Any advice?

[SueU94]

I've been dealing with the symptoms of endo for the last 2 years.

On Tuesday I had my first appointment with a gynaecologist, he asked some questions and did a two minute examination before telling me he doesn't want to proceed with a laparoscopy. Instead he wants me to take the combined pill for 3 months with no break and then see him again in 6 months.

I feel massively let down by the whole thing. I waited 13 weeks for this appointment and I feel like I'm going round in circles, I don't know if I can deal with the pain for another 6 months. It has put me in hospital before and almost landed me back in A&E a few weeks after again - how do I get someone to listen to me?

[luthien]

I completely understand how you're feeling

You probably need to go back to your GP and push for a referral to an endo specialist especially if you aren't happy with the advice / examination when seen by general gynae.

I know it'll mean more waiting, it's awful all this stuff.

Have you checked out the NICE Endometriosis guidelines (google it)? There's a list of suggested paths a specialist should consider when diagnosing and treating endometriosis. It's good to have a read and gives you an idea of how specialists should be working.

Also check out the Endometriosis UK website; there's some useful information in the information and publications tabs which help with diagnosis and treatment suggestions.

In summary if you feel you don't agree with the advice or treatment path suggested by your gynae you can challenge it.

I know it's not much help at the moment x

[sfreddy]

I had a very similar thing happen to me. I have been struggling for many years with pain and symptoms and have been called a "hypochondriac" because I have gone into the hospital many times for different things. After getting 10 bladder infections and a handful of UTIs (All in the same year) plus the pain from cramping and sexual intercourse I asked my gyno if she thought maybe it could be a signs of Endo.

My doctor told me that i am "too young" to experience anything like that. She also did a two minute exam and told me i was fine and if i felt like i needed something unnecessary done i should go elsewhere. I was in shock that someone would say that to me, let alone my own doctor. I am 21 years old so i am not too young, and so many younger woman have endometriosis and pain too. I had to go to a free clinic where a doctor finally listened to me and wrote me a letter of recommendation.

My mother had to have a full hysterectomy at the age of 30 because of her endometriosis and my doctor told me that just because my mother had it doesn't mean i will. It is crazy that doctors feel like they have the right to be so rude and just blow you off.

I got to the point where I had almost completely given up, i started to think that i was faking it myself. It is the worst to be at a vulnerable place and feeling like the only people that can help you are the ones that are completely ignoring you. I am sorry that you have to go through this and have your doctors not listen, just know that you are not alone in this. I hope that you get the help and clarity you need so you can get everything under control and feel better and more like yourself.