WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 2000: Re: A question about my doctor

Re: A question about my doctor - doctors' opinions, please

From: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 9 Aug 2000 17:37:38 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD: "Re: Stopping my period"
Previous message: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD: "Re: vagina"
In reply to: E: "A question about my doctor - doctors' opinions, please"

At Wed, 9 Aug 2000, E wrote: >
>I would like some opinions about my doctor. Let me try to give a brief
>background before my question (sorry if it's a little long). I am 30
>years old - I had my first baby (only pregnancy) in Oct. '98. I
>breastfed for 3 months, and resumed my period in February of '99. My
>cycles prior to pregnancy were around 40 days. In April of '99, I had
>some very light (pink) spotting for a few days, approximately mid-cycle.
>I went to the doctor. She wasn't concerned; but, gave me my annual pap
>- it was normal. From that point through January of this year, I had 3
>or 4 more instances of the light pink spotting - it seemed to end about
>19 days before I would get my period. I went back to my doctor in
>January of this year. She had me do a vaginal ultrasound and another
>pap. Both were normal. I then went to her in February because I was
>still concerned,and had her do the "thin-prep pap". It was also normal.
>I decided to try the pill to see if that would help. I took
>orhto-tricyclen in Feb. and I had some moderate spotting with that. She
>switched me to lo-ovral in March. I was fine in March, and for most of
>April. I had some light spotting in April on the day of my last pill.
>After 10 pills in May, I started spotting again (pretty light). That
>continued basically through that period. I stopped the pill after that.
>I was fine in June, and got my period on the 35th day. No period in
>July; and, I just found out that I am pregnant. Here comes my question
>- I had gone back to my doctor in May again worried about that spotting
>(even though I know you can have spotting on the pill). She scheduled
>me for a D&C - she said that that was the next step for abnormal
>bleeding. I think I was coming across as a hypochondriac; and, did tell
>her that I was extremely concerned about cancer. She did ask me if I
>wanted to consult with a psychiatrist. But, she still scheduled me for
>the D&C. I think she was mainly doing it for my peace of mind. I
>canceled the surgery because I was very afraid of the anesthesia. So,
>my question is, finally, was what she did ok (so-to-speak)? I guess I'm
>just having a slight trust issue with her because I feel like she may
>have been willing to do an unnecessary procedure; and,now that I'm
>pregnant, I need to decide whether or not to switch doctors. In
>general, I have liked her; and she's been practicing for along time (30
>years or so) without incident. So, I'd just like some opinions as to
>whether or not I would be wise to stay with her or switch. Thank you so
>much for taking the time to read this, and to give any response!!

E, It is very hard to make a judgement regarding care without having the whole chart to get the whole story in an accurate time sequence. Speaking from what you have told me, the spotting does not seem that concerning. Further, I think that if you would have chosen a pill and stuck to it for 4-6 months, it would have likely fixed the problem. You have obviously fixed things now, cause you won't likely have spotting while pregnant... Lynn

--
Lynn D. Montgomery, MD
Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Rocky Mountain Perinatal Center
Missoula, Montana

**Note:  Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.  This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.

**Private e-mails cannot be entertained due to time constraints, consequently no private e-mails will receive a response.

**Thank you for your understanding ;-)

Next message: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD: "Re: Stopping my period"
Previous message: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD: "Re: vagina"
In reply to: E: "A question about my doctor - doctors' opinions, please"

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: