Be Your Own Advocate

There comes a point when we all need to stand up for ourselves. For people with invisible pain, the fight for a doctor who will take us seriously can be scary and long.  The entire story would be too lengthy to type here, so I will just bring you to my breaking point.

In addition to several other doctors and two ER visits that I had been to for my chronic pain, I had been to my regular gyno office three times already.  Although I told them I was in 10 pain to the point where I couldn't walk or sit, they would never even let me see the real gyno and made me see the same nasty nurse practitioner.   She was so full of herself and yelled at me when I tested negative for a yeast infection because she didn't know what else could be wrong with me.

I knew from all my research and all my symptoms that I had Vulvodynia, but since I had no medical degree I could not treat myself.  I needed help. So I called to make a "consultation" with this same NP.  I told them over the phone I wanted it in an office and not an examination room.

I walked in with papers about Vulvodynia with tears in my eyes.  I sat down in her chair and I said "You listen to me and you listen to me good.  I am in constant pain.  Imagine if someone took a sharp metal object and shoved it into your vagina.  That's what I am going through right now and you are not helping me. 

I think I have Vulvodynia and if you won't help me I want you to send me someone who can. I can't walk and I can't work and I can't sit with out crying."

"I guess this is interfering with your life she said." She handed me papers to a specialist and I went on my way.  The receptionist didn't charge me my usual $30 co-pay for my appointment.  I called the specialist and waited two long months in pain for my appointment.  The specialist was able to help me and I never looked back.  I now get ALL my gynecologic stuff done at this specialist.  I will never got back to the regular gyno.