A little over a year ago I started getting sharp abdominal pains that would sometimes last a day or two. The pain used to get so bad that I actually had to go to the hospital. They did ultra sounds and ct scans and found nothing. They gave me pain pills and sent me home. I was getting these pains almost monthly with the same treatment being provided... embarassing tests which showed nothing and more pain pills. I was gettingt he feeling that my Dr. was not believing me. My sister and my mom both had endometrosis and had symptoms similar to mine so I asked my Dr. if that could be the issue and she just said no.
My Dr. finally agreed to send me to an GYN after months of complaining. The GYN came into the room did a quick exam and said it was all im my head nothing was wrong. At this point I had been in soo much pain I couldnt walk and I was sick to my stomach. I had had enough. My mom put me in the car and drove to me a hospital in the city (I live in a very small town). The Dr. in the ER in the city agreed that something was going on and it wasn't just in my head. He recommended that I get some more testing done and switch to a new DR.
My new Dr was amazing.. I explained my story to him and he sent me to a new GYN right away in the city. My new GYN told me that my old Dr thought I was a drug seeker! I was shocked... Im a 25 yr old young professional who is married and wanting nothing more than a family in the new future and that was my LABEL!!! make no wonder the first GYN i seen did not take me seriousally! I am still in disbelief that a dr would prescribe narcotics for my pain if they thought I was drug seeking!!
Thankfully this new GYN saw past a label that was clearly WRONG...
The new GYN said he thinks it could be Endometriosis but wasnt sure. We tracked my symptoms for 3 months started new b/c pills and now I'm scheduled for a laproscopy next month. Its all moving soo fast... but finally I will be getting some answers. Its so depressing being so sick and not knowing what the problem is and its even worse when your Dr. won't believe you. I actually cried when the GYN told me something was going on and he was determined to get to the bottem of things.
I just wanted to tell my story because sometimes you need to stand up to your doctor. You know your body more than anyone and if your not feeling right you really need to do something about it. If your Dr. doesnt believe you don't be afraid of getting a second opinion.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment14 Comments
kcrum,
THANK YOU for sharing your story! This is a wonderful story, and I can understand your feelings when you said you wanted to cry because your doctor took you seriously, wanted to find answers and help with a real diagnosis, and did not label you as a "bad patient".
I hope many other women will read your story, as I believe every woman can relate on some level.
Please keep us updated after your procedure next month!
February 10, 2011 - 1:01pmThis Comment
Thanks Alison :)
I will be sure to keep everyone posted. I've been doing a lot of research on my condition and I have done a lot of research on the surgery as well and i find the more research i do the less scared and nervous I become. So hopefully my story can help someone else.
I've had foot surgery before, but compared to this thats nothing. The idea of a general anesthia and they things they may do or may find is pretty scary stuff. Although there is a great comfort in finally having answers and hopefully feeling better after the surgery. So here's praying for answers and relief!!
Has anyone else out there in this community had this surgery? if so how did you find it? was there lots of discomfort after? Did the surgery actually help you feel better?
crum :)
February 10, 2011 - 3:14pmI had the surgery when I was 17, for very severe endometriosis. I felt so much better afterwards. If it isn't too severe, then the birth control pills should be enough. It is really important to follow doctor's orders while you are healing. My main complications came from trying to do too much too quickly. The anesthia has gotten so much better, don't worry too much about that.
February 11, 2011 - 1:43pmSince mine was much more severe, they had to stop the laparotomy and make a larger incision, so things are a little different. My problem was as I have gotten older, trying to get a doctor that understands the complications. Most doctors who are experts in endometriosis work with infertility, and that is not what I am looking for.
Keep your chin up, you will do fine and feel better afterwards.
Hi Anon,
thanks for your reply. Its feels good to know that someone else has gone through the same thing and has found relief! The pills I have been taking have helped some but I still get pain at various times in my cycle. I don't get a period anymore and yet I still get pain thats why my Dr. wants to do the surgery. I will make sure that I follow Dr.s orders to a T!!! I already scheduled a week off work just in case i need it.
