You want to ultrasound what--and how?

Hughie · March 21, 2017, 08:03:41 PM

So tomorrow I'm going in for an ultrasound of my uterus. This is already unsettling, but they want to do one of those internal ones... you know where I'm headed with this.

I've known for a couple of weeks this is coming, and I've dealt with it by denial. But that's tomorrow and I'm really, really not looking forward to this. I am keen though to get answers since I had some massive abnormal bleeding earlier this month that landed me in emergency (unknown cause), and no clue so far about what's up. Blood work was fine. Otherwise, random cycle bleeding and bloating.

None of this is normal for me, so I was talking with my doctor options about how to deal with this stuff, if it's 'hormonal' as opposed to other stuff. The main suggestion was to insert an... IUD, which may trigger the dysphoria even worse than the internal ultrasound. I'm thinking that if it's hormone-related, I may start T sooner (by summer) rather than later (fall). It's not a huge difference, but I'm more inclined to do that.

Anyway, I'm creeped out and needed to vent. Already not impressed with those parts, never mind all the problems they're causing this month.

Mal · March 21, 2017, 08:54:13 PM

I had that done when they diagnosed PCOS, and a different doctor wanted to do another last year because I was having even more problems, but I couldn't handle doing it a second time. I was given similar options as you because the doctor I went to didn't want to do a hysterectomy, so I just went ahead and started testosterone. It may be something you want to consider if it would only be a difference of a couple months sooner than your original plan.

Hughie · March 21, 2017, 09:10:36 PM

Yeah, I've been through this kind of scan years back and hated it then too. At least I'm hoping it'll give some clues about what's happening to make it worthwhile. My overall concerns over the years were dismissed by my old GP (female), that all women (grr) deal with this. Crippling pain and vomiting etc aren't normal in my books, and now all this extra. It's horrible enough it's happening monthly, but all the time?

The difference between starting now-ish and after August is primarily due to coverage for T from benefits, which kick in then. Because I need to do the gel or patch to help manage moods, it's pricy, about $130/mo vs $10/mo CAD. The other reason is that I'm also through the probation period at work by early July. I have a 6 month probation period at work, and getting close now to the midway. I'm working for the government as a permanent employee, so I will have protections at work when I come out, but I didn't want to rock the boat during probation either.

WolfNightV4X1 · March 21, 2017, 11:37:25 PM

Well, I see what youve been up to, heh! That does suck a lot, though. I cant imagine having health issues in that areaarea is in any way fun. I was pretty annoyed to get feminine tests down there, mine were quick though. Its just something you have to get in, get out, get over with xP

Hopefully T will take care of a lot of those, Im excited FOR you. Good luck!

David1987 · March 22, 2017, 05:17:27 AM

If you have abnormal bleeding I imagine they are looking for a fibroid and/or to measure the thickness of the endometrium to evaluate if it could be due to hormonal imbalances. In a person who already had intercourse (I think it's for legal reasons in this country), the BEST method to evaluate this is through a transvaginal ultrasound. However... the patient has a saying, patient's autonomy above everything. If you are really really uncomfortable with it you can request a transabdominal ultrasound (which would be, like a regular one, putting the tranducer on your belly), however, the results are less accurate.

Good luck!

Hughie · March 22, 2017, 08:54:58 AM

Quote from: WolfNightV4X1 on March 21, 2017, 11:37:25 PM
Well, I see what youve been up to, heh! That does suck a lot, though. I cant imagine having health issues in that areaarea is in any way fun. I was pretty annoyed to get feminine tests down there, mine were quick though. Its just something you have to get in, get out, get over with xP

Hopefully T will take care of a lot of those, Im excited FOR you. Good luck!

I will close my eyes and think of England.

But I'm hoping it's just some kind of hormone thing and there's a solution for that.

Hughie · March 22, 2017, 08:56:36 AM

Quote from: David1987 on March 22, 2017, 05:17:27 AM
If you have abnormal bleeding I imagine they are looking for a fibroid and/or to measure the thickness of the endometrium to evaluate if it could be due to hormonal imbalances. In a person who already had intercourse (I think it's for legal reasons in this country), the BEST method to evaluate this is through a transvaginal ultrasound. However... the patient has a saying, patient's autonomy above everything. If you are really really uncomfortable with it you can request a transabdominal ultrasound (which would be, like a regular one, putting the tranducer on your belly), however, the results are less accurate.

