Hi Tara,

That was me for months and months and months. Originally thinking I had ovarian as I had ovary problems and swelling but also like every symptom of a gyno cancer. 

Scans are done and treatment meeting attended. Full mastectomy and all lymph node removal for me, then on to chemo and hormone injection/pills. Sounded like a mixture of both. Pre medical assessment was yesterday and surgery can't come quick enough...24th. Due to the delays and mishaps I'm late stage enough. So the quicker the better.

Now I've figured out how to reply...anything you need...

Julie T xx

Hey Julie i hope you are well just been reading through all your comments as I'm too having problems with getting my doctor to take me seriously 

I'm 27 and had a baby a few tears ago about a year after his birth I started with pain in my middle spine that's radiated to my neck my doctors put it down to having a baby and stress on my body so I believed them and got on with it and it sort of went away well now its back I've been getting pain all the way up now and radiates under my armpit and in the sides of my breasts I went back and explained she felt around and sent me for bloods to be done all came back clear she put me on sertraline for my anxiety from the stress of it all and now to top it off I've got 3 lumps at the back of my head and unsure if it's the medication I'm taking or part of my pains I'm petrified I don't wanna leave my son but I can't shake the feeling that somethings seriously wrong and as they say we know the best for our bodies 

Hi Terri,

People say don't stop fighting but I never and still got nowhere. Now I'm under good specialists taking me seriously as it is serious...they can't believe all that's been going on. It's months and months. My biggest regret as well as my Mums is not going ahead with a private mri. That itself has stories attached and I was heading that route several times. The last time there, yet again the doctor didn't call back and its a doctor that has to refer. That delayed so many weeks and me trying to get through that my actual breast clinic appointment came through. If like me you are low wage or lowest benefit rate you could even try ultrasound private. I found a company that was only 95pounds. Mri can be expensive but with it not being thousands...I'll never overthink again. I'm applying for pip now and if granted I'll put aside a portion every payment and that'll be what it's for. I'll trust myself with my own health. But back , spine or head ...Mri is the best diagnostic tool. Nhs will take back over if something is diagnosed. Stress doesn't help us. So just something to consider. All this has cost me dearly. I should have went. Even taking a loan for a few hundred. It's your life. And I certainly wasn't wrong on how serious something was going on in my body. That's my first advice to you. Even try second opinions. It didn't work for me but at least you'll feel you are at least doing something and it may help. Here if you need anything. And like you read and I kept reading...don't be fobbed off. Covid isn't as big an excuse now. More is going on and out there to help again and opened back up. Clearly our body has ways on telling us things.  Even down to reaction to medicines. Or as simple as. So yes keep at things.

J xx

Hi I'm currently awaiting an mri but I've been told there is a long wait, my pelvic scan has come back with lots of abnormalities do you have any suggestions of where to perhaps book a private mri & the kind of cost I might be looking at 

thanks 

Hi Emma,

My advice would depend on some factors but a main point is that usually most places want a referral from your actual doctor if it is something you are investigating medically and not likes of pregnancy, preventative. During Covid I had absolutely no luck with the companies that said they did not need private referral. However your Doctor can and it will be quicker and consult and 1 area will probably set you back 650ish to a grand. Cheaper option is ultrasound but it depends if you know what the abnormalities are caused from. I have endometriosis too and gold standard for that has to be laprascopy. If you are extra lucky and deep lesions are there sometimes an mri picks something up but ultrasound and ct are definitely not the way forward there. But I suppose that's why all along I had mri as my option in my head regardless of what area and problem. I wanted the best tool I could and thats just the one I favour. Cancer related pelvic issues/ovary problems I've been sent for ultrasound and vaginal ultrasound so this seems to be effective enough. On that I did find a place up in the city nearest me (Glasgow) and it was about £96. And you could add in areas quite cheaply too, £40ish I think. 

If any of that helps...or feel free to ask again anything you need. If I can help I will. 

Julie