Fibroid/fertility checkup results at Kaiser in LA area

[Guest guest]

:

I too have a Kaiser (Orange County-CA) doctor and have to deal with her.

She is always heading for the door and I do not feel like she is really

listening to me. I have become a bit more agressive with my doctor and I

would not let her go until I have asked all my questions. Magda

[Guest guest]

:

I too have a Kaiser (Orange County-CA) doctor and have to deal with her.

She is always heading for the door and I do not feel like she is really

listening to me. I have become a bit more agressive with my doctor and I

would not let her go until I have asked all my questions. Magda

[Guest guest]

About the pinching with the speculum. I had the same problem (although I've

never been pregnant). I've pretty much figured out that it is those plastic

speculums. When my primary care doc switched to them, the problem started. I

went to an OB for the first time last year (she uses the metal ones) and, poof,

no problems.

Ann

[Guest guest]

About the pinching with the speculum. I had the same problem (although I've

never been pregnant). I've pretty much figured out that it is those plastic

speculums. When my primary care doc switched to them, the problem started. I

went to an OB for the first time last year (she uses the metal ones) and, poof,

no problems.

Ann

[Guest guest]

About the pinching with the speculum. I had the same problem (although I've

never been pregnant). I've pretty much figured out that it is those plastic

speculums. When my primary care doc switched to them, the problem started. I

went to an OB for the first time last year (she uses the metal ones) and, poof,

no problems.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Well, I went to Kaiser yesterday for a fibroid/fertility check-up and

so I wanted to share what happened.

I saw Dr. Rao at Kaiser in Panorama City, California. I had never

seen this doctor before, but this is who they assigned me to when I

called and asked for a fibroid specialist. When I arrived, they gave

me a pg test, which came out negative (no surprise there), and took

some basic history, along with bp (120/60 whoo hoo!). The doctor is

a nice, middle-aged man who got right down to business with a breast

exam, pap smear, pelvic and rectal exams.

Breast exam—I had found a lump under my left arm a few weeks ago, but

when my PCP sent me for an ultrasound, nothing showed up. Dr. Rao

felt for it but counldn't find it, said that it's probably nothing

and instructed me to do self-exams with the flat part of the fingers,

not the fingertips, as the sensitive fingertips may pick up milk

ducts or enlarged glands that are not of concern. He did comment on

the fact that my breasts are fibro-cystic, which I knew and it runs

in the family (along with fibroids).

Pelvic exam—I don't know why I'm so sensitive in the area, but since

childbirth anytime that the speculum is inserted I feel pinching

pain. He mentioned that my uterus is tipped backward, but everything

felt normal. He did not feel any fibroids, but said that those that

were there during pregnancy probably shrunk.

After the exam was over I had lots of questions:

Fibroid treatment—based on my family history (mom and both sisters

had hysterectomies due to fibroids) I asked if there was anything I

should be doing. He said that I shouldn't worry, that I don't have

any fibroids to worry about and that they don't become concerned

until they enlarge the uterus to 3-month pregnancy size, then they

decide whether to " cut them out. " He dismissed my question whether

there was anything I can do to prevent their growth saying that there

is nothing to stop them and we will deal with it when and if we get

there.

Fertility/Birth Control Pills—he said that everything looks great and

that I can stop the pill anytime to try to get pregnant, just give it

one month before trying. He said that my irregular periods are

probably due to continued breastfeeding (my dd is 2 y.o. and still

nursing once or twice a day). Because of that, it may take some time

to get pregnant if I'm not ovulating normally. I forgot to ask if

the mini-pill (Micronor) can affect any fibroid growth.

I had one more question and by this time he was anxious to get out of

there and kept trying to move to the door. He didn't even ask if I

was done with questions, so I stopped him one more time to talk about

a gene study that I am participating in. I needed to have a blood

sample drawn, so he reviewed the paper work and had his nurse call

the lab to authorize the blood draw. I finally let him go when he

approved it.

