Wow did I learn a hard lesson...

[Guest guest]

Greetings Ladies,

Please indulge my rant. Perhaps this lengthy post will help someone

else from getting bad medical advice or being operated on needlessly.

Someone else's post from this site helped me.

For some background, I am 40, never had children but am still hoping to.

Back in June my regular ObGyn (Dr. #1) did an ultrasound and discovered

3 fibroids measuring 1.4 cm, 1.4 cm and 1.6 cms, all subsurosal (on

the outer wall of the uterus). In Sept. she performed a Laparoscopy to

check for endometriosis etc. in response to my complaints of heavy,

persistent cramps. In the post Laparoscopy consultation Dr. #1

informed me that I had some endometriosis and that if I wanted to

preserve my fertility I should get an abdominal myomectomy. That would

be followed by one or two Lupron shots to address the endometriosis. I

would then have to wait at least 6 months after the Myo to TTC (or even

longer if I had to do more than one Lupron shot). She said that if I

just did nothing, I risked complications if I got pregnant, because the

fibroids would grow and could result in miscarriage or having to have a

myo. While pregnant and risk loving the baby. Terrifying news for a 40

year old whose desperately TTC. I was devastated. So, following her

advise, I scheduled the surgery for Dec. 6th and had been majorly

depressed ever since.

Fast forward to November: Thank The Lord for Clair who I met on this

board. Clair (who's also in the Twin Cities) gave me the names of some

excellent ObGyn's to go to for second opinions on my upcoming Myo. The

Dr. I met with today (Dr. # 2) is one of those Doctors and he was

emphatic that under no circumstances should I have an abdominal myo or

any Myomectomy given the small size of my fibroids. (the term he kept

using was that doing surgery on me would be " unconscionable " and that

performing surgery on someone with only 3 small fibroids would be

contrary to acceptable medical practice) Upon reviewing the photos I

brought in from my Laparoscopy, he informed me that my endometriosis was

minimal and said NOT to get Lupron shots. He also said he would have

removed my fibroids during the Laparoscopy, unlike the path chosen by my

regular ObGyn who left them there to be removed during a Myomectomy.

Apparently my Dr. #1 didn't think to do that, just as she didn't think

it was a big deal to lose 6-9 months of my quickly retreating fertile

years while recovering from a myomectomy and Lupron shots.

Other things he told me:

Dr. #1's clinic botched my most recent clomid challenge test, they

failed to take my estrodial levels. Key information for those of us who

are trying to conceive. Furthermore, my entire surgery was hinged on

getting positive results from this test, as she wanted to make sure that

I still had some fertility to preserve. If the test showed that I was

not able to conceive, Doctor #1 said she would suggest waiting or

getting a hysterectomy.

Dr. #2 also noted that my high estrogen level on last year's day 10 y

Clomid challenge test was not in fact way off the chart and that I

didn't need to be alarmed by it. He told me it was entirely normal.

(never mind that their incorrect interpretation of the test has caused

me 18 months of heartache AND lost fertility time. Dr. # 1 didn't call

me with the results of the clomid challenge test, a nurse did. The

nurse also failed to tell me that my FSH level was elevated and

indicated that I'm quickly approaching menopause and that if I want to

concive I have NO time to lose (ESPECIALLY not 6-8 month for an

unnecessary abdominal myomectomy!)

I am SO angry and shocked at all of the bad advice and bad medicine my

Doctor has been passing off on me. Thank God I did get a second opinion

or I'd be having entirely unnecessary major elective surgery. It's

funny b/c I even asked my regular ObGyn if she had performed a lot of

Myomectomies and she kind of rolled her eyes and said " I've been doing

these for a lot of years. It's not like it's rocket science. " I felt

stupid for even having asked her the question and went ahead and

scheduled the surgery.

I have learned some important lessons from this:

1. Always get a second opinion and don't count on a Doctor to look out

for your best interests, YOU have to do that.

2. Talking to other people in the same situation is essential for

educating yourself (or eavesdropping on this board as it were)

Until reading about women living with fibroids larger than my measly 1.6

and 1.4 cm droids, I assumed that my regular OBGyn was right and that I

needed to be cut open, have my uterus cut into repeatedly and then spend

6-8 weeks healing... I believed her. Good grief that's malpractice!

3. Compile your own health records as much as possible. I had to do

some running around for mine, but it made such a difference having data,

photos and test results to discuss with the second opinion Dr.

4. The Doctors age and years in practice have no relationship to

expertise. In hind site, one major difference between these Doctors is

how many of these surgeries have they done. Dr. #1 performs surgery

one day a week, whereas good Doctor # 2 from today, performs surgery 3

days a week!! I think that is very telling. Doctor #2 also said that

the technologies and techniques have improved so much that much of

today's' stuff can be done via Laparoscopic surgery. Apparently Dr. #1

was too busy failing her Rocket Science class to keep current in her

field of practice.

5. Be picky about your Doctors. For years I've found it difficult to

understand my regular ObGyn (she speaks with an accent ) but I never did

anything about it. I thought that not being able to have a solid

conversation with her was MY problem because I couldn't understand her .

Meanwhile I'd often leave her office without having satisfactory answers

to my concerns and soon I'd forget about it. In hind sight, I was too

concerned about hurting her feelings, or appearing too ethnocentric to

switch Doctors. Hereafter, I need to make decisions that are best for

ME, not for my Doctor. I am switching Doctors effective immediately.

And I don't care if I hurt my old Dr.'s feelings.... she clearly didn't

care about mine.

So there you have my late night rant. Being told that I didn't need a

Myo today was like having a100 lb. gorilla lifted off my shoulders. Yes,

I still have small fibroids, minor endometriosis, & infertility to deal

with, but I don't have to let some Dr. cut me open and rob me of months

of my life, just so she can make a buck.

D.

[Guest guest]

Hind sight is a 100% don't be surprised you know more

today than yesterday. My second opinion was an

eyeopener as well. Congrats on the good news it does

feel great huh

take care and good luck

wishing for you the baby you are wishing for

justine

--- Dowell wrote:

>I am 40, never had children but am still hoping to.

>Thank God I did get a second opinion

[Guest guest]

Way to go !!! Thanks for sharing your story. Sorry you lost

some time there, but best wishes with TTC!

Gerri

Apparently my Dr. #1 didn't think to do that, just as she didn't

think it was a big deal to lose 6-9 months of my quickly retreating

fertile years while recovering from a myomectomy and Lupron shots.

Dr. # 1 didn't call me with the results of the clomid challenge test, a nurse

did. The nurse also failed to tell me that my FSH level was elevated and

indicated that I'm quickly approaching menopause and that if I

want to concive I have NO time to lose (ESPECIALLY not 6-8 month for an

unnecessary abdominal myomectomy!)

[Guest guest]

I share the same sentiments !.

Wow did I learn a hard lesson...

Greetings Ladies,

Please indulge my rant. Perhaps this lengthy post will help someone

else from getting bad medical advice or being operated on needlessly.

Someone else's post from this site helped me...