Question:
I anyone else as nervous as I am about seeing a gynecologist?
I haven't seen one in about 7 years because I am embarrassed of my weight and afraid of what the Dr. might say. Has anyone felt this way? I have to go because I have a period that doesn't go away. I am really nervous and embarrassed and worried that I would be her fattest patient yet and then worried about the office staff and what they might be thinking "omg how can she have the guts to come here" I don't but I have no choice...it's either that or keep wondering why the hell I still have my period for almost a year. Some tell me it's because I'm overweight, others say it could be something far more serious. My appointment is today. Should I go. Or should I be too embarrassed to go? Please someone tell me their experience with this situation? I would really appreciate it!! Thanks!!! — Samar M. (posted on June 14, 2002)
June 14, 2002
Samar, please go! I went (didn't want to) before I had surgery and I felt
the same way, and it's worse when your GYN is a man....I had the same
problem, had a period that started in March and didn't stop until the end
of July...I had to go, I had put it off too long (hadn't been to the GYN in
about 5 years) and I'm glad I did. I found out I have PCOS (not saying you
do) and I'm being treated, finally, for it. I have normal periods now
because of the weightloss and the medication..so please go, and don't worry
about what the doctor will think. If she says anything about it, tell them
you have a consult with a surgeon to have a gastric bypass scheduled and
that you're on it...good luck!
— lily1968
June 14, 2002
Hey there!! GO TO THE GYN :-) Looks like you weigh what I weighed before I
had surgery. I had the same problem as you and I was diagnosed with PCOS!!
If the dr. says anything to you about your weight etc tell them to take a
hike and find another dr. BTW I even underwent fertility treatments at 340
lbs and everyone was very nice and supportive so don't you be embarassed
even for a minute!!! You can get anemic from the blood loss!!! PLEASE Go!!!
— Allie A.
June 14, 2002
Samari,
You should go. Just because you are overweight doesnt mean you dont deserve
to get treated for whatever is going on with you . Bleeding for a year cant
be a good thing, PLEASE go to the doctor.. I admit that I have felt the
same way for quite some time as well, I have cancelled appointment after
appointment but you know what. I dont give a care what the doctor has to
say, we know we have a weight problem and we are going to have wls to take
care of that problem, in the mean time, we need to know what is going on
with our bodies. Let me know what you decide to do! God Bless
— Stephanie B.
June 14, 2002
My sister is a doctor and about 300 pounds....she has told me before that
doctors have already seen everything under the sun and then some. They are
there for the sake of patients. Also just remember how many patients a
doctor does have everyday....you will be 1 of many that day. And also you
have a RIGHT to be healthy!!!
— Kendra A.
June 14, 2002
I just wanted to add that, WE ALL HATE THE VISIT, no matter what size we
are...... and every woman should go once a year, no matter what!
— Karen R.
June 14, 2002
I guarantee you, nobody will look at you weird for going to an OB/GYN appt.
If you have ovaries, you should routinely see your OB/GYN. Same thing as
if you avoided the dentist for 5 years because you thought you were too fat
to get a teeth cleaning. That kind of logic doesn't make sense, and it
only hurts you.
— Terissa R.
June 14, 2002
My heart goes out to you! That just goes to show you how important WLS is.
I also neglected going to a GYN and two years ago was put in the hospital
in such pain that only lots of morphine helped. Turned out that I had a
canteloup sized tumor that had bruised my kidney and could have done
permanent damage to it if I had not found out then. Anyway, I had an
emergency hysterectomy, the old fashioned kind where they cut you from
navel down. Thank GOD it was benign! The doctor kept saying, how could
you have something that size and not know it? I told him that I had a lot
of places that a canteloup could hide! We as obese people have to face a
lot of embarassing things.
— YvonneBryant
June 14, 2002
Samar, how did it go? I, too am having problems with my period. Several
years back I didn't have it for 3 years, finally went to a gynocologist and
was put on meds for it. After only one month of taking it, my period was
back to normal. This was until this past September when I was late (freaked
out- should have bought stock in EPT tests!). I didn't have a period until
the first of mid April and I am still having it on and off, but REALLY
heavy for over two weeks. I don't want to go to the doctor either, but for
me it's mainly because I don't want to be checked while I have my
period.....I am curious if I have PCOS since I seem to have a couple of
other symptoms. Please let me know how it went. [email protected]
— karmiausnic
June 14, 2002
Yes...been there, done that. It's the worst of all dr. appts, but it's a
necessary evil. The doctor is there to serve you and your best interests
w/respect to your health. If they contribute to your humiliation by
treating you disrespectfully, leave and go somewhere else before they start
the exam. That's my best advice. Good luck and keep your chin up!!!
— Lynda L.
June 14, 2002
PLEASE go to the gynocologist. I didn't go for 2 years and when I went
back with strept throat and that was the last doctor I had been to so it
seemed logical to go to them. They noticed I hadn't been in that length of
time so they pretty much made me have a pap smear. Well that little bout
with strept throat saved my life. They found I had full blown cancer of
the cervix and after many surgeries, radiation treatments, and months of
chemo I finally went into remission. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE every female
needs to put their insecurities aside in order to make sure you're healthy.
Before I had cancer my periods were very irregular and lasted anywhere
from 1 day to 2 months. Since I went into remission I have never missed a
period and you can almost set your watch to my cycle. I'm not trying to
scare anyone. I'm just pretty much the self appointed poster child for pap
smears and mammograms. These are tools doctors use to keep us healthy.
Use these tools just as we use WLS. My prayers to you and I hope
everything goes well.
— Vicki H.
June 14, 2002
Over the years I have had problems with going to any doctors because of the
same fear. However, I have finally found a doctor and a gynecologist who
are both wonderful. They treat me like gold and I never am embarassed
about examinations. Believe me, in the past I have had some terrible
physicians and I just chose not to go back to them. I'm so glad I kept
looking until I found them. My health is very important to me.
— Jennifer A.
June 14, 2002
Hey Samar, Please GO! About 8 years ago I had the same problem. I kept
having a continuous period and would call the doctor but the nurse thought
I was exagerating. So, I got to where I was afraid to call. Finally, I
didn't know it but I was hemorrhaging. It got so bad that I could barely
walk to the bathroom without my heart feeling like it was going to explode.
I called the doctor and told them it was an emergency and I saw the doctor
right away. She took one look at me and sent me to the hospital with her
right behind. They took my blood count and saw that it was an 18 ( normal
is 40 ). The doctor came in and told my husband that I was literally
bleeding to death and I would need a transfusion. I had to have 4 pints of
blood and a pint of plasma ( for clotting ). They said what caused it was
my weight. I think that when they really don't know why and you are obese,
then they just chalk it up to that reason. I pray that everything goes
well for you and please GO to the doctor. Lots of love and hugs, Amy
— Amy H.
June 20, 2002
It sounds like you may have endometriosis. And it can be caused by weight
my aunt had the same problem as you.As for being embarrassed you shouldn't
be you need medical attention so please get some before it turns into
something really serious.
— Samitra D J.
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