So, overall I am not happy with this doctor and his " answers. " I've

been reading Dr. Lark's book on Fibroids and Endometriosis (as well

as other research and reading this board) and I feel like the Kaiser

doctors are either not knowledgeable or are apathetic towards

treatment of fibroids aside from hysterectomy. His type

of " reassurance " (that there's nothing to worry about) just feels

like it puts me in future danger, a danger I would rather proactively

avoid. I think I need to get out of the HMO, but we can't right

now. I would love to have a compassionate, concerned, caring doctor

that is willing to do research for me, send me to specialists and do

more assertive investigation, and * then * tell me that everything is

okay. This doctor, with no more than a cursory exam, tells me that I

have nothing to worry about, despite family and personal history.

I'm also afraid of another Kaiser/hospital birth and their push for

interventions.

I guess at this point I am on my own. I'll continue to see different

Kaiser doctors until I find one I like, and I think if we get

pregnant again I'll check out different O Bs to find one that is

respectful of my preferences.

Any thoughts, suggestions?

[Guest guest]

What is Kaiser? An HMO or a medical facility? I'm just curious.

I've seen it mentioned here before.

Therese

> Well, I went to Kaiser yesterday for a fibroid/fertility check-up

and

> so I wanted to share what happened.

>

> I saw Dr. Rao at Kaiser in Panorama City, California. I had never

> seen this doctor before, but this is who they assigned me to when

I

> called and asked for a fibroid specialist. When I arrived, they

gave

> me a pg test, which came out negative (no surprise there), and

took

> some basic history, along with bp (120/60 whoo hoo!). The doctor

is

> a nice, middle-aged man who got right down to business with a

breast

> exam, pap smear, pelvic and rectal exams.

>

> Breast exam—I had found a lump under my left arm a few weeks ago,

but

> when my PCP sent me for an ultrasound, nothing showed up. Dr. Rao

> felt for it but counldn't find it, said that it's probably nothing

> and instructed me to do self-exams with the flat part of the

fingers,

> not the fingertips, as the sensitive fingertips may pick up milk

> ducts or enlarged glands that are not of concern. He did comment

on

> the fact that my breasts are fibro-cystic, which I knew and it

runs

> in the family (along with fibroids).

>

> Pelvic exam—I don't know why I'm so sensitive in the area, but

since

> childbirth anytime that the speculum is inserted I feel pinching

> pain. He mentioned that my uterus is tipped backward, but

everything

> felt normal. He did not feel any fibroids, but said that those

that

> were there during pregnancy probably shrunk.

>

> After the exam was over I had lots of questions:

>

> Fibroid treatment—based on my family history (mom and both sisters

> had hysterectomies due to fibroids) I asked if there was anything

I

> should be doing. He said that I shouldn't worry, that I don't

have

> any fibroids to worry about and that they don't become concerned

> until they enlarge the uterus to 3-month pregnancy size, then they

> decide whether to " cut them out. " He dismissed my question

whether

> there was anything I can do to prevent their growth saying that

there

> is nothing to stop them and we will deal with it when and if we

get

> there.

>

> Fertility/Birth Control Pills—he said that everything looks great

and

> that I can stop the pill anytime to try to get pregnant, just give

it

> one month before trying. He said that my irregular periods are

> probably due to continued breastfeeding (my dd is 2 y.o. and still

> nursing once or twice a day). Because of that, it may take some

time

> to get pregnant if I'm not ovulating normally. I forgot to ask if

> the mini-pill (Micronor) can affect any fibroid growth.

>

> I had one more question and by this time he was anxious to get out

of

> there and kept trying to move to the door. He didn't even ask if

I

> was done with questions, so I stopped him one more time to talk

about

> a gene study that I am participating in. I needed to have a blood

> sample drawn, so he reviewed the paper work and had his nurse call

> the lab to authorize the blood draw. I finally let him go when he

> approved it.

>

> So, overall I am not happy with this doctor and his " answers. "

I've

> been reading Dr. Lark's book on Fibroids and Endometriosis (as

well

> as other research and reading this board) and I feel like the

Kaiser

> doctors are either not knowledgeable or are apathetic towards

> treatment of fibroids aside from hysterectomy. His type

> of " reassurance " (that there's nothing to worry about) just feels

> like it puts me in future danger, a danger I would rather

proactively

> avoid. I think I need to get out of the HMO, but we can't right

> now. I would love to have a compassionate, concerned, caring

doctor

> that is willing to do research for me, send me to specialists and

do

> more assertive investigation, and * then * tell me that everything

is

> okay. This doctor, with no more than a cursory exam, tells me

that I

> have nothing to worry about, despite family and personal history.

