Is my gp right? : Hi everyone... - Endometriosis UK

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Is my gp right?

Gothchic profile image
19 Replies

Hi everyone,

I was talking to the gp and along with my other symptoms that I told her about I was told feeling sick a lot, tiredness and headache are not symptoms of endometriosis is that true? Xx

Also I had a hysteroscopy last year along with other scans because the ultrasound showed a thick womb lining so my gynaecologist at the time wanted to rule out other problems, it turned out thankfully that nothing was found but the gp asked me how I felt about nothing being found because endometriosis can be seen with a hysteroscopy, I was never told this at the time and I’m not sure if that is right? Xx

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Gothchic
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19 Replies
klc48a profile image
klc48a

The Mayo Clinic has some information on their website about Endometriosis, diagnosis and treatment. As for lining I have this too I have suffered with heavy bleeding and clotting for years. I have to go for blood tests and the next one is for fsh levels. But still no answer other than menopause I am 53

Gothchic profile image
Gothchic in reply to klc48a

Thank you I will have a look at the Mayo clinic website xx

luli26 profile image
luli26

Hi, was reading something yesterday about fatigue and how it is a symptom of endometriosis with sufferers reported to be twice as likely to suffer from fatigue as the general population. The article said that it is often dismissed or not considered by medical profession as a central symptom of endometriosis. It may come up if you google endometriosis and fatigue. I also get nausea and headaches at certain times of my cycle and I feel this is quite common with hormones (pregnancy causes sickness and headaches after all!) though may not be a direct symptom of endometriosis. Hope this helps x

luli26 profile image
luli26

here you go everydayhealth.com/endometr...

endofound.org/fatigue-perso...

Gothchic profile image
Gothchic in reply to luli26

Thank you I will have a look xx

MissPickles profile image
MissPickles

I think the problem is that nausea headache and fatigue can be symptoms of pretty much any health issues so it is hard to say if they are caused by endometriosis or not, although many people with endo definitely have these symptoms. I suspect the GP is looking for more specific endo symptoms x

Cailleach profile image
Cailleach

Re the fatigue, I think it is a pretty common symptom, and understandable if you consider the level of inflammation and pain your body is trying to cope with. If your GP wants to check your bloods for other possible causes such as thyroid or iron levels that is of course worth doing. It’s one of the most frustrating symptoms I think and often not taken seriously. by GPs.

Gothchic profile image
Gothchic in reply to Cailleach

That’s i good idea I think it is definitely worth asking for bloods done it could rule other problems and it’s a quick test to have done. Thank you xx

Hi sweet,

According to everything I've read, the gold standard for diagnosing endo is laparoscopy - which looks at the outside areas around your womb, whereas a hystoscopy only looks inside the womb. Endo can be found on or/& inside any organs, not just inside womb. Endo simply won't show up definitively on any scan or x-ray. It may sometimes be visable on MRI but not in all cases.

Everyone I speak to with endo has fatigue.

GP is just a "general" practitioner & can't officially diagnose endo or lack thereof.

Hope you get answers soon xx

Gothchic profile image
Gothchic in reply to PurpleSynesthesia

Hiya thank you for your reply I didn’t think an hysteroscopy could show endometriosis but I wasn’t really too sure xx

muststayhopeful profile image
muststayhopeful

Hi there. I am a GP. Endometriosis can only be diagnosed on laparoscopy or MRI. USS can indicated towards it if endometriomas are seen or free fluid in the pouch of Douglas but hysteroscopies can’t diagnose. If you just had a hysteroscopy that would just exclude intrauterine (womb) pathology such as fibroids/polyps/malignancies. Maybe there was a bit of miscommunication between you and your GP so make another appointment to re-discuss, or maybe see another GP?

Best of luck xx

TennisAM profile image
TennisAM in reply to muststayhopeful

To be honest there are a lot of GPs that don't understand endometriosis - hence the 8 year delay in diagnosis. So I doubt it's miscommunication. I've had a substantial amount of incorrect information from GPs about endometriosis - they tend to say it like it's gospel even though what they're saying is completely false.