Good luck!

Yeah, I can logically see why the transvaginal (oh irony) ultrasound makes sense and my scientist brain is all over that. The rest of me is all 'Aww, seriously? C'mon!'

David1987 · March 22, 2017, 12:15:15 PM

Quote from: Hughie on March 22, 2017, 08:56:36 AM
Yeah, I can logically see why the transvaginal (oh irony) ultrasound makes sense and my scientist brain is all over that. The rest of me is all 'Aww, seriously? C'mon!'

Yeah, I get it. I feel the same with all those procedures. I hope it went well.

Hughie · March 22, 2017, 09:12:41 PM

Quote from: David1987 on March 22, 2017, 12:15:15 PM
Yeah, I get it. I feel the same with all those procedures. I hope it went well.

Cheers! Yep, survived.

Hope I don't have to do that again, ever. And that they got some kind of good info out of it. It's a shame they don't show any of the images after going through that ordeal. I don't know if it's like that in other places, but here in BC, Canada, getting access to your own medical records/imaging is tough.

Berserk · March 24, 2017, 12:52:50 PM

Quote from: Hughie on March 22, 2017, 09:12:41 PM
Cheers! Yep, survived. Hope I don't have to do that again, ever. And that they got some kind of good info out of it. It's a shame they don't show any of the images after going through that ordeal. I don't know if it's like that in other places, but here in BC, Canada, getting access to your own medical records/imaging is tough.

Ugh sucks you had to go through that. I lose my mind a bit even just with annual paps (which I had to get done just this week and was as terrible as expected, but at least my doctor's nice about it) so I can only imagine how stressful this was for you. Weird they wouldn't give you access to the imaging if you request it though. I live in Ontario and any time I've had any ultrasound/imaging/xrays done my family doctor has always had a copy and shown me (not that I can make much out of them). I wonder why BC makes it so tough?

Hughie · March 27, 2017, 07:17:07 PM

Quote from: Berserk on March 24, 2017, 12:52:50 PM
Ugh sucks you had to go through that. I lose my mind a bit even just with annual paps (which I had to get done just this week and was as terrible as expected, but at least my doctor's nice about it) so I can only imagine how stressful this was for you. Weird they wouldn't give you access to the imaging if you request it though. I live in Ontario and any time I've had any ultrasound/imaging/xrays done my family doctor has always had a copy and shown me (not that I can make much out of them). I wonder why BC makes it so tough?

I really wish I knew but glad that Ontario's got things together.

And commiserations about the pap.

Hughie · March 27, 2017, 07:20:16 PM

Sooo the GP's office called me this morning. Which is a bit alarming considering my test was Weds. evening. The verdict is... they want to repeat the test in 6 weeks.

Apparently I have a 2cm fibroid, and a 5cm cyst on an ovary. All parts I don't really want... it's like they know. I'm trying not to freak out about the latter because there's not much I can do about it. The hope is that it will go away or reduce in the next few weeks. There may be a bonus Pap too.

Six weeks is a long time to wait. At least I see the GP next Monday - I'm out of town for work till then and busy, so hopefully that will help.

mm · March 28, 2017, 12:56:49 PM

Sorry to hear about your problems. I know how you must feel about wanting to do another ultrasound in 6 weeks, just thinking about it for six week will be the hardest. Yes, would be great if they would just do a complete hyster since you don't want those parts. Keep us updated as you move on through this.

Alexthecat · March 28, 2017, 11:24:29 PM

Be firm in that you just want to get the parts removed. No sense in them going in and removing just the cysts and then have a hysto at a later date when you can get it all done at once.

Hughie · March 29, 2017, 11:37:39 PM

Cheers Alex and mm. The hope is that the thing will reduce or go away by the time the next scan happens. But if surgery is needed, I'll need more info about how its done, but yeah, they can have those parts.

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You want to ultrasound what--and how?