Re: Need advice on how to talk with my dr about a lap and options
From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Tue Aug 22 03:42:46 2006
I did not have this issue b/c my 2 cysts were so huge. So big in fact
that as soon as the Dr. inserted the laproscope the cysts burst so he
had to make an incision. This was good I suppose b/c he found a lot of
endo that was not visible on the ultrasound. He could at least put the
laproscope in your belly and take a look around to see what all is in
there. He did my surgery and then put me on Lupron to "burn" the rest
of the endo he was unable to remove.
BC pills didn't work for me either. My Dr. explained that some women
have very persistent cysts that form even when on the pill. Lucky us
huh? If he will not do the lap I suggest talking to another Dr. You can
find one that will. I found my Dr. by calling the Dr.'s office and
talking to a nurse that highly recommended him.
On the narcotics, unfortunately, no refills. B/c it is narcotics the
Dr. has to call in or write a new prescription everytime. I had to
call several times to get my percocet so I know what you mean. Have you
tried taking Anaprox? I took an Anaprox and a Percocet every 4 hours and
it really helped with the pain. Anaprox is basically like taking 2
Aleve so if they won't get you a prescription you could just take 2
Aleve with your Darvacet (they were like tic tacs to me-NOTHING!).
I do know what Megan is saying about the internet. I told my OB for 2
years I thought I had endo and he acted like I was a hypocondriac
reading too much junk online thinking I had symptoms I didn't (BUT I
SURE AS HECK DID!). I think he is the reason I ended up in the ER with
pelvic pain and an abscess on my right ovary (on top of cysts). I feel
if he had taken me seriously years ago it could have been taken care of
before it got out of hand.
Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going for you! :)
~Mollie
At Mon, 21 Aug 2006, Megan wrote:
>
>Sabrina,
>
>I was turned down five times by five different doctors before I got a
>lap. It was my experience that many doctors did not want to perform a
>lap, because they felt they could treat the disease with Lupron and
>birth control. While I kind of understand their reasoning (it is
>usually best to avoid surgery at all costs), this was not the best
>approach for me.
>
>It sounds like you have made a very good case for a lap. The only thing
>I do not suggest is bringing in print outs from websites into the
>doctor's office. Many of them dismiss internet research. As a
>librarian, I can understand why they do this even though there are some
>good websites about Endo on the web. One thing I do suggest is that you
>contact the Endometriosis Assoication. They do sell a diagnostic kit
>that will provide information on how to get diagnosed with Endo. You
>can order it through their website http://www.killercramps.org.
>
>Once again, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
>
>--
>Megan
>
>At Mon, 21 Aug 2006, Sabrina wrote:
>>
>>I have been emailing several people about their experiences with their
>>drs and endo. Most seem to have had to be aggressive and ask there dr
>>to do a lap. I have been thinking about the type of conversation to
>>have with my dr in two weeks. I think I have endo as he has ruled
>>everything else out. I want some advice as to what ya'll think.
>>
>>The last time I was here, we discussed whether or not I wanted children.
>>If I wanted children, then you said that the only thing you could do was
>>change the pill again. If I didn't want children, then consider a more
>>permanent solution to my issues. I do want another child and will be
>>ttc in the fall of next year. You have ruled out pregnancy, cysts,
>>fibroid, infection, and pelvic abnormalities. But you have not ruled
>>out endomentriosis.
>>
>>I have done 5 different birth control pills, two different progesterone
>>pills, darvocet and motrin. The pill isn't working because for some
>>reason I am still ovulating as confirmed on a US in Jan 06. We looked
>>at Lupron and the depo shot to stop ovulation, but that was ruled out
>>due to side effects and not a guarantee that it would take care of my
>>problem. (I reacted very badly to the pill form of Provera). The only
>>thing we have not tried is a lap. I would like to try to do this to
>>rule it in or out.
>>
>>After a lap is done, I need a plan to get through the next year. I
>>dread calling the office and bothering you and the staff and then having
>>to tell my story to the nurse each time when I call for a fill of
>>Darvocet (The nurse always ask, did you try a heating pad and motrin,
>>and my whole life history. (He has me call in each month to let him
>>know how I am doing, send in a chart, and he orders it). What I would
>>like to do is to do a continuous bcp (not seasonale) and if I have
>>breakthrough bleeding, then I breakthrough. I would also like to have
>>refills so that I don't have to call and bother him. I won't go and use
>>more than he has prescribed in a day or a month. Can they give refills
>>on narcotics???
>>
>>Once I have my next child and depending on the results of the lap, then
>>I would be more willing to discuss a permanent solution.
>>
>>What do you think? Any advice from those that had to ask for a lap. My
>>doctor choices are very very limited here. I would still like to keep
>>him for regular obgyn stuff. But there are not any doctors here other
>>than other obgyns in the city about 45 minutes away. I could get one
>>that is worse. I am terrified that he will say no, but as one person
>>said, it is my right to request a lap. Was anyone ever turned down for
>>a first time lap? It seems that the people that had to ask for one, were
>>given it by their dr. I will say that usually my dr is reasonable and
>>agreeable to things. Though conservative in nature. I figure if he was
>>willing to cut and doing something permanent then maybe he would be
>>willing to do a looksie. I am going to print out different webpages
>>that have all the steps he has been following (which incidentally are
>>for endo) and bring the paper from the ER that says that pelvic pain
>>often has to be visualized in the OR to back it up.Most people like him
>>because he is easy going and easy to get along with. Actually he is the
>>favorite dr on the obgyn floor at the hospital. His calendar is very
>>full. I have only heard that one person didn't like him.Ex. It takes
>>at least 6 months to get an annual exam with my dr because so many like
>>him. He sees only high risk ob patients or csections, the rest go to
>>the midwives. He also sees all of the surgery or complicated GYN
>>problem patients. The other dr in town, everyone is 50/50 on him. Most
>>say they can leave him.
>>
>>I do have to say it sucks that we have to advocate so hard.
>
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