Yes, your article is spot on and should be shared with all health professionals as well. I am one of those who has an awareness of my body (and yes, I use wearables too) but was dismissed by two doctors when I shared my symptoms after a combined 4-5 hr surgery of a complete hysterectomy + cystocele and rectocele repair + appendectomy (due to an incidental finding of an appendicolith during a routine colonoscopy). Day 4 post surgery I began experiencing intense pain + belly distention beginning mid-day and worsening during the evening so I went back to both doctors who performed surgeries (urogyn and general surgeon ) and was told this was normal because I had "so much work done down there." I also have a high tolerance for pain and told the doctors this so they would understand I am not one to complain unnecessarily. This continued for almost a week despite my pictures sent via MyChart showing my very distended belly each evening and describing the intense pain. After my 3rd visit complaining of pain and distention on Day 9 post op and being dismissed yet again, I requested a CT Scan (at 3am via MyChart during another sleepless night) where it was discovered I had a bowel obstruction due to the stitches adhering to the scar tissue from surgery. This required emergency surgery less than 24 hrs after my last doctor's visit. Thankfully a resection was not required nor had necrosis and sepsis set in yet (all outcomes I was warned about before being wheeled into surgery). I was healthy before the surgery and had been forcing myself to do frequent small walks each day to help relieve some of the pain which may have made me appear "too healthy" to have a bowel obstruction. The lesson for me is to be more demanding when I know something is wrong (3 post op visits + multiple MyChart messages and pictures apparently weren't enough??) and the lesson for doctors is to to err on the side of caution and order testing to rule out possible issues.
I struggled with getting diagnosed with Endometriosis for more than 10 years and during that time my anxiety being increasingly overloaded when bringing concerns up to a doctor because everything was always brushed to the side or I was told it was all in my head and to try things like meditation. Even though I learned to advocate for myself through this process I still deal with anxiety about going to the doctors whenever something is wrong.
When I was 48 years old, I was at work and noticed that I was really constipated. Painfully constipated. I had occasional constipation, but never like this. I took some of my usual remedies and eventually things started moving again. But I needed those supplements.
I went to see my primary doctor. I remember saying to him, “when does a change in bowel or bladder symptoms become something to worry about.” He put me on a med for IBS-C.
I also happened to have my GYN appointment, and told my doc… when I press here on my abdomen, it hurts. He literally said, “well don’t press there.”
A month later, I was at the beach on a family vacation, and had a sharp pain in my abdomen. At the ER, the said I had a large ovarian cyst that had ruptured. We left the next day to come home and I had surgery soon after. It was a granulosa cell tumor about the size of a grapefruit.
I do struggle with health anxiety and am sometimes afraid to voice my worries and I question myself. I wonder if I have had a lot of extra tests I didn’t need over the years.
On this occasion, I often ask myself if I should have pushed harder, explained my symptoms better? I knew something wasn’t right.
Thankfully these kinds of tumors have a low malignant potential. Now I have a yearly pelvic ultrasound to check the other ovary. I consider myself lucky.
Love the symptom log — I have found that to be very helpful, both to show to my doctor if needed, and for my own peace of mind. Sometimes it validates what is happening, sometimes it doesn’t! I also appreciate the nuance because I do feel I get mixed messages about listening to my body. I think the key is not to catastrophize… still working on it though ha
Yes, I worry that I will be labeled a hypochondriac. I think I come by it honestly. Having worked in the healthcare industry my entire life, I know enough to scare myself to death but not enough to reassure myself. I lost my mother to a reticulum cell sarcoma when I was 14 years old, and she was 39. I never thought I would make it to 40. My father died at the age of 69 of Multiple Myeloma; I had just turned 40. Now, my younger brother has bladder cancer (currently in remission), and my younger sister has CLL. I feel like I am a walking time bomb. I mostly suffer in silence. I used to rely on my husband for reassurance, even though he didn't know the difference between a cold and the flu. However, I lost him to a Glioblastoma 13 years ago. Now, I hesitate to voice my health fears, worried that I will be labeled a hypochondriac or a crazy old woman.