My GYN is supposed to be one of the best in his field, and I'm not sure yet how specialized he is with endo... but he recognized that something was wrong on the first visit and scheduled surgery on the second. He is already talking about where we will go after the surgery depending on whats found So i feel very comfortable with him. I don't know where u live but my Dr. is in ontario and if u are in this area I would strongly recommend him.
We havent tried to get pregnant yet... but we plan on it within the next year... so heres hoping that things go good!
I hope you that you continue to feel better and I hope u find a Dr that understands your needs!!!
take care and thanks again :)
February 11, 2011 - 3:07pmI went through exactly the same thing, In agony all the time, actually thinking the pain was all in my head, scans showing no signs of anything. after 18 months I finally got refered to the gynacologist who suggested a laparoscapy, which is where i was diagnosed with the endo.... Still 3 weeks afte the op I am still in pain with no answers. I got a nasty infection after the op that made me very poorly. I am still none the wiser and dont know how to get rid of the pain permanently. I just want to know what happens now?!
March 6, 2011 - 3:06pmI does suprise me that doctors are unaware of the symtoms. There has been so many cases yet the docs just shug there shoulders and make you feel bad for asking for help!!
How do I get rid of the pain... the doctors just dont seem to care!
March 6, 2011 - 3:08pmHi Annie,
You are three weeks post-op, and still experiencing pain? You also say your doctors do not care about the pain, and I am so sorry you are dealing with this!
To get rid of your pain, you need to find a doctor or nurse who DOES care and who WILL take your pain seriously. It is important to rule out any possible infections or other causes to your pain. It is also important to talk with your doctor and advocate for yourself, asking questions regarding their pain management philosophies and their expectations for your recovery. Here are a few questions you can ask:
- I am still experiencing pain [describe type, severity, intensity, duration, location, triggers, etc] 3 weeks post-op, and would like to know what I should be expecting in my recovery at this point.
- Should I not be experiencing pain any longer? Since I am still experiencing pain, what are my options and next steps?
- Have we ruled out possible causes to my pain?
- Are you concerned about possible addiction to pain medication, and if so, what can I do to alleviate pain (after medical reasons are ruled out) without medication? Is there other pain medication that is not addictive (if they think you are just calling to seek out medication; some patients do get this "bad rap")
- I do not feel you are taking my pain seriously, and I do not want to feel like a "high maintenance" patient with you. I am experiencing pain that is unmanageable (explain how it effects your day briefly), and would like a second opinion regarding my pain management.
These are some options for you, as I am not sure how far along in this process you have already been. Does any of this help, or are you more frustrated then ever? How can we help?
March 6, 2011 - 8:17pmThank you so much for your advise.
March 11, 2011 - 2:39amI am due to see a specialist next tuesday so I will put hthose questions to him.
Annie
Hi... me again with an update :)
I had the Laporoscopy yesterday and hysteroscope and they also checked to see if my tubes were open. Well the good news it that I finally have answers. I have endometriosis which they were able to remove and they also removed a cyst that they found on my right ovary. They are hopeful about me being able to have kids... i follow uo with my gyno in a few weeks.
The pain is a hard issue to control. The gas pain was brutal from the moment i woke up... however when i left the hospital i took gas x and had my husband rub my back which helped. I also had to get out of the car a few times on the way home to walk to get the gas moving. (had to drive almost 2 hours to get home from the hospital)
i've been taking pain meds they help but it doesnt take the pain away completly... just takes the edge off. I been doing relaxation and breathing techniques that are helping.
All in all yesterday sucked and today sucks so far... but its soo worth it to finally have answers and know its not in my head. I know its all going to fine from here on in. It will heal and get better and my life will come back.
April 1, 2011 - 6:12amI hope you feel better soon! I have laprascopic surgery soon and am not looking forward to the gas pains. But, better than the pain from cysts (endometriomas) due to the endometriosis. I also had delays in identifying what was wrong with me when I first found out I had endometriosis several years ago -- if you experience severe pelvic pain once a month, that is a huge clue that a GYN visit and ultrasound would be a good idea. Doctors in the ER thought I was having heart problems or reflux, and the cold sweat/stabbing pain was only for about 30 minutes each time, once a month. But each time I had a huge cyst.
April 15, 2011 - 2:06pm