Beyond frustrated with doctors

by Jessica
(Great Falls, MT, USA)

For several years now I've been dealing with symptoms that point to endometriosis. My husband and I have gone from doctor to doctor trying to get them to listen to us and help me, but it's almost like the doctors don't believe me.

I finally found a doctor who listened and suggested a Lupron shot as a less invasive way to figure out whether or not it's actually endometriosis. This would shut down my body's hormone production and put me into chemically-induced menopause.

For about 3-4 weeks, my symptoms got worse and worse, almost unbearable, but my doctor had said this would likely happen, as my body was trying to compensate for being told to stop making hormones.

After the initial weeks, I began to feel better and better, and eventually, better than I probably ever have (I'm 27 now and in hindsight, have been dealing with these symptoms to some degree since I had my first period when I was 12). My doctor said you can only be on the Lupron therapy for 6 months, and then continuous birth control would be the next step of treatment.

About 2 weeks ago, I had a Depo-Provera injection, and by the next day, I began to experience all the wonderful symptoms I was having before: bloating, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, migraines, cramps, and I'm still having hot flashes and night sweats (the only negative side effects I had from the Lupron).

I called and talked with my doctor's nurse to see if this was normal, and she said no. I was prescribed something for the stomach issues, and told that if it doesn't help, I should be referred to a urologist.

I feel like I'm once again not being listened to, and my well-being is being ignored. When my body had no hormones for 6 months, I felt better than I ever have, and as soon as I have hormones in my system again, all my symptoms come back. How can this not be related to hormones??!?!?!

Why am I having so much trouble getting good help and having doctors actually listen to me!?!?!?! I'm beyond frustrated at this point, and I'm just wondering if anybody out there has had a similar experience, or how have you gotten doctors to listen and actually treat you and your needs? Any help is greatly appreciated.