Why won't doctors help me??

[lisa6013]

Okay, I have had bad pain for months now.  I have had nine abdominal surgeries.  The last three (most recent in Feb) due to complications from gastric bypass surgery I had in 2003.  So I had another laparoscopy in Feb because my bariatric surgeon wanted to find the source of my pain.  He didn't see anything.  Just some adhesions which he removed, along with my appendix... so.. fast forward to recently.  Really bad pelvic pain which feels like I have really really bad cramps all the time, and also lower left back pain.  In the past week and a half I have been admitted to the hospital twice for pain control.  My surgeon says that it is not surgical.  While in the hospital, I had a CT with contrast, one without, a regular x-ray, and an intravaginal ultrasound.  They found endometreosis, fibroids, and a small ovarian cyst (2.3 cm).  Sooo my surgeon had a GYN come to the hospital for a consult.  She did a pelvic, and said that I had an endometrial polyp, and should have an endometrial biopsy.  So today, I went to the GYN's office of the woman who saw me.  I saw her partner.  He did a pelvic exam and told me that it was normal, my tests were normal, and my source of pain is not GYN related.  I told him that I wanted a hysterectomy with all of the test findings, and the high cancer rate on my mom's side (I am 47).  He said that no treatment was necessary for me.... so what the hell am I suppose to do now?  Find yet another GYN?  Just grin and bare the pain?  Go back to my surgeon?  Maybe the pain is just adhesions from all of my surgeries?  I would think the latter, but with my test results I feel that I really should have a hysterectomy... I left the GYN's office in tears today... I feel so alone.....

[alicia27lmt]

Hi Lisa,
I feel your frustration.  I too am suffering right now with horrible bleeding from adenomyosis and my surgeon/OB/GYN could care less.  Because I am not extremely anemic I can wait.  I can wait over two weeks for an ablation.  I am bleeding through the largest tampon in an hour.  I feel completely exhausted and he just doesn't care.  What ever happened to patient care??  It seems like were all just a bunch of numbers now and they just rush us in and out and never really LISTEN to the pt.  I am disgusted.  I know how you feel.  To start all over with another doctor or practice only makes the timeline for help longer.  You are not alone!  Hang in there.
alicia

[bynnbynn]

Dear Lisa. there is no way to really diagnose endo till you have a laporoscopy. did you have one done in your nine surgerys. keep looking till you find a doc who will listen to you and yes ask for your test results. xray etc! they are yours to have . bring them to your new doctor.  Yes scar tissuse i can say that you would have big time from all the surgerys wow. I am going in for my second surgery next week for scar tissue. they think my uterus is stuck to my bladder! I am in pain even more after the first surgery part of the other problem i have is my PIRIFORMIS mussel. It causes pain down the legs and in the lower back and butt area.  see a phisiotherepist as well make sure from all your surgerys that your pirformis is okay. the surgerys can bugger it up ..  do you have bladder pressure as well?  Trust me I know how doctors can be .but after looking for months I found one who is very helpful. Still there is very little they can do for endo so i am finding out and am very depressed . dont want to always be in pain i think that is not normal. find someone who will keep your pain under control and look at all options! not leave you in the dark in pain .    feel free to let me know how it is going. I have found a endo specialist and can give you the idvice he gives me.  take care

[TristynsMama1oh1]

I also think you should find another GYN! I sometimes feel that unless a doctor has actually been where you are or has close family or friends that have been there, they can pretend to care but they have NO idea what you and women like you are going through and as much as they get paid to do what's best they sometimes take the easiest way out for them rather than putting your needs first. I had a WONDERFUL GYN when I was first diagnosed with Advanced Endo. After moving to La. I found that not all Doctors are created equal and the harsh truth is that some of them just dont care as long as they are gettin their money. I really hope you will find another doctor and get your problems solved! I know its painful and its even worse when you feel like no one cares. Good Luck sweetie!!!

[teddybears4ever2]

I'm sorry no one will listen.  I had pain for years and no one cared until I almost passed out and my husband took me to the ER and they found a 9 CM cyst.  
I agree with all the other women on here you need to find another doctor.  Good luck!


Rhea

[PrincessJam]

Lisa,

My advice to you is to see another doctor! I know it might be hard, but you need to have someone on your side to understand the pain you are going through, and someone who will do something about it.  I am so sorry to hear what you are going through.  I can somewhat understand, as I went to a gastroentrologist first b/c they thought that the pain I was having was due to bowels... when actually it was endo..... later realized by my gyno after visits back and forth to both offices.
It's extremely frustrating, and why do we always have to deal with the pain.
This website is very helpful.  I hope that you can find someone that has been through things like you, and get this figured out!
As I said before, try and find another doc.... and if you want a hysterectomy, and it's safe for you, they should give you one if that's what you want!
Best of luck!
Jamie

[lisa6013]

Forgot to mention that my period are very heavy, and I pass clots....