I'm so pissing angry

[RiddledWithAnger]

Suspected endometriosis. Sympathetic doctor. Waited a year for my appointment at the hospital. Had it today.

Apparently they don't routinely like to try to diagnose it or "give it a label" as period pain is so common.

Given options of tablets or mirena coil. That's it. Because there is no reason to do a diagnosis. Fuck me, my doctor could have told me that?! I waited a pissing year for that?!

I don't care how unreasonable I might sound but is it so terrible that I want a fucking diagnosis? Or, ya know, someone not to just put down my horrific pain as normal? I just want to rip my womb out. If men suffered from this I'm sure more money would go into it.

On a side note, exactly how painful is the coil to put in?

FFS! Yes period pain is common. So are headaches. But if you've gone to the trouble of seeing your GP and waiting a year for a specialist then you're probably suffering more than the average person.

My sympathies, OP.

That sounds really shitty, sorry you're in so much pain. Most of the women in my family have been through similar unfortunately, always just put down to 'one of those things', even my 14 year old daughter who spends a week each month doubled over in pain.

If it's any consolation the coil did help me and I had zero pain when it was put in, in fact the doctor accidentally pulled the first one he inserted out again and had to start over, but I didn't really feel much discomfort! I have had three children though which I've heard makes it less painfull. I have a friend who hasn't had children, she found having a coil put in painfull, so I guess it depends on the individual. It took about a year for things to settle for me after having the coil, but since then I don't even have periods, which is great.

Mine was only diagnosed because I got a huge painful cyst which did need removing. I thought I had an ulcer. They should at least be offering you blood tests and scans. Not wanting to worry you, but some of the symptoms are similar to ovarian/endometrial cancer and they ought to be ruling that out, even if the only treatment for endo is hormonal, or a hysterectomy. I was offered a hysterectomy. "We don't like to label it" indeed.

Fortunately the mini pill has worked really well for me, have had no symptoms for five years, though it does make it more of a challenge to keep my weight down.

I've only had a copper coil and pain going in was minimal. However first time I had one it did hurt for about a day or so - that was pre kids, I think it hurts more if you haven't been given birth before.

Mirena coil changed my life! No more period pain, minimal bleeding. Minor discomfort during insertion, that's all.

The NHS is over as far as women's health is concerned, sadly. Afraid I've only lately heard of diagnoses if you go private. NHS goes for the cheap option - tablets or coil.

@InDeoEstMeaFiducia

The NHS is over as far as women's health is concerned, sadly. Afraid I've only lately heard of diagnoses if you go private. NHS goes for the cheap option - tablets or coil.

This is so true..about 18 months ago I went to the dr about pain and was told. well its probably endometriosis but they won't diagnosis it..,here have the pill. I was shocked tbh

Oh I have had two coils put in and am thinking of another ..its not so bad!

Endo has to be diagnosed by laparascopy so considered too expensive by the NHS.

I don't give a shit if the NHS find it expensive to be honest, I've worked since I was 16 and paid my taxes into the sodding system. I am definitely considering going private but I suspect I can't afford to.

Never had kids so I suspect the coil won't be a picnic to put in! I told him I'm not going on the pill, it makes me suicidal so apparently the mirena coil is my only option.

Honestly, PP who said the NHS is dead for women's stuff is absolutely bloody right. I'm so fucked off. I would have had more respect for him if he had just said "Yeah it's too expensive" rather than they don't label it. Why the fuck would I wait a year for a diagnosis then? What a tit.

Oh I did manage to get a scan because my doctor pushed that through months ago. All clear on it.

If you can afford the initial consultants appointment ( might be around £250 these days?) then I think they can add you to the NHS laparoscopy list.

I was lucky as had private cover through work, otherwise would probably never have had my Stage 4 ( most severe)Endometriosis diagnosed.

Eventually what helped me is what had masked it for so long. I've been on cerazette birth control tablets for 10 years now - only issue ive had was a few years ago when they put me on a cheaper non branded substitute allegedly the same. Then I got what felt like a ruptured cyst, so I just pay for the Cerazette myself through Lloyds pharmacy.

Scans are useless, I had a lovely woman (not) telling me my cysts were minuscule and I was making a big fuss about nothing. Turned out the one she was looking was cauliflower like and she could only see one of the branches.

