Do new doctors trust previous diagnoses?

Hi. I am really just so nervous, so here it comes. My preop is on Friday and I'm going to a new doctor. He has come highly recommended by some close friends, and he also specializes in tucks... nice.

But my big question is, will he lean a lot on what my diagnosis (adeno) already is? I've had two different physicians diagnose it (as much as you can w/o hyst or MRI) and they ruled out endo, fibroids, and cysts. It's taken me two years to even get used to the idea of having adeno, and every bit of that two years to warm up to the idea of a hyst. I guess I just don't want surprises. How do I get into the right mind set for this?

I'm also worried that if I'm not in pain that particular day he'll send me home and say "heck, you're doing just fine." (I've had this nearly happen before when I had appendicitis.)

Wow, if anyone can relate or has comforting words, I would appreciate it.

~Ellie

Ellie,

The best thing to do is come armed with all the information from previous tests and medical diagnoses. Also, before your exam start tracking ona daily basis how your body feels. Monitor the pain scale - are there days that your hurt so bad you can feel your hair grow and days that it's just a minor aggrevation. The more information you can provide to a doctor - the more informed you are about your own body - the better the two of you are at deciding the next steps of your health care. I also suggest doing research on different types of alternative options - ex. ablation - and write a list of pros and cons compared to your current situation of treatment vs hyster vs alternatives. i did this and found that researching the pros and cons helped me to understand more about my body and what technology was available to help me. When my dr and discussed all of this she told me that she enjoyed
1. talking to an informed patient and could discuss possible treatments knowing that I was informed about them
2. going more in depth with what happens before, during, and after surgery because i was past the "now tell me what a hyster is" stage

She also told me that she was very comfortable with any decision i made because it was being made from a point of intellect rather than emotion. not to say I didn't get emotional from time to time (still do occasionally) but i was still able to make informed decisions about my health care and treatment rather than just be "told" what to do.

I wish you the best and am more than happy to share resources if you like. Best of luck to you.

FYI - I feel that my surgery was the best decison at the time and have never once regretted that decision. The research helped immensely with that.

Tracy,

Thank you very much for sharing your information with me. I have already been figuring that I'll be shaky and emotional at the appointment even though I've got questions written out and have been studying the various aspects of adeno treatments (great mental prep for confidence?... uh, no). The pros and cons list is a *wonderful* idea, though. I think that would be very helpful in dealing with feelings after the surgery.

Is it necessary to have like the official pathology reports, etc, or would the dr be OK with my own relaying of the information?

I think I'll also do some visualization and possibly role play the preop out with my husband just so I can feel fluent in my explanations/descriptions, and not so cold turkey.

Thanks again for your supportive response.

~Ellie

My regular dr. wanted me to see a pelvic pain specialist before doing my hysterectomy. I had already been battling pain and just wanted my uterus out. My diagnositics were vague and my gyn wasn't sure a hyst would take care of my problems. I was so relieved when I met with the specialist. He listened, did a pelvic exam, looked at my cat scans and u/s, (he didn't rely on the radiologist report) and agreed that the uterus needed to come out. The best part is he is considered one of the top lap surgeons in my state. Needless to say I let him do my surgery.

I guess what I am trying to say is trust the process.

Sherri

Sherri, thank you for the "trust the process" advice! I just felt a totally different feeling when I read that, like whatever is meant to be will happen in the order and time it is meant to. I needed that--thanks! ~Ellie

I am glad I could help. This is what this site is all about.

Please let me know what the dr. says on Friday.

Sherri

When I went to a new doctor (for another opinion), he was more than willing to talk to me, answer questions, etc. However, before agreeing to do a hysterectomy, he wanted to make sure my condition (endometriosis) had been diagnosed surgically. I was able to show him pictures that had been taken during my last lap and those, along with my reported medical history/previous treatments, etc. were enough for him to say, "Yes, we can proceed if you want to ". I was hoping to get my previous records before seeing him, but they didn't make it. I will take them with me to my pre-op so that he can have more detailed info. as to the extent/placement of my endo as of my last lap.

If I were you, I would definitely bring copies of your medical records so he can see exactly what has been done and what the results were.

Good luck!

Thank you quailene! I really appreciate your advice. It sounds like you had a really good doctor. I hope this guy on Friday is good, too. ~E

Ellie,

I agree with the other two sisters here, you want to take as much medical information to back you up a possible. It may be that he/she doesn't peek at it at all but better to be safe than sorry.

the reality is - Adnemyosis *****! it hurts, and no man will EVER understand what it is like (I have wished it on several tho) Regardless of how the visit goes, my heart is with you. I know you are dealing witha scary,, frustrating, painful thing and sometimes you feel very alone. That's why this site is so great! We are here with you

Please keep us updated.

Tracy,

Thank you!! I am touched by your caring and kind words and excellent advice.

My appointment is tomorrow... I'm so nervous, but I've got all my information in hand and hope that I can trust that things will go in the direction they're supposed to. I spent two hours today putting together the pro's and con's list, studies of hyst alternatives pro's and con's with adenomyosis, and my personal history, symptoms and treatments.

I REALLY appreciate you mentioning this in your earlier post. I won't have to count on my speech skills and emotions to be just right while I'm at the appointment, because it's all down on paper.

I will let you know how it goes. Thank you again!

~Ellie