1/13/23: OB/GYN Appointment

Today's appointment was an annual check-up, but I figured I'd include it in this blog because it's my first time seeing my regular OB/GYN after getting my ovaries out.

First, she reviewed my medical history since the last appointment. She saw the oophorectomy surgery in my medical records, but had not seen the Tamoxifen and hepatology-related stuff, so I caught her up and explained how that led to removing my ovaries. Without knowing that background, I think she at first assumed that my oophorectomy was elective, since we had previously discussed that option.

(It's interesting to me how my different medical providers all seem to gather different information from my records, even though they're all in the same hospital network.) 

After going over everything from last year, she asked if I had any questions. I asked her if she thought the neuropathy in the last 2 toes on my right foot could be a symptom of menopause? At this point, I would describe the sensation most like this: it feels like my sock got wet around those toes, but when I check my sock, it's dry. But it also still feels like the sense of touch is subdued in those toes, similar to how my chemo-induced neuropathy feels in my fingers, as I described to my medical oncologist recently. Anyway, my OB/GYN didn't think it sounded like menopause. She said it's possible it could have resulted from how my body was positioned during recovery from surgery (similar to what my GYN surgeon said), in which case, she said it could still improve, though she did not elaborate on how or why.

(Meanwhile, I Googled the "wet sock" feeling, and was surprised - and somewhat relieved - to find some references. If my toes still feel weird by the time my next PCP appointment rolls around, I might ask about whether or not I should see a neurologist, or maybe even a podiatrist, since the links I found were posted by foot specialists.)  

Anyway, the doctor did a brief breast exam and also looked at my oophorectomy scars, then did the internal exam. She said everything looks fine, I don't need any other follow-up besides my annual check-up. Yay! At this point, she asked me again if I have any more questions; notably, she didn't make any signs of leaving until after I said no. 

I think that's actually what I appreciated most about this appointment, how the doctor asked me multiple times if I had any questions, and how she didn't appear rushed when asking. It really made me feel like she wanted to help me if she could, rather than me feeling like I am monopolizing the doctor's time or being a "difficult" patient by asking questions.