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Avatar universal

Big Sigh

Hi there,
Well...I went to a new Dr yesterday, an Internist.  I'd made the appointment months ago when I was in between the GI and GYN doctors.  I kept it b/c we need a family doctor and also I thought a fresh set of ears/eyes would bring me some answers.  Also, I was hoping a woman would be more helpful.

In some ways she was.  For the watery discharge she did a pelvic and wet mount, thinking it may be a vaginal bacterial infection.  I had at least expected my GYN to do that and not blame it on "you have a lot of estrogen in your body".  And she did take blood.  I took her copies of everything; vaginal ultrasounds, CT, endoscopy, stomach emptying scan, blood work, doctor notes.  She seemed to focus on the here and now.  I kept reminding her that these symptoms have gone of since JULY.  When she casually said that she would recommend a high fiber diet I wanted to scream at her.  Even my husband laughed out loud at that.  I eat the most high fiber diet ever.  

To me, it seemed as if she was looking at each individual symptom separately.  She gave me an RX for Reglan.  That's supposed to help my stomach empty.  My GI told me that my symptom for that was so mild that he didn't recommend Reglan b/c the side effects outweighed the benefits.  My stomach emptying slowly is mild yet I feel full quickly.  Each time I go to a doctor I come away deflated like it's all nothing and all in my head.

Because I haven't had a period in 49 days, she suggested that I take the GYN's advise and take 400 mg progesterone for 10 days to force a period.  I've had to do this before in Feb.  My GYN wants me to then continue on a time released progesterone cycle every month.  What I really want to do is to just see what my body is doing without all the hormones.  Since last November (2006) when I had my right ovary/cyst removed my hormones have been off.  Now I have cysts on my left ovary.  If there is something going on I don't want to limp along thinking it's all OK while taking hormones.  Hormone imbalance doesn't cause pain or this feeling full issue or painful sex or backaches and hip pain all the time or abnormal BMs or bloatedness.  Well, maybe bloatedness but still.

I'm scheduled for a followup ultrasound in Feb.  I guess that will tell more.  Thanks for listening to my rant.
Lori
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Avatar universal
Gail is only 10 miles from me, and Southern Illinois (Rockford and Olney) are, I'm guessing, about an hour away.  Rockford isn't really THAT close to anything! ...and neither is Farmington (where I am...end of the world!)
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Avatar universal
Gosh...is Rockford close to ANYTHING???  LOL  I'm kind of new to IL so I only know how far it is to Chicago.  I guess that's what maps are for!  Angie is from Oak Park.  I know where that is!
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272338 tn?1252280404
Sorry, I forgot, hatgal is pretty close to you also Lori.
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272338 tn?1252280404
From the sounds of it, I am about right in the middle of both of you. I am only about an hour and a half from Evansville. I am not sure where Gail is from. But PPhelps is also fairly close too. She actually works in my town from time to time. Even Jan is just a little over 4 hours away. And here I thought I was living right in the middle of nowhere! Maybe a future "teal" talk is not all that far away!  Chris
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282804 tn?1236833591
You sound just like the kind of person we need. Please see my post from today entitled, EVERYBODY PLEASE READ.
Thanks
Jan
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Avatar universal
I had symptoms also from July until just very recently, and it was 3 smaller (2+ cm) cysts.  It was pretty rough, and also very scary because the symptoms were so similar to OVCA.  I would definitely push for a lap!  They're most likely benign, but if they're still bothering you after all this time, they need to go!  Maybe NorthernLights could go with you to the DR next time.  That girl knows how to get things done!!

By the way, I'm not far from you (SE of Paducah, and crecco/Chris and Gail (gah something) are all pretty close, too.)  Merry Christmas!
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Avatar universal
Hi and thanks for your comments.  This ring around the rosie is so deflating.  In a perfect world that doctor would exists.  TGinKY, if you go back to 11/30 posts I think I posted under Kind of a vent/frustrated mostly or something.  I listed all I've been through and what I've had done.  

My husband is very supportive and I am so thankful.  He is a pain doc and anesthesiologist and would NO WAY treat his patients like this.  He sees many, many who have gotten this same run around.  When they finally come to him in so much pain with nothing showing on test results he believes them and treats them. He is frustrated with all this, too, and feels helpless.

I have thought all along that all this is due to the cysts (2 showed up on the CT but one on the vaginal ultrasound), as small as they are.  Last year, with the other cyst, I experienced a lot of the same symptoms, the pain ones and backache/hip thing.  Getting full quickly is new, though.  

When I go in for my annual and followup ultrasound in Feb my plan is this: if the cyst is still there then I'm going to ask (firmly) for a laparoscopy.  Until then, I'm done with going from doctor to doctor.  I can't handle it anymore.

I'm so thankful that I can come here to vent my frustration.
Thanks!

Lori
Helpful - 0
329994 tn?1301663248
I read your post just now and I can't believe it! I am getting so fed up with doctors.  I will send you a separate email about my visit Monday.  I am too tired tonight, but it is very similar to yours.  Hang in there (easier said than done).

Colleen
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Doctors can be SO frustrating, can't they?!  I mentioned on another post that "the wheel of medicine grinds slowly".  My husband added, "And not very finely."  Wouldn't it be wonderful to have ONE doctor who you could get to know over a long period of time who could take care of any issues you had in any part of your body, and who could get to know you PERSONALLY and treat you based on that relationship and history?  ...only a dream...It's good you've got a good, supportive husband, it sounds like. That helps!  Keep pressing on!

Is it possible all of your symptoms are being caused by the cysts, and has anybody thought about taking them out?  Sorry, I don't remember your history!  Good luck with your follow-up and have a great Christmas.    Teresa
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272338 tn?1252280404
Rant all you want. I know how you feel. When we go to the Dr we want answeres and when we don't get the answer we want we don't like it at all. Hang in there. I hope the follow up gives you all the answeres you need, (and that it is all good news)  LOL Chris
Helpful - 0
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