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Re: Black Women and EndometriosisFrom: Dominique (anonymous@obgyn.net)Thu Feb 26 12:42:28 2004
At Tue, 9 Sep 2003, Kerry-Ann wrote: > >Hi, >I found this link after searching for information about black women and endometriosis.If this topic is still of interest, I'd like to add my input... As an African-American woman with endometriosis, my experiences with health care professionals were appalling! I unfortunately had moderate endometrios and several large fibroid tumors. Over a 15 month period, I visited 9 Ob/Gyn providers before I finally found one who was willing to remove my fibroids.The endometriosis was an "incidental" finding. No provider ever suggested it was the cause of my chronic and acute pelvic pain. All were quick to suspect pelvic inflammatory disease even though I had no social risk factors, or high risk behavior. One female provider even proclaimed that "fibroids do not cause pain". When I inquired about a myomectomy, I was told "Operating on you isn't my idea of a good time. You've got that belly, I don't know if I can get a camera in there. Don't get me wrong, I like my job, but operating on you isn't my idea of a good time". I reported the incident to my health plan. At a grievance hearing this same provider indicated that she had not used the words "good time"; rather, she protested that she had said that operating on me wasn't her idea of "fun". Most of the providers behaved if the fibroid and endometriosis symptomatology were akin to getting a pimple. When I indicated that I could no longer tolerate the acute symptoms,one provider suggested that I was narcotic seeking. When I informed him that I have never asked any provider for narcotics, he replied "most people don't want to admit it if they do". I live in Pittsburgh. All of the physicians whom I consulted were academic physicians at a women's hospital. All were highly recommended by by other health care professionals whom I cosulted (i.e. physician friends, nurses, personal friends etc.). I finally found a young surgeon who sucessfully removed my myomas. However, due to the unexpected endometriosis, all of it was not removed. Therefore, 6 weeks following my myomectomy, my symptoms returned. I finally sought treatment from The Center for Women's Care in Atlanta Georgia. Dr. Thomas Lyons was my physician. He and his staff epitomized professionalism, courtesy, and kindness. Several months later, I sought a consultation with a reproductive-endocrinologist to discuss fertility concerns. I took copies of all of my records to my visit. This provider never asked me about the endometriosis or fibroids. However, she asked me one question three times: "You've never had PID"?. After three "NO's", she asked "has anyone ever told you that you had salpingitis, oopheritis"?. Again my answer was No. At this point, she stared at my quizzically, and muttered that's odd. I reminded her that all of my records were before her, and that they contained a complete personal and family history. She never looked at them, nor did she do a physical examination. She said that the nurse practitioner would be in to answer any questions that I had about fertility options, and left the room.
The experiences that I have had are extremely disconcerting. If they
are happening to me, then young women who are uninformed and lacking
basic health benefits get worse treatment. I am a professional
well-educated black woman. Medicine is the last place that I should
have to guard against stereotype.
>
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