Diagnostic Lap

[sugarplumfairy20]

i’m a little worried my gynae won’t push for a diagnostic lap... has anyone been told they can’t have this? i’ve had ultrasound scans that show cysts in my ovaries and endo on the outside of my womb. i’ve been on 3 different pills and tried menfemic acid and northisterone over the past 5 years. i’m hoping since they see the hormone pills don’t work they will do the lap.

I’d just like to have a diagnosis instead of being told it’s likely i have it 😔

[Rose2001]

Im in the same boat ive had an ultrasound done a year ago but according to the gynaecologist i spoke to in november it wasnt thorough enough im waiting for another appointment for another ultrasound but he told me they haven’t done laparoscopys for 30 years which is lies also told me he could do an mri but didnt want to spend that much money on me so im really considering going private. I take mefanmic acid and transamic acid when i start my period but since the summer ive been getting sharp shooting pains done the right had side near my pelvis makes me stop in my tracks and double over and these last two months iv just got pain on the right hand side nearly every day also throbbing in my knees and back. They tell me I’ve probably got it so just take birth control but without a diagnosis i wont take them id like to be diagnosed first like you without just being told you probably have it.

[PurpleSynesthesia]

Morning sweetie,

Essay coming up, sorry! X

Firstly, yes. I have waited 20 years to be taken seriously, I'm 35. I'm finally on the waiting list for a laparoscopy.I've had ultrasound scans & am actually going for another internal one today - they're usually clear but also highly unlikely to show endometriosis. Dreading it as ovulation pains are really kicking off today & the thought of that probe 🤢😖... The greater good, the greater good... 😅

Both GPs at my surgery told me that I couldn't possibly have endo because "you would definitely have heavy periods and only pain at that time of the month." Wrong on both counts.

After being pushed about like this, with pills/ injections/ implant thrown my way, I finally did some research into endometriosis.

I sat in my (female) GPs office & told her that she was fundamentally wrong about what endometriosis was, needed further training & that I wasn't leaving her office without a referral to gynaecology. 😳

I am usually quite timid when it comes to looking out for myself & much better at fighting for others, but I guess I reached the end of my tether. I apologised for being abrupt but said I was sick of trying to mask symptoms & not know the cause & wasn't trying to be rude. 😅

You must be persistent & realise that a GP is just that - a "General " Practitioner - even if they have a "special interest" in a specific area of medicine (apparently gynaecology, in my GPs case)!

Then, you have to make sure you're clued up on endo throughout your diagnosis & treatment because the gynaecologist you see may be the nicest person in the world, but might not be that well read on endo or practically experienced.

The best way to be treated is by a BSGE accredited centre - where you'll have a whole team from nurse, to gynae, to colorectal surgeon to explore & treat.

I'm seeing general gynae but am pushing for my lap to be exploratory (asking for them to check key areas ie Pouch of Douglas, bowel, bladder...) & then to be referred to the specialist from there. Covid-19 will ensure this will all take about 2 years, I'd imagine... What's that on the 20 I already waited?

Your GP cannot refuse to refer you. It is your right as a patient.

Please look up the forum member called "Lindle." She has a wealth of information and has helped many women get the right treatment. She's got a couple of Facebook pages too. She's commented on some of my posts, so you can find her through my stuff if you have any issue searching through the members list.

All the best xx