I need a little help

I actually have a couple of different questions. 1st off I’ve already made a post about my dr. and questioning the lack of tests she is doing. The main reason she is giving me for the hysterectomy is the fibroid tumors I have in my uterus, found in a trans vaginal and abdominal ultrasound. I did show a ribbon of endometrial tissue, which she said would be normal for the time in my cycle that the ultrasound was done. This is the only “test” she is going by. She did say that while doing the hysterectomy for the tumors she will check to make sure there is no endometriosis. I ended up in the ER last Tuesday a week after a visit with my family dr. about painful cramping between periods. My cramps had gotten so bad last week I couldn’t stand in an upright position and it even hurt to walk. The pain was radiating into my thighs and hips. The ER Dr. Diagnosed me with mittelscherz, Both the ER doc and my family dr. who have both actually had endo said that I am showing classic symptoms of endo. They also BOTH told me that endo very rarely shows up on an ultrasound and the only way to rule it out is laparoscopic exploration. Should I make a bunch of noise over her blowing off my concerns and let her know what the other Dr.s have told me? I have had painful periods since my tubule 4 years ago. The pain and heavy irregular period have become worse in the past 6 months. I maybe have one week a month, if that, that I don’t feel pain. The cramps have gotten progressingly worse each month. Everyone I have spoken to has said it sounds like endo, including my Family Dr. and the ER Dr.My OB-GYN keeps blowing off my concerns over that, once again stating that the ultrasound didn’t show any abnormal growth. I guess the point is moot. I mean the hysterectomy will be done for the fibroids but I want to know for sure what’s going on in MY body. I want to know what is causing the pain that disrupts my life so regularly and feel I have a valid point in feeling that way. My OB-GYN has even gone as far as to try to convince me it may be gas or a digestive problem, which made me angry. I mean I know what gas/bloating feels like I’m not an idiot, nor am I constipated or having problems with diarrhea. And when my family Dr. and ER Dr. did the internal exams the most pain was on the right side and was when she was pressing on my right ovary. (however, no cysts are felt or seen on the ultrasound)

2nd- when the internal exams were done both Dr.s commented on my cervix being tilted so drastically that they had trouble finding it. My OB-GYN said she was going to try to do the hysterectomy vaginally would this tilting of the cervix and uterus make that hard or impossible? I’ve heard the recoup time is allot less if the procedure is done vaginally. I would prefer that. But now I’ve added this to my long list of concerns and worries. Can anyone give me a little feed back from personal experience so I can have my questions ready for her on Tuesday without coming across as a neurotic uninformed patient. That’s pretty much how I have left all my visits with her feeling.

Hello blue angel
Just one comment here. I was under the impression that the ONLY way to diagnose endo is through a diagnostic laparoscopy. It doesn't show up on ultrasound, and there are no other difinitive tests for it. The only way to tell for sure is to get into the pelvis and look around.

I'm so sorry you're having so much trouble getting answers from your doc. I hope you find some soon.


Tam

Hi, You seem quite concerned about your current gyn and I can understand why. You mention that several doctors believe you may have endo and your current doctor seems to have ruled this out and appears to be ignoring the degree and possible reasons for your pain too. I suggest you consider seeing another gyn for a second opinion re your current gyn problem(s). I believe it is very important to have as much faith and confidence in one's doctor as possible; afterall, a hysterectomy is major surgery and you also want to be sure they are going in there knowing much of what already is going on.
s, peggiesue

Hello,

Endo can only be diagnosed through laproscopy. I'm concerned about your current OB/GYN not diagnosing it properly and her possible lack of experience maybe. If you do a hyst vaginally, she might not get a good look to see if you have endo and to remove it. a tah will give a better look around since endo is also located sometimes on your bladder and bowels and other areas down there. Some doctors aren't comfortable with removing endo from the bowels also, make sure she is. If they don't remove it all, you could still deal with pain after the hyst and possibly face another surgery to go in and remove any endo. Are you keeping your ovaries, they feed endo and cause it to grow, also.

My two cents is to get a second opinion, and try to get an official diagnosis of endo before a vaginal hyst or have somebody do a TAH/BSO and get a better view to remove any that might be in there,

I have endo, which is why I'm having a TAH, its an awful disease that can cause a lot of pain, please make sure your doctor or another doctor looks into it before the surgery. I worry why your doctor won't do one, I had a doctor like that, turned out she wasn't comfortable doing one, so i left her for another doctor that was and I am thankful I did, but left him because after my lap he left stuff on my bowel cause he didn't like dealing with that area and ended up with another lap a year later, now I have a specialist who's awesome and I totally trust and makes sure all the tests and choices I have out on the table for me, unfortunately all my choices have been depleted and now will have a tah bso.


Take care,

I also get pains in my thighs and hips. My Dr thinks it could be from adno and maybe endo both. He&She [2 Drs] both have said the only way to really tell is when we get in there. They know that my pain is real. I have seen 4 Dr and shed a few tears before deciding on surgery. Now, I feel good about my choice and there is no stopping me.