Hi,
I've been having some troubling symptoms for around 5 months. Irregular bleeding and some mild pain. I have had a ca125 test (normal) and an ultrasound, which was 'suggestive of adenomyosis' and endometrium of 11mm. My last smear a year ago was hpv negative, although I bled during and the nurse commented there was 'something' there, but was 'probably an erosion'. However, I had cin3 many years ago and Lletz treatment.
I was referred to gynaecology 5 months ago and still don't have an appointment. My worry is that the bleeding is now heavier and lasts longer, sometimes a week of no bleeding, then starts again. I get daily period type cramps and some backache.
Caveat, I'm 44 years old, had my hormone levels checked and was told they were ok, but i do feel fobbed off as menopausal. I'm also a palliative care nurse
Hi Mable75 and welcome to our group.
It seems like your referral hasn’t been made as an urgent one, hence the long wait. Since you have ongoing symptoms which are now getting worse, I’d recommend going back to your doctor to explain what’s happening and asking if the referral can be made an urgent one the basis of your bleeding and pain.
The fact that you had an hpv negative result on your smear test last year means that no further checks would have been made on the cervical cells, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all is ok. You’ve had CIN3 and treatment before, and I’m surprised that despite the nurse noting that there was “something there”, no further check was made. It could be an erosion, which can bleed, but it would be better to have this checked out to be sure that’s all it is.
I can see that you’ve had some tests already, but the CA125 test is not used in the diagnosis of cervical cancer, and nor is an ultrasound so I’d want to have more testing and a closer examination of your cervix in your position-it must be very wearing to live with this ongoing bleeding.
Please don’t be fobbed off-sometimes we just need to stand our ground and push for further investigations when we feel something isn’t right. It may be nothing serious, but getting checked would at least give you peace of mind if there is nothing wrong.
I hope you’ll let us know how you get on, and that you can get a reassuring explanation.
Sarah xx
If you have a gp who says such a thing and believes it, then that’s a problem in itself! As you know, it’s absolutely possible for this to happen, and a smear test is not a diagnostic test for cancer in any case. Hpv can come and go-be active at times and then go into dormancy.
If you don’t get any luck with a gp who doesn’t seem to have the right understanding, I’d try to see a different gp in the practice, and failing that, I’d go private. It’s too important for you not to see a gynaecologist and be properly checked. I can’t give you any reassurance that everything’s fine, but I hope it’s nothing serious.
Sarah xx
