It is vitally important for a woman with endometriosis
to be able to communicate effectively with her doctor.
Of course, this is a two-way street. The doctor should
also be able to communicate effectively with his or
her patient. Fortunately, there are some things the
patient can do to encourage a positive outcome.
BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT
Take a few minutes before every doctor's appointment
to set an objective and make a list of appropriate
questions. For example, you might want to come away
from the appointment with a treatment plan to try
for the next month. You may want to schedule a surgery
date or discuss alternative treatments. Or you may
be having a new, bothersome symptom that you would
like to discuss.
It's helpful to put your objective in writing and
go over it several times before your appointment.
Write down all your symptoms and questions, all the
medications you're currently taking (including supplements),
and gather all recent medical records and lab results.
See also: Questions
your doctor may want to ask you in order to help
prepare.
QUESTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK
Women with endometriosis may want to ask their physicians
some very specific questions about diagnosis and treatment,
including:
IN THE WAITING ROOM
As you wait for your appointment, go over your questions
and your objective instead of reading a magazine.
That way, you'll be focused when the doctor is ready
to see you.
DURING THE APPOINTMENT
After you greet the doctor, state the purpose of your
visit clearly and concisely. For example, "I
am here today because I have been having pelvic pain
for two weeks every month. I've taken over-the-counter
analgesics, but that doesn't help. I'd like to discover
the reason for this continued pain and find some way
to deal with it."
It's important not to minimize your symptoms or be
vague in any way. Don't ever say, "It's probably
nothing." Women often under-report pain. As a
result, we may not get the care we desperately need.
Be specific about your symptoms. It's helpful to
chart your pain symptoms on a daily basis, so you
can see how often you're in pain. Keep a Pain Diary
which describes all your symptoms, when they occur,
how long they last, and the intensity of the pain.
Sketching a pain map of your body which shows the
doctor the exact location of the pain is also helpful
in diagnosing and treating endometriosis.
With specific information, you can accurately inform
your doctor of your symptoms. For example, you might
say, "Two months ago, I began having pain with
sex. I have a deep pulling pain and burning sensations
with deep penetration, sometimes for up to two hours
afterwards. It happens most often during the middle
of my cycle." Don't be embarrassed about your
symptoms. Talk in straightforward language that makes
your symptoms clear to your doctor.
Simply saying you have "cramps" usually
doesn't raise a red flag in the doctor's mind. But
telling the doctor you have sharp, knife-like pain
in your lower pelvis for five days each month does.
By providing specific descriptions, you can play an
important role in obtaining a correct diagnosis and
treatment plan.
IF YOUR DOCTOR DOESN'T LISTEN
If your doctor minimises your symptoms, tells you
it's all in your head, to "just relax,"
recommends pregnancy as a treatment, or gives you
medication without a thorough physical exam, you would
be well-advised to consider finding another doctor
who listens and understands. Women with endometriosis
often endure years of misdiagnosis because no one
ever listened to them. You may have to be persistent
to find a doctor who will work with you.
GET A REFERRAL
If it's clear your doctor cannot provide the degree
of care you need (or the two of you simply do not
get along), ask for a referral to someone else. You
might say something like, "I'm not comfortable
with the treatment plan you have outlined. I would
like a referral to another gynaecologist."
SUMMARY
Developing a good doctor-patient relationship takes
some time, but is worth it when you find someone you
can trust. The best way to get good care is to:
-
be persistent
- don't downplay your symptoms
- search until you find the answers you need
- research, read, and talk with other women with endometriosis
© 1996 - 2003 Ellen T Johnson
Reprinted with permission
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