Does your gyne make you get ultrasounds?

[NewOrleans]

I have no special history (no cysts, endometriosis, strange findings, etc) that would warrant routine ultrasounds.

last year she wanted me to get one. I didn't.  I have my yearly appointment scheduled but ran out of a medicine she prescribes so I called the office to get a refill in the meantime. She left me a message she was refilling it but I need to make an u/s appointment.

does your gyne do this?  I feel it's unnecessary.  

[mcmel]

No. Ask her why she feels you need one.

[papie]

No.  I have only ever gotten ultrasounds for infertility and pregnancy.  Oh and for cysts.  

[Kit]

No, and I'd be pissed because my insurance won't cover that unless she has a valid reason.

[Deleted]

You have the right to refuse any medical treatment that you do not agree with.

You could also change doctors.

As, mcmel said, perhaps ask what her reasoning is for an ultrasound.

[NinaSimone]

Only for pregnancy. What's her reasoning for it?

[Deleted]

Sometimes, if my IUD strings are difficult to see/feel, I have to have an u/s. Do you have an IUD?

[zelda25]

Long answer: I started seeing a new gyn this year because my previous dr, whom I saw for 15 years (and who NEVER ordered tests unless it was obviously warranted) died. I mentioned to this new dr.--in passing during my annual--that I spot a lot lately mid-cycle and wasn't sure if it's because of my IUD or because I'm old. She insisted that I needed a uterine biopsy. Like, she wanted to do it right then. And insisted that any type of anesthesia, even a local, was stupid. When I asked what the next step would be, she said ultrasound. So I said let's just skip to the ultrasound and that will show you if there's anything there to be concerned about, right? She agreed. And I had the ultrasound and nothing was amiss. And I kind of hate her and am looking for a new gyn.

TL;DR: I went my entire adult life without anyone suggesting an ultrasound before my new gyn insisted on one because I spot mid-cycle. I agreed to have it ($$), and she's cray and I want a new gyn.

[Kit]

Can you take the refill and find a new doc in the meantime? Maybe that's a little dramatic, idk.

I changed primary care doctors because my old one wanted bloodwork every single time he refilled my Wellbutrin. Yeah...no. My new doc agreed that was not necessary.

[orangello]

May 4, 2016 10:57:28 GMT -5 zelda25 said:

Long answer: I started seeing a new gyn this year because my previous dr, whom I saw for 15 years (and who NEVER ordered tests unless it was obviously warranted) died. I mentioned to this new dr.--in passing during my annual--that I spot a lot lately mid-cycle and wasn't sure if it's because of my IUD or because I'm old. She insisted that I needed a uterine biopsy. Like, she wanted to do it right then. And insisted that any type of anesthesia, even a local, was stupid. When I asked what the next step would be, she said ultrasound. So I said let's just skip to the ultrasound and that will show you if there's anything there to be concerned about, right? She agreed. And I had the ultrasound and nothing was amiss. And I kind of hate her and am looking for a new gyn.

TL;DR: I went my entire adult life without anyone suggesting an ultrasound before my new gyn insisted on one because I spot mid-cycle. I agreed to have it ($$), and she's cray and I want a new gyn.

Interesting - I had a similar experience with a doctor pushing a biopsy with no real reason.  I quickly found another doctor who looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned that the last doctor wanted to biopsy me.  I'm fairly certain the first doctor either wanted to practice the procedure, or was trying to get additional billings.

OP, the ultrasounds are NBD, but I definitely wouldn't do one without knowing the reason.  I have fibroids so I get ultrasounds somewhat regularly, but again...I have a reason to.  They're not really part of standard exams as far as I'm aware.

[cat98c]

When I was very overweight and she couldn't get a good feel for all of my organs during my annual, she ordered one for me. That was the only time. After I lost weight, she hasn't mentioned it again.

[wambam]

Once in my life to confirm the placement of my IUD

[BaliHai]

I'm not usually one to cry fraud, but I'd be really suspicious of a doctor who was wanting to perform biopsies and ultrasounds as part of a routine exam. I would not get the u/s, and I would find another doc as long as your need for care isn't urgent.

[mortomo]

Only for pregnancy, my IUD insertion, cysts and now I have to go in 2 wks because I'm bleeding all of the time and he wants to rule out anything serious.

As part of a routine exam with no issues? Never.

As others have said, I'd ask what her reasoning is for an US.

[fuckyourcouch]

Yes, but I'm high cancer risk and have several health problems. I've had 2 this year already.
Without relevant medical history, I'd be confused why it was necessary.

[yaga]

Only when I had issues either I wanted addressed (spotting for 5 years that drove me crazy) or actual health concerns (abnormally bad cramping, symptoms of cysts, etc.).

I did get an endometrial biopsy with my RE, but there were legitimate concerns about hyperplasia since my cycles are so irregular. I wouldn't go get one of those for fun.

