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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to freak out over how fast my doctor wants me to come in?

13 replies

JonHammAndCheese · 13/10/2017 20:09

I've had period- and uterine-related problems since I hit puberty. Horrific cramps, irregular bleeding, an inability to tolerate intercourse or use tampons etc. I've been told it's fibroids, it's endo, it's normal, and that I'm fat. (I am, but I had four doctors diagnose my problems as, "You're fat." Full stop.)

I lost weight last year, and it became apparent I had a large lump in the middle of my abdomen, and an odd bulge around my navel. I finally went to have it looked at, last Thursday, where they said they'd need to have a CT scan done, and that the bulge at my navel was an umbilical hernia (and I've showed signs of a hiatal hernia).

I was impressed and a touch worried that they got me in to the CT so quick, but yesterday I had a CT scan. My doctor is on vacation this week and let me know it'd be next week before she could look at it, and then it'd be another week or so after that before they would determine if I needed a surgical approach. (In case it's relevant, I'm American, so this is our health care system.)

Instead, I got a call today scheduling me to come in on Monday and talk to a different doctor. When I asked why so quick, a nurse admitted there were "concerns," but wasn't able to elaborate.

So now I'm freaking out.

I don't fear surgery. I don't fear a hysterectomy or losing my ovaries. I don't fear infertility; I'm in my mid-40's and if I'd wanted kids, I'd've had them by now. I'm fine with pills or therapy or surgical intervention or whatever.

But I'm freaking out anyway, because my mind goes right to the big C. That's the one thing I fear.

AIBU to freak out and assume that "concerns" means that? Is it normal to be brought in so quickly? Has anyone else had this experience? Just how many "concerns" could there be? I know worrying doesn't help, but sometimes it's an involuntary reaction.

Please help me not spend this weekend freaking out.

OP posts:

VocalDuck · 13/10/2017 20:13

I would say there are lots of concerns and yes, cancer would be one. However, there will also be benign reasons as well. I would have thought more tests and possibly even a biopsy would have been required before diagnosing cancer.

Here in the UK what you describe about being called in to see another doctor sounds quite normal so it is hard to know how rare this is in America.

I hope everything is ok.

Want2bSupermum · 13/10/2017 20:17

I'm in the US. DH was called in by the doctor based on a scan and it was because they wanted to do a biopsy so the doctor could have that in front of them. It was coming up to the holidays and the doctor wanted to have a plan in place ASAP rather than the following meeting being a 'well now you need a biopsy' waste of time (like they did with my Dad and his cancer being treated by the NHS).

Original poster

JonHammAndCheese · 13/10/2017 20:38

Here in the UK what you describe about being called in to see another doctor sounds quite normal so it is hard to know how rare this is in America.

It's quite common. What's not common is the speed at which they're moving me through the system. I had to get a referral to ask for an appointment that wound up being six weeks off, but they've been flying me through since that day. After years of being met with, "Well, we'll schedule you for something when we can," it's very scary to suddenly feel like I'm priority status.

OP posts:

Rainbunny · 13/10/2017 20:42

I'm also in the USA and I had a similar experience a few years ago. The same afternoon after a routine screening colonoscopy, the doctor called me wanting me back in the hospital the very next day for a CT scan (including drinking the yucky oral contrast barium stuff) because there was something pressing against my colon in one spot making it bulge. Of course I spent that night telling myself not to panic etc.... thinking the "C" word... Anyway, went in and did the scan and it turned out to be my uterus which is apparently naturally tilted and positioned that way. Panic over. Not sure if this helps but I hope so! To be honest OP when I read your post the first thing I thought was Ovarian Cyst! Hope everything turns out well.

Olympiathequeen · 13/10/2017 20:47

Their concerns I am sure include cancer, but the vast majority of concerns turn out to be nothing serious, they just don’t want to take the risk. Maybe they fear litigation so are being super cautious?

SparklyUnicornPoo · 13/10/2017 20:55

it's very scary to suddenly feel like I'm priority status

They've been fobbing you off with 'you're fat' for years and have just discovered there is actually more to it than that, they've screwed up and are probably terrified you'll sue so are now giving you the best VIP treatment they can in the hope you'll forget the years of inadequate care.

Want2bSupermum · 13/10/2017 20:58

Actually looking at the calendar they are probably trying to get you seen ASAP so that if you need help you can get it. Most doctors take a week off for thanksgiving and there is a huge rush in the latter half of December as everyone tries to spend their FSA. For a medical team there are only 6-7 weeks left of the year so if you have a problem they want that identified now and not in 2-3 weeks.

Rainbunny · 13/10/2017 21:06

Sparkly - highly unlikely. In the USA the chance of successfully suing for medical malpractice is tiny. Of all lawsuits filed about 10% make it to a preliminary hearing, then about 6% go forward beyond that and about 1% actually end up in court. I don't personally practice in medmal law but I took a few classes on it in law school thinking I might specialize in that area and I have a few peers who practice in this area. I chose not to precisely because of the lack of opportunity for courtroom litigation.

On the contrary, doctors here in the USA are notorious for practising "defensive medicine" which means they tend to order a full battery of unnecessary tests or procedures just in case, because they don't want to be sued.

mcdog · 13/10/2017 21:08

I can totally get why you’re so freaked out, when is your next appt? I don’t know the US health system, but I think it’s actually positive they are seeing you so soon rather than waiting for your next routine appt.

Original poster

JonHammAndCheese · 13/10/2017 21:13

Different set of doctors, though, different location. Most of the ones that diagnosed me as fat were an entirely different medical system, too.

My CT was yesterday, I was told I'd hear back next week, instead I heard back today and now I'm scheduled for Monday at 1 pm. That is very fast for the US medical system (at least in my area); I've had two ER visits for related problems that didn't get me such a fast reaction from doctors.

OP posts:

Out2pasture · 13/10/2017 21:14

i'm sure it has more to do with the dr's holiday and the locum (temp replacement) than your health.

lalliella · 13/10/2017 21:34

OP I am not a doctor, and even if there are any doctors on here you know they cannot diagnose from what you've said, but this sounds exactly like something my friend had which was a massive fibroid. I'm guessing that if it was cancer, because of its size you would have had other signs. Hope I'm right OP, good luck with your appointment

lougle · 13/10/2017 22:06

It could be a number of things. It could be cancer related, but equally, if the CT has shown a large hernia which needs repair, they will want to treat you sooner rather than later, too.

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