making them believe you

[Shelldob]

Hi all, I’m new here, still in the process of being officially diagnosed. I saw a private gynaecologist and she is 99% certain I have endometriosis, possibly attached to my intestines and bowel due to the pain I am in. I also have ovarian cysts. I am booked In for a transvaginal scan at the end of this month so hoping to get somewhere from there …. My issue is my Doctor very clearly does not believe what I’m telling her at all and thinks I’m nuts or making it up, she told me I have GERD & IBS which are causing me severe anxiety so I need to get used to it and ignore the symptoms! Yes I do have these things also so it seems but … last time I went her response was ‘it doesn’t matter how many times you come, the results will be the same, all we can do is increase your medication.

and whilst I understand this I am really struggling, just wondering how you get them to believe you before you believe them that you are actually insane??

Thanks in advance xx

[Avourneen]

Get your TV ultrasound scan (mind you it has to be done by a specialist sonographer) and the report and take this to your GP. Write a letter to the practice manager and the GMC explaining clearly how your GP has belittled your pain and suffering and even ignored the findings and advice of a consultant gynaecologist. Explain that this has caused you serious additional stress and upset and that you feel psycholocically undermined by this clear case of medical gas lighting.

I did this becuase I had one GP who had this sttitude toward me, (he was also the same with numerous neighbours and semed to believe that all his patients were determined malingerers, he also put things on my notes to try to undermine me to the consultant).

I asked never to see him again at the practice and aftre a couple of weeks I got a 12 page written apology form him for not taking me seriously and his job was put at risk. I had severe stage 4 endo through the bowel, a frozen pelvis and diaphramic endo. I do not think he will be so dismissive of any other women after this and try to fobb them off with the old IBS/Gerd routine.

I have no idea why some doctors think patients are never ill and that everyone just goes to the doctor to waste his time. Doctors are meant to listen to patients and take notice of their experience. Sorry you have been through this it's so common and really adds to the stress of it all.

[BloomingMarvellous]

As Avoureen has said really. It’s not your responsibility to change or educate them however on the balance side of this equation if we never raise awareness it will never improve. Sounds as if their insecurities around their poor education here is driving their denial - it’s not your job to make them feel okay about that . It’s their job as a professional to update their knowledge. PFfffTttt 🤬.

Part of the issue is alot of GP’s have never had specific training as until now Women’s health was an option not an essential with their training. ( Don’t even get me going on that one ). So we don’t always know who we are putting these health issues in front of. I wish had known that I was a mystery to most of the lot who’ve talked nonsense to cover their ignorance over the decades. Unless they take an interest themselves to extend their training then what they know is well , more random.

Unacceptable, yes, but find out who is interested and qualified in your practice so you’re not pushing uphill for your care. Walk away from this particular car crash of a GP for endo care. Even then be conscious that their info maybe limited or not necessarily up to date on current recommendations ( like the NICE changes as to treatment pathways etc) Perhaps in the letter lay out what you want to happen for that GP and others like them in the practice -what they need to do to bring themselves up to speed. Endo education , Louise Newson’s educational initiative for GP’s. Don’t be afraid to pass it on to the Local Health Authorities either as example of how the practice could be improved.