Given no options but the pill

[Angelpurple]

Hi I’m 37 and I had the coil removed in December in May I started suffering terribly with stomach cramps to the point I took myself to a&e were I was just fobbed off. I was tracking my ovulation as I was trying for a baby and it seemed that my pains started around ovulation. Again in June the pains started accompanied with excruciating pain when I had bowel movement. I attended a&e twice and numerous conversations with my doctor they have said they think it’s endometriosis and right now I’m on a waiting list to see a gynaecologist. In July I had to take time off work as the pain was just too much and pain relief wasn’t helping me. The only option I was given was to go back on the pill until I get this appointment which could be months. I’ve been taken the pill about 3 weeks and yes I’m pain free physically but boy emotionally because it’s stopping me from trying for a baby and I’m 37 I’m not young I don’t have time to wait 😔

Has anyone had similar treatment and feel like the future has been written for them?

[Moon_maiden]

Try asking your GP if they can speed up the appointment given your circumstances. Good luck

The other option would be to see a specialist privately and if they will add you to their NHS list

[Angelpurple in reply to Moon_maiden]

I spoke to my GP last week who was going to write to them to see if they could bring the appointment forward but I’m yet to hear anything. When I went to the women’s a&e department about 2 weeks ago they were also doing a “urgent” referral to which the response was I’m on the list but there’s no appointments yet.

It’s so frustrating because being on the pill is no fix it’s just delaying the possibility of me getting pregnant.

[Moon_maiden in reply to Angelpurple]

Hopefully it won’t be much longer that things get a bit more normal. It seems to be happening, thankfully 🤞

[Angelpurple in reply to Moon_maiden]

I said to the doctors that I get the delays and such due to Covid but there are still ppl out there who are genuinely suffering and need help

[Moon_maiden in reply to Angelpurple]

Totally understand the waiting, and the amount they have to catch up. I don’t get why they shut so many departed down when technology offers so much.

What pain relief have you tried?

[Angelpurple in reply to Moon_maiden]

Tramadol but they made me physically throw up, codene but they also make me feel sick so just over the counter cocodamol and ibuprofen. And like I said now been put on the pill but I’ve woken up with cramps today when I should be on my period 😔

[Moon_maiden in reply to Angelpurple]

Might be worth going back to GP, Naproxen is a stronger NSAID (ibuprofen), there are non opiates such as Nefopam. Opiates can make you feel sick, there are medications to counteract this. With regular NSAIDS GP should give something to protect the stomach.

The pain consultant suggested Amitriptyline a few weeks back but said it can take six weeks to work for nerve pain.

I’ve ordered some caster oil to make a poultice, I’d read about it over the weekend. Giving it a go, unlikely to cause harm at least.

The only thing that really works is lying down on my side and allows it all to calm, can’t do that all the time though

It cost me £200 to see the gynaecologist in December, but was the best money I’d spent in years.

[Angelpurple in reply to Moon_maiden]

I’m going to give my doctors a call today and I’ll mention naproxen coz I’ve heard a few ppl mention that.

How did u go about getting the appointment with a gynaecologist?

[Moon_maiden in reply to Angelpurple]

Hi

The GP can refer to gynaecology. When I booked privately to see a consultant in December I did this myself rather than through GP.

Let us know how you get on with pain relief

[Angelpurple in reply to Moon_maiden]

Yea the doctor has referred me but there’s no appointments so just wondered how u went about it privately

[Moon_maiden in reply to Angelpurple]

I did some research to find someone experienced, at the time I only wanted to talk to someone about fibroids that had shown on an ultrasound. I spoke to the secretary directly and booked. You can find info about consultants initially on your local NHS hospital website and then search. Charges can vary with private hospitals as well. The consultant I saw used to run the gynaecology department. It’s important to choose someone who is NHS if you want them to consider adding you to this list.

Once there after he read my notes, asked questions and did examination said he thought endo, the fibroids were too small. At lap he was right, but had underestimated the extent and now referred to BSGE team.

If I’ve missed anything please ask. This condition is one huge learning curve

[Angelpurple in reply to Moon_maiden]

Aww ok thank you so much