To go to the doctor?

[LittleMissCantBeWrong2]

I don’t like to go to the doctor at the best of times and I’d really rather go nowhere near the place just now but I’m feeling a little worried.

By way of background I have two children, 5 and 2.5. Both were section babies (first one after a nightmare of a labour and failed forceps, second was an elective). I was a bit of a mess internally after the first one. Extension on my scar, a lot of scar tissue, adhesions etc. Second section went smoothly but took a long time due to the presence of scar tissue.

About a year ago I developed a hard lump on my left hand side. It’s pretty much on my section scar. I can feel it when I press down on the area. I went to the GP when I first noticed it. They weren’t alarmed, thought maybe some kind of infection. Prescribed antibiotics, nothing changed. I would love to say I pursued it further than that but I’m afraid I didn’t. Life was so busy with two kids and work etc and I just never found the time (yeah, I know).

It only flares up when I’m on my period so I was kind of assuming it was a bit of endometriosis and didn’t give it much thought. The area becomes tender and sore and I can feel the lump but when my period stops it all calms down.

But now I have to acknowledge that it’s getting worse. In the last couple of month I’m finding that it is taking longer and longer to calm back down again. I’m now a week after finishing my last period and it still hurts. It’s more painful than it was. It’s making me not want to go running etc. which it has never done before.

I’m frightened, to be honest. I haven’t told my husband that it’s getting worse. He knows about the lump and has previously moaned about me not getting it checked out. I’m also frightened to go anywhere near a GP/hospital right now.

What if it’s something serious? You need to get it checked out. Most doctors are now doing a video phone or s one at a time wait in the car until your appointment type thing if it needs to be a face to face. Please contact your GP.

I agree. Contact your gp for a phone appointment and they’ll decide how whether they’d like to see you in person.

Sounds like extra genital endometriosis

That sounds...alarming

Hospitals are separating anyone with COVID-19 symptoms. A&Es are empty. I’m talking from recent experience.

Also, GPS are generally triaging everyone by phone, they may then video call you or ask for photos or perhaps ask you to come in. However, there are next to no patients in the surgeries. They’re doing everything they can to protect people.

Do not be daft and avoid seeing a doctor. This is what they’re worrying about, people avoiding seeking help and things becoming worse for them as a result.

I’ve been to the hospital a lot recently and it’s been fine. Just get home, leave your shoes at the door Or funk them in a soap/bleach solution, strip off, clothes straight in the wash, you hop in the shower and you’re good. Take a drink with you and sip regularly and use hand gel on your way in and out. Done.

I think I’m worried if I ask the doctor they’ll be like “a year?? And you need help now??”

Which would be an entirely fair judgment tbh

Just phone the gp on Monday that's what they're there for.

They will be fine! They will ultrasound it or scan it to get a proper diagnosis. Then book you in to have it removed once the operating theatres are doing routine ops again. It’s quite a rare thing you’ve got but treatable.

They will be pleased you’re seeking help now. It doesn’t matter that you waited.

And if they say that, you say "yes, it was daft of me, wasn't it? but it's getting worse and I can't ignore it any more. Won't do that again"

and then they'll carry on

BBC News - Coronavirus: Plea for public to get medical care when they need it
www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52417599

You said it yourself, younhave 2 young kids. So you need to look after yourself. Step one is just a call with a gp, so start there Monday. That's nothing to panicked about.

You’ll only get peace of mind if you get it checked. The dr will probably phone first & they can tell if you’re needed to visit. Lots of people leave things like you have. You weren’t to know that this crisis would happen in the world. Be gentle with yourself.

Please ring GP. The service is better now than it ever was. Get it sorted and your mind put to rest.

I rang on Monday regarding breakthrough bleeding on HRT and end of useful life of mirena. Had phone consultation 2.30pm same day. I have been referred to local HRT gynaecological clinic (who knew they existed! Not me).

Had call from clinic the following day offering appointment for 6th May.
Bloody marvelous service. Will have scan and consultant appt same day.
Seriously impressed.

It's fine. They'll have a note that they saw you about it before and prescribed the antibiotics. And you can say honestly that it's only in the last couple of months you've noticed it getting worse. They won't tell you off for not going back sooner or for asking about it now.

They may say it's not urgent and you'll need to wait until it can be seen in person. Or they may say it is potentially urgent and needs to be e.g. scanned now. But they will be in a far better place to make that decision than you.

Phone them on Monday.

Ok. I will phone on Monday.

Thank you so much everyone.