[nicbreeful]

May 4, 2016 11:00:06 GMT -5 Kit said:

Can you take the refill and find a new doc in the meantime? Maybe that's a little dramatic, idk.

I changed primary care doctors because my old one wanted bloodwork every single time he refilled my Wellbutrin. Yeah...no. My new doc agreed that was not necessary.

What state are you located?  Mine does this too and says it because of state laws/guidelines or whatever.  Every 3 months I need to do bloodwork and urine analysis for Effexor.

[Deleted]

Only for observation of ovarian cysts. Just call her back and have them put it in your chart that you are declining the U/S until there is medical need.

[sushi]

It was part of a routine well woman annual in Korea. Even there I could decline it with the justification that it's not routine in the US. They shrugged and just skipped it.

I only had one to confirm that there were no more cysts left to explode. And that it really was a burst cyst causing my pain instead of my appendix.

I'd ask, but only because I'm a pest like that. My priority would be finding someone new

[sushi]

May 4, 2016 11:42:27 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

May 4, 2016 11:00:06 GMT -5 Kit said:

Can you take the refill and find a new doc in the meantime? Maybe that's a little dramatic, idk.

I changed primary care doctors because my old one wanted bloodwork every single time he refilled my Wellbutrin. Yeah...no. My new doc agreed that was not necessary.

What state are you located?  Mine does this too and says it because of state laws/guidelines or whatever.  Every 3 months I need to do bloodwork and urine analysis for Effexor.

I was on effexor over a year (switched just last week) and never did that.

[nicbreeful]

May 4, 2016 11:44:58 GMT -5 sushi said:

May 4, 2016 11:42:27 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

What state are you located?  Mine does this too and says it because of state laws/guidelines or whatever.  Every 3 months I need to do bloodwork and urine analysis for Effexor.

I was on effexor over a year (switched just last week) and never did that.

 A part of me thinks he just wants to be able to charge my insurance as much as possible.  The doc told me it was because my dose was so high (150 mgs daily) and he wants to check for organ damage or whatever.  Which seems weird to me because I've been on it for 10 years and 7 of those years was at 225 daily.  I dunno.  I really like the doc but I hate having to go in so often.

[NewOrleans]

May 4, 2016 10:53:57 GMT -5 NinaSimone said:

Only for pregnancy. What's her reasoning for it?

I don't know.  There were no findings or anything at last year's exam.

She is just a hyper-cautious doctor.  She always has been.

[NewOrleans]

May 4, 2016 10:55:42 GMT -5 kooshball said:

What medication?

just my BCP.  

[NewOrleans]

May 4, 2016 10:55:57 GMT -5 @bigtowlittletoe said:

Sometimes, if my IUD strings are difficult to see/feel, I have to have an u/s. Do you have an IUD?

newp.  

[Kit]

May 4, 2016 11:42:27 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

May 4, 2016 11:00:06 GMT -5 Kit said:

Can you take the refill and find a new doc in the meantime? Maybe that's a little dramatic, idk.

I changed primary care doctors because my old one wanted bloodwork every single time he refilled my Wellbutrin. Yeah...no. My new doc agreed that was not necessary.

What state are you located?  Mine does this too and says it because of state laws/guidelines or whatever.  Every 3 months I need to do bloodwork and urine analysis for Effexor.

Illinois...but my new doc said it isn't necessary, so it likely isn't state wide.

[NewOrleans]

May 4, 2016 11:43:29 GMT -5 @lemonlover said:

Only for observation of ovarian cysts. Just call her back and have them put it in your chart that you are declining the U/S until there is medical need.

this is EXACTLY what I will say.  Thanks!

My doctor is just really trigger-happy on tests.  She always has been.  She's a very conservative, cautious doctor.  Which I was fine with when I was pregnant and scared.  But now that I'm past that phase of my life, I don't feel the need to be monitored and tested and precautioned.

[Linie]

My insurance situation is obviously different here in Europe, but an U/S is part of my annual check-up / pap smear (I have had an IUD for 8 years). I also get yearly mammograms/U/S since I'm 31 because of family history.

[NewOrleans]

May 4, 2016 12:13:11 GMT -5 kooshball said:

May 4, 2016 12:01:54 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

just my BCP.  

well, I see you were having some spotting. Our periods are a big indicator of our overall health so that might be way she's being cautious. I would just talk to her and get her to sell you in the idea.

that wasn't me, lol.  

Thanks, all!

[read247]

Other than during pregnancy, the only time my gyn referred me for an u/s was when we were looking into why I was having extremely heavy periods and mid-cycle spotting. She wanted to make sure I had no fibroids and that my IUD was in place.

I'd ask for clarification as to her reasoning. If she can't get you on board, and then continues to push despite you declining the procedure, I'd say it's time to find a new doc. Which sucks, I know...I'm in the process of doing it b/c my old gyn, who I've been seeing for 12+ years, no longer takes my insurance.