Stick with GP or try private?

[Shann10]

I've been up & down with pain for a while now and have kept a symptom diary as I've got concerns that I could have endometriosis. I've been on a long journey with my GP which hasn't got me very far and I'm currently on the pill to try to calm my symptoms, which right not isn't helping me. My GP advised me that my recent blood test shows signs of PCOS and I'm booked in for another ultrasound to see if I definitely have this however my concerns with endo are just being disregarded and I'm strongly thinking about paying to see a gynaecologist and I wanted to see whether anyone has gone private before to speed up their diagnosis and whether it benefited them? Thanks in advance!

[Lovelife21]

Hi I have been experiencing a lot of pain and anxiety because of different reasons.. I went to two different private doctors and found them really helpful.. but the nhs kick up a fuss about you doing it.. it’s your life and body and if you feel you need to see a private gp then go for it xx

[Shann10 in reply to Lovelife21]

Hiya! Thank you so much for your response! Did you have any referrals from your private GP for the NHS is this where you saw that the NHS kicked up a fuss about it? xx

[Lovelife21 in reply to Shann10]

My doctors actually phoned me and said I shouldn’t of seen a private gp because they don’t have access to all my medical conditions! I asked the private doctors to prescribe me a antidepressant that I have been on before and that helped me sleep but the nhs told me to stop taking it and they prescribed one called sertaline.. I have been now on it for 6 weeks, I have only been sleeping for around 2-3 hours a night and so they prescribed me sedatives on top which didn’t work either!! I have had 4 uti’s and scarring on my kidneys in the last 6 weeks and have never felt so ill.. I am currently weening myself off the steraline and changing nhs doctors!! I am normally fit and healthy although I do suffer with back pain but have never felt so ill in my life!! I have paid to see a Oesopath who has told me that the my back is so inflamed all around the kidneys and muscles in my legs probably due to not being able to rest more!! I also have paid to see a private therapist and she said mentally I seem fine and my problems are because of the sertaline!!

[Shann10 in reply to Lovelife21]

Wow that is sooo bad I can't believe that people would think that's okay to do that to you I'm glad that the private GP helped so much definitely changing my mind about it! Hope it all gets sorted for you soon! Xx

[Lovelife21 in reply to Shann10]

Thank you.. hope you get sorted too!! Definitely worth going private xx

[Nikkky in reply to Lovelife21]

Hi, it sounds like your symptoms could be caused by peri menopause. You are the right age for it as it usually starts in the 40’s. It can make you feel dreadful and cause anxiety, depression and insomnia. Anti depressants and sedatives don’t work as you need your lack of hormones replacing with HRT. I’ve had awful anxiety, palpitations, headaches, low mood, insomnia, aches and pains. I didn’t realise it was menopause at first and neither did my g.p. I don’t get hot flushes and not every woman does. Please look at the Menopause Doctor website- very informative. Type ‘questionnaire’ into the search on the website and you’ll see a full list of symptoms. We’re not made aware of all the symptoms - it’s an eye opener!

[Aurora20]

Definitely private x

[PETeacher]

I am in a similar situation, I have previous had a fibroid removal and then started exhibiting the same symptoms , bleeding through clothes, clots and pain 24/7. I had an ultrasound and they said I had uterine polyps, go to the hospital they said I had another fibroid that she ‘saw’ through a hysteroscopy and needed another op to remove. Go for the op and the new consultant doesn’t see a fibroid in there but notices some abnormalities. Not been told what they are and now waiting for a post op appointment. It’s been a year since my symptoms worsened and still no any indication of what’s going on. I’ve been told to try a private Gyno specialist but it’s just not affordable. I feel a bit stuck, I’m a PE teacher and am constantly worried about bleeding through and kids seeing, it’s horrible.

[Shann10 in reply to PETeacher]

This is just awful to hear 😪 it’s horrible living in constant discomfort like that! I’m in the same situation right now where it’s not really affordable I’m in the middle of doing up the house but I’m really thinking about seeing a private gyno as my first appointment to get someone’s opinion on what I’m going through who is there to listen & then hopefully get a referral from them to the GP / NHS as I definitely won’t be able to afford any treatments going private!! I think I’m going to have to do my initial appointment on a credit card 😫

[PETeacher in reply to Shann10]

It’s so frustrating isn’t it? I mean I do understand that there is a back log due to covid ect but some people are being completely dismissed. “Oh it’s just a side effect of your pill” and comments like that just aren’t helpful. I hope you can make some progress no matter what Avenue you end up taking!

