Un-diagnosed but wondering...

[sammietothemoon]

Hi everyone,

I’m not sure if this is a good place for this post or if it’s even allowed to post if you haven’t been properly diagnosed with endometriosis. I’m 25, and for as long as I can remember I’ve always suffered from painful periods, but it was only recently that I started focusing more on the symptoms I was getting around the time of my period and started considering them more unusual. Like clockwork every month, my first day of my period I have to spend it in the toilet with really strong diarrhoea. I get constipated for the few days before the period starts and then when the period starts the diarrhoea starts too. I get cramps as I imagine most women do, but I also get quite awful pain down my left leg. This month I have also noticed a very strong and unusual (for me) back pain that started a few days before my period. The GPs don’t want to send me for a gynaecologist visit, I’ve been in the UK for 5 years almost and the last time I went to the gynaecologist was before I left Italy, but every time I bring it up with the Gp here they only want to put me on the pill and I am not sure about that either. I’ve been reading about Endometriosis and have been wondering if that is what’s going on with me. I just kind of want to find someone who relates to what happens to me every month as I feel like sometimes I am going crazy.

[Moon_maiden]

Hi

The info here is great, I’m sure you’ll get other responses.

Go to a different GP in the practice and ask for referral again. If you write down or keep a diary of symptoms that would be useful. Have a look at NICE guidelines, the more info you have the better 🙂

Don’t make my mistakes.

I have found that using the surgery econsult online form has greater success. All your reasons/requests are black and white and on your record, much harder to be ignored.

Good luck, hope you get success very soon

[Rosie_Eliz]

Hi Sammietothemoon,

You are most certainly welcome here! Sadly, it can take a long time for women to be disagnosed with endometriosis so you are not alone in your feelings.

I would suggest going back to the GP or asking to see another GP.

In case helpful, I have provided a link to an information sheet on how to manage GP appointments and getting diagnosed.

endometriosis-uk.org/sites/...

The main thing to remember is that you are entitled to ask questions of your GP. Here are some suggested questions:

1. What do you think is causing the symptoms?

2. Will you want me to have a scan? What sort of scan and what are you looking for?

3. Will you want me to have a laparoscopy? What are you looking for?

4. Do you think my fertility is affected?

5. How can I control my symptoms?

6. What treatments do you suggest and why?

7. Are there any other options that I need to consider?

I hope that helps.

Best wishes,

Rosie_Eliz

Endometriosis UK