A very interesting doctors visit

Ok ladies! So I finally had a Gyne appointment today and I was VERY surprised!

First off I was in my appointment for nearly 2 hours with the do tor. Not your average 15 minute consultation!

He firstly asked me if I minded having a student Gyne in the room. I said " Sure that's ok!". Figured this student may be able to help someone like me one day.

While describing my symptoms, the doctor took note of EVERYTHING I was saying. I told him about all the creams I had tried, and I told him that they didn't work because it felt like "it was coming from the inside out.". He looked at me and nodded snd said " you feel the problem on the outside is caused by an internal problem". I said "yes exactly!". I described my nausea,  morning sickness-like vomiting and fatigue, irregular periods, breast soreness, clear discharge, acid reflux ect.

When we were done with my symptoms he looked at the med student and said "From what you have just heard, what hormones do you think are involved in (my name)'s problems?". The student shyly said "Progesterone and Estrogen". He said "Yes! Mainly Estrogen". He said that from the sound of things there is a hormonal problem involved,  possibly an Estrogen sensitivity.

He then gave me an examination, interestingly he said that my Hymen is thicker than normal and said it has its own nerve system and can cause vestibulitis. Lol he could tell I needed to pee,  straightaway he said 'Your bladder is full! (Been in the waiting room with no loo lol). He said that if worst came to worst I could have a hymen and vesibulectomy, though they are not always successful. But this would be a last resort.

I explained about the doctors just telling me I have to live with it and that I needed antidepressants and councilling. He shook his head and said " That's what doctors do when they put you in the too-hard basket and can't be bothered. They do this to try and get rid if you so you don't come back! Unless you have a real mental problem or need antidepressants for pain relief purposes,  antidepressants should not be used because they can interfere with your hormones!". He then went on to say "Never let a doctor tell you that real physical symptoms are all in your head!"

He then turned to the student and said "Never ever  just tell a patient with real physical symptoms that they need councilling and antidepressants without investigating every single possible diagnosis! Never!"

So, the next step?

I have to take Provera because my cycle is irregular. This will bring on a withdrawal bleed. On day 7,14,21,28 of my cycle I have to have my hormones checked every week. Then go back to see him for my results. He wants to see what my hormonal cycle is doing and if I am actually ovulating or not.

He said he can't promise a solution but he is going to do everything in his power to find me one.  At this point he said it all sounds hormonal. He also has a Naturopath that he works with.

I came home and cried. Someone is finally taking me seriously, which is great. But....I am scared of getting my hopes up and not getting a result.

Yesssss finally  Also, I got a vestibulectomy, so if you go down that road I can answer any questions you may have.  But it is a last resort so try everything you can first.  Although, I am happy as heck with mine! Happy for you !!!!

Thanks Alana

I thought a vestibulectomy was only good for provoked vestibulitis? Mine isn't painful to touch, it is just itchy and burning with no real trigger, but it gets worse leading up to and during my period and if I don't get my period its worse, so I don't know if it would work? Aren't Vestibulectomies something you have to pay for yourself? They aren't something I know a lot about. What does the op actually involve? I'd love more info!

I am so glad someone is finally listening and taking me seriously. But I am so scared all the tests I have to endure will all come back with no result....I have had every other test come back with nothing and every time I get hope that the next test I do will show an answer, and when it doesn't it is like a big kick in the guts. As I said before, I am so so so scared that I am going to be stuck like this forever.

My insurance covered mine I just had to pay like $1500 out of pocket (I think).  I thought they were only for provoked, but I don't know, maybe your doc can answer what he's thinking better than I can.  I don't want to tell you something wrong if your doc thinks he can fix you!  They basically remove your vestibule- the horse shoe looking area of your vagina.  If you don't have a weak stomach, you can google the surgery and see what they remove.  It looks and sounds a LOT worse than it is.  You have a 6 week recovery, which sounds long, but isn't.  I was out to lunch 3 days after my surgery with minimal pain.  You just wont be able to sit comfortably right away.  I would try his other bag of tricks before even considering surgery.  It is a very last resort to vulvodynia, and if something else works for you, then by all means, that's better.  But if you have any other questions, let me know.  I am going on vacation he next 4 days, but will make sure to respond to you as soon as I can. 

Speaking of vay cay... I got a stupid UTI and freaked cuz the pain was so bad and it's our year celebration.  I didn't want to ruin  but I got the meds and feel better within a few hours.  Praise the lord! haha