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
>