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Re: Black Women and EndometriosisFrom: Maria (anonymous@obgyn.net)Thu Feb 26 20:45:55 2004
At Thu, 26 Feb 2004, Dominique wrote: > >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. >> >>-- >>Kerry-Ann here from the Unveiling Endometriosis Project. First I want >>to thank all of you who responded to my first post concerning >>endometriosis and its social effects on women in their 20s. If any of >>you are still interested please do not hesitate to contact me. >> >>Today, I have another request. Just out of curiousity I would like to >>hear from any black women on this forum. I have a few questions I would >>like to ask concerning your endometriosis experience. I would be very >>pleased to hear from any and all of you. Please to contact me at >>xahmaica2002@yahoo.com. Thank you and have a wonderful day! >> >>Kerry-Ann Morris >>Secretariat >>Unveiling Endometriosis Project >> >>-- >>"To Make Aware, To Educate, to Support & to Empower" >> I have to say I don't think the color of your skin has anything to do with your poor medical experiences. If you read through this forum you will see many of us have had a very difficult time securing the proper physician.
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