Gynecological Health - Tumblr Posts
Rant warning, medical issues warning. Please don't read if talk about chronic issues will trigger you, this is just to get things off my chest.
I am so exhausted. I have been ill since 2020, but December 2023 my health started getting even worse and it keeps progressing and the medical system is so frustrating. I had so many medical appointments this year that led to nothing. Even more that I needed but I juat cannot get through the wait list.
The myriad of gynaecological issues is actively shaving off my will to live. I have changed my gyno this year. After two visits I swore not to come in again after she screamed at me for coming in with acute inflammation week before my flight because "she is not there to worry about how I enjoy my vacation " I said it is not just vacation and I am leaving for two months. She said: "that's not too long. Unless it's 6 months, you can wait"
Thankfully I got lucky and they helped me in korea and haven't had an inflammation since as far as I know, but the lack of proper treatment fucked me up and I have been dealing with consequences ever since.
Similar thing happened to me earlier this year with another acute inflammation. I went to gyno er (completed empty) and the doctor kicked me out for taking space for really sick patients after she found out my main gyno is her friend. Her friend ruined my life in 2021 when she kept claiming there is nothing wrong with me till I got so bad my physio told me "I have never seen someone in a state as poor as yours". I will most likely never completely heal from it.
I have a suspicion for pcos or/and endometriosis. Sadly the only practioners that diagnose it in this damn country want insane money for each visit that I just cannot afford. Tell me, why do I pay 300 dollars a month for insurance?
There is a suspicion for breast cancer. I have been on a waiting list for an examination since end of May. Cool.
I am so desperate I am getting my wisdom teeth pulled out today just because there is a small chance it might help my body heal better and help it stay free of inflammation.
Out of pocket of course. What else to expect from dental care but hey, at least they will do it.
Endocrinology? I get tested in labs out of pocket, because no place accepts new patients.
I am exhausted from being my own doctor, being shoved around, waiting. Paying for what my insurance should cover.
I am tired of constantly finding new gynecologists.
I had to quit my job because my pain is so bad it is impossible to be on regular schedule.
And the pain in my arms? Don't get me started. I was getting a hang of it before my doctor (who I waited for for months) gave me random pills after he twisted my arm for a minute. After two pills I started loosing sense in my hands. Why? Because they were rapidly slowing down your blood flow. Why does a pill like that even exist and why give it to someone who had low blood pressure and possible POTS.
Anyways, it feels like I watch people around me live their lives while I am stuck in hell. I am sure anyone with chronic issues understand.
And I am angry and frustrated and most of the days I don't have the energy to keep fighting because honestly what for? So more health issues pop up?
Two ultrasounds later..
Confirmation we have PCO is on its way
Adenomyosis is still unclear but very likely.
Our doc hasn't seen the ultrasounds yet - radiologist commented on the number of cysts on our ovaries (15ish on one side and 23+ on the other), and that it's basically guaranteed that our gynaecologist will agree…
They looked like c h e e s e on the ultrasound.
Time to add another diagnosis to the list.
Funny to think in October 2021 our ovaries were complimented by our surgeon, as he laughed and said that they looked perfectly healthy despite PCO running in our family…. oh, what can happen in two years. Perfectly happy ovaries said 'hell no' and became swiss cheese.
Normalising certain things can be dangerous - especially around mental illness and physical illness. A good example of this is how period pain has been normalised.
People with periods often dismiss their pain on the basis of "everyone gets a little pain", doctors dismiss painful periods, specialists dismiss them too as it's so normalised to have painful periods where it can be a symptom of severe chronic illness; endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, adenomyosis, even kinds of gynecological cancers can present as "a painful period"
Destigmatising painful periods (and honestly, pelvic health for all people) helps to push societal acceptance and awareness of the fact that those issues exist, and allows for conversation when problems arise.