> I'm also afraid of another Kaiser/hospital birth and their push

for

> interventions.

>

> I guess at this point I am on my own. I'll continue to see

different

> Kaiser doctors until I find one I like, and I think if we get

> pregnant again I'll check out different O Bs to find one that is

> respectful of my preferences.

>

> Any thoughts, suggestions?

>

>

[Guest guest]

What is Kaiser? An HMO or a medical facility? I'm just curious.

I've seen it mentioned here before.

Therese

> Well, I went to Kaiser yesterday for a fibroid/fertility check-up

and

> so I wanted to share what happened.

>

> I saw Dr. Rao at Kaiser in Panorama City, California. I had never

> seen this doctor before, but this is who they assigned me to when

I

> called and asked for a fibroid specialist. When I arrived, they

gave

> me a pg test, which came out negative (no surprise there), and

took

> some basic history, along with bp (120/60 whoo hoo!). The doctor

is

> a nice, middle-aged man who got right down to business with a

breast

> exam, pap smear, pelvic and rectal exams.

>

> Breast exam—I had found a lump under my left arm a few weeks ago,

but

> when my PCP sent me for an ultrasound, nothing showed up. Dr. Rao

> felt for it but counldn't find it, said that it's probably nothing

> and instructed me to do self-exams with the flat part of the

fingers,

> not the fingertips, as the sensitive fingertips may pick up milk

> ducts or enlarged glands that are not of concern. He did comment

on

> the fact that my breasts are fibro-cystic, which I knew and it

runs

> in the family (along with fibroids).

>

> Pelvic exam—I don't know why I'm so sensitive in the area, but

since

> childbirth anytime that the speculum is inserted I feel pinching

> pain. He mentioned that my uterus is tipped backward, but

everything

> felt normal. He did not feel any fibroids, but said that those

that

> were there during pregnancy probably shrunk.

>

> After the exam was over I had lots of questions:

>

> Fibroid treatment—based on my family history (mom and both sisters

> had hysterectomies due to fibroids) I asked if there was anything

I

> should be doing. He said that I shouldn't worry, that I don't

have

> any fibroids to worry about and that they don't become concerned

> until they enlarge the uterus to 3-month pregnancy size, then they

> decide whether to " cut them out. " He dismissed my question

whether

> there was anything I can do to prevent their growth saying that

there

> is nothing to stop them and we will deal with it when and if we

get

> there.

>

> Fertility/Birth Control Pills—he said that everything looks great

and

> that I can stop the pill anytime to try to get pregnant, just give

it

> one month before trying. He said that my irregular periods are

> probably due to continued breastfeeding (my dd is 2 y.o. and still

> nursing once or twice a day). Because of that, it may take some

time

> to get pregnant if I'm not ovulating normally. I forgot to ask if

> the mini-pill (Micronor) can affect any fibroid growth.

>

> I had one more question and by this time he was anxious to get out

of

> there and kept trying to move to the door. He didn't even ask if

I

> was done with questions, so I stopped him one more time to talk

about

> a gene study that I am participating in. I needed to have a blood

> sample drawn, so he reviewed the paper work and had his nurse call

> the lab to authorize the blood draw. I finally let him go when he

> approved it.

>

> So, overall I am not happy with this doctor and his " answers. "

I've

> been reading Dr. Lark's book on Fibroids and Endometriosis (as

well

> as other research and reading this board) and I feel like the

Kaiser

> doctors are either not knowledgeable or are apathetic towards

> treatment of fibroids aside from hysterectomy. His type

> of " reassurance " (that there's nothing to worry about) just feels

> like it puts me in future danger, a danger I would rather

proactively

> avoid. I think I need to get out of the HMO, but we can't right

> now. I would love to have a compassionate, concerned, caring

doctor

> that is willing to do research for me, send me to specialists and

do

> more assertive investigation, and * then * tell me that everything

is

> okay. This doctor, with no more than a cursory exam, tells me

that I

> have nothing to worry about, despite family and personal history.

