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Suggest Treatment For Mild Symptoms Of Vaginal Infection
Question: Hello,
On Sunday morning I noticed mild symptoms of a vaginal infection. That evening my right groin area became suddenly swollen. The swelling was approximately golf ball size. I went into the ER. The doctors there misdiagnosed me with having a hernia. I was rushed into emergency laparoscopic surgery. Once i woke the surgons told me everything inside looked healthy. I had no signs of tumors in their 360 view and they did not note swollen internal lymph nodes. They said that the swollen area seemed superficial. Their exact words were beteween skin and muscle. One surgeon said could be lymphatic fluid but he did not believe it was cancerous in nature. He felt it was a reaction to infection, blocked duct or reaction to localized trauma in the area. I do not know which way to go now. The area has srunken in size but is still swollen. I still have mild symptoms of a vaginal infection. Could the bruing vaginal infection and swollen groin be related? What tyoe of doc should I see?
On Sunday morning I noticed mild symptoms of a vaginal infection. That evening my right groin area became suddenly swollen. The swelling was approximately golf ball size. I went into the ER. The doctors there misdiagnosed me with having a hernia. I was rushed into emergency laparoscopic surgery. Once i woke the surgons told me everything inside looked healthy. I had no signs of tumors in their 360 view and they did not note swollen internal lymph nodes. They said that the swollen area seemed superficial. Their exact words were beteween skin and muscle. One surgeon said could be lymphatic fluid but he did not believe it was cancerous in nature. He felt it was a reaction to infection, blocked duct or reaction to localized trauma in the area. I do not know which way to go now. The area has srunken in size but is still swollen. I still have mild symptoms of a vaginal infection. Could the bruing vaginal infection and swollen groin be related? What tyoe of doc should I see?
Brief Answer:
You may need a CT scan and/or a biopsy of the groin mass
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.
I am so sorry that you had to go through a diagnostic laparoscopy and that it didn't help get you a real diagnosis.
The lump in your groin area, if it is not a hernia, can be anything from inflammatory tissue to an enlarged lymph node to some type of cyst or mass. A CT scan or MRI should be able to image the area and give doctors a better idea what is causing the problem. The ideal way to find out exactly what the mass is would to have a biopsy of it. This procedure is generally performed by a surgeon. I suggest you discuss this with your surgeon when you go for the post-op check from your laparoscopy,
or your primary physician who can refer you for a CT scan or MRI. Some radiologists can even do a CT guided biopsy.
As a gynecologist, since you mention symptoms of a vaginal infection, there is one possibility of a condition that can cause both symptoms, a genital herpes infection or outbreak.
90 percent of people with herpes have no idea that they have it, especially when their sores happen to be only in the vagina and on the cervix. Herpes frequently makes the lymph nodes in the groin enlarge during an outbreak, however a golf-ball size mass is unusual for a herpes outbreak, and usually you would feel sick in other ways like a fever along with a groin mass.
So in terms of what type of doctor you should see, if you are having gynecologic symptoms, seeing your GYN to take a look would not be a bad idea. If you do have an infection it can be treated. However, if it does not turn out to be a GYN issue, your primary physician or surgeon would be the best people to diagnose you.
I hope you recover quickly from
your surgery and that this information answers your questions. If you need anything further, I would be happy to help.
Sincerely, Dr. Brown
You may need a CT scan and/or a biopsy of the groin mass
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.
I am so sorry that you had to go through a diagnostic laparoscopy and that it didn't help get you a real diagnosis.
The lump in your groin area, if it is not a hernia, can be anything from inflammatory tissue to an enlarged lymph node to some type of cyst or mass. A CT scan or MRI should be able to image the area and give doctors a better idea what is causing the problem. The ideal way to find out exactly what the mass is would to have a biopsy of it. This procedure is generally performed by a surgeon. I suggest you discuss this with your surgeon when you go for the post-op check from your laparoscopy,
or your primary physician who can refer you for a CT scan or MRI. Some radiologists can even do a CT guided biopsy.
