Not being taken seriously... [women's health]

Hi...

Ok, so I've had painful periods ever since I got my first period but as I've got older they've got more painful and more debilitating. It's got to the point now where I spend around 3 days in bed every month, on maximum doses of mefenamic acid and OTC painkillers, despite the fact that the majority of the time they don't seem to actually do much good. When it's at it's worst, I can't hold a conversation, I can't think straight, I can't do anything other than curl up in bed. It feels like what labour pains would feel like (I imagine) - not in terms of the level of pain, but the fact that it comes in waves. There's a 'constant' pain, but then I get waves of excruciating pain on top of that. My periods are also pretty heavy. I get back pain as well. I don't know if this is related but whenever I have sex it's painful to the point of not really getting any pleasure out of it. I also don't know whether this could be linked but I also have bladder problems (frequency & urgency).

I felt like endometriosis could be a real possibility, so I went to my GP. She prescribed me mefenamic acid to begin with, however when that didn't make much difference, I was then referred to have an ultrasound. The ultrasound didn't show anything abnormal, which was a relief in some ways, but in other ways it was frustrating because if it was say, a cyst, then you know you're treating a cyst and you follow the plan to treat it. Whereas when it's 'unknown', you don't really know what you're treating so you just try things. Does that make sense? My GP admitted that ultrasounds don't usually show endometriosis but that it would rule out any cysts or anything like that. As far as I can see endometriosis can only be diagnosed through having a laparoscopy. I was then put on the pill, which made no difference. After that, she referred me to a urogynaecologist (because of my bladder problems as well).

I was due to see a consultant, but instead I was seen by his junior - which annoyed me to begin with, as if I'm due to see Doctor X, that's who I want to see! She filled in a form which all new urogynaecologist patients have to have filled in - details like last period, have you ever been pregnant, do you get constipated, do you take painkillers for period pain, stuff like that. At the end of it, she said that painful periods are normal, and what was implied was that I just need to deal with it.

Now I'm sorry but there was no questions asked that my GP hadn't asked before, no tests done, nothing. How does that rule out endometriosis (or anything else that may not show up on an ultrasound).

I don't know what to do now. I'm currently unemployed but looking for work. I know that when I do get a job, I'll need to take time off every month which will then end up with me getting in trouble from work etc. I'm genuinely concerned that there is something wrong but I'm not being listened to. My GP is good but she can't go above the specialists, she has to take their word for it that I'm fine....but they literally did nothing to check whether I was or wasn't!! It's really bringing me down :frown:

has anyone else had similar experiences and if so how did you deal with it? :redface:

Reply 1

Nefarious

You are entitled to an opinion from a second specialist, your GP can and should re refer you if you feel that you weren't taken seriously by the first you saw.

That said just because you were seen by a "Junior Doctor" (a really unhelpful designation IMO) it does not necessarily mean you were not seen by an appropriate specialist with extensive experience. They may also be correct, many women do experience painful periods for which there is no appropriate medical intervention.

Talk to your GP, ask them to explain why it was felt no further investigation was needed, make sure they do so in a way you can understand, and if necessary ask them to arrange for you to see a different specialist.

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

Original post by Nefarious

That said just because you were seen by a "Junior Doctor" (a really unhelpful designation IMO) it does not necessarily mean you were not seen by an appropriate specialist with extensive experience. They may also be correct, many women do experience painful periods for which there is no appropriate medical intervention.

What would be a better term? I wanted to make it clear I was seen by a doctor who although clearly qualified to do the job she's in, is 'under' a consultant and was not the doctor I 'should' have seen. I have nothing against junior doctors, in fact apart from this experience I only have good things to say about others I have seen.

Yes, maybe they are correct. However I would like them to come to that decision after ruling out all other possibilities rather than just asking me vague questions that my GP had already asked (in fact my GP was much more thorough and understanding), and being dismissive of everything I said. If they ruled out everything else then I would be more than happy to accept that there isn't a problem.

Reply 3

myblueheaven339

There are endometriosis support groups on Facebook. Perhaps it is worth chatting to some of the ladies there about their experience and how they were diagnosed? Endo is one of those frequently misdiagnosed diseases, and lots of women wait years for the proper intervention.

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Reply 4

Helenia

Original post by Anonymous

It is very normal to be seen by a non-consultant in clinic - the appointment letters actually usually advise you that you'll be seeing "Dr X or a member of their team." A "junior doctor" could be someone with only a few months experience in gynaecology, or someone with years of experience who will be a consultant in a few months. The consultant will normally also be there, and can be consulted if needed, but the juniors help out by seeing patients, both for their own experience and to allow more patients to be seen and shorten waiting times.

Did you ask specifically about endometriosis? Sometimes you have to really spell out what you're concerned about - they're not psychic! If you weren't happy with their answers, you could have asked to speak to the consultant as well (though this may have meant more waiting). If you want more investigation, I'd suggest going back to your GP, explain which questions you still want answered, and ask to be referred back.

Not being taken seriously... [women's health]

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