2nd, 3rd, opinions!

[Guest guest]

:

RE: 2nd opinons

I think most of the women in this group would recommend getting at least a 2nd

opinion. And, if

you're not comfortable with the 2nd, go for a 3rd or even fourth.

Don't want to bore you, but I did NOT want to have a hysterectomy, so read as

much as I could, had all

the tests I needed, talked w/as many people as I could prior to making my

decision, including several

consultations.

Here's my story: Old news to most of the group, but .... My fibroids were

discovered in January. In

March my gyn gave me 4 options: myo, ablation, UAE and hyst.) I began to read

about my options.

Hysterectomy (at that time) was not an options for me because I was adamant that

I was NOT going to

have one.

When I had my last period in May, and my symptoms were drammatically worse, it

became very clear that

my time and options were running out, and I knew I had to make a decision --

fast. I frantically

scheduled appointments and tests with various specialists so I could make an

informed decision, and

soon.

By the time I made my decision to have a hysterectomy I had met several times

w/my ob/gyn. (I have

been with him nearly 10 years.). (I probably met with him in Jan, Feb, March,

twice in April, 3 times

in May, and twice in June -- before the surgery.)

But before I made this decision, I also met with:

* two reproductive endocrinologists (consult on options)

* another ob/gyn (ferility specialist, consult on options)

* IR ( Spies) -- Two visits (and several phone calls) (to do UAE)

* a urologist (about the associated urinary problems)

* a psychiatrist (about the depression, as I am currently being treated for

this)

I also talked with others (friends, family) in the medical profession:

* Interventional neuroradiologist, head of Dept and advisor to the FDA on IR

proceudres, including

UAE. (friend)

* Surgeon w/50% gyn practice (my uncle)

* ER physician (friend)

* Ob/gyn nurse -- who answered many questions, spending several hours on the

phone with me over 3

weeks. (acquaintance)

* Ob/gyn nurse -- My cousin who answered even more of my questions!

By the time I had scheduled the surgery, I had variuos tests:

* two ultrasounds (Jan, Mar)

* MRI (May)

* various urinary functioning tests

And I was doctored out ... let me tell you. I've had a medical year like none

other in my life --

including a record 14 appointments in just 9 business days. It became quite

clear that I needed to

have a hysterectomy and soon. I called my gyn and he scheduled my surgery for

the next week, taking

everything else off his calendar for the morning. Wow.

I'm comfortable with the decision, only because I knew that I didn't have a lot

of time and I did the

best I could with getting information needed to make an informed decision. I'm

grateful that I live

in the Washington D.C. area, and so am quite lucky to have choices in

exceptional physicians. (Both

of the IRs are nationally recognized, for example.)

While I don't recommend needing with this many people, it is imperative that you

make an informed

decision -- what is best for you. I'd certainly hesitate about an MD who only

suggests one approach

to a problem. If they can take out a full-term baby in a bikini cut, I'm not

sure why a larger

vertical cut would be warranted -- so I agree with your questioning this.

I called my local MD friends for referrals, but NONE of the people they

recommended could see me

soon. Most were booking in Sept, some in Oct or Nov, and I didn't have that

kind of time. I picked

the ferlity and reproductive endocrinologists from my insurance book and was

very happy with two of

them. (Would go back to 2 of the three, and may very likely go back to the

woman who also

specializes in Menopause & hormones to discuss these issues before they start

coming up!.) The IR was

a referral from my gyn (and is a nationally recognized person).

What was also suggested to me was to call your local teaching hospital's ob/gyn

department, speak to a

resident and ask for suggestions. I brought my ultrasound and MRI reports with

me (both the reports

as well as the films). Some looked at the films themselves, others just the

written summary (which

you should ask for if you have not already).

Good luck, . Keep us posted!

Marilyn

wrote:

> Thanks to the insight of people on this list I became conscious enough to

> ask via the Dr's nurse about why the doctor favored the vertical cut for my

> hysterectomy as opposed to the bikini cut. Some of you asked me why she was

> doing that when those who carried full term are able to have bikini cuts.

> So I posed the question to the nurse. She had no idea and was going to get

> back to me on it. I asked her directly if it was because the doc didn't

> feel comfortable doing it the other way. I am seriously thinking of going

> to another doc to see if they can do it. Not sure how to go about it

> though; do I just look in the book and call around for a consultation?

> Would they be able to tell me from a consultation? I can bring my MRI

> x-rays ( I requested a copy of them for myself).

> Thanks.

>

>

>