Consultant decided to withhold info from laparoscopy :(

[Mindfullness4791]

Hello lovelies. I hope you don't mind me posting. I'm not actually sure what my diagnosis is. So, I have been having severe pelvic pain for 2 years and had lots of tests. In the summer i had a laparoscopy, which showed an enlarged uterus, query adenomyosis. That's all it said and that was sent to my gp.I had a scan previous to this that showed a large fibroid. When I queried this at the time I was told there wasn't one.

I've since had an mri which shows a multiple fibroid uterus. I changed consultants, as they were gaslighting me and making me think the pain was all in my head. My new consultant has fast tracked a hysterectomy next week.

The thing I am upset about is the old consultant has now admitted in a letter they did see the fibroids on laparoscopy but didn't report on them, as they don't believe it is the cause of my pain. One is 6cm, pressing on my bladder. I am devastated, as I now don't trust anything. Surely any findings should be documented.

Does anyone know where I stand and what action I can take.

I could really do without all this stress before a major operation

All I did was get ill but they have made me feel awful.

Thank you if you got this far xxx

[Kirsty360]

Hey,I feel terrible you've had to go through this treatment from professionals, you've every reason to be upset/angry.

It may be best to wait till after your upcoming surgery to lodge a complaint, you have 3 years from the incident to report it to the hospital for an investigation. As you say, you don't need any more stress than what your body is about to go through.

PALS would be the route to go down first, and if you aren't happy with their response then you can take it to a formal complaint. There is a health advocacy service who can help support you when making a complaint. You can also apply for a subject access request to get your hospital records, costs a few quid, but worth it, they may show you some more insight to what the consultants have wrote.

This can be an emotionally/mentally draining process and they will do anything to collude and still deny all responsibility for their diagnosis/actions. I've had to go through it when Dr's missed a brain tumour, it went back and to for months, in the end I gave up the fight as I needed all my energy and time to get through the craniotomy/radiotherapy. They acknowledged the mistake but I didn't ever get an apology, just a generic, pre typed letter from the chief exec of the hospital. I didn't actually gain anything from it overall, maybe closure.

I obviously can't tell you what to do, only you can make that descion. Hopefully I have given you a few ideas that can help.

Wishing you the best of luck with the hysterectomy and that your recovery goes well 🙏🏻✨

[RosieFalkor]

I have kind of had the opposite experience. I have a large fibroid pressing on my bladder which was used to explain away my pain by various practitioners over the years. I wish they hadn’t accepted this as the cause, as eventually a laparoscopy discovered I have severe Endometriosis which has spread to many organs including my bladder.

[Mindfullness4791]

Thank you for your replies. I will definitely complain but wait until after my surgery.I'm sorry to hear you have had the reverse with the fibroid. I shall see what my histology shows. You put so must trust into people that are meant to be caring for you. My new consultant is lovely. I feel very lucky xx

[AlexaMac]

Hi l had a similar experience with my first gynae consultant in saying l was *coping badly with my symptoms* after him performing a partial hysterectomy the labs came back with a large tumour in my womb that was causing perpetual bleeding, l was 74.

After this l was given a new team and was back on the table 3 months after my first procedure to have the hysterectomy completed and a tummy wash.

Thankfully since that l have been much healthier but of course l am on a 5 year watch and wait regime of regular 3 monthly check ups.

I sincerely hope your second team soon put your mind at rest and help you onto your road to the healthy new you you are hoping for.

If you have any other questions l will be happy to chat again, stay positive

Alexa 🌸🌸🌸

[Mindfullness4791]

Thank you Alexa for your kind message. What a journey you have been on 🥺 It must have been so scary for you. I can't believe how heartless your surgeon was. I'm glad to hear you have recovered and are healthy.

Not long and hopefully it will all be over. I am positive, thank you 😊💕 xx