Re: I was diagnosed with endometriosis
From: Chris (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon Mar 28 17:38:32 2005
Yes, I have another question for Brianna to ask: Since you seem to have
digestive issues, I would ask the doctor what he would plan to do if he
finds endo/adhesions on the bowel. Many surgeons won't touch the bowels
for fear of perforating them. You want to know if he's going to be able
to treat this area if need be. I've seen too many women who went
through a laparascopy, only to be told that they have it on their bowels
but it was not addressed. And then they feel like they went through a
surgery for nothing, and are again left looking for the right doctor,
and have to face doing it all over again.
I would also ask the doctor if he does excision surgery as this seems to
be the best treatment for endometriosis. Excision is where the surgeon
cuts the endometriosis out instead of burning it. Burning it leaves the
root behind so that the endo grows back with a vengence. All of the
endometriosis specialists do excision which should remove the endo so it
won't come back.
I hope this helps. Good luck finding a surgeon who will be able to help
you.
At Mon, 28 Mar 2005, anonymous wrote:
>
>Call the original doctor and ask for a recommendation for a Reproductive
>Endocrinologist - look in your plan book to see if any are listed. Then,
>call that specialist and ask them if you need a referral from your PCP
>to see them. If Yes, then ask your In Plan gyne to write a referral for
>you to investigate your endometriosis symptoms. If that one will not
>write the referral for you, ask the specialist if they can take a
>referral from a doctor outside your medical plan and see if the original
>doctor will write one.
>
>You may also have to ask your original doctor to write a letter on your
>behalf to your new insurance company or the new gyne (MAKE COPIES FOR
>YOURSELF FIRST!) to convince them to give you what you need.
>
>There is only 100% positive way to diagnose endometriosis and that is
>through laparoscopy and any gyne who ignores your symptoms and dismisses
>them as this one has should not be allowed to be your doctor. You may
>have to switch a few times before you find one but calling the gynes
>listed in your benefits book and asking some questions before you settle
>on one will help.
>
>Ladies, how about helping Breanna with questions she should ask:
>
>#1 Have you treated any patients with endometriosis?
>How many?
>How did you treat them? Surgery? Lupron? other?
>
>#2 How many laparoscopic surgeries have you performed in the last 5
>years?
>Diagnostic or treatment or both? Outcome?
>
>#3 If you or your patient suspect endometriosis what is our usual method
>for reaching a diagnosis?
>
>Anyone have anything to add?
>
>At Mon, 28 Mar 2005, Breanna wrote:
>>
>>About 2 years ago I went to a Dr. for my pap for the first time, I had
>>gone to nurse practitioners before. I explained to the dr. the pain i
>>get during my period, and he told me i may have endometriosis based on
>>my symptoms which were extrememly painful periods from the time i got it
>>when i was 11, i had painful intercourse for the first 3 years of being
>>sexually active and still have it sometimes, during my period it hurts
>>really bad to eat or go to the bathroom. The Dr. sent me to
>>specialists to rule out any stomach problems. After that he said the
>>final step was a laproscopy, then my insurance changed and that Dr. was
>>no longer covered. I have gone to one other Dr. who told me there was
>>no point in a laproscopy. I feel i need one to see how bad it is and
>>confirm diagnosis. I also want to have children. Every month the pain
>>gets worse. I am terribly afraid i wont be able to get pregnant. I am
>>posting on here cause i really want to know what others have gone thru
>>with this, and if i have cause to be worried about not being able to get
>>pregnant. and what happens further down the line if i cant get a
>>laproscopy.
>>
>>Thanks
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