> I'm also afraid of another Kaiser/hospital birth and their push

for

> interventions.

>

> I guess at this point I am on my own. I'll continue to see

different

> Kaiser doctors until I find one I like, and I think if we get

> pregnant again I'll check out different O Bs to find one that is

> respectful of my preferences.

>

> Any thoughts, suggestions?

>

>

[Guest guest]

What is Kaiser? An HMO or a medical facility? I'm just curious.

I've seen it mentioned here before.

Therese

> Well, I went to Kaiser yesterday for a fibroid/fertility check-up

and

> so I wanted to share what happened.

>

> I saw Dr. Rao at Kaiser in Panorama City, California. I had never

> seen this doctor before, but this is who they assigned me to when

I

> called and asked for a fibroid specialist. When I arrived, they

gave

> me a pg test, which came out negative (no surprise there), and

took

> some basic history, along with bp (120/60 whoo hoo!). The doctor

is

> a nice, middle-aged man who got right down to business with a

breast

> exam, pap smear, pelvic and rectal exams.

>

> Breast exam—I had found a lump under my left arm a few weeks ago,

but

> when my PCP sent me for an ultrasound, nothing showed up. Dr. Rao

> felt for it but counldn't find it, said that it's probably nothing

> and instructed me to do self-exams with the flat part of the

fingers,

> not the fingertips, as the sensitive fingertips may pick up milk

> ducts or enlarged glands that are not of concern. He did comment

on

> the fact that my breasts are fibro-cystic, which I knew and it

runs

> in the family (along with fibroids).

>

> Pelvic exam—I don't know why I'm so sensitive in the area, but

since

> childbirth anytime that the speculum is inserted I feel pinching

> pain. He mentioned that my uterus is tipped backward, but

everything

> felt normal. He did not feel any fibroids, but said that those

that

> were there during pregnancy probably shrunk.

>

> After the exam was over I had lots of questions:

>

> Fibroid treatment—based on my family history (mom and both sisters

> had hysterectomies due to fibroids) I asked if there was anything

I

> should be doing. He said that I shouldn't worry, that I don't

have

> any fibroids to worry about and that they don't become concerned

> until they enlarge the uterus to 3-month pregnancy size, then they

> decide whether to " cut them out. " He dismissed my question

whether

> there was anything I can do to prevent their growth saying that

there

> is nothing to stop them and we will deal with it when and if we

get

> there.

>

> Fertility/Birth Control Pills—he said that everything looks great

and

> that I can stop the pill anytime to try to get pregnant, just give

it

> one month before trying. He said that my irregular periods are

> probably due to continued breastfeeding (my dd is 2 y.o. and still

> nursing once or twice a day). Because of that, it may take some

time

> to get pregnant if I'm not ovulating normally. I forgot to ask if

> the mini-pill (Micronor) can affect any fibroid growth.

>

> I had one more question and by this time he was anxious to get out

of

> there and kept trying to move to the door. He didn't even ask if

I

> was done with questions, so I stopped him one more time to talk

about

> a gene study that I am participating in. I needed to have a blood

> sample drawn, so he reviewed the paper work and had his nurse call

> the lab to authorize the blood draw. I finally let him go when he

> approved it.

>

> So, overall I am not happy with this doctor and his " answers. "

I've

> been reading Dr. Lark's book on Fibroids and Endometriosis (as

well

> as other research and reading this board) and I feel like the

Kaiser

> doctors are either not knowledgeable or are apathetic towards

> treatment of fibroids aside from hysterectomy. His type

> of " reassurance " (that there's nothing to worry about) just feels

> like it puts me in future danger, a danger I would rather

proactively

> avoid. I think I need to get out of the HMO, but we can't right

> now. I would love to have a compassionate, concerned, caring

doctor

> that is willing to do research for me, send me to specialists and

do

> more assertive investigation, and * then * tell me that everything

is

> okay. This doctor, with no more than a cursory exam, tells me

that I

> have nothing to worry about, despite family and personal history.

> I'm also afraid of another Kaiser/hospital birth and their push

for

> interventions.

