spotting/endo?

[Shanti]

Hi girls
How much is it to see a gyno that specialises in endo for eg? I don't have private health cover. just medicare.

i am concerned that i may have Endo as on the weekend, when DF and i had sex, it hurt twice, both times on the weekend that we DTD it hurt... sorta like as he thrusted in and out so we changed angles and that helped (sorry TMI) but it was still kinda sore... up in my abdominal area right side kinda like my appendix... i am due for my AF today too... so kinda have minor menstrual cramps but thats normal... never hurt during sex before so its new to me and never had Endo, PCOS or fertility issues etc so i'm a bit worried.
anyway i too have heard the only way to know for sure is a lap so i might see a gyno first to get advice?!?! and info.... what you girls think?
is the waiting list long in public?!?! if i need one? i could just be jumping the gun and may not be anything wrong wiht me could be part of PMS or somethting but its new to me so i am concerned and want to get it looked at as we are TTC#1 very, very soon and dont want anything wrong with me!!!

[Mumszword]

Hi girls
How much is it to see a gyno that specialises in endo for eg? I don't have private health cover. just medicare.

i am concerned that i may have Endo as on the weekend, when DF and i had sex, it hurt twice, both times on the weekend that we DTD it hurt... sorta like as he thrusted in and out so we changed angles and that helped (sorry TMI) but it was still kinda sore... up in my abdominal area right side kinda like my appendix... i am due for my AF today too... so kinda have minor menstrual cramps but thats normal... never hurt during sex before so its new to me and never had Endo, PCOS or fertility issues etc so i'm a bit worried.
anyway i too have heard the only way to know for sure is a lap so i might see a gyno first to get advice?!?! and info.... what you girls think?
is the waiting list long in public?!?! if i need one? i could just be jumping the gun and may not be anything wrong wiht me could be part of PMS or somethting but its new to me so i am concerned and want to get it looked at as we are TTC#1 very, very soon and dont want anything wrong with me!!!

Ok heres how it has played out for me so far and I don't have private health insurance and cant afford private hospitals........ It took many many visits to countless gps before I got a referal to a gyno specialist..... he was a general gyno with some specialist experience in the area of infertility and endo. He initially cost $160 for first visit. (not including costs of ultrasounds and pap test) - Can't remember how much I got back from medicare but there were out of pocket expenses. He suspected maybe minor endo??? and suggested a LAP which could be done privately and would cost $1000's or I could go onto the public waiting list..... This was a difficult one because of my age and as my pain at the time was severe but I could not afford private surgery costs. So I went on the waiting list which was 10-12 month wait. I finally had the lap in May this year.

The specialist was planning to try to fix what ever the problem was while doing the lap eg: minor removal of endo if he found any..... well needless to say he was in for a major shock...... he basically opened me up and took lots of photos and closed me back up. This was when I found out that I not only had endo that had gone undiagnosed for many many many years but it was that extensive he stated the best he could do was a full hystorectomy and it was the worst case of endo that he had seen in the last 20years I then had followup appointment with him and I think from memory that was about $140 too.

He then refered me onto one of the leading surgeons in the field as he knew I wanted to preserve fertility. I saw him almost immediately but that was another I think $260? from memory ( But money definately well spent). He agreed that surgery was basically my only option regardless of if I wanted to preserve fertility or not as it was becoming debilitating. Also because of the severity and progress of my endo it has been deemed as requiring major surgery sooner rather than later. As I can only afford to go through the public health system I am on a standby waiting list and have a scheduled date for surgery in late September. The specialist I am now seeing has been a God Send to say the least and that I am thankful for his help and willing to wait to ensure that I have someone who has the expertise and skill to be able to improve my chances of TCC and improving my quality of life. I have also had to see a bowel surgeon which cost another $200+. I have had to see a cardiologist in preparation for surgery too not sure if this will be bulk billed..... I am keeping an eye on the letterbox in the next few weeks. Blood tests and other tests so far have all been able to be bulk billed.

My advice to you is if you really suspect endo - try to get a referal to a gyno who has had experience in diagnosis and dealing with the disease. First step is to get a diagnosis and this will mean minor day surgery (having a Lap).

If they find you have endo then chat to your specialist and see if they are equipped to deal with it. Also chat to as many people as possible who have had experiences with doctors and endo treatment. Also google Endo and read as much information as possible in your country/state. The more information you are armed with the better you can decide what treatment is best for you..... As there are many different options of how to treat and results are not all the same and some give more lasting relief than others.

Remember that all is not lost if and when your forced to go through the public health system. It may take longer to get a diagnosis which may or may not be something you are willing to wait for depending on your age and severity of your symptoms. If you have endo I would definately try to find a very reputable and reliable endo specialist as this can make all the difference to your outcome.

Good luck with your search for answers - I hope you get things sorted soon.....

take care....