First consultation

[GlumDumpling]

Hello, I have my first private gynaecology consultation on Friday after having no luck through the NHS. Been told its just IBS and my period symptoms are normal as I have cysts on one ovary and that explains everything...I was wondering if anyone has any advice for this first consultation and if I should prepare anything? Thank you all!

[mo222]

The exact same thing happened with me, I kept going backwards and forwards to my gp surgery with stomach issues and it was put down to IBS. I then read an article somewhere about endometriosis and my instinct told me that's what was wrong with me which it was. My advice would be to tell the consultant your concerns and tell them you want it to be investing. Dont let them fob you of. My guess is if you've gone private they will. Good luck let us know how your appointment goes x

[GlumDumpling in reply to mo222]

Hiya, thanks so much for commenting. I'm so sorry you went through a similar thing its so disheartening but also useful to know I'm not the only one! My close friend has endo so only really considered endo when telling her about my symptoms but still unsure whats going on with my body as my GP said I had PCOS and then said no its just cysts?? Hopefully I'll get somewhere through private healthcare instead x

[KS2023]

Hiya, I would definitely recommend a private consultant, just gets you answers so much quicker. Is it an endo specialist? They are usually very quick sessions so definitely worth coming prepared to make the most of it. I would definitely write down all your symptons, where you get the pain, when you get the pain, how intense is the pain, what your periods are like, what your bowel or bladder symptoms are. It helps you not to forget everything and helps build a picture of your symptoms. I would also note down any questions you have for them. 😀 Endometriosis UK have a template you can download and fill in which is super handy. endometriosis-uk.org/sites/...

Hope it goes well, let us know how you get on. X

[GlumDumpling in reply to KS2023]

Hello, Thanks for your message, yes he's an endo specialist and it's a 30 min appointment. Thanks so much for the link to the template I'll be printing this off today and making notes to bring with me x

[Comedykid]

I had a similar experience and I went private. In my first appointment they asked me my symptoms etc, what I wanted and they went away and reviewed my MrI results as I already had them from the NHS. If you don’t have this then they might send you for an MRI but each person is different good luck!

[Laura2306]

Write your questions down. I’m pretty good with authority but I can get flummoxed in consulting rooms and forget what I meant to say and walk out questioning why I didn’t ask what I wanted. It’s your appointment, yours, not the docto’rs, so you set the agenda. They’re there to support and give you information, not push you in a direction. TBH, I’d love if we normalised drafting minutes for consultations like you do in meetings and both sides have to sign them off before you move forward!

[HT267]

Hey, a symptoms diary for sure with pain rating scales out of 10 and how symptoms change when your on your period and pictures of your stomach of you get bloating (strange as that sounds) I jhope you get answers soon x

[GlumDumpling]

Thank you all for your comments and advice I really appreciate it! Will be writing down all my symptoms so i have it in front of me for the appointment. I definitely tend to minimise my problems when in front of the professional so hopefully this helps me be as honest as possible xx