– The fact that it took so long led to a worsening of the disease, she says. For 15 years, Elisabeth Raasholm Larby waited to get an answer to what the pain associated with menstruation was. She was only diagnosed with endometriosis when she was 28. This led to chronic nerve damage in the left leg and the disease spread to the lung, bladder and large endometriosis changes throughout the pelvis. – I have always known that I am right. I was very excited about whether the law was on my side, so now I am very relieved, says Larby to news. Elisabeth Raasholm Larby has fought a long battle to be believed and to receive the right treatment. Photo: Christian Breidlid / news Won on all counts When she got the answer to the pain she was going through, she sued the state. This is due to inadequate diagnosis and treatment. According to the judgment from the Østre Innlandet District Court, the doctors should already have suspected the disease 18 years ago, which affects around one in ten women. – Great stress In the judgment, which came this week, it is also stated that the treatment she received at Innlandet hospital was not good enough. Larby sued the state for several points – and won on all of them. – It has been a great stress and strain, and it is good to have confirmation that what I have experienced is not in line with good medical practice, says Larby to news. The communications adviser at Innlandet Hospital says they are only aware of the contents of the judgment via the media. – We note that the court has come to a different conclusion than the supervisory authorities and Norwegian Patient Compensation. This is endometriosis. Endometriosis is an inflammation-like condition where tissue similar to that in the uterus grows outside the uterus. It takes an average of seven years to be diagnosed. It is usually detected by peephole surgery. Because the symptoms can be very different, misdiagnosis is common. Common symptoms can include severe pain during menstruation, heavy bleeding, difficulty conceiving, pain during intercourse and fatigue. Endometriosis occurs in approximately 10 percent of women and is the most common female disease we have Many live without symptoms Approximately 40 per cent of infertile people have endometriosis The tissue can grow on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, peritoneum, intestines, ureter and bladder The the most common form of treatment is peephole surgery and contraceptives such as birth control pills or IUDs Source: Endometriosis Association Hope the state will accept Larby, who is general manager of the Endometriosis Association, says the verdict is not only important to her – but also to many others. – No patient should have to go through what I have experienced, and I hope the state will accept the verdict. – In this way, more patients will be able to feel confident that their legal security is safeguarded, she says. From “mild” to serious diagnosis Because of the pain, she had a lot of absences from school, and countless visits to the GP. When she was first diagnosed, she was told that it was “a mild degree” of endometriosis, and was operated on without further investigation. She later chose to see a specialist who determined that she had severe endometriosis. – No doubt Expert Guri Majak, who is a specialist in women’s diseases, spoke in court. She claimed that there was no doubt that Raasholm Larby had been the victim of under-diagnosis and under-treatment of endometriosis over several years. – There is no doubt that years of under-diagnosis and under-treatment of endometriosis have led to serious worsening of the disease and permanent organ damage for many women, she said. Chief physician Guri Majak made a statement in court. Been through many rounds After a new operation, they found that the disease had ended up on the bowel, bladder, uterus and fallopian tubes, and endometriosis was also found on Larby’s lungs. She has suffered permanent nerve damage because the disease was discovered so late. Larby has been through several rounds to try to get compensation. In 2019, she reported the case to Norwegian Patient Compensation, but they rejected the claim. She also complained to the Patient Injury Board, which determined that there was no failure in the health care. Thus, Larby chose to sue the state at the Patient Injury Board in court. Elisabeth Raasholm Larby has been through many tough years. Photo: Ane Undhjem Løvereide / Endometriosis Association Gets compensation The court also agrees with the woman from Gjøvik that the GP should have suspected endometriosis as early as 2006. She is also agreed with the court that the treatment she received at Innlandet Hospital was not in accordance with good medical practice . Raasholm Larby has been awarded compensation from the state, and the Patient Injury Board must also pay court costs of NOK 622,724. – A great victory – This is a great victory, not only for Elisabeth personally, but for everyone living with endometriosis. That’s what Marte Øien, chairman of the Endometriosis Association, says. – Many have been waiting anxiously for the ruling, and we are happy to be able to share this positive news, says Marte Øien, she continues. Published 09.11.2024, at 16.39 Updated 09.11.2024, at 17.28
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Elisabeth sued the state for delayed endometriosis diagnosis – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
