WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for December, 1999: Re: eed help bad - Infections, bleeding, fear of doctors.

Re: eed help bad - Infections, bleeding, fear of doctors.

From: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 14 Dec 1999 20:53:28 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: Nikole: "eed help bad - Infections, bleeding, fear of doctors."

At Tue, 14 Dec 1999, Nikole wrote: >
>Well, let's go about this chronologically.
>
>At about 17, my first examination after becoming sexually active, I was
>diagnosed with trich. I did have some thin, clear discharge, but I
>thought it was a normal side effect of being sexually active. Fine, the
>partner and I (monogamous for several years before and after the
>incident) did the joint metronidazole treatment. A week later, the
>symptoms returned. Doctor didn't think it was anything during the next
>examination. Dealt with it (very minor discharge) for about the next
>five years.
>
>At that point, around age 22 (and admittedly several sex partners
>later), started having more/heavier discharge, greenish. I would use
>the old wives' tale thing, vinegar douches, and it would go away. No, I
>didn't go to a doctor, I'd had a real bad experience with one at about
>age 19 and was really spooked. Eventually the discharge wouldn't go
>away anymore. About six months after that, I had my first episode of
>bleeding after intercourse. It took two years and several more
>incidents of bleeding (it only happened occasionally, usually in the
>week before my period if that means anything) before my fear overcame my
>fear of doctors.
>
>Beginning of 1996: I went in, terrified, explained my symptoms, had the
>exam & pap smear. I was told I probably had BV, although it "might be
>cancer", and was ushered out of the office with a clindamycin cream
>prescription, no futher info and with the words "might be cancer"
>echoing in my head. I went home, shellshocked, and finally my roommate
>called up the office and demanded to know why nothing was being done if
>it "might be cancer". She was assured that everything was fine, that
>they'd checked carefully to the extent they could at the office, and
>that if the doctor REALLY thought it was cancer (cervical, I assume), I
>would have been put in the hospital.
>
>So, I calmed down, did the clindamycin cream. Pap smear came back a
>week later, all normal. But the discharge and odor returned within a
>month. They gave me a refill. Same deal, I think the symptoms came
>back faster. I started looking into BV and found out the bad relapse
>rates. In the meantime, the bleeding after intercoursed ceased
>completely, so I decided to just live with it, rather than deal with the
>trauma of going through the doctor ordeal again.
>
>I have tried various "alternative" ways of dealing with the discharge -
>tea tree oil, betadine, and even self-prescribed metronidazole that I
>managed to get ahold of. (Yes, I know how stupid this was, but I also
>know a doctor would have been just as likely to prescribe it with a lot
>less thought than I put into it). Nothing alleviates the symptoms
>(greenish-yellow, usually stringy/sticky discharge, fairly copious) for
>more than a few days. And I have probably messed up my vaginal chemical
>balance beyond belief and/or created a strain of super-resistant BV.
>
>About a year ago, I had my first incidence of bleeding after intercourse
>in two years. In the last year, it's happened two more times, about six
>months apart. As several others have described here, it's been a fairly
>large amount of blood (although less than menstruation), bright red and
>"fresh" looking. I am too terrified to go to a doctor - both of the
>experience itself, which has always been bad, and of finding out there's
>something really wrong with me (i.e., cervical cancer).
>
>Yes, I know how stupid this is. I seem to be unable to overcome it.
>
>I am not on the pill and have regular menstruation. I do use condoms
>exclusively and without fail. Never been pregnant. I don't have much
>in the way of itching or irritation, and the discharge itself has never
>seemed terribly malodorous or "fishy" to me, more musty if anything, but
>faint. My partners have never complained of odor either, including
>after intercourse, to the extent that I've been told I smell good. I
>have experienced some discomfort on intercourse, but I am fairly certain
>it is due to the fact that I am totally unable to relax during sex now
>for fear of one of the (extremely rare) episodes of bleeding. I don't
>have nausea, fever, abdominal or back pain, or diarrhea or constipation.
>
>I realize that I'm probably not going to get anything more than "go see
>your doctor" here, but I had to post anyway, as I'm getting pretty
>desperate. Are there any counseling services available for people like
>me? Someone to act as a go-between with the gyno's office so that I'm
>not left panicking and wondering what's going on? If not, maybe there
>should be. I tried to ask questions during the last time I went, like
>specifically if the infection was what was causing the bleeding, but was
>pretty much brushed aside, to the extent that I can't even remember what
>the answers were.
>
>Anyway. I need help. I am too scared to go to the doctor, yet this is
>now preying on my mind every day, and has ruined my sex life and helped
>bring about the end of one longterm relationship (which I guess doesn't
>say much about the guy who took off, but still).
>
>Please post here as opposed to emailed responses.
>
>Thanks,
>Nikole

I am truly so sorry for all that you've been through. I read the entire history and unfortuntely, you're right. Can't tell a thing based upon your history. A good exam from a compassionate helath care provider (maybe a nurse practitioner would meet your needs more than the physicians you've been exposed to) is what you need.

--
Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG, FACS
Great Neck, New York

**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 emails cannot be entertained due to time constraints,
consequently no private emails will receive a response.

**Thank you for your understanding ;-)

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