Okay, again with the scraping-and-fisting jokes…read more
Now that the awkward bits are out of the way, I'd like to address some serious concerns. This practice seems to have ten times as many clients as they can handle. I'm always seen promptly, however, the doctor has no recollection of who I am when he walks in.
I can finally write this review with a clear head now that some of the dust has settled. I had a series of ovarian cysts over the summer, presumably as a result of switching to a mirena IUD. (overshare, girlfriends!) After 6 pelvic exams in as many weeks and FIVE ultrasounds, it was beginning to feel a little.. well... I dunno, rapey? I like science. As a matter of fact, I love science. I just don't want to have SEX with science, get it?
I was nearly in tears as the doctor told me that after a "rough" exam (trust me, Dr. Bermeo, I NOTICED) he didn't think there was anything truly wrong and that I was being dramatic.
Oh, really? Because having a belly so distended that I can't wear jeans doesn't feel dramatic. Neither does YOUR advice to sustain pelvic rest for SIX WEEKS because I'm at risk of ovarian tortion (when your ovary flips over because of the weight of the cysts and it requires major abdominal surgery, resulting in the loss of fertility.)
After telling me I'm being dramatic, he tells me that he'd like to schedule surgery for a double oophorectomy. Do you know what that is? No? I didn't either, so I asked for more information. Turns out, while I am being a total drama-queen, he is still suggesting that I undergo major abdominal surgery to remove my ovaries. But I'm overreacting.
After all this, he's telling me he's going to put me back on the pill after all is said and done.
Why bother? I won't have any ovaries!
I made an appointment with a respected naturopath and was able to get in on a cancelation .. At this appointment, I learned how diet affects our body's ability to regulate things - LIKE HORMONES THAT CAUSE CYSTS. She suggested that I give up hormone-laden things like dairy and omit gluten and see where I was in a couple weeks...
I've now been following my naturopath's advice for over a year with ZERO cyst activity .. and I still have my ovaries. Moreover, I've found a well-respected NEW gynecologist who doesn't patronize, belittle me or trivialize my situation. When she's got her hands inside me (or outside, for that matter) she is kind, thoughtful and expresses genuine concern for my wellbeing. She definitely strikes me as busy, but she never imposes her busyness on me as impatience or inconvenience. A patient should never feel like a burden on a doctor; it is because of this, as well as everything from above, that I feel that Dr. Bermeo and the whole Rockwood system can suck it.