Help me get the most out of my private appointment!

[AcceptanceIsBliss]

Hi all,
Undiagnosed endometriosis sufferer here. Managed to wait long enough to see a hospital consultant who told me i probably do have it but it doesn't matter if I do. I could either go on the pill or have a coil. Shocking experience and, after trying his new painkillers and having yet another night of diarrhoea, extreme pain and sickness, have finally booked an appointment with a private gynae consultant at the merry cost of £200 (fuck you NHS and your shitty women's services).

So, I have no idea what to expect. Will she be more sympathetic and more likely to listen seeing as I'm paying? I've been told a laparoscopy is around £2500. NHS wouldn't even hear of referring me for that. Will a private consultant be the same? Will she tell me to suck it up, carry on with painkillers and that a coil (which my doctors surgery are obsessed with) will be the answer to my prayers?

I've prepared myself for the fact that she may well say that and it will be like burning £200 but I'm desperate. Also, if money were no object, surely surgery is the best option for an actual real diagnosis and treatment? I know there is no cure.

So, I have 40mins with her. How can I squeeze every last bit of info out? I will write down symptoms, dates and investigations I've already had on NHS.

I would actually quite like to discuss a hysterectomy but will she shut that down straight away?

Any advice would help. I'm dreading being shut down again. I'm so sick of not being taken seriously.

@AcceptanceIsBliss same as me - periods aren’t particularly heavy so I keep feeling like a fraud and that he’ll laugh me out of his office! But the pain is constant and unbearable for me :( x

I have endometriosis and have had a lap done. I suffered for 7 years like you before op. The surgeon found multiple lesions including ones on my bowel bladder and appendix, and my insides were a mess. But they stitched me up and left it all in there, deciding that it was not causing me any pain.

The coil was put in at the same time. I did struggle for the first few months with it in, but then it settled and my periods stopped altogether and in turn settled my endo 95%.

I am 45 now and am out the other side of menopause, and it is not pleasant in any way. My advice, try the coil because menopause really is not a walk-in the park.

How’ve you got on?

I could cry. Had my appointment - scans and examinations, confirmed my ovary is stuck to my womb! He said he’s almost certain it’s endometriosis. Booking in for laparoscopy.

After GPs telling me it’s muscular and sonographers (at least 5) telling me everything is fine, I was questioning myself but I feel such a sense of relief that I’m not going mad! He did say ovaries are fine, just that one is stuck down! X

Glad you have some answers! I've already had scans and blood tests on the NHS and all clear. My private appointment isn't for a couple of weeks. I hope lockdown doesn't delay it!

I would research the consult at and see what their biogs say. Research some of their papers and quote them or mention them when you go in.