At Sun, 29 Jun 2003, Elaine wrote:
>
>Sally, thank you for your response. I'm lucky that my gynecologist is
>kind and considerate, but the last time I saw him my husband and I both
>felt he was not interested in finding the cause or felt strongly that it
>wasn't his area (i.e. not gynecology related). I was certain when I
>explained what I felt, he'd know exactly what was going on. Considering
>he did the hysterectomy (no scar tissue) and afterwards when I had bowel
>problems he kept saying IBS. Then, when he removed the cyst (just four
>months later), he found the adhesions attaching my small intestines to
>the omentum - in my mind that validated the pain and problems I had. I
>guess for the medical community though, or at least this gynecologist,
>it wasn't convincing?? I know he is completely sick of me and honestly
>I'm sick of me ha!, so I would rather just go to a new gyn. My problem
>is, no other GYN in the clinic will see me. A nurse told me that was
>because those in the clinic won't handle other gyn's patients unless
>that doctor is on leave or has left. I'm sort of in a rock and a hard
>place I guess. I respect my doctor, he seems like a great person.
>However, somehow I've become the "chronic" patient with all this. He
>didn't even do an exam on the last two visits. We discussed my pain and
>he suggested anti-depressants. Which, of course, I said no to. I'm
>frustrated, my pain is irritating at times and excruciating at others,
>my feelings are hurt - but I'm not depressed. If anything, I'm more
>determined than ever to find the cause.
>
>I went to our insurance and tried to change my regular clinic where a
>nurse practioner said she'd put in for the civilian gyn referral.
>However, she never did. I asked them to change my clinic so I could
>hopefully see a real doctor since I never seem to see anyone but
>physicians assistants or nurse practioners. The insurance lady said my
>clinic was the best they had and I'd have worse luck with the others.
>She did secure me an appointment with a doctor for this coming Tuesday.
>I've never been scared to go to a doctor before, but I'm finding I'm
>dreading this so badly I'm considering cancelling the appointment :(.
>Since April, I've been to this clinic twice. The first time they
>thought I had a bowel obstruction, but the xrays said no. Instead of
>getting a referral for a GYN, I was sent to the GI doctor. This of
>course will result in the IBS diagnosis that I refuse to accept. Sure,
>people have this, but it usually presents (from what I've read) in your
>late teens, early twenties. I never had this constant ache, more pain
>when active, constipation, horrible cramps and diarrhea problem until
>these surgeries.
>
>At any rate, I've printed two articles out from OBGYN.NET that I plan to
>highlight a few things from and speak to this doctor about.
>
>http://www.obgyn.net/displayarticle.asp?page=/women/articles/bradley/banter_0708
>
>http://www.obgyn.net/displayarticle.asp?page=/women/articles/bradley/banter_0615
>
>One is about ovarian cysts, the other about adhesions. I keep reading
>that cystectomy is most likely to cause adhesions and most times they
>will not show up on ultrasound or other imaging tests.
>
>My main objective is to get someone to help me find the cause. On one
>x-ray it said:
>Incidentally noted is incomplete fusion of the posterior elements at S1.
>
>I have read that problems with the sacrum can present as pelvic pain. I
>have pelvic and low back pain, but it's at the same time so I have
>always assumed it was like the cyst - makes your back hurt, not your
>back making your abdomen hurt.
>
>I'm fully willing to explore whether it is scar tissue, a back problem
>or some other odd thing that hasn't been considered. I just NEED a
>doctor who is willing to help me find the cause. I'm even willing to go
>have a mental evaluation if needed in order for someone to believe me.
>There was a time several months ago I doubted my sanity, but I've spent
>so much time keeping track of this pain, making SURE my emotions (when
>I'm angry, upset or sad) do not make it worse. I feel our minds do play
>a large role in our well-being and I wanted to ensure I explored all
>avenues without wasting any more doctors' time. I feel I've done that
>and I'm confident something is wrong. Not life threatening thankfully
>(or I'd already be dead ha ha!), but enough to impact my quality of
>life.
>
>Goodness,I've just rambled, but thank you so much for your understanding
>and your willingness to listen. I'm greatful to have a place to discuss
>my feelings and worries. I feel I've burdened my friends and family so
>much so that most everyone dreads to talk to me these days :(. You
>ladies are the best!!
>
>At Sun, 29 Jun 2003, Sally Grigg wrote:
>>
>>Dear Elaine, I sympathize greatly with you. When I had appendicitis last
>>fall, all of our local doctors left on Holiday around Thanksgiving and a
>>surgeon who had been a military doctor all of his life became "my
>>doctor" for two weeks. God help us all. He told me adhesions were "not
>>a problem" and
>>no one went to Germany for adhesion operations as it was not necessary
>>(I had gone because I was dying and it was one of my best decisons). He
>>also told me
>>that adhesions did not hurt, caused no harm, and my basic problem was
>>that
>>I was drug addict. While he was telling me this, he had a scapel in his
>>hand
>>and proceeded to "open up" my incisions so they could drain more. He
>>cut so deep
>>that my intestines healed into my incision scars. He gave me no
>>medication for
>>pain when he cut into me at that time because he said it did not hurt. I
>>had to
>>bit down on a wad of sheet to keep from screaming. All in all this man
>>was a crocodile and if he is representative of the type of doctor you
>>have to deal
>>with regularly, you need all the support we can give you.
>>
>>Perhaps you could print out some of the papers that Helen Dynda has
>>emailed the
>>IAS Board. There are many studies that show adhesions hurt you, cause
>>pain, etc. You could also print out studies showing that medications
>>given to you for pain do not turn you into a drug addict. There is much
>>to be gained by researching on this site and others. Learn as much as
>>you can and go to the doctors armed with hand-outs. It may not help as
>>they seem pretty set in their ways, but maybe there is one somewhere who
>>will listen. Good luck, Sally Grigg
>>