GP referral

[Chewie49]

Hi I'm wondering if anyone has any advice please. My 29 year old daughter has Endometresis and Adenomyosis (Endo inside the uterus). The weeks of ovulation and period she is terribly sick and in agony. But her GP is refusing to refer her for a laproscopy, he wants her to have a coil fitted even though hes said it will be difficult to do that as her uterus is so tilted now. As her symptons have worsened considerably over the last 12 months we think she should be properly examined. We spoke to another GP at the practice who said she couldnt over-rule the first GP! Any idea where we go from here please?

I would make a complaint to the practice manager in the first instance. The coil is not suitable for every woman with endometriosis (its often offered in such circumstances mainly because of cost). Many women have a tilted uterus and its not normally an issue so I would not worry about this unduly.

Who originally diagnosed your DD with endo and adenomyosis and how was this diagnosed?.

It may be worth your DDs while as well contacting Endometriosis UK and their website is here:-www.endometriosis-uk.org/

Has she already had a laparoscopy once if she’s had a diagnosis? Was she under gynae & they have discharged her? If not then she needs to phone the gynae secretary to request a consultation with her gynae as her symptoms have got worse, so she can discuss treatment options. If she’s been discharged by gynae then she could request the dr to refer her back to gynae so she can discuss treatment options but, in my experience, they do prefer you to try hormone options- including coil-before resorting to ablation or hysterectomy.

It’s appalling that women have to struggle on so much, I was under gynae 5 years before they finally agreed to my hysterectomy & I was in tears begging them at that point.

If she hadn’t had a Mirena coil already and this is what they are suggesting, it would be wise to consider this. Gynae are likely to recommend this first before resorting to surgical options, particularly in the current climate.

She had internal scans and was diagnosed that way. Shes been told she doesnt need to see a gynae as they already know whats wrong? She hasnt had a laproscopy at all, im considering paying for a private one to see whats happening in there. 🤷‍♂️

I have not heard of a confirmed endometriosis diagnosis based on ultrasound alone. Most need laproscopy to confirm. For adenomyosis, if symptomatic then mirena and hysterectomy is the only choice or ablation if adenomyosis is not deep. Adenomyosis can be detected by TVS, CT , MRI.
If your dd has adenomyosis alone then gp' advise for mirena could be considered. If she has endometriosis then she needs to get the endo removed through surgery as mirena won't be much help.

How did she get diagnosed with those conditions without a laparoscopy? I was under the impression having a laparoscopy was essential to be diagnosed. I am currently awaiting a laparoscopy for the same issue.

The scan showed the Adenomyosis & I think the GP is just guessing the rest! This is why we think she should have the laparoscopy, so they know for sure. She bleeds for at least 2 weeks a month & Her bowels have gone haywire as well, for the last 6 months she only goes once a week now but they just keep prescribing laxatives. I just wish they’d have a look and see what’s happening.