I don't know where to start

[snowwhitequeen02]

A little over a year ago, i went to planned parenthood for "free pap day", as i have not had insurance for years. I had been having symptoms such as pain in my side and pelvic area, bleeding during and after sex, fatigue, my weight yo-yos, and at the moment thats all i can think of. So I had my exam, and they did the pap which came back abnormal. Also, during the exam, the doctor went to get another doctor to look at me as well...but they wouldn't say why....when the exam was done, they referred me to the hospital to get an ultrasound (both internal and external) and blood work "just to check". She said that they were mostly concerned with the pain during and after sex, more than the blood... and that it was my ovary that was causing the pain. I also had an std test that came back fine......Well, the problem is that she said that each test would run me about $600 dollars. Each. Without insurance, and a low paying job, it has just been impossible to go. I know i should have, but, i haven't. Its been over a year, the symptoms are still present. I am finally going to be eligible for insurance. But now, i have no idea where i need to go. Do i go to a "Family Doctor" first? And get referred to an OB/GYN or Oncologist or what? Do i go straight to an OBGYN? These days i am quite fatigued, and in the past few months i have had chronic mild to severe lower back pain. I am only 25 years old and it is bad enough that it is affecting my job, and my day to day life. ...If anyone has any advise, please let me know. Thank you so much.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,
I would definitely start with a family doctor.  At 25 , I think about stress related issues causing irritable bowel or depression.

It is very important that you have a pap smear and std screening, if those are all normal, a family doctor is the best doctor to see you
take care

[snowwhitequeen02]

I also don't know if these symptoms would be of relevance, but i have been having change in bowl habits, on and off fever, the lymph nodes in my neck have been swollen for months, my abdomen i suppose would be considered swollen...you can almost count my ribs on my side but i look pregnant, as all the weight gain in my stomach is in the lower front, mild to severe back pain, as i had mentioned and i am *always* tired regardless of how much sleep i get. Also i have been losing my hair. I started taking prenatal vitamins a few weeks ago hoping to help the fatigue and hair loss, but so far i only notice my arm hair has grown like weeds. lol. I know these symptoms could be something other than cancer, but i am just ready to have one day where i feel ok. :) again. thank you in advance for your advice.