Should the doc make me wait this long?

[maybebaby29]

I've been having nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness for approx 4 months along with this left, lower, ovarian pain. I've had cysts before but they usually go away after 1-2 cycles. However, this time, it's bad. I'm not in a sharp/popping pain but a constant, 24/7 pain, pressure, twisting, hard to walk, can't really sit, wake up in the middle of the night, shooting pain down my thigh. There are days I need to just lay on the couch.

All three ER visits were more upper GI related and a pelvic/stomach CT showed normal but this pain hasn't gone away since the end of May. On top of one month a period, the next--no period. WTH?

My gyn is extremely busy. My RE woudln't see me either. The NP at the GYN told me to wait until my cycle starts so I'm waiting another TWO weeks before getting an ultrasound.

If I have all of these symptoms of ruptured cysts or something else going on with an ovary, why are they making me wait so long? Who is going to be accountable if they go in via lap and say "Oh wow, you got to take this ovary out, you waited to long?"

WHY can't I get in the doc sooner? The NP told me "well we can't see anything until your cycle starts; your lining will be too thick otherwise." Well I'm not talking about my lining.  I'm talking about my ovary.

I'm so angry, frustrated, and fed up.

[carebear323]

Call for a new gyn.  NOone should have to suffer for so long.  These darn docs forget we know our bodies and should be able to make choices of what we want with our bodies.  best wishes to you for a recovery soon.  

[maybebaby29]

Thanks. I should get the results today. I'm guessing it's normal. No pain so far. The ultrasound was really quick. Did uterus, left ovary, right ovary, and didn't see any extra measuring so I'm guessing quick = all is good. Frustrating but if it's gone, that's fine by me. I'll just chalk it up to another medical mystery going on lately. :)

[islandgrl47]

Sorry to hear you are in so much pain. I can't believe some doctors don't get that. Without loosing your cool, be persistent. Always get a copy of all test results so you don't have to wait for your doctor to fax them over to your radiologist or specialist if you need one. Keep a good repoire with the girls in the insurance and record department. They can get your pre approvals quickly if it is required by your insurance company and can fax ahead test results or prescriptions for blood test or diagnostic testing or second opinions. As far as pain management don't take any of the one that thin your blood in case you do need a procedure, you don't want excess bleeding. I saw a man in pre op, when I was getting my surgery, he took an aspirin the day before and had a cocktail and they could not do his procedure. They sent him home from pre-op and he could not get his surgery. Best of health to you.

[maybebaby29]

@blind, yes I got the digital and report copies. They said that nothing unusual was there minus fluid behind the cervix (that' what they get for taking it during my period). It felt like the usual cyst pain. It was after that CT that the pain got much worse. I sent the report to the OB (who also can access the digital) and she said a CT isn't good for finding cysts. So who knows. I took it as if a CT showed something it was probably solid/more serious. So I'm guessing perhaps functional/fluid cyst that just didnt' matter. But I totally understand what you mean. If anything, perhaps my endometriosis is bad/adhesions are worse? I just don't know anymore. Currently the pain subsided and I have my period. But this is how it's been going. No pain = period. Severe pain = no period.

Thank you .I'm going in 2 days. I just wish I could have gone during the pain to pinpoint what is exactly going on. If the pattern follows, July will be a whole month of pain and no period--perfect timing when I"m on vacation. :\

[blindbat101]

Don't know if it's any comfort, but I was recently at the ER with acute abdominal pain and they did a CT scan and it showed a ruptured cyst and pools of blood throughout my abdomin.  I was shocked, as I've never had any history of cysts and was thinking it was an intestinal, liver, gallbladder type of issue as it hurt from my pelvic floor up to my neck and I was really bloated and distended.  I did not have much specific pain down low, it was the most accute in my diaphragm and up into my shoulder.  Got an ultrasound 9 days later and it confirmed everything exactly the same as the CT scan.  So, what I'm getting at is that if you had an abdominal CT scan and they didn't see anything going on with your ovaries then maybe the pain isn't related to that and you don't need to worry about your fertility.  Did you get a copy of the CT scan?  If not, I would recommend it.  Mine was actually very detailed and went over every organ in my torso.  I felt a lot more confident in their diagnosis after reading it and noting that they looked at everything, including my bones.  Never knew that I could have intense pain in my shoulder and stomach that was coming from my ruptured cyst.  Best of wishes for a great and reassuring appointment!!

[maybebaby29]

I don't know. I have next Thurs to find out. I am gonig to complain to the actual doc (I have been seeing her now for 10 years) on how the service response was pretty bad this time around. I understand she's busy and all but when a patient is in pain and in the moment of pain with the risk of a torsion, it bursting, etc. no one should be waiting 3 weeks and the ER is just plain stupid. Not everyone is getting ultrasounds at the same time where they couldn't squeeze me in. I find that hard to believe. She sends people to the specialist for diagnostics during the 22 week scan for pregnant women so I don't know what the deal is. Or if she's busy, write a @#$# script for the 9 different radiology offices that could have done it at the connecting/affiliated hospital. I just find all of this an assumption to the point of risking my fertility or at least leaving me in unnecessary pain.

The crappy thing is now that I"m almost ready to go, the friggen pain has significantly subsided. I get this pain from the week OF my period until ovulation. Usually it's the opposite--ovulation until your period.

Just pissed off.

[tinkerbell1124]

That's really odd. I have never been to a gyno that said that wanted me ON my period. HOW can they see with the blood??? There COULD be a reason I guess. Just never heard that before.

[maybebaby29]

Tinkerbell. They wanted me on my period saying that is the "clearest" of readings. So weird.

[tinkerbell1124]

Well normally they don't want you on your period when you go in. Or maybe he's waiting to see if it stops after the next cycle. Demand to be seen or get a REAL explaination for why they won't.

[maybebaby29]

I'm not overly worried for the worse except retaining fertility. I know I have endometriosis and adhesions. I have one beautiful son conceived via infertility treatments but still, I would like to keep my options open on having a 2nd; not having that decision taken away from me because of a stupid wait.

I was going to call other docs but I worry about "new patient? Can't get you in until 3 weeks." I was a little hurt/surprised (yet not) that my RE wouldn't at least get me in for an ultrasound. I was a former patient, I don't even want their doc to talk with. Just get me an ultrasound and send it to my docs. Hell I was going back to the RE to talk about the 2nd baby option. They were all "unless you're here to HAVE a baby, we can't see you. It's a GYN problem." No...loss of an ovary is not a GYN problem. It's an infertility problem.

Just so mad. I even was going to see if my PCP could write an ultrasound script but the last three times I was in severe pain he sent me to the ER. No one has time for us anymore.

My GYN's office is just too darn big/successful. They originally wasn't going to get me in until two months from now. They just blew it off as "on and off periods? Meh."

It's amazing how every MedLine, Mayo, etc. says that our cyst symptoms can't wait. Maybe they need to re-read them.

[Leeship]

I would seriously consider another doctor. I found out I have a 9 cm cyst on my right ovary, and my doctor wanted me to wait until July 22 to see me!!! Oh hell no. My life to me is far more important than that... I went to the ER and the ER doctor actually talked my Dr. into getting me in on June 22nd, but I called every gyno in a 100 mile radius and found one willing to see me tomorrow, so I got a copy of my ER ultrasound and blood work and I will be going in tomorrow. They think of people as things... and it is disgusting how little they take feeling and fear into consideration.