wrapped around my lower bowel and rectum area).

Whilst everyone is different and I am by no means medically qualified. I suffered from bowel, back, hip and leg pain for years. Caused in part by Endo, Adenomyosis and prolapsed discs.

I had a total hysterectomy 3 years ago and all of these issues have greatly eased, to the point that I hardly experience any issues. My gynaecologist told to expect this, and she was right.

Good luck with your second opinion 🙂

[rae02 in reply to FLO5]

Yes I had an MRI on my pelvis and lower back to rule out a slipped disc. By consultant said he found very minimal endometriosis and said that endo isn’t the cause for my pain. I had an ultrasound too on my ovaries to check all that before my surgery. I’ve had numerous physio, chiropractor, osteopath saw the musculoskeletal team and even a podiatrist. The consultant told me he reckons my issue is orthopaedic and I need to see someone from there despite me saying about everything I’ve had done and tried. I’ve currently been given 25mg of amitriptyline to try whilst waiting for my second opinion

[FLO5 in reply to rae02]

Reading your reply post, reads a mirror image of the various scans I had, before going down the path of gynae. I also had colonoscopies and was bounced between these two consultants who argued that my issue was the other consultant's field of expertise.

I eventually called a stop to this and asked my GP to send me to a specialist gynae/endo consultant. My first laparoscopy found extensive endo. However, that surgeon chose not to tell me this, and did an endometrial ablation. He did say that if any pain/issues returned to go back. In fairness I came around from that op, without the groin, hip and back pain, I had suffered for a while. Which confirmed for me, that it was gynae related.

My pain and bleeding increased after 3 months, and by this time I was well and truly fed up. I asked for a re-referral, saw a different endo consultant who told me the extent of my endo found in my last laparoscopic op, and that my pain etc was probably a result of this.

Before all of this, I did have prolapsed discs and I was advised to have these operated on. I chose not to, deciding to get my gynae concerns dealt with first. I'm so pleased I did, as my back is so much better.

In essence, I had to go through quite a few hoops, and went with various medical opinions, before I got diagnosed. Keep pushing, because only you knows your body, and unfortunately, that's how the NHS works.

Good luck 🙂

[rae02 in reply to FLO5]

Thank you very much. I hope I finally get some answers soon

[sframer in reply to FLO5]

After your hysterectomy, did you do hormone replacement or did u go into menopause? Also curious as to your age.

Glad you're feeling better!!

[FLO5 in reply to sframer]

Hi

I opted not to have HRT, due to family history of breast cancer and the complexity of endo being fed by oestrogen. I was also 50, at the point of my hysterectomy. Hence my consultants support to try without.

Surgical menopause is no walk in the park, for sure, and there were a couple of times I came close to asking for HRT. However, other options we're offered and for a short time, I tried Fluoxetine, for the physical aches and cramps that I have after a flush. These were affecting my sleep. However, I did get ease from these and this is helped by learning what makes my flushes worse (stress, alcohol, caffeine, spicy food and sugar). Text book triggers really.