Gothchic profile image
Gothchic in reply to muststayhopeful

Hiya, I started on the journey 2years ago trying to find my diagnosis, it all started with sciatic pain all the time but was worse on my period, I was sent to see a spinal specialist that did scans and test and found nothing wrong with my spine but did find possible endometrial deposits on my pelvic MRI, so is referred to gynaecology. I had an ultra sound and a thick womb lining was found ( I did come on my period the next day though which I told the gynaecologist) so that’s why she sent my for a hysteroscopy which came out all fine. In the two years though my symptoms have progressed heavy periods awful pain in back and pelvis, bleeding in between periods, bowel pain. Anyway the gynaecologist put my the pill for three months but because I told her it didn’t help she said it can’t be endometriosis, I wasn’t happy that she didn’t investigate further so I ask go for a second option, apparently I have to wait up to 9 months. I honestly find it so frustrating she didn’t even mention the MRI, which i now wish I could go back to that appointment and ask she if she looked at it. So anyway I guess the journey goes on...xx

Gothchic profile image
Gothchic in reply to muststayhopeful

Hiya, I started on the journey 2years ago trying to find my diagnosis, it all started with sciatic pain all the time but was worse on my period, I was sent to see a spinal specialist that did scans and test and found nothing wrong with my spine but did find possible endometrial deposits on my pelvic MRI, so is referred to gynaecology. I had an ultra sound and a thick womb lining was found ( I did come on my period the next day though which I told the gynaecologist) so that’s why she sent my for a hysteroscopy which came out all fine. In the two years though my symptoms have progressed heavy periods awful pain in back and pelvis, bleeding in between periods, bowel pain. Anyway the gynaecologist put my the pill for three months but because I told her it didn’t help she said it can’t be endometriosis, I wasn’t happy that she didn’t investigate further so I ask go for a second option, apparently I have to wait up to 9 months. I honestly find it so frustrating she didn’t even mention the MRI, which i now wish I could go back to that appointment and ask she if she looked at it. So anyway I guess the journey goes on...xx.

muststayhopeful profile image
muststayhopeful in reply to Gothchic

It sounds like you need to see a different gynaecologist too! Unfortunately in light of covid waits are very long, in our health board they are putting extra clinics on so I hope you get seen sooner. 🤞🏻 I have endometriosis and was diagnosed after my first ectopic pregnancy on laparoscopy. I suspected for a number of years as I had a multitude of symptoms but remained a bit stoical about it.

Hope you get the correct diagnosis soon xx

TennisAM profile image
TennisAM

Your GP is misinformed. Best to speak with another GP. I had persistent Nausea because of bowel endo. Chronic tiredness is symptom of endometriosis. You can only be diagnosed via laproscopy, via ultrasound if you have endometriomas or deep endo can be seen on MRI. I would definitely persist with a referral to gynaecology. Xx

Gothchic profile image
Gothchic in reply to TennisAM

Sorry to hear you are suffering it’s so life limiting 😟 are you getting treatment to help your symptoms? I have been referred for a second opinion, I had a pelvic MRI previously and possible endometrial deposits was found and along with other endo symptoms, pelvic pain, bowel pain, sciatic problems and heavy bleeding I was sent to a gynaecologist who put me on the pill for three months, when I told her that hadn’t really helped she said it can’t be endometriosis then and wouldn’t do laparoscopy. I have to wait 9 months for the second opinion but as you know it’s all a waiting game. It was when the gp was writing a letter of referral for second opinion that I told her I also have nausea and fatigue and she told me that’s not a symptoms, that’s why I wanted to ask you guys on here because ladies with endo will surely know first hand xx thank you for your reply xx

TennisAM profile image
TennisAM in reply to Gothchic

Sorry to hear that. That gynaecologist is uneducated. I have endometriosis (confirmed via laproscopy) and the pill has never worked for me.

I still take the pill so that I only have a period every quarter. Otherwise the things that help me are acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine and over the counter natural remedies.

I really hope your new consultant is a proper specialist and they help you. If you want to know about natural things that have helped me I'm happy to share my research with you. Please contact me via private message and I'll send it to you.

Hi I’m about to have a hysterscopy due to thick womb lining I’ve read so many horror stories about the procedure I’m worried sick could you tell me your experience of it please

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