Endometriosis - should i ask for a 2nd opinion?

[Chocol8]

Last week i saw the gynae consultant (very brusque older man) for the 3rd time. He's now signed me off as his patient as there is "nothing more he can do" for me.

I have always had very bad periods (i'm 41) but in the last few years, they have become worse, to the point now that i feel i am in labour and the last period was 5 days of hell and 9 days early. It is very difficult to walk or talk even and i have a very lively 9yo ds to look after.

I suggested that my problem could be due to endometriosis to which he replied "rubbish, you only get pain upon intercourse". I googled it and found that my symptoms fit: painful, heavy, irregular periods with fatigue and lethargy with the pain starting before the period.

2 million girls and women suffer from this condition but he has just rubbished my suggestion. He said there was nothing showing physically on the ultrasound i had last year, however endometriosis doesn't show up on ultrasound...? I can feel my period pain and it is another 10 days before i am due - i'm not sure how much more of this i can take.

I feel i should approach the doctor again to seek a second opinion - do you think she will refer me to another consultant?

Bumpitibump

It might be endometriosis, it might not. Probably not worth getting fixated on a particular diagnosis. Good that ultrasound scan ok. What can be done would depend on what you've already tried. Think laparoscopy only way to rule out endometriosis but presence of it doesn't mean that it is causing your symptoms, and heavy painful periods get more common as you get older.
Think I'd definitely go back to GP if I was you. Regardless of whether it is endometriosis there are other options for you to try and a second opinion from different gynaecologist sounds like a good idea. Hope you feel better soon.

p.s just reread that - didn't mean to sound patronising saying don't get fixated on particular diagnosis and sorry if it did! More meant that even if it isn't endometriosis and he was right there will still be something that can be done. Hope you get some help from your GP

It does sound like endometriosis.

It's bollocks that you only get pain on intercourse - it depends where the endo is sited. I never did and I had stage 4 endo (the worst you can get) - loads of adhesions, my left ovary totally buried in the stuff. I used to get excrutiating pain when I weed because it was all over my bladder too.

It invariably doesn't show up on an ultrasound - the only way you will get a proper diagnosis is to have a laparoscopy. Is there another GP you can see at the practice? Or go back to yours and say that you're not leaving his office till you get a referral (I'm v bolshy when it comes to my health ).

Have a look here for more info.

Really sorry you have this. Good luck x x x

PS - I have the name of a brilliant surgeon if you're in the London area - I asked for a specific referral to him. Email me if you want his name: hunkermunker at gmail dot com

Yes, you should.

Imagine this: you work in a profession where you are paid very handsomely.

Yet if you can't be arsed to figure out solutions to the problems presented to you by your clients, you just tell them they're talking out their arses and show them the door.

What do you think would happen?

My guess is that you would soon have no clients.

Yet doctors somehow get away w/this level of bullshit.

I don't buy it.

It's his f*cking job to figure out what is wrong with you.

And if he can't do that: a) he has no business in the profession and I hope he goes straight to hell for wasting valuable NHS monies b) find someone who can.

Thank you! I agree with you all. It may not be endometriosis but then again it could be. Over the years i have been back and forwards to them for help, but not much has been forthcoming.

I'm v bolshy too Hunkermouse - but i want to make sure i know what i'm talking about first and you guys have confirmed that for me. Expat, yes completely agree - they do seem to get away with that crap - i would have been sacked by now if i acted in that way!

My worry is that altho i'm due on 4th Oct - i will come on early as usual, but i'm having a tonsillectomy on 2nd and can't bear that, never mind the pain i'll be in down my throat too!

A friend has suggested i fly to Italy (wow!) to see her gynae - who would see me for free and give me the results to any tests the same day! However, i'll CAT you for the name Hunker if that's ok as i can't see me managing Italy.

Thanks SallyRosie, i understood what you meant - i did mean to take "endometriosis" out of the thread title but forgot. More annoyed that he spoke to me in this way. Also, instead of talking to me directly, he dictates into his machine and then says "ok?, goodbye". Could definitely do with a word in his shellike regarding his bedside manner!