No Date: Need Advice

Hello,

I posted this on the Texas support group but haven't gotten any responses, so I'll try here.

I'm 48 years old and have had laparascopic surgery in the past for endometriosis. I had an endometrial ablation 5 years ago for heavy bleeding and haven't had a period since. The pathology of my endometrium showed hyperplasia at the time, and my doctor wanted me to take progesterone to prevent cancer, but I couldn't take it because I have a blood clotting problem, and each time I've tried to take it, it's caused me to have another DVT.

In October 2009 and again in December I had to go the the ER with severe abdominal/pelvic pain -- it would start off slowly and gradully get worse and worse and I would also start having nausea and vomiting. The first time I thought I had appendicitis, but the CT scan ruled that out, and a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome was made on both occasions, which I vehemently disagree with. When I experience the pain, it is right around my belly button and feels like a knife is stabbing me. Norco did not help the pain. The ER gave me Dilaudid and Phernagan and that is all that relieved the pain.

I had a colonoscopy and EGD done and the doctor said "everything looked great". My gallbladder is OK, too.

I live in fear every day that I'm going to have a pain episode and have to go back to the ER.

I finally decided to see an OB/GYN specialist here in Houston to see if he might be able to correctly diagnosis the pain and help me.

When he examined me and manipulated my uterus it duplicated the pain I felt before and he told me he definitely thought the source of the pain was gynecological and not gastrointestinal.

He sent me to have a transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound, and it was determined there is an area of endometrium that looks thicker. I also have several fibroids. The doctor wants to do a hysterosonogram and endometrial biopsy, which I am scheduled for this coming Thursday.

The problem is that I have just discovered this doctor will no longer be in private practice as of June 2010.

Should I go ahead and have the tests and then see if he refers me to someone else to continue my care? I don't know what to do. Can anyone e-mail me privately with doctor recommendations in Houston, TX?

I would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions, advice or comments. My gut feeling is that I am probably going to have to have a hysterectomy, and I feel scared about it.

Thank you,

Dana B.
Houston, TX

Hugs, friend. I'd continue with him and then whomever you're referred to. It might take time to start over with someone new.

Good luck and I hope you get the answers, and relief, that you seek.

I'd have the biopsy and go from there. If it is ca or pre-ca you want to know now, and that will affect who you see next. Then you won't have delayed on an important test. But I'm not in TX so no advice on names. Good luck.

Wow your story sounds so similar to mine. I had the same things going on and the same orginal diagnosis of IBS. I am now under the care of a great gyn/endo, who did a lap in feb 2010 and did not find any source for the pain, so right now I am doing a lupron depot treatment. I am also going to seek a 2nd opinion because this doc wants to go straight from the shots to surgery. My shots will end in the beginning of May, so I am looking at a surgery date for the end of May, possibly the beginning of June. I live in Vermont so I cannot suggest a doc for you, my best advice is to stay with the one you have, and when he/she leaves the practice they will refer you to another doc and all of your records eg. test results etc. will be given to your new doc so there is no need to start all over again or to even have to re explain everything that you have been through. Believe me I know how that feels. Best of luck to you and hang in there. There is help out there and you will find it.

drb1999 -

Sorry to hear you are looking at possible surgeries but glad you found us.

Definitely go ahead and see the Dr. and do the tests. Are there others in the practice that would take over your case? You may not have to change practices. Also as said already your records can be sent over. Even if a hysterectomy is suggested we frequently recommend 2nd and sometimes 3rd opinions.

Here's a link to a Doctor Locator from the site that might help you http://www.suggestadoctor.com/

Take a deep breathe and take it one step at a time.

We're hear for you.

G.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my plea for advice.

I talked to my sisters who live 2 1/2 hours away from me, and they both think I should go ahead and have the hysterosonogram and biopsy.

I am feeling very nervous about having the tests and scared that he will find cancer. I guess you're right Tauruslady; all I can do is take one step at a time.

Thanks again, and I hope everyone has a good Monday.

Dana B.
Houston, TX

I really feel for you, like I said before, our stories are alot alike. I am going to make an appt with a gyn/onco for a 2nd opinion as I have the high risk HPV and as much as the word Cancer scares me, I would rather know, then not know. Let us know how you make out, we are here to help get each other through these difficult times. Much love