>

> I guess at this point I am on my own. I'll continue to see

different

> Kaiser doctors until I find one I like, and I think if we get

> pregnant again I'll check out different O Bs to find one that is

> respectful of my preferences.

>

> Any thoughts, suggestions?

>

>

[Guest guest]

What is Kaiser? An HMO or a medical facility? I'm just curious.

I've seen it mentioned here before.

Therese

> Well, I went to Kaiser yesterday for a fibroid/fertility check-up

and

> so I wanted to share what happened.

>

> I saw Dr. Rao at Kaiser in Panorama City, California. I had never

> seen this doctor before, but this is who they assigned me to when

I

> called and asked for a fibroid specialist. When I arrived, they

gave

> me a pg test, which came out negative (no surprise there), and

took

> some basic history, along with bp (120/60 whoo hoo!). The doctor

is

> a nice, middle-aged man who got right down to business with a

breast

> exam, pap smear, pelvic and rectal exams.

>

> Breast exam—I had found a lump under my left arm a few weeks ago,

but

> when my PCP sent me for an ultrasound, nothing showed up. Dr. Rao

> felt for it but counldn't find it, said that it's probably nothing

> and instructed me to do self-exams with the flat part of the

fingers,

> not the fingertips, as the sensitive fingertips may pick up milk

> ducts or enlarged glands that are not of concern. He did comment

on

> the fact that my breasts are fibro-cystic, which I knew and it

runs

> in the family (along with fibroids).

>

> Pelvic exam—I don't know why I'm so sensitive in the area, but

since

> childbirth anytime that the speculum is inserted I feel pinching

> pain. He mentioned that my uterus is tipped backward, but

everything

> felt normal. He did not feel any fibroids, but said that those

that

> were there during pregnancy probably shrunk.

>

> After the exam was over I had lots of questions:

>

> Fibroid treatment—based on my family history (mom and both sisters

> had hysterectomies due to fibroids) I asked if there was anything

I

> should be doing. He said that I shouldn't worry, that I don't

have

> any fibroids to worry about and that they don't become concerned

> until they enlarge the uterus to 3-month pregnancy size, then they

> decide whether to " cut them out. " He dismissed my question

whether

> there was anything I can do to prevent their growth saying that

there

> is nothing to stop them and we will deal with it when and if we

get

> there.

>

> Fertility/Birth Control Pills—he said that everything looks great

and

> that I can stop the pill anytime to try to get pregnant, just give

it

> one month before trying. He said that my irregular periods are

> probably due to continued breastfeeding (my dd is 2 y.o. and still

> nursing once or twice a day). Because of that, it may take some

time

> to get pregnant if I'm not ovulating normally. I forgot to ask if

> the mini-pill (Micronor) can affect any fibroid growth.

>

> I had one more question and by this time he was anxious to get out

of

> there and kept trying to move to the door. He didn't even ask if

I

> was done with questions, so I stopped him one more time to talk

about

> a gene study that I am participating in. I needed to have a blood

> sample drawn, so he reviewed the paper work and had his nurse call

> the lab to authorize the blood draw. I finally let him go when he

> approved it.

>

> So, overall I am not happy with this doctor and his " answers. "

I've

> been reading Dr. Lark's book on Fibroids and Endometriosis (as

well

> as other research and reading this board) and I feel like the

Kaiser

> doctors are either not knowledgeable or are apathetic towards

> treatment of fibroids aside from hysterectomy. His type

> of " reassurance " (that there's nothing to worry about) just feels

> like it puts me in future danger, a danger I would rather

proactively

> avoid. I think I need to get out of the HMO, but we can't right

> now. I would love to have a compassionate, concerned, caring

doctor

> that is willing to do research for me, send me to specialists and

do

> more assertive investigation, and * then * tell me that everything

is

> okay. This doctor, with no more than a cursory exam, tells me

that I

> have nothing to worry about, despite family and personal history.

> I'm also afraid of another Kaiser/hospital birth and their push

for

> interventions.

>

> I guess at this point I am on my own. I'll continue to see

different

> Kaiser doctors until I find one I like, and I think if we get

> pregnant again I'll check out different O Bs to find one that is

> respectful of my preferences.

>

> Any thoughts, suggestions?

>

>