Completely discouraged! Told to wait and see!

[amh1212]

I really don't know what I expected.  I can tell you it was more that what I got!  I went to see this GYN today that my family doctor referred me to.  He never once even looked at the scans or even the final reports!!!!  

Basically wrote me three prescriptions and told me to come back to see him in two weeks!  When I asked why, am I waiting for another two weeks to do whatever is the next step.  He continued to say that "usually" cysts take care of themselves.  And the fact that it has been months... basically he said,.... that is what ovaries do..... make cysts.  

When I asked him why would we be repeating the ultrasound in two weeks when the ultrasound that was done on Friday did not show anything.  Only the CT scan showed anything?  Again, no answer... said he really does not know, because he said the ultrasound is a better test to look at cysts!!!  

He put me back on elmiron .... a drug I have not had to take since 2000.  I took it for about 6 months when my old gyn diagnosed interstitial cystitis.  I explained to him I had not had any problems or any of the same symptoms since then.  I only started having pain in my bladder when I let this pain in my side go on for months!  Said take it anyway won't hurt.

Gave me lortabs for pain.

Gave me provera for the cysts.  

I asked about having the CA-125  blood test... he said he didn't think we should do it quite yet, because if the cysts had leaked blood in the ovary or stomache it would cause a false positive.  He thinks I am better off waiting two more weeks for that too?

Needless to say I was upset when I left his office.  I can't imagine having to deal with this pain for another two weeks just to repeat the same tests he did not even look at the first time????? !!!!!!!

I left and went to my family doctor and explained what happened.  Asked if I could even get a second radiologist to possibly read my scan and possibly expain to me what he sees.  After him making a couple of phone calls of course... no other radiologist wants to read someone else's scans or reports... so If I wanted to have someone else I would have to repeat the tests at my own out of pocket expense because insurance will not just pay for someone else to look.  

I really find this all hard to believe.???????????  

Is it just me?  Am I over-reacting?  Do I just wait it out and go back and see the same gyn?  I mean what is he using as a baseline?  What ??? Just what I am saying how I feel???? I mean obviously that has not merit right now so why would it two weeks from now?  Why did I even bother to have the ultrasound and CT scan anyway?????

I am sorry.... I am just throwing all of this at you at one time.... I am just so upset.... I mean even if he would have acted like he looked at the scans or reports and tried to reassure me based on something he sees... not to worry and just knock my *** out with pain meds I guess and ignore it??????

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  The report from Friday is below.  Now remember the CT scan was done after the vaginal ultrasound... and nothing showed on it ... so I was told.  ??????  And yet as you will see above the gyn doctor did not even do his own today and nor did he even look at the reports!!!!  


CT ABDOMEN AND PELVIS WITH CONTRAST- 2/1/08

CLINICAL INDICATION- Left-sided abdominal pain, left pelvic pain

TECHNIQUE- 5 mm axial increments are acquired through the abdomen
and pelvis with oral and IV contrast.

FINDINGS-

Limited evaluation of the lung bases shows no pleural effusion.

The liver and spleen are normal in size, density and contour. The
gallbladder is unremarkable by CT criteria. Tiny 3 mm low density
right hepatic lobe, image #41, noted too small to fully
characterize, statistically representing a small hepatic cyst. The
pancreas and bilateral adrenal glands are unremarkable. Bilateral
kidneys are nonobstructed and demonstrate normal contrast
enhancement and excretion. Loops of small and large bowel
nonobstructed. There is no free fluid. Mild changes of
diverticulosis noted sigmoid colon without imaging evidence for
acute inflammation.

Within the left adnexal region, there is an unusual appearing cystic
structure measuring 2.8 x 1.8 cm with central enhancement - this
likely represents an involuting/hemorrhagic ovarian cyst. Smaller,
less remarkable cysts noted right adnexal region. No acute osseous
abnormality. Transitional vertebrae noted at the lumbosacral
junction with hemisacralization on the left.

IMPRESSION-

1. Enhancing cystic structure left adnexal region measuring 2.8 x
1.8 cm likely representing a physiologic finding, however, followup
ultrasound is strongly urged in six weeks to document resolution.

2. Diverticulosis sigmoid colon without imaging evidence for acute
inflammation.

dk

Transcriptionist- DONNA L KAUTH
Reading Radiologist- JOHNNY P CAMPBELL-MD
Releasing Radiologist- JOHNNY P CAMPBELL-MD
Released Date Time- 02/01/08 1738
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[Mary 53]

Hi.

Boy, do I feel your frustration. Irritating. Maddening. AND...he put you on Provera? My two cents? YUK. I will say that I have never used this product but I know that it has many side effects and although it is not an uncommon drug, it is a synthetic progesterone which after all of the reading I have done on the subject of hormones, I have steered clear away from. I am sure I had some of the this hormone years and years ago when I was on the pill but I was only on the pill for a few years and quit when I was 29 (I am 54 now).

I am not trying to scare you and I hope you know that. I would offer a suggestion that  you google the words

Provera to shrink cysts

and check out the fifth "Hit" if you will...it is actually info for a Progesterone product called Angel I think...but, the point is that it has some good information in it in general in a questions asked forum. It supports all that I have read about over the years regarding progesterone. When you find the hit then click on the word "Cache"..I do that all the time since it will highlight the words you want to reference so you spend a long time  pouring over pages and not find the thing you are looking for.

I am appauled at the attitude of the doctor too. If I see one more ad on TV about how we are supposed to be "pro-active" and "Call our doctors to discuss this  that and the other thing" I will spit. Right....just try getting in to see a doctor is tricky sometimes. OK...I am not anti-doctor. I have been lucky and I have also had experiences like yours. I am tired of INCOMPETENCE. On the other hand....there is a chance the doctor is right...but did he instill confidence in you? I am a bit irritated tonight regarding all of this and the fact that you are in such pain.

Ok..time for me to calm down.

Consider putting your name in "blue" if you would not mind. I did a few months ago and it has been fun having a profile and easier too...since you can get and send and save messages....etc. All you even have to do is put down your gender if that is all the info you want to put at this time....just a thought.

Good luck. Oh...could you call a Naturapath ( sp?) or some type of doctor specializing in hormones who might have had more experience with cysts just in case your cysts are due to a hormonal imbalance?

Take care, Mary

[hopeshell]

I know your frustration as some drs. are really lousy when it comes to understanding.   Your CT is good in the respect that your cyst is small.  You need to switch drs. and I hope you find one that will really listen and not treat you unfairly.  There are many drs. out there who are good but some are as you described.  You need to follow up to make sure the cyst doesn't grow.  Please be sure to follow up at six weeks to see what has happened with your cyst.  Best wishes.

Shelly

[cirella]

Hi, I feel your frustration!  I know you are worried b/c you have pain and there seems to be a cyst.  That can be scary.  And, your GYN was not very sympathetic to your worry or questions.  

It isn't uncommon to wait up to 6 weeks between ultrasounds.  It's true, our bodies make cysts each month. The doctor probably wants to see if it resolves on its own, like cysts should.  It's the attitude that I don't like.  Can you ask your family doc for another recommendation?  He could call the new GYN office and explain that you'd be coming in for a 2nd opinion.  If the new doctor recommends further testing, your insurance should cover it.  Can you call to ask?  

If your cyst should grow, even after taking the hormones, be prepared to talk about a possible surgery.  The CA125 is unreliable in peri-menopausal women.  That may be why the doc was hesitant to send you for it.

Take a deep breath.  It sounds like you have a good family doc, at least.  Just keep digging and don't ignore your pain or other symptoms.

Lori