Advice needed

Hi, after suffering for years in pain and being told it was skeletal by doctors and being told to do physio I looked into more options for my pain and asked to be referred to a Gyno. I had a consultation with a Gyno and they confirmed my suspicions also for endometriosis. I was referred for surgery and told it could take a year or more, I am still waiting and on the mean time my pain each time it flares up, seems to get worse. I suffer with horrendous crippling pelvic pain. It’s taking over my life and I can’t even sit down for long periods even when I try and go out to restaurants etc as it hurts too much!. I recently had another doctors appointment after making a complaint for not being taken seriously and ignored and I had been on Oramorph, which seemed to ease the pain but not take it away. I don’t feel like I’m getting anywhere and I’m also 28 and desperate to have a baby! It would mean the world to em to become a mum. Me and my partner have been trying with no luck and I also have an appointment to see a fertility clinic with my partner. All of this seems to take forever for anything to happen or be done. Has this process took so long for everyone else? And has anyone managed to get seen through private health care? As technically I don’t have a diagnosis until the surgery. I am happy to pay for and take out private health care but I wondered if anyone had managed to do this?. TIA

[CryBaby91]

Private health care wouldn't cover conditions that are chronic and life long, or pre existing conditions which sadly even if it's just suspected it would count as pre existing because you've suffered the symptoms previous to taking out insurance. BUPA told me all that and most insurance is the same I think.

I paid for my initial appointment and made sure the consultant has an NHS list, he's put me on that now so I don't have to pay any further fees. Private took me around 4 weeks to get an appointment and the specialist was amazing. Just make sure the person you get is BSGE registered or you'll be wasting money on a basic gyne.

NHS wise sadly yes that's the typical story. My first appointment took 8 months and that was over the phone. Lap surgery is 3-18 months! I've been fighting for diagnosis for 10 years now, so sadly yes it can be a long battle. Hence me paying privately! Xxx

[Hidden in reply to CryBaby91]

Thank you for your reply!. I had a feeling this would be the case with private health care. It’s just so frustrating, it feels like there is not enough support or understanding from my own GP’s around endometriosis and the wait for appointments and the surgery is driving me mad!. When I seen the Gyno they told me if I got pregnant I wouldn’t need the surgery, but that’s part of my battle, I haven’t been able to get pregnant. Hoping things will happen soon and I can have the surgery and go from there. Thank you again xxx

[Pinkmice]

Sweetheart

Endo causes us ladies so many problems- Pain various symptoms similar to you describe

sorry to hear that you are suffering. be in the same situation as you but older now- getting

the same story we women have to suffer for years.

Having a child with this pre-existing condition is not easy - I lost two could not bring them to

full term had to have op- so no children before I was 32.

So there is hope, private fees large but endo is like scar tissue bleeding, sticking to other

parts of your insides bladder,kidneys etc- this results in more pain each month- surgery

does not cure it. It can still grow As many of us ladies have found out.

Keep your dreams of having a little one - close to your heart as it may not happen this year

but you need to be relaxed,fit and not so stressed- gentle walks etc

Natural food products can help towards pain relief- ginger,mint just to name a few

try to stay away from tablets as they cause sickness and unable to go to the toilet.

Which causes infections etc which you do not need.

Big hugs

all the best

[Aussie79]

I've had a similar battle but my GP referred me to a gastroenterologist in the first instance, went through all the diagnostic tests endoscopy etc, all were normal. When we moved to Wales, my GP wanted to refer me to gastro again, that referral was rejected , then she still wouldn't refer me to gynae, when I became distressed she suggested I have health anxiety! When I asked for pain relief and antisickness pills, that was a battle as well. So, last June a male locum GP referred me to gynae and prescribed decent painkillers and antisickness pills. However, my first appointment was a telephone call, then it took another 3 months to be seen in clinic for a ultrasound. I've now moved back to England and it has to be a new referral, as a Welsh hospital can't transfer your care. So I took the decision to go private. I've chosen a consultant who also runs an NHS clinic. I can tell you that it's been worth it. He's done a MRI scan, and all of this has taken place relatively quickly. E.g the first available appointment to see him on the NHS is 21st October, then the waiting times for MRI scans is long, then on the NHS it takes 2-3 weeks for the MRI results to be sent to the consultant, whereas privately they're available within 24 hours. So, although it's expensive, it's been worth it. If I need surgery, he said I can be added to his NHS list. Hope this helps. Wishing you all the best xxx