As a gynecologist, since you mention symptoms of a vaginal infection, there is one possibility of a condition that can cause both symptoms, a genital herpes infection or outbreak.
90 percent of people with herpes have no idea that they have it, especially when their sores happen to be only in the vagina and on the cervix. Herpes frequently makes the lymph nodes in the groin enlarge during an outbreak, however a golf-ball size mass is unusual for a herpes outbreak, and usually you would feel sick in other ways like a fever along with a groin mass.
So in terms of what type of doctor you should see, if you are having gynecologic symptoms, seeing your GYN to take a look would not be a bad idea. If you do have an infection it can be treated. However, if it does not turn out to be a GYN issue, your primary physician or surgeon would be the best people to diagnose you.
I hope you recover quickly from
your surgery and that this information answers your questions. If you need anything further, I would be happy to help.
Sincerely, Dr. Brown
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Question . All 4 surgeons in ER that were related or in surgery believed it was not cancerous in nature. I really didn't at the time understand how they were so sure. My question is since this suddenly appeared could it lean me more toward a response to infection? Unfortunately I have contacted both my gynecologist and primary care doctors. Both seemed reluctant to schedule me in since this happened out if state in another hospital! My gynecologist suggested treating my vaginal symptoms over the counter! I am quite upset by this under the unusual circumstances.. I believe at this point I have no choice but to go to a same day appointment clinic and see a GP there. Of course I will get my records before hand... Thank you also for your quick response ... Happy holidays :)
Brief Answer:
I tbink it's best to wait until you can see your own doctor
Detailed Answer:
I do not think that seeing a different physician is the best idea if they do not have access to your medical records. I do suggest you get copies of everything you had done in the outside ER and make an appointment in the next few weeks with your GYN or primary. Depending on your vaginal symptoms it cannot hurt to try the treatment your GYN recommended until you can see her. If it was herpes, a blood test can confirm the diagnosis even if the lump has gone. You may want to take some pictures of it now in case it changes over time.
Whatever you do have, it is true that a lump caused by a tumor would not usually appear all of a sudden, and if it goes away before you can see the right doctor, it clearly wasn't anything dangerous. But seeing a new doctor for the first time will not help you at all. I really think waiting until after the weekend until you can get an appointment will be more helpful.
Anyway, thank you for using my services and healthcaremagic.com and happy holidays to you and your family,
Dr. Brown
I tbink it's best to wait until you can see your own doctor
Detailed Answer:
I do not think that seeing a different physician is the best idea if they do not have access to your medical records. I do suggest you get copies of everything you had done in the outside ER and make an appointment in the next few weeks with your GYN or primary. Depending on your vaginal symptoms it cannot hurt to try the treatment your GYN recommended until you can see her. If it was herpes, a blood test can confirm the diagnosis even if the lump has gone. You may want to take some pictures of it now in case it changes over time.
Whatever you do have, it is true that a lump caused by a tumor would not usually appear all of a sudden, and if it goes away before you can see the right doctor, it clearly wasn't anything dangerous. But seeing a new doctor for the first time will not help you at all. I really think waiting until after the weekend until you can get an appointment will be more helpful.
Anyway, thank you for using my services and healthcaremagic.com and happy holidays to you and your family,
Dr. Brown
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you! It's hard to calm the worrying! I am taking your advice to see doctor after the weekend. I have scheduled an appointment for Tuesday. Which your right will give me time to gather my records. It really is a complicated story to relate to anyone over the phone.
I will update you on my outcome :)
I will update you on my outcome :)
Brief Answer:
Thank you!
Detailed Answer:
Sounds great. Enjoy your weekend and let me know what happens!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Dr. B
Thank you!
Detailed Answer:
Sounds great. Enjoy your weekend and let me know what happens!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Dr. B
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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