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Post by butterfly80 on Feb 23, 2013 16:38:44 GMT -5
So I have my first gyn appt this Tuesday afternoon (Feb 26th) woohoo much better than the original wait, yay for getting in early!!
Anyways, just wondering if there is any advice for me on what to share or ask the gyn?
I have a list of my symptoms wrote down and am bringing that with me to show her. ANd a list of meds I have tried as well, just so she do no try and do the same ones.
Is it ok for me to go in insisiting I have a lap to determine if it is endo and if so where is it too? I do not want to be too forward and pushy but at the same time do not want to be given just more ideas and options that do not work. I have tried several things as you all know to no relief.
Should there be any questions that I should be aware of to ask her when i see her? I saw a thread on questions to ask before a lap and got a few from there but figured i save most of them for when i get the lap scheduled.
Any advice be great as i want to make the most and get the most from this appt on tuesday.
Thanks!!!
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Post by willow82 on Feb 24, 2013 11:24:55 GMT -5
I would turn your symptom list into a narrative about your cycle. Discuss where you have pain, when you have pain, and what kind of pain it is. Also, remember for many of us pain is not our only symptom bring up any digestive issues, mobility issues, bleeding issues, etc. I find this pain scale www.wemsi.org/painscale.html very helpful when describing the degree of my pain. This pain scale was also originally developed for Endometriosis. Also, when describing your month discuss your functioning, how often do you have to restrict your activities, or call out of work due to your symptoms, when does this happen? Most gyn's are going to be looking at how the pain and other symptoms relate to your cycle to rule out other issues. If your pain is worst during your period then Endometriosis stays on the diagnostic block. I would make it clear what your primary care said, that he believes you have endo and you need a lap. Rather then demand one, go with the medical opinion you already have. It is fair at this appointment to ask the gyn what they know about endo, do they use excision during laps, how often have they managed endo as a part of their practice? Do they have experience with ongoing BC, Lupron, etc. If the answer is no to any of those questions, do they have a colleague they can refer to you, or consult with? If they attempt to just write a script for birth control and give it a few months, ask why, and put up a little bit of a fuss. The doc will likely want you to get a pelvic ultrasound and some tests. Also, I would push for some form of pain management if pain is interfering with daily activity.
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Post by butterfly80 on Feb 24, 2013 12:02:40 GMT -5
Thanks, all that was very helpful!!! I have had three pelvic ultrasounds since August and a long list of blood work so all that should be taken care of and good to go. She will have access to all those reports too. In August I had a large cyst on right ovary that was bleeding inside, by October that shrunk in size and then for ultrasound last month cyst in right ovary with blood and one on uterus or just behind uterus. Thanks for advice....
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Post by hellsbells on Feb 25, 2013 15:34:21 GMT -5
If by the end of the consultatio she hasn't brought up the possibility of a lap, by all means bring it up but don't go in demanding it.
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Post by butterfly80 on Feb 25, 2013 16:20:55 GMT -5
yeah when i said demanding i didnt mean to sound like i deman it lol... but am going to tell her my dr referred her to me and mentioned the lap to me to determine if it is endo and if so where is it too and what can we do to move forward with the pain from there. I am a pretty quite person so saying demand is more like "so will i need a lap" lol.... I just hope i can be strong enough to stick to atleast being heard and understood on where i am too with my pain. my biggest fear is feeling defetaed and not heard.
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Post by butterfly80 on Feb 25, 2013 16:26:59 GMT -5
I tend to be all brave and then when they say "lets try this" i say "ok" and smile when inside i am crying...I have tried meds after meds and went back to trying some that i tried before that didnt work just incase maybe this time they do..all just to be kind and not come off as being stubborn or not hearing the Dr out. I am a firm believer that only we know our bodies best and i know this pain is too much and is not good and has caused a great effect on my life...I am going in with a positive attitude tomorrow, as i am a gernerally positive person. I jusy hope i do not feel let down !!
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