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Women's health

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Original poster

Wwyd 70 week wait for Laparoscopy

13 replies

Redandpinkstripes · 02/05/2023 19:22

I know the nhs is on its knees 😢 However, I have been suffering with significant pelvic pain and associated issues, that are looking like Endo. Pain relief doesn't work
I don't know what to do? I think it is 5k to have it done privately. I can't carry on like this. My quality of life is very poor.
Just looking for some advice please 🙏 xx

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BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 02/05/2023 22:08

Have you double checked that that's correct with your consultants secretary or on the NHS My planned care website? It seems excessively long. I know all areas are different but I said I'd go ahead with mine (via email) in February & had it 2 weeks ago (so roughly a 9 week wait). I think the last one I had was only a 3 month wait. My wait now, for a hysterectomy/oophorectomy, is going to be 15-20 weeks, so again, not long at all.

Depending where you're located could you ask about the logistics of being sent to a different consultant in a neighbouring trust or a different hospital in the same trust?

TheVanguardSix · 02/05/2023 22:18

I’m paying £3k for my son’s colonoscopy. He’s got lots of tummy pain and bleeding. I have the 3k and I can’t mess around.

However I wonder where you got the 70 week wait information from. Have you been offered an appointment or even been referred yet? I only ask because I don’t want to say, “Go spend 5k” unless your avenues are exhausted or hopeless. A 70 week wait with little hope of an earlier appointment would certainly but also reluctantly make me go privately and pay out of pocket. We shouldn’t be having to spend thousands. But if you don’t, there’s risk in waiting so long.

Original poster
Redandpinkstripes · 03/05/2023 07:05

Yes, unfortunately it is correct :( I spoke to the gynae appt booking line. They confirmed a routine gynae laparoscopy is 70 weeks. I live close to the Brighton area.

OP posts:
Cakeandslippers · 03/05/2023 07:16

Mine is a different issue - gallstones - but I've been waiting 19 months so far and I WISH I'd just found/ borrowed the money and gone private. I've had my first appointment now so it's likely to be within the next 4 months now so I'm not going to pay. I highly regret not considering it as a serious option though as my quality of life would have been so much better. Its hard and feels a bit galling to have to consider it but I realise now that, once the basics are covered, health is more important than money.

It's an impossible situation I think.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 03/05/2023 09:23

Redandpinkstripes · 03/05/2023 07:05

Yes, unfortunately it is correct :( I spoke to the gynae appt booking line. They confirmed a routine gynae laparoscopy is 70 weeks. I live close to the Brighton area.

In that case if there isn't anywhere you could transfer to that's NHS, with a significantly shorter wait & you can afford it, yes, I'd pay privately. At least you'll know what you're dealing with then.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 03/05/2023 15:39

Go private if finances permit. Waiting times for gynaecology are miles long in many areas of the U.K. I have read of many women in this position.

TheVanguardSix · 03/05/2023 16:16

Reading your update, I’d absolutely shell out on the private laparoscopy, without hesitation. It’s a lot of money and I’m in a similar boat. But honestly, there are some things you just can’t sit on. 70 weeks is just unbelievable… but totally believable at the same time. I’ve been waiting two years this July for my ‘annual’ heart scan (I am at risk of artery tears). It’ll be cancelled again, I am certain. Fortunately, it’s not too life-or-death and I’m not too anxious about it. I am really anxious about my son’s colonoscopy and that is something I’ll sell my granny for.
Still, the push to get private health insurance is really on. The thing that stops me is ‘previous conditions’ not being covered. I don’t see how we can continue solely relying on the NHS.

Original poster
Redandpinkstripes · 04/05/2023 09:53

Cakeandslippers · 03/05/2023 07:16

Mine is a different issue - gallstones - but I've been waiting 19 months so far and I WISH I'd just found/ borrowed the money and gone private. I've had my first appointment now so it's likely to be within the next 4 months now so I'm not going to pay. I highly regret not considering it as a serious option though as my quality of life would have been so much better. Its hard and feels a bit galling to have to consider it but I realise now that, once the basics are covered, health is more important than money.

It's an impossible situation I think.

It is so long to wait and as you say it is your quality of life that matters. We are pretty poor, so not sure how, but I'll find a way. I hope you get sorted within the time frame 🙏

OP posts:
Original poster
Redandpinkstripes · 04/05/2023 09:56

TheVanguardSix · 03/05/2023 16:16

Reading your update, I’d absolutely shell out on the private laparoscopy, without hesitation. It’s a lot of money and I’m in a similar boat. But honestly, there are some things you just can’t sit on. 70 weeks is just unbelievable… but totally believable at the same time. I’ve been waiting two years this July for my ‘annual’ heart scan (I am at risk of artery tears). It’ll be cancelled again, I am certain. Fortunately, it’s not too life-or-death and I’m not too anxious about it. I am really anxious about my son’s colonoscopy and that is something I’ll sell my granny for.
Still, the push to get private health insurance is really on. The thing that stops me is ‘previous conditions’ not being covered. I don’t see how we can continue solely relying on the NHS.

I would 100% do it and find the money for my children, in a heart beat. I guess my one concern is paying out all of this money and there is nothing wrong. It is almost as if you have to prove how much pain you are in. It is messing with my head, obviously and sometimes I even doubt myself!
I hope you get your son sorted soon 🙏

OP posts:
BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 04/05/2023 12:42

Negative laps are actually quite common, it doesn't mean your pain isn't real! (It doesn't even mean that you 100% don't have endometriosis or adenomyosis).

I do understand what you mean re having to 'prove the pain' though There do seem constant hoops to jump through, only to be given another straight after.

I've had horrific period pain & bleeding since my periods first began & have been under gynae care for it since I was 13. They confirmed endo when I was 16, although I was lucky & never had issues ttc. I had thermablate 2 years ago & they confirmed all looked good but I'm still in awful pain & the bleeding is back to where it was before (& I have a coil too). My most recent lap confirmed all is still looking normal but the consultant agreed it is now time for a hysterectomy, even though I'm younger than she'd like (ovaries have to go due to family history). But in between all that there isn't anything they've suggested that I haven't tried.

Original poster
Redandpinkstripes · 06/05/2023 08:49

That's the thing, it's not always easy to get a diagnosis. I am 50 next year and have always had very painful periods/ovulation and bladder issues. The bowel issues are new. I've had so many scans over the years and in my ignorance didn't realise that Endo doesn't always show on scans.
Have they said how long you need to wait for a hysterectomy?

OP posts:
lilacwine1992 · 08/09/2023 21:32

I’ve been told today I’m on an 18 month wait for laparoscopy (Birmingham)

Original poster
Redandpinkstripes · 08/09/2023 21:39

Hi lilac. My gp expedited it and I had it done last month 🙏

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