What to ask consultant....

[BikeRiderGirl]

Hi everyone. I'm so happy to have found this group, have found reading posts super helpful.

Long story short... after a while of watch and wait on ovarian cysts and increasingly bad symptoms that are aligned with endo (though my pain comes during and after ovulation!) I was referred to a gynaecologist at local NHS hospital who has put me on the waiting list for a laparoscopy to diagnose and treat if they find endo. It's an edno centre. But, the waiting list is huge and they can't give me any indication of when it might be and my symptoms are becoming increasingly debilitating so I've bitten the bullet and made an appointment with a private bgse accredited endo centre/consultant. The appointment is this afternoon. I'm anxious and not sure what to expect.

Has anyone got good tips on what to ask the consultant and what to look out for?

[EndoJaz]

I found I had many appts where I ended up crying and not getting my points across so I then started keeping a symptom diary and it was much better just to give it to them rather than trying to remember what to tel them. Hope it goes well x

[Moon_maiden]

How did you get on?

[BikeRiderGirl in reply to Moon_maiden]

It went well I think! Was pleased to have time tl explain and be listened to and the approach they suggested was reassuring. The internal exam showed I had a swollen uterus and it was also super tender. Another indicator of endo along with all the other symptoms. Next stage is an MRI to get a better picture of what is happening then another consultation to discuss scope of the laparoscopy. I read an older thread on here (my Q was a bit short notice!) which was super helpful.

[Moon_maiden in reply to BikeRiderGirl]

It sounds like it went well and a plan of action 👍😀 Was the consultant friendly, it helps so much when they are.

Is the rest private or back on NHS?

I went private initially but when more work was needed, back to NHS.

[BikeRiderGirl in reply to Moon_maiden]

I can afford to do the MRI and op private. Just! Very lucky to be in that position. But I might need to have a think about after that. The consultant, and nurse that helped, were really friendly and reassuring. I liked that they prefer to get as much info before the lap so that as much can be done in one op without having to go again. I can't work out how I feel tonight tbh. Glad to be getting close to a proper diagnosis but also sad/anxious about a future with endo. Weird feeling.

[BikeRiderGirl in reply to Moon_maiden]

Oooh, Was it easy to transition back to NHS? How does that work? Do they refer you direct to the endo clinic nearest you or back via your gp?

[Moon_maiden in reply to BikeRiderGirl]

Don’t worry about things too soon, imagination can run wild 🙂We also want answers, it’s not often you want an op to see if something is there or not 😂

I did the consultation and he said he could add me to his NHS list or go private. I sold some things to go private for lap, but afterwards he referred me to the MDT, which is registered BSGE. I didn’t have an MRI first, something I regret, but they can diagnose by scan really so it’s not a must do. The first gynae I saw was very experienced, hadn’t gone for Endo, but came away with a pretty firm diagnosis.

[BikeRiderGirl in reply to Moon_maiden]

Yes! The imagination is a wonderful but very annoying thing sometimes! My partner has Crohn's, and having someone else in the house who lives very well with a chronic condition is reassuring. Thanks so much for your advice and for replying. It's nice to have folks to chat to about this that have been there x

[Moon_maiden in reply to BikeRiderGirl]

That’s not an easy condition to control either and always underestimated. Going private has its advantages in terms of how you are dealt with at times, but care on the NHS isn’t always too bad.