AIBU not to go to doctors due to sheer embarassment?!

[Embarassednamechanger]

I have had some embarassing symptoms for ages now, on looking up it throws up a condition, I'm 99.9% sure it is what I have as it's the only diagnos for the symptom.

However the test for it is so embarassing and I just do not want to go. I also very stupidly googled the surgery to correct and my god it looks absolutely horrific. Genuinely horrible.

I can keep living like this but it is becoming embarassing.

I know they will of seen it all before and all that but that doesn't really help me tbh.

I agree that doctors just simply don't care. They'll have seen whatever it is you think you have and plenty of worse things. They]re as hard as nails IMHO.

Well done, OP. It's understandable but silly to put it off because of embarrassment. But you're a wally watching the surgery you think it might require

Good for you OP. I chuckled at the thought of you lying back and thinking of MN

When you go, tell the nurse chaperone that you are nervous and if there is anything she can do to settle your nerves ask her to do it. Be that holding your hand, telling you what’s going on step by step or talking about something else to take your mind off it. Honestly, done this sort of thing so many times and the nurse chaperones are always brilliant and really look after you.

viques that was St Mark's Hospital. It had to close because the building was crumbling. Now it's a separate hospital within Northwick Pk Hospital in Harrow. It's still treating fistula amongst other bowel related things.

Good luck OP.

Good luck OP. I had 5 rectovaginal fistulas at one point, joys of Crohn's disease!

Oh OP please get checked I guarantee the people who help you will have seen COUNTLESS arseholes, fannies and fistulas. It's just mechanics to them, they don't see it as weird or intimate or embarrassing.

OP did you make the appointment? These things are truly so much more common than you think.
I've had cameras up my bum many a time as well obviously as childbirth, smears etc etc

Hello Op

I’m sorry I’ve not had time to rtf, so I hope I’m not repeating others but, having Googled what you have, I think surgery would be far better than living with the symptoms. It’s no fun to be leaking, one operation and you can put this all behind (excuse the pun)

I do understand how you’d feel embarrassed, but a good doctor will put you at ease, it’s all very routine for them to be dealing with bums, balls and all manner of ‘undesirable ‘ bits.

Please go to the doctor - before it gets worse, it may not be what you think it is. I have a friend at death’s door because they looked it up on Google - it was not what Google said - they now have terminal cancer because they did not go to the doctor!

how was your apt no?

To be honest, I think its more embarrassing if you don't go to the doctor rather than if you go. Its bothered you enough to google it to see what it is - and then for you not to go to a doctor to get it fixed just seems crazy. I hope after reading everyone's comments you book in to see a doctor now. Honestly, doctors have seen it all. Good luck - I hope you get sorted.

becotide I think I’ve the same. I have to use tissue the same way you do. I also don’t always feel like I’ve finished. I built up the courage to go to see someone and they said I can have physio, I’m still waiting though. It’s awful and now I’ve been to the doctor, I’d rather the awkwardness than the panic I had not knowing what was happening. I’d left it about a year.

Molly That was the one,couldn't remember the name. Please to hear it is still in business even though it has moved.

so pleased to read your update OP, hope the GP appointment goes well.

Hi. Just wondered what the outcome of this was or if anyone else has any experience. I had an abscess a few weeks ago which burst and now I have a rectovaginal fistula (self diagnosed). I can actually see the opening and it’s quite small. Was climbing the walls painful at first but has started to settle down now and only some pain and discomfort on opening bowels.

I have a consultant appointment next month but was wondering what the chances of this healing itself are without the need for surgery and if further investigation will be needed given that one end is actually visible??