Sorry for the essay..

[Loubag21]

Here comes a rant…

So after finally getting a face to face appointment with my GP a few weeks back and thinking I was finally getting somewhere..

I’m told well we won’t investigate any further I’ll refer you to the gynaecologist which is around 6-9 months waiting time..

Yes I cried a lot..

Today..I’m having to be calling 111 because the pain over the last few days has been unbearable, I can’t eat, i can’t sleep..I go through all my history with the doctor who calls me back.

Go through all of my symptoms again..

She asks when was my last period to which I say well ‘I started bleeding yesterday’ but due to everything I have no idea if this is a period or another random day bleeding..

To then be laughed at by a so called professional and told well it’s probably just period pains then..

So this pain I have is in my abdomen, my back and upto my shoulders..but she thought it’s okay to laugh and tell me it’s just Period pains and I should be use to it by now..

How can it be okay for people to act that way?

[claudia_91 Moderator Endometriosis UK]

Hi Loubag21

I'm so sorry you've been treated this way by a health professional. Your pain and bleeding are completely valid, and you deserve to be treated respectfully and with care. Please know that it is your right as a patient to request a second opinion, and choose to speak to a different doctor. We have some information here on 'getting diagnosed' which can help you navigate the healthcare system to receive the care you need: endometriosis-uk.org/visiti...

Here in this community, we have all been where you are, we're all in it together. If you'd like to have a chat with someone who has endo, you can call our helpline which is run by volunteers who have the condition. The current rota is here: endometriosis-uk.org/helpline You're going through a tough time, and it can really help to speak to someone who understands.

Hope this helps and things start to improve for you soon. Take care.

[Avourneen]

I don't suppose your GP can investigate any furtherbecause he/she is not a specialist. All he can do is refer you but he definitely shouldnt be rude to you. Your best best is to pay and get a private referral to a gynaecologist. You can do this for about 200 pounds. They will see you in a few weeks and get you scanned they can also sometimes put you back into the NHS cue and operate on your more quickly. I know this is unfair but this is how our system works. Otherwise you need to pay for a private operation too which is really expensive but then you would get it done quickly. My caution would be though that it is really hard to tell how good any surgeon is so you must search for a good one otherwise you will have the operation and remain in pain.

I have had some doctors be incredibly dismissive I think sadly many older male GPs have very little knowledge of endo and are inclined to misdiagnose it as IBS etc. Try looking for a local gynaecologists who specialise in treating endo.

[Prettythings1]

How awful to be treated this why I am so angry for you!

Please complain it’s just awful

Xx