GP - I don't have an answer for you (possible TMI)

[Hamandcheesebaguette]

Went to see the GP today for the following:

• heavy yellow discharge - loads of it
• general on and off pain of the whole "area" when sitting, washing etc
• pain from urethra when urinating
• last 2 periods (on the pill) have been horrifically heavy
• pain during sex
• bleeding after sex
• bleeding mid month
• cramps throughout the whole month On and off
• on occasional days where discharge doesn't require me changing a panty liner 3 times a day - it feels uncomfortably dry even to walk
• extreme night we, wake up every night soaked thriugh despite DP claiming the bedroom is freezing with the window open (And I'm normally a cold person)

Think that's all of it...

Had swabs done for STI, BV, thrush etc... all came back clear.

GP had a brief look with a speculum and said it didn't look like there was anything wrong with my cervix and there doesn't seem to be an answer for my problems.

AIBU to think that's not good enough?? My next smear isn't due until 2020 but around 18 months ago I had LLETZ to remove CIN3 cells, subsequent smear came back okay.

I feel like they should be doing a more through examination/early smear or something. None of this is normal for my body and has only appeared over the last 2 months or so. I'm only 27 and don't want all these problems forever ☹ it's killed my sex drive and I feel so unsexy not to mention uncomfortable

Hi had to comment, I'm a sexual health nurse practitioner by trade and echo the responses about visiting a GU clinic, these scenarios are common and I feel sometimes women are let down by GPs, Your symptoms would make me want to rule out a PID for sure, at GU I suspect they would do an internal exam and palpate the uterus for tenderness and also some slides from the vaginal walls and cervix to look under the microscope there and then, if they can rule out a PID then I imagine they will refer for gynae opinion, please go to GUM x

Yes but have you done a test? At least it's something to rule out.

I wonder if you've got a mixture of issues going on. But with the gynae referral, do a bit of research on the consultants at the hospital and find someone with an interest in hormonal issues, and contact them in advance to request to see them.

And another vote for the sexual health clinic. They're very knowledgeable and you won't be judged or treated as a time waster.

Gum clinic is for this kind of thing, and family planning for the contraception. ( unless they’ve changed the names recently)

So sorry you're going through this.

Could be more than one thing, several of the symptoms match endo (which can only be definitively dx by lap)

Others sound like an untreated sti. Some can lay dormant for a long time.

Outrageous you've been fobbed off. Keep appointment with GP to discuss new symptoms and consider visiting a gum as they're more specialised.

Hope you get a resolution soon.

You poor thing.
Go back and insist on gynae referral.

Did they mention endometriosis? If all your screening is clear, may be something like that (would explain weird pains and random bleeding etc).
Hope you get it sorted soon.

Get thee to the clinic. I thought I had thrush or some weird infection. Turns out I had eczema. Months of agony and depression sorted after one appointment.

Have you looked in to costs of a private smear?
Has your GP specifically refused to do one?

Foody it's nothing to do with the doctor 'refusing' - the lab will not process any early smears. They go straight in the bin! It's a screening test not a diagnostic one and entirely inappropriate in this situation.
I think a gynae referral is completely appropriate, it may be worth calling the hospital gynaecology secretaries, OP, to say you might be able to attend at short notice if they get any cancellations (if you can, of course).

Definitely GUM clinic.

But tbh I would be asking about menopause. Clinic first, this is their area and no ' we don't thinks '.... You don't know until you've been.

If you are bleeding after sex, and 35 or over, it should be an immediate urgent referral for a scan. Only know this as happened to me a decade ago, found massive fibroid, took it out and life got SO much easier.

Your list of symptoms was really clear and useful. Can I suggest you write them down like that to help the GP see how many symptoms you have and how severe they are. You need to be referred.

I would not let it lie if you are still having symptoms..u would see another gp to see if they can do any better than the first gp...and also try to get a referral for a gynaecologist...they specialise in this kind of stuff so they will know alot more about it than a gp...

I hope you get it sorted out don't give up,

*I would...not u would

@Hamandcheesebaguette have you managed to a access any help yet?

Unfortunately not! The GUM clinics only take appointments for over 25s between 12 and 2 Monday to Thursday which means I would have to use a holiday day which I don't have... I have had a letter to say I'm on the waiting list for an appointment at the hospital with an average wait time of 7 weeks.

I have decided to come off the pill for a while and see if that makes an my difference meantime though.

Are all the symptoms you mention still going on? If so it may be worthwhile trying to see a GP again, with the symptoms listed on paper as you have done on this thread. It may help them to find somethin* to give you a bit of relief.

Call in sick and go?

Sounds awful.