OBGYN nurse here. It would be totally reasonable for you to call her office and ask to be referred to OBGYN now instead of waiting and rechecking in 3 months.
I understand but I'm basically paralyzed with fear and worried something is wrong.
Hi there. I'm a 35 year old woman. I went to my scheduled pap yesterday and during the appointment my doctor removed a small polyp (she said she sees them often and they are usually benign). What concerned me more was she noted a "small black spot" which looks like a scab that she said she will check again in october. at first she wanted to refer me to a gynaecologist but she decided on waiting. She didn't seem worried but what concerns me I can barely find any women online with this same experience. I haven't had any LEEPs or colposcopies or anything like that, which seems to be what can cause a scab, my last appointment like this was a pap two years ago (which came back ASCUS, and then normal a couple months later). I'm very worried about melanoma or something like that. Could really use some help, I'm very scared.
OBGYN nurse here. It would be totally reasonable for you to call her office and ask to be referred to OBGYN now instead of waiting and rechecking in 3 months.
I understand but I'm basically paralyzed with fear and worried something is wrong.
Are you in America? Was this your general primary care physician or a nurse? Contact the office and tell them you want a referral to a gynecologist because you are experiencing an extreme level of anxiety, and are now unable to function, push for it. Be your own advocate. The squeaky wheel gets the oil! You’re not subservient to your doctor, these people will shrug it off for getting it wrong. I had the same experience, I went to my Primary Doctor and told her all the symptoms I was experiencing with my breast. She refused to order a mastectomy, she did a manual exam with her hands and said I was fine and sent me away. The following year I moved to Hawaii and a new doctor. I told her my symptoms and she said, “Let’s see what’s going on.” She ordered a mastectomy. The images revealed 6 cm of ductal carcinoma. Yes, centimeters!! Go look at a ruler, it’s insane she let this fester in me. I later learned I could have easily paid for my own mastectomy out-of-pocket. I wish I had just gone and done it by myself. I sent a portal message to my old doctor and said, “I want to let you know that I do, in fact, have breast disease, DCIS and I am starting treatment now.” She wrote back and said, “Sorry to hear that, good luck with your treatment!” That’s it. You only have one life to live. If you don’t want to mess with pressuring your doctor, the just schedule your own appointment. Under my insurance plan, women don’t need a referral to a OBGYN. But if it’s not covered, call the gym and ask for the self pay rate. It might be totally in your budget. My gyn is less than the price of a haircut.
I'm not worried about being annoying or pressuring my doctor, i'm just really scared i have a very rare cancer. I have contacted her office asking her to email me. I'm not worried about advocating for myself or anything I'm just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Your message I understand is your personal story but has made me feel really scared.