Trisha,
    Schedule that appointment soon, because Amber's symptoms could indicate
the presence of uterine fibroid tumors, This type of tumor is benign, but
best caught early, as there are a number of treatment options for small
tumors. The large tumors can cause abdominal pain, anemia, bladder control
problems and are one of the primary causes of hysterectomy in this country.
Susan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Trisha Cummings" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 8:57 AM
Subject: Re: Reproductive freedom


> Hi Kat,
>
>   Thanks for the good ideas, I am about to take Amber for her first Gyn =
> visit, and  - I was going to ask for suggestions and pointers. I also =
> want to know if there are any problems taking Birth Control and having =
> CP. Amber has suddenly gotten a very heavy flow and painful cramps and I =
> know many times doctors prescribe BC pills for this. Thoughts, =
> experiences? Thanks Joy for bringing up the subject. We were in Florida, =
> also - Orlando then Palmetto. I am just catching uyp on the 7,000 =
> e-mails that piled up!!
>
>                           Trisha
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Kathy
> Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 7:29 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Reproductive freedom
>
>
> I use my GP doctor for my pelvic exams/pap smear.  I've found it usually =
> goes
> smoothly if I ask for the following:
>
> 1) Plastic utensils instead of metal ones which can be cold and make my
> spasticity worse.  If they have to use metal, ask that they warm them up
> first.
>
> 2) Have a female do the exam - just my preference as I've found female =
> doctors
> more intuitive than male doctors in this regard.  Of course I have =
> friends
> who swear by their male doctors so this is a personal thing.
>
> 3) Make sure they have a nurse there - she can help hold your legs if =
> she
> needs to - if she grips too hard, just tell her.
>
> 4) Tell them if it hurts -- they may be able to change something or it =
> may
> indicate something's wrong -- you need to communicate frankly with them.
>
> If you want more specific details or suggestions, please email me =
> off-list to
> spare the men on this list any further embarrassment.
>
> Kat
>
> On Wednesday 11 May 2005 10:42 pm, Joy Welan wrote:
> > Linda and everyone else,
> >
> > Can I ask how you found your OB-GYN?  I don't mean to gross out the =
> guys on
> > the list, but I just went for my first pelvic exam and pap smear this =
> past
> > winter, and it was an extremely painful and unpleasant experience.  =
> The
> > gynecologist I went to had no idea how to handle the spasticity and =
> lack of
> > range of motion in my legs.  I had a really hard time getting up on =
> the
> > table, and I just couldn't get in the right position, since it's =
> really
> > painful for me to move my legs away from the midline of my body.  I =
> don't
> > think I got a thorough exam, and it's not an experience I'm looking =
> forward
> > to repeating, but I know it's important, especially since cervical and
> > ovarian cancer run in my family.  Is there some sort of resource that =
> helps
> > people find doctors who are knowledgeable about dealing with people =
> with
> > disabilities?  For most things I can go to a "normal" doctor, but this =
> just
> > didn't work out.  Any tips would be much appreciated.
> >
> > ~Joy~