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Women's health

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Is this wrong? Re: gynaecology referral

7 replies

BloodyAngel · 23/08/2024 15:30

After 2 years of suffering from heavy periods and a myriad of other gynaecological issues, I finally saw a GP that listened to my concerns and was promptly scheduled for an ultrasound. They found a 3cm blood filled cyst on my remaining ovary (I have a history of ovarian torsion caused by an unknown cyst which caused the loss of one ovary and fallopian tube.)

I started the mini pill to help with the heavy periods (mixed success) and was told to have another ultrasound in three/ four months to check for any changes, whilst they referred me to gynaecology.

I had my ultrasound last week and the cyst had disappeared, ovary looks well and ‘normal’.
It’s obviously a huge relief, but my issue is that all the symptoms I previously believed were caused by the ovary have not gone away in the slightest. I still have agonising cramps, back pain, pain during and after intercourse just as I did before. I started a previous thread about this in more detail.
Due to the pill, my periods are arguably lighter but they now last 10+ days with infrequent spotting on an almost weekly basis and almost always bleeding following intercourse (or in this case, after my transvaginal ultrasound)

My question is:
I still have the gynaecology appointment scheduled for next week. Would it be okay for me to attend and discuss the possibility of Endometriosis (which was one of my individual concerns, before the discovery of the cyst)? I presume the referral was made solely on the basis of having the cyst, though nothing confirms this on my paperwork.
Would it be wrong to attend the appointment in the hope that I can push for further investigations or will it be ‘there’s no cyst, go back to your GP’?
Does anyone have experience with this?

Apologies if this seems like an obvious answer, I have ASD and I’m clearly overthinking as I’m rather worried about the appointment.

OP posts:
BonifaceBonanza · 23/08/2024 15:42

Absolutely yes keep the appointment and use it the best you can

BloodyAngel · 23/08/2024 16:22

@BonifaceBonanza Thank you for your reply! I wasn’t sure if it would be considered ‘cheeky’ to off rail the appointment if not for the original reason, so thank you!

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Chewbecca · 23/08/2024 16:24

Keep the appointment and explain all your symptoms and what's been ruled out so far and that you are still looking for the cause of your symptoms in the aim they can be helped.

LoremIpsumCici · 23/08/2024 16:30

Yes keep the appt.
I had one yesterday very similar symptoms to you. They did a transvaginal ultrasound and literally could not find one of my ovaries but assured me wherever it was, it was definitely looking normal like everything else did. 🤨
I wasn’t filled with confidence that they knew what they were looking at when they admitted they couldn’t find an entire ovary.

I was told all my symptoms were due to ‘aging’

I was offered option to not be discharged back for a year and jumped on it as had waited a year to get this appointment in first place. That way it’s not another year long wait if my symptoms get worse-er (they are worse than they were a year ago).

I intend to wait a couple months and ask for another appt unless I miraculously recover. Hopefully I will get someone else who can spot both ovaries and tell if it’s all normal or not.

Saintmariesleuth · 23/08/2024 16:39

I don't think you would be cheeky to keep the gynae appointment- I think you are wise. You still have the same symptoms and it's reasonable to take this to a gynaecologist. The ultrasound scan result is further information that will hopefully help the gynaecologist to assess you.

If you are someone who gets very worried in medical appointments, would it help to write out your symptoms and the reviews and investigations that you've had so far? This way you can make sure that you don't forget anything.

I hope the appointment is helpful and helps get you on the track for some answers

BloodyAngel · 23/08/2024 17:43

Thank you so much for all of your replies, it’s great to hear that I’d be justified in keeping the appointment.

@LoremIpsumCici Gosh that sounds hard and hardly enough to put your mind at ease. I hope you manage to get a follow up appointment and some answers soon!

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BloodyAngel · 23/08/2024 18:02

@Saintmariesleuth Thank you for the suggestion! You’ve actually reminded me that I had saved a symptoms diary from the endometriosis website which I can update and use, so thank you!

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