Endometriosis Support Group
Endometriosis is a common medical condition where the tissue lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus, typically affecting other organs in the pelvis. The condition can lead to serious health problems, primarily pain and infertility. A major symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the lower abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area.
Recent gyn check-up basically just depressed me more!! Keep in mind I've been seeing this doctor for over fours yrs now and has had one surgery done by him. The surgery ended with him telling me he couldn't do anything because it was too compromising.... I kinda zoned out after he said that. All I could think was another scare on my stomach and all for nothing! So in order to continue getting meds refilled I have to at least visit every six months, which led to me going in.
Doctor: how have your cycles been lately? (while flipping through the chart, not making any eye contact)
Me: they suck, as usual... Surprisingly my last cycle went well, but then the week following I couldn't even get out of bed from fatigue and pain
Doctor: (still flipping through chart) lets see... Stage four endometriosis.... Looks like you've lost some weight... You're thirty-two.... Hmmmm, have you been working out?
Me: (wondering why he was thinking out loud in front of me.... Oh here's a question for me, maybe he's on to something) I try to workout when I'm not in pain, fatigued, or depressed... Probably just losing weight from lack of appetite (thinking to myself... What is the purpose of focusing on the weight... It has been like six months since my last appt... I'm 5'8" and lost maybe five lbs since)
Doctor: what are you doing for the depression? You know you're thirty two and endo won't go away.... You really need to work on having a baby, (sighs) you getting up there
Me: I usually vent on the support group I'm with and yes I know I'm not getting any younger.... Trust me, hence the depression and dramatic episode on my 32nd bday
Doctor: oh ok a support group is a good idea, well you know that endo will continue to get worst and there is little to do... Well have you tried lupron? (back to flipping through my chart)
Me: yes and if I thought I was crazy before then... I realized what real crazy felt like while on it... However, if you think it will slow down endo and minimize my pain... I guess I'll try it again
Doctor: well I cant promise that it will minimize the pain
Me: then no thanks...
Doctor: well back in the days we'd have women just get pregnant and/or have a hysterectomy
Me: If it was up to me I'd have had my two little girls already....
Doctor: does your boyfriend understand the degree of your endo?
Me: yes, you spoke with him along with doctors prior to you... (thinking to myself wow I should just walk out now)
Doctor: maybe you guys should take again?
Skip to end of doctor visit...
Doctor: is there anything I can do?
Me: (smiles) find a cure? (being optimistic... Well he did ask... Lol)
Doctor: that would be nice....
I thanked him and proceeded home only to argue with my boyfriend of many years (12 to be exact). Told him I was leaving him and was just gonna have a hysterectomy!
Doctor: how have your cycles been lately? (while flipping through the chart, not making any eye contact)
Me: they suck, as usual... Surprisingly my last cycle went well, but then the week following I couldn't even get out of bed from fatigue and pain
Doctor: (still flipping through chart) lets see... Stage four endometriosis.... Looks like you've lost some weight... You're thirty-two.... Hmmmm, have you been working out?
Me: (wondering why he was thinking out loud in front of me.... Oh here's a question for me, maybe he's on to something) I try to workout when I'm not in pain, fatigued, or depressed... Probably just losing weight from lack of appetite (thinking to myself... What is the purpose of focusing on the weight... It has been like six months since my last appt... I'm 5'8" and lost maybe five lbs since)
Doctor: what are you doing for the depression? You know you're thirty two and endo won't go away.... You really need to work on having a baby, (sighs) you getting up there
Me: I usually vent on the support group I'm with and yes I know I'm not getting any younger.... Trust me, hence the depression and dramatic episode on my 32nd bday
Doctor: oh ok a support group is a good idea, well you know that endo will continue to get worst and there is little to do... Well have you tried lupron? (back to flipping through my chart)
Me: yes and if I thought I was crazy before then... I realized what real crazy felt like while on it... However, if you think it will slow down endo and minimize my pain... I guess I'll try it again
Doctor: well I cant promise that it will minimize the pain
Me: then no thanks...
Doctor: well back in the days we'd have women just get pregnant and/or have a hysterectomy
Me: If it was up to me I'd have had my two little girls already....
Doctor: does your boyfriend understand the degree of your endo?
Me: yes, you spoke with him along with doctors prior to you... (thinking to myself wow I should just walk out now)
Doctor: maybe you guys should take again?
Skip to end of doctor visit...
Doctor: is there anything I can do?
Me: (smiles) find a cure? (being optimistic... Well he did ask... Lol)
Doctor: that would be nice....
I thanked him and proceeded home only to argue with my boyfriend of many years (12 to be exact). Told him I was leaving him and was just gonna have a hysterectomy!
I know how you feel though, my doctor pushes IVF on me every time I go in to talk about getting my pain under control. She repeats herself over and over. I am aware its IMPOSSIBLE for me to get preggo any other way after the ectopic pregnancy... however I dont want to play god so we are okay with not having children. I understand this is her big money maker.
I think whats too funny though is that the last time she asked me about IVF ( just to make sure I hadnt changed my mind within the past few min) , I followed by saying "No, its not for me, I will just enjoy my puppies." She then looks at me ( AFTER PUSHING IVF) and says " If I had a dollar for every time I was willing to trade my teenage daughter for a Lab, I would be rich. " Way to talk me into wanting kids doc!!!
Ashley Nicole
I saw an Endo specialist in NYC, a notable one on 5th ave who works with a fanous person-who cares? and when we sat down, he asked me if i was addicted to pain meds-first question! LOL! Then he saw my records, gave me a horrible transvaginal ultrasound (where he hurt my coxxic), and came out and told my husband I wasnt addicted-not helpful to my husband, he knew that. Then he sat on the phone for 20 min with his feet up on his desk, on what seemed like a personal call to Turkey. Then told me I had to have this radical surgery. We never saw him again.
I have so many stories, I wont write them all, but Dr's do not understand endo (typically), and we deserve better treatment. These Dr's know or think we are desperate and think they can treat us like animals...I keep going to find a rational, informed Dr. and hear the same thing; Lupron, Lupron, Lupron. No thanks! I had to explain endo to my PCP! I am no authority to explain endo! MIO DIA! Good luck finding an understanding Dr., dont stop looking, there somewhere!
Wow. Thanks.
:/
I was all set to become a new patient & then found out the fine print on my insurance..... :c had to cancel... So heartbreaking. However I did more research & have found a female doctor in Sacramento that comes highly recommended.
All I can say about the doctor issue, share with you what my PCP said when I 1st met him & explained I had Endo & been through surgery & talked about symptoms returning and he said... " I don't think Endo can come back"!!!!!! What an idiot... Jeeze
Anywho, once again... I appreciate this group so much! I can't wait for more awareness to be spread!
and he said "the only option for endo is hysterectomy and that doesn't always help" thankfully ive been dealing with this long enough to know that's not the ONLY option. Otherwise I would've been heartbroken!