Hmmmm... A new book/Ever considered legal action?

[Guest guest]

So, in a fit of passion yesterday I bought the medical text Clinical

Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility. I haven't bought college

text books in years and it was a chunk of change. I was visiting an

open house at a local naturopathic university however and had a 10%

discount coupon so the time seemed right to make the splurge.

The book was written in 1999 and I'm sure it is only one part of the

ob/gyn curricula but we still need doctors to do better. The book,

written by several men authors, also mentions that PMS is in our

heads. How's that for excellent medical care. (Harumph!)

I read through the few pages on fibroids, which I consider to be

largely an endocrinologically founded condition, yet the only medical

intervention mentioned was GnRH [Lupron], other than watch and wait,

prior to pursuing surgery. I was pretty disappointed that they didn't

have any other recommendations to make and didn't mention anemia --

which logically in my mind would further any hormonal imbalance

issues as hormones transport via the red blood cells membrane would

be compromised some by the anemia. I know that we here in this group

have a lot more information about the nuances of our condition than

the doctors have. It is true though as well that they just haven't

done enough research yet into the causes of fibroids -- too much of

some hormones, not enough of others, diet, etc.

I'm not disappointed I bought it however, it is full of interesting

information that will continue to be useful to me as I try to balance

my hormones and hopefully someday have a baby.

Here are some quotes for the fertility seeking members of the group:

" Myomas are present (diagnosed by ultrasonography) in about 1-2%

pregnancies. Most myomas do not grow during pregnancy. When they do,

most of the growth is in the first trimester, and most myomas regress

in size after the pregnancy. The size of the myoma will not predict

its course; large myomas will not necessarily grow more than small

ones. Most pregnancies, in the presence of myomas, will therefore, be

uncomplicated (although a higher incidence of cesarean section has

been observed). "

" Leiomyomas are an infrequent cause of infertility, either by

mechanical obstruction or distortion (and interference of

implantation). When a mechanical obstruction of fallopian tubes,

cervical cana, or endometrial cavity is present and no other cause of

infertility or recurrent miscarriage can be identified, myomectomy is

usually followed by a prompt achievement of pregnancy and a high

percentage of patients (usually within the first year). "

" Because of the rapid regrowth of myomas following cessation of of

GnRH agonist therapy, medical therapy for infertility is not

recommended. " [GnRH aka: Lupron, Synarel, Busrelin]

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Ever Considered Legal Action?

With all the horror stories we've heard here, of mistreatment,

misdiagnosis and just back medicine, have any of you considered

taking legal action? Surely, a gynecologist on call should have been

brought in for the prolapsed fibroid incident we just heard about.

Definately patients with weeks of blood loss should be given priority

by the doctor. Absolutely should every patient suspected of fibroids

have (at least) an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis. Et cetera. We

need to make them start hurting in their pocketbooks and then maybe

we'll get better care. The financial awards don't have to be much in

order to get insurance companies and doctors on their toes.

If anyone knows (Carla?) what are current legal hurdles that impede

our ability to seek legal remedy?

--Ann