Unbelievable situation.

[mish2575]

This is the letter I wrote to my GI, who ordered an MRI which results showed an embedded IUd (there were also complex fistulae but that's not related to this issue):

Dr. Wolf,

I'm writing to you to update you on the embeded IUD that was discovered during my MRI.

History:
The gynocologist (GYN1- for reference) that inserted my IUD is somone I went to, before switchingto my high risk OB/GYN, for routine Gynocological exams. I did like him during that period. After my break from him I went back to have my postpartum pap smear and to have an IUD inserted. After inserting the IUD he stood up, between my legs, and talked to me for a few minutes. After I sat up and he was across the room, he adjusted his genitals. His nurse was in the room and didnt seem upset/concerned by any of this. It was not enough to warrant making an issue but enough that I felt uncomfortable continuing to see him. I had not selected a new gynocologist yet because I did not think I'd need to see one until Jan 2014 for my 2-year Pap.

Update:
When it was discovered that I needed to see a gynocologist right away for the imbeded IUD I worked with my PCP's office to find another local Gynocologist (GYN2). When he walked into the room he asked who implanted the IUD. I told him GYN1; He simply stated, "Go back to him". When I explained why I did not want to see GYN1 he agreed that it was unprofessional behavior and understood why I did not want to go back but he said he did not want to get involved because if the situation required surgery then he was stuck fixing GYN1's issue. I was adamant that I did not want to see GYN1 again. He then suggested I go to someone else in GYN1's practice. I told him that would also make me feel uncomfortable. I asked him if he is offended when one of his patients switches doctors. He said "yes, but it happens, its no big deal". He then just kept reiterating that I should go back to that office but he'd do it if I REALLY wanted thim too. He was now making me uncomfortable with his lack of response to my medical issue. He called in one if his associates who suggested I see a Dr. King at BIDMC who specializes in small uterine surgeries.

I plan on making an appointment with Dr. King.

Any advice or direction you can give me would also be appreciated.

 

[afidz]

I can completely understand why you don't want to go back to GYN1, that is very unprofessional.
The only thing I can suggest is scheduling an appointment with the new DR asap, as an embedded IUD can cause future problems.
I am not sure if this is correct, as I have never dealt with this myself, but I would also say that you should avoid any sexual activity until it is removed because you could make it worse, causing further problems and making it harder to remove.
I hope you get it sorted out quickly with the new doctor

 

[UnXmas]

I'm very sorry you've had this experience - and to be honest if I were you I think I'd also be very uncomfortable seeing GYN2 as saying he doesn't want to treat you isn't exactly what you want to hear from a doctor!

However, I think it's possible that GYN1 didn't do anything wrong deliberately. Some doctors really do distance themselves so much from their work that they just don't see body parts in the same way that most people do. I've noticed this with my colorectal surgeon - doing digital rectal examinations is so routine to him, I honestly think that when he's working he's completely unaware that what he's doing may cause me embarrassment. There have been times, for example, when he asks me to get on the couch for an exam and doesn't check with me whether or not I want my mum in the room (she comes with me to the appointments), or he starts the exam with me lying on my back and him feeling my stomach, then he tells me to turn on my side and begins the rectal exam without even checking me if I'm ok for him to go ahead with it. But he is a great doctor and has never done anything inappropriate - he just seems to see me so much as a medical puzzle he has to work out, he just doesn't link my body to anything embarrassing or sexual.

When GYN1 spoke to you after the exam, he may simply have been oblivious that what he was doing would have made you uncomfortable. It's definitely thoughtless of him - I've been seeing my colorectal surgeon for years and years so he knows what I'm ok with, whereas this gynaecologist clearly had no idea how he was making you feel. As for adjusting his genitals - well, again, you'd expect better from a doctor, but I've certainly known some men who did this without thinking about it, not anything to do with them feeling aroused, but just because it was uncomfortable. The fact that the nurse was ok with it makes me wonder if perhaps this doctor was just being insensitive but not actually intentionally doing anything inappropriate. Obviously I'm not in a position to say this for certain, but that was how I thought from reading your post.

Nevertheless, I certainly know that when I've had embarrassing or uncomfortable experiences with doctors I don't want to see them again, even if they've done nothing wrong and it's just been a misunderstanding. You need to have doctors you're comfortable with, so if you have the option of seeing a new one - neither GYN1 or GYN2 - it certainly sounds like that would be the best option for you. Don't worry about the etiquette of switching doctors - people do so all the time for all sorts of reasons. If any doctor does ask you why you've switched, it's perfectly acceptable to say you just wanted a different opinion or that you didn't feel the doctor you saw previously was communicating with you that well.

 

[GutlessWonder86]

mish, see the article I posted regarding IUD safety. What you went through was one of the risks they were talking about that happens to women....IUD gets stuck, causes uterine inflammation, or perforation of the uterus.

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=55291