Basically they don't want to treat it because it doesn't kill you and goes away at menopause.

Is there any other part of the body part where such huge generalisations are made about pain?

Eg the ankle: we accept that "ankle pain" can have different causes and vary in severity. A slight twinge in the ankle after a long walk is not the same as a compound fracture.
Or the head: most people accept that migraines are worse than mild headaches, and no-one would suggest that a serious diagnosed brain condition is "normal" because "everyone gets dizzy occasionally".

But supposedly all pain that occurs in the uterus is the same!
I do think this is due to mysogeny.

@RiddledWithAnger I totally empathise and agree with you. I've never given birth vaginally and was given pain relief before having my Mirena coil inserted and told to take it regularly for 48 hours afterwards. Mirena changed my life.

Sorry you're in so much pain. I have endo and before I got a diagnosis had been dismissed by GPs in the past with "some people are just unlucky with period pain" and sent away with painkillers so I get how frustrating it is. I started crying when one GP told me it was normal and he said that maybe depression was the issue

I had a coil put in (before I was diagnosed, not endo related), I don't have children and it was fine for me. Slightly more uncomfortable than a smear, but not much. I was told to take painkillers before it. I had taken the rest of the day off work in case I was crampy but I would have been OK if I hadn't. Good luck with it.

I hear you! Endo is can be actually really fucking bad for women’s reproductive health. I ended up having two eptopic pregnancies through the damage it did to my Fallopian tubes. They burnt some of it off the last time I was in.

I actually missed my last eptopic as the pain was so similar to my endo and was just braving it out at home as I thought it was a really bad period even though I was nearly passing out - That’s how bad it can be sometimes. I was shaking with pain and went to the walk in clinic for some strong pain relief because I believed it was my endo flaring up. Turns out I was having a ruptured eptopic and was rushed in to theatre.

The pain was very similar and it pisses me off it gets dismissed.

When I last went in the doctor gave me a fucking cave man diet sheet and suggested I gave wheat up.

Sorry you wasted a year hoping you was going to get it sorted

Sympathies OP. What a bloody waste of your time and theirs.

Apart from anything else, this begs the question why you were referred at all if they 'don't diagnose'. And furthermore, despite being given advice re: treatment which your GP could have given you, your appointment would still have had a cost to it. Multiply that out by (probably) thousands of other women experiencing the same and you can almost see the money being poured down the drain. Money which, ironically, could have been used to properly and accurately used to diagnose at least some sufferers. What a ridiculous mess.

I agree though that all too often women's health is brushed aside and minimised. 'Women's problems' are still referred to by some as if they're actually funny FFS and I've noticed a significant difference in the quality of care and concern my partner's received from our GP compared to the attention I've had regarding very similar issues (obviously not female specific in that example but nonetheless it'd seem male discomfort is apparently more important).

I hope you get some relief soon one way or another, be it from a private diagnosis so you know for sure what's going on, or if you do decide on the coil. But I'd be spitting mad in your place and I really feel for you.

So sorry to hear of your consultant's dismissive attitude, OP. Please consider giving feedback through PALS. We women need to start shouting louder when we are treated like second class citizens.

I hope you get the answers and treatment you need

Thanks so much for all the supportive replies all! It was terrible timing as I actually got my period today so had to have the bloody phone call whilst fighting the urge to vomit!

You know, I think I will feedback. I will definitely look into going private as well, this is a good idea.

Sorry to hear this. This happened to one of my friends when she was about 19. She was only diagnosed when she was 23 (last year) as drs kept fobbing her off.

I would highly recommend complaining to PALS now as they may be able to get you seen by another consultant for a 2nd opinion ASAP. Otherwise you may need to be re-referred and placed back on the waiting list

Why is their answer always a mirena coil?

I point blank refused it and got an ablation but I had to be really clear with them. Even on the day of my surgery the surgeon said she would put a coil in. I was furious and had to really fight my corner.

It seems lately that anyone I know who's had 'women's problems' has been offered the mirena sodding coil. It seems to be the cure all as far as the NHS are concerned. Get women through to the menopause and then it'll go away, but don't be greedy and go asking for HRT when you're fucked because of the menopause, because you won't get that either.

What utter bullshit. I’m sorry you’ve been fobbed off like that.