Confused after consultant appointment.

[wdwfan1973]

I had an appointment yesterday to see my consultant. I had the Mirena fitted end of June so this appointment was supposed to be a follow-up to see if there had been any change in pain. I was fitted with it after adenomyosis was found in my womb via a MRI scan. So I end up seeing someone else who works in my consultant's department which means I had to go through everything again - where is my pain, how bad, how long it's been like this etc - all of which is in my file. He asked to examine me and tried to do a smear but the pain made this impossible - I was in tears just from him prodding me. He then says he needs to speak to my consultant, who then comes in and starts going on about how because I'm not bleeding it might not be a gynae problem and that I need to now have a diagnostic lap and basically if nothing is found, that's it I'm out of the clinic. No mention was made about what had already been found. I was so taken aback that I just nodded and didn't say a word. Once I got home of course, I found that what was said totally contradicted what he's said in the past and it's like he confused me with someone else. When I was told I had Adenomyosis and that a coil should be fitted to deal with the pain, I was told a lap was not necessary and that because I have a lot of weight around my stomach it was too dangerous. Now all of the sudden this is necessary? I'm so annoyed at myself for not picking up on this during the appointment. It's not that I don't want the lap, I just don't see why now when I was denied one in the past. I was being treated like nothing has been found at all and this was the only way forward.

I'm wondering whether to ring my consultant's secretary to ask if he'll go over my file and reconfirm what was said yesterday. I could understand if the coil had been in for a few years and no change but 7 months doesn't seem an adequate amount of time for it to work, not when I've spoken to other suffers who had it fitted and it took a good 9-12 months before any difference was noticed. Sorry for the waffle but I'm so darn confused now. Any advice on how handle this would be appreciated as I'm not sure what to do now. Unfortunately my consultant's secretary is not very helpful and I normally have to explain things 3 or 4 times before she understands anything. Do you think my consultant would go over my file again and check what was said was necessary and correct? Thanks for reading, Annabel

[jojo777]

Hi Annabel

It is up to you if you think your doctor should go through your files again. I know you said about adenomyosis, but what if you have endo too? The only way to find out is through lap. No scans usually show endo.

Your doctor seems to contradict a lot, and in my opinion this is not a good sign, my first gynae was like that, and I had to find a new one that would stick in what he said from the very first time!

What about getting a second opinion, and if you can afford it to go private?

And try to have someone with you in your appointments if you can, we are all like that, we go completely blank while with the doctor and we remember everything back home!

Jo xx

[wdwfan1973]

Hi Jo, thanks for replying. I keep replaying things over in my mind and I need to stop being so angry at myself. I know the consultants see loads of women so I don't expect to be remembered but if I'd seen my proper consultant, surely a look at my folder would have jolted his memory. I've decided to go through with the laparoscopy regardless in case there is endo elsewhere. I was told the adenomyosis has caused a blocked junction, I keep forgetting to ask what it means. I've started writing things down so I have a list to take with me. I can't afford a second opinion but hubby says maybe I should ask his secretary if he can fit in a quick 5 minutes with me so I can talk about this. I also wonder if telling me the lap was too dangerous was scare-mongering at the time - I don't understand why I was told no it's too dangerous right now a year ago and now it's being done. Anyway, thanks for the response it helped me get my head around things.

Annabel x