[Shann10 in reply to PETeacher]

I know & in this time where people can do full research on their symptoms before even going to the GP you’d think that they’d listen a bit more instead of just dismissing people especially with what it can lead to with peoples illnesses too 😢 thank you so much I hope you do too 💖

[EndoSuckss]

I've recently gone private for consultation/treatment and would highly recommend it if you have health insurance and/or the funds to do it!

I initially saw my regular gp and, although friendly, was very dismissive of my thoughts and feelings on the pain I had. I had a previous lap about 2 years ago, so know how I felt prior to that, and strongly believed that the endo had come back (with a vengeance!) but he kept saying it was probably just adhesions from a c-section scar. After several appts and pushing for referal to a gyne, he reluctantly agreed but said the waiting list was really long because of previous covid delays.

I asked for an open referal, got the letter, and was seen privately within the week. I had 2 consultations, was referred to another specialist, had scans and was scheduled for lap/excision before I even got the holding letter from NHS!

So, for me, it was the best decision to go private and I'll get treatment quickly, and it's one less person for the NHS to worry about when they're busy and underfunde

Good luck with whatever route you choose xx

[Anastasia17]

I think the NHS GPS don’t like us going to private GPS because it highlights their ignorance, incompetence and malpractices . Mine was not impressed when I was seen by a lady GP at A&E who was so much better than the regular GPs. You could make a private appointment with an endometriosis specialist and ask them if they could carry on with your care in the NHS. A lot of people do that. GPs are not trained in endometriosis. The majority of GPs are not trained in gynaecology. I find them control freaks. If you feel better with the private prescription, then carry on with it. You are the one suffering, not the GP! If you are in England, you can also ask for a 2nd opinion referral, which could work to get the private specialist under the NHS.x

[BetterDayzAhead]

Yes. PCOS was confirmed Privately and Laparoscopy I chose to go to the Wirral Liverpool Spire and Endometriosis was found and diagnosed. I couldnt bear the pain, the waiting and the thoughts if what affect Emdometriosis was having on my organs.

I used Vitality Insurance.

Good luck!

K.

[EndoSuckss in reply to BetterDayzAhead]

Im using vitality insurance as well! I'm surprised at how easy it's been!

[BetterDayzAhead in reply to EndoSuckss]

I'm glad you are having a good experience too! Did you go full coverage or the moratorium policy that takes the past 5 years of your conditions away treatment wise for two years? My two years will be up in July 2022 it's not so bad 🤩 I have been treated for other conditions though that are new, very good service so far and I like the health hub app!

[EndoSuckss in reply to BetterDayzAhead]

Luckily, I've got full coverage! I have the policy through work, which I didnt think about when I had my previous lap! So luckily its still active and when they agreed cover it was a weight off my mind! Everything has been so much quicker with private and a lot more stress-free!

The hub is amazing, defo easy to use! X

[BetterDayzAhead in reply to EndoSuckss]

Corporate Insurabce is bliss - a rarity via companies in this day and age where cost cutting is vital! You go girl! Very lucky. I will keep insurance for life now, knowing I've had Endometriosis post hysterectomy and maybe a return after expert excision yet I'm looking at other possible causes of bowel issues...I'm so thankful I chose Vitality and find them so easy to use! The last claim they just ran a form past my GP and My Consultant to check dates for prior existence..my policy started at 46.00 a month and so far I've had over 6,000 of investigations including nerve studies ad full body MRI. Unfortunately I have a hips condition in both hips and need surgery on both. I'm just so glad I will be insured for this. It's a major cost like 10k each hip.

K. X

[Spaniel17]

Go Private, best thing I ever did. I have a lot of respect for the NHS as my Sister is a nurse. But I had a lap on the NHS and 2 years after I was still bleeding heavy every day. NHS told me I possibly had Fibroids but could possibly wait up to a year to confirm this and a further year to have them removed. I was lucky I could afford to go private even if you can't, I believe there are payment plans. I had the Fibroids removed in April & had the mirena coil fitted. The bleeding has now stopped & 🤞 it will continue that way. Go private if you can. Good luck x