Yes, your article is spot on and should be shared with all health professionals as well. I am one of those who has an awareness of my body (and yes, I use wearables too) but was dismissed by two doctors when I shared my symptoms after a combined 4-5 hr surgery of a complete hysterectomy + cystocele and rectocele repair + appendectomy (due to an incidental finding of an appendicolith during a routine colonoscopy). Day 4 post surgery I began experiencing intense pain + belly distention beginning mid-day and worsening during the evening so I went back to both doctors who performed surgeries (urogyn and general surgeon ) and was told this was normal because I had "so much work done down there." I also have a high tolerance for pain and told the doctors this so they would understand I am not one to complain unnecessarily. This continued for almost a week despite my pictures sent via MyChart showing my very distended belly each evening and describing the intense pain. After my 3rd visit complaining of pain and distention on Day 9 post op and being dismissed yet again, I requested a CT Scan (at 3am via MyChart during another sleepless night) where it was discovered I had a bowel obstruction due to the stitches adhering to the scar tissue from surgery. This required emergency surgery less than 24 hrs after my last doctor's visit. Thankfully a resection was not required nor had necrosis and sepsis set in yet (all outcomes I was warned about before being wheeled into surgery). I was healthy before the surgery and had been forcing myself to do frequent small walks each day to help relieve some of the pain which may have made me appear "too healthy" to have a bowel obstruction. The lesson for me is to be more demanding when I know something is wrong (3 post op visits + multiple MyChart messages and pictures apparently weren't enough??) and the lesson for doctors is to to err on the side of caution and order testing to rule out possible issues.
What a nightmare, Valerie! So glad you persisted. It is indeed a jungle out there!
I struggled with getting diagnosed with Endometriosis for more than 10 years and during that time my anxiety being increasingly overloaded when bringing concerns up to a doctor because everything was always brushed to the side or I was told it was all in my head and to try things like meditation. Even though I learned to advocate for myself through this process I still deal with anxiety about going to the doctors whenever something is wrong.
It makes 100% sense to be left with a lot of residual anxiety 💕
When I was 48 years old, I was at work and noticed that I was really constipated. Painfully constipated. I had occasional constipation, but never like this. I took some of my usual remedies and eventually things started moving again. But I needed those supplements.
I went to see my primary doctor. I remember saying to him, “when does a change in bowel or bladder symptoms become something to worry about.” He put me on a med for IBS-C.
I also happened to have my GYN appointment, and told my doc… when I press here on my abdomen, it hurts. He literally said, “well don’t press there.”
A month later, I was at the beach on a family vacation, and had a sharp pain in my abdomen. At the ER, the said I had a large ovarian cyst that had ruptured. We left the next day to come home and I had surgery soon after. It was a granulosa cell tumor about the size of a grapefruit.
I do struggle with health anxiety and am sometimes afraid to voice my worries and I question myself. I wonder if I have had a lot of extra tests I didn’t need over the years.
On this occasion, I often ask myself if I should have pushed harder, explained my symptoms better? I knew something wasn’t right.
Thankfully these kinds of tumors have a low malignant potential. Now I have a yearly pelvic ultrasound to check the other ovary. I consider myself lucky.
Wow - that is quite a story!! What an awful experience to have been blatantly ignore and dismissed. I am glad you are okay. LORD!!
Great article, Dr. McBride! Thank you!
Lucy KS
Thank you!
Love the symptom log — I have found that to be very helpful, both to show to my doctor if needed, and for my own peace of mind. Sometimes it validates what is happening, sometimes it doesn’t! I also appreciate the nuance because I do feel I get mixed messages about listening to my body. I think the key is not to catastrophize… still working on it though ha
It’s a process! :)
Such a great article—thank you!
Thanks for reading!
Yes, I worry that I will be labeled a hypochondriac. I think I come by it honestly. Having worked in the healthcare industry my entire life, I know enough to scare myself to death but not enough to reassure myself. I lost my mother to a reticulum cell sarcoma when I was 14 years old, and she was 39. I never thought I would make it to 40. My father died at the age of 69 of Multiple Myeloma; I had just turned 40. Now, my younger brother has bladder cancer (currently in remission), and my younger sister has CLL. I feel like I am a walking time bomb. I mostly suffer in silence. I used to rely on my husband for reassurance, even though he didn't know the difference between a cold and the flu. However, I lost him to a Glioblastoma 13 years ago. Now, I hesitate to voice my health fears, worried that I will be labeled a hypochondriac or a crazy old woman.
I hear you loud and clear. I am so sorry you are suffering. Hugs to you. 🥰