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Original poster

Grr! Need a de-brief after seeing gynae consultant!

32 replies

lilysma · 09/03/2010 20:42

Saw gynae consultant today (with DH) after 8 months unsuccessfully TTC and having increasing back-pain, PMS and spotting before AF (4-5 days which is new for me in last few months).

I really shouldn't be surprised but he was totally rude, cursory and dismissive of any of my experiences and totally uninterested in my symptoms or problems beyond the potential (secondary) infertility. I have been charting and produced these, which suggest ovulation, to be dismissed with "not very reliable", a breath before suggesting that he would probably prescribe clomid (but we would have to pay for it privately as we have a DD - this was news to me). He kept getting my basic history totally wrong as well, having obviously not read my notes and not being bothered to ask. Anyway, the upshot is that he's going to do more blood tests (no big surprises).

I'm still trying to disentangle my reaction (from the initial rage ) but just wanted to check a few things out with anyone who has any experience of these matters...

Is spotting for 4 days before AF with back pain 'completely normal' ("I can't think why your GP thought this needed checking out")? Lots of things I have read suggest it isn't, and it certainly isn't for me. My ultrasound and basic bloods were fine.

Does the presence of a corpus luteum cyst on my ovary (as seen on ultrasound) suggest that I ovulated this cycle?

Outrage and similar stories of horrible gynaes will of course be welcome too

OP posts:
BarryKent · 10/03/2010 19:46

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LittleSilver · 10/03/2010 19:39

He sounds like a idiot.

May I make a suggestion? You take EXACTLY your post, make it into letter form and copy it with a letter of complaint to PALS, your GP and the gynae in question. And ask for a 2nd opinion. You poor thing.

I hate gynae/obs consultants, all of those I have ever come into contact with (have been arrogant and patronising.

And, breathe!

BarryKent · 10/03/2010 19:31

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MrsWajs · 10/03/2010 19:20

Don't have any personal experience of this but a friend of mine was diagnosed with secondary infertility and had an HSG initially she was told following this that her tubes were blocked and she would need IVF - all said behind a screen in a ward full of other women by an unsympathetic gynaecologist!!!
Turns out however that she had her tubes cleared and was put on a course of Clomid (so far unsuccessful) but this was also free and she has a DS. But as Lakefarm said it maybe varies from trust to trust throughout the country.

Lakefarm · 10/03/2010 19:11

Also sorry you've had a bad experience, it is frustrating when you wait to see a gynae and then are dealt with so briefly.

I have also had a similar experience, ttc second child for eighteen months, went to see gynae and was dealt with extremely quickly and sent on my way with a prescription for clomid.

The clomid has actually been free for me (NHS) even though I have an older child although I suppose this must vary throughout the country. I do also have a mild case of endometriosis so am not sure if that meant it was free for that reason.

SparrowGirl · 10/03/2010 18:10

I don't have much experience in this specific area but if your gp thought it was worth referring you then he must have had a reason. They don't just do it for fun.

Remember you are always entitled to get a second opinion and I would tell your gp this is what you would like and they can refer you to another gynae. The one you saw sounds like a generally unpleasant person!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 09/03/2010 21:34

Am sorry to read of your bad experience today. BTW was this a private practice gynae or were you seen under the NHS?.

TBH I'd be asking the GP to refer you to another and hopefully more sympathetic gynaecologist.

There is good and bad in all professions and you saw a poor gynae today. Don't settle for poor treatment because a poor start like this rarely gets better. It is vitally important as well that the three of you can work as a team and that is unlikely to happen here with this person.

Am no expert but would say that persistant spotting 3-4 days before AF with back pain is not normal at all. It should be investigated further; infact any changes to cycle from your "normal" pattern should be checked out. BTW too, has your actual period changed in other ways like increasing pain leading up to and or during menses?.

I thought he would dismiss the temp charts, they often do so for the reason you stated.

You will need to be persistant in order to get answers, it is all too easy to be fobbed off.