Getting ready for Appt.

[Blue1921]

Hello everyone!

I’ve had my appointment through now for gynae next week and a little disheartened to find it’s over the phone rather than a face to face.

I’ve had a bit of a google in to the specialist after your tips to do my research.

I was wondering if anyone else has been seen by the gynaecologist team in UHNM Staffordshire and any advice?

I spent most of last night crying and feeling so deflated that no one is taking me seriously.

Thank you in advance xx

[CryBaby91]

I've got my first appointment too next month and was devastated to find out it's over the phone, on top of the fact that it's also not the hospital I asked for. Sorry I've no advice for you, but sending support! X

[Blue1921 in reply to CryBaby91]

Oh no! Luckily this time on my referral I was able to choose the hospital but still a little gutted it’s over the phone, I feel like they won’t see how much it does affect me without seeing me if that makes sense. Have you been struggling for a long time? X

[CryBaby91 in reply to Blue1921]

Yeah that's my concern too. It was the receptionist at my GP office, she didn't put the referall in at all for 3 months because she didn't see it on the paperwork. Then when she finally did it she put the wrong hospital, but I didn't want to risk adding even more time on by changing it. Erm I've been as bad as this around 10 years now, but struggled with my periods since they started at 11. But seriously poorly where it effects my life, that's around 10 years. What about you?

[Blue1921 in reply to CryBaby91]

Oh what a nightmare! I’ve been like this for about 8 years but the past 2 years have definitely been the worst. I have the mirena now which has pretty much stopped periods but the pain is worse than ever. Especially on my lower right side and I get really sharp shooting pains inside (sorry if tmi) x

[Jinse]

Hi, my daughter who is 16 has her first app with specialist that we requested referral for, next week (or a member of his team according to letter). We were so relieved that gp finally referred her (has been almost 5 years already of issues) and the specialist we asked for was recommended to us by friends who had personally dealt with him. Unfortunately it is also by phone, not even video call so my daughter is anxious that they won't take her seriously or see how badly it's affected her and it's so crap to see. This first appointment is such an important step towards potential diagnosis and it feels like there's so much pressure to 'convince' them that she needs a diagnostic mri or lap it's going to be a long week that's for sure! I wish you lots of luck and hugs x

[Blue1921 in reply to Jinse]

Oh bless her, she is so young too! I do hope that they take her seriously.I read online a statement that I thought summed up years of asking for help quite well “being told what it ‘might be’ or taking pain relief is just putting a plaster over the problem rather than solving it”.

I’ve made a list of every symptom I ever have, anything I can think of and I will just read it all out to him and hope he listens.

I’m hoping even though it’s by phone they are still as good as they are face to face! Keep my fingers crossed for your daughter, let me know how she gets on xx

[Jinse in reply to Blue1921]

Thanks, I can only imagine what she's thinking sometimes. I'm hopeful that the 'team' is as good as the consultant reportedly is because if that's the case in theory they should be able to tell how serious she is just be hearing her rattle off the long list if symptoms that's been building over the years, poor thing! I'm going to offer toEmail over her pain diary from the last 15months too beings as we can't physically show them it now! Take care x