Waiting results. I

Hi Moo

Welcome to the womb group.

I am really sorry to hear that you lost your husband in August. I understand that it was hard to face when you had your first episode of post menopausal bleeding. The main thing is that you have now been to the doctor and are getting checked. 

Waiting for results can be hard and it can feel like you don't really know what is going on. I remember feeling a bit in limbo as I knew something was wrong but did not yet have a diagnosis or know what the treatment might be. 

Polyps are growths that can be found on the womb lining and can be common. Many are benign but it is important that cancer is ruled out. Symptoms of pain, bleeding and constipation may sometimes be caused by polyps especially if they are larger. With the symptoms you are having it is important that they are checked properly and during the hysteroscopy they are likely to have also removed some samples of the endometrial lining for testing as well. 

These biopsies are the only things that can confirm or rule out cancer. My results came back around a week after my biopsies were taken so hopefully you won't have too much time to wait. Clearly it is a worrying time but once you know for sure then they can offer treatment if needed. 

If there is no cancer present in the lining or polyps then it may well be that you just need some monitoring in the future. If cancer is found then the usual first line treatment is a hysterectomy. Early stage endometrial cancer is normally a very treatable cancer. 

It is always tough to wait for results but it can help to talk things through in confidence. 

Rather than sit and worry why not give the Support Line a call and talk things through. There is someone there from 8am - 8pm daily. 

Hope this helps a bit and that your results come back quickly. In the meantime if there is anything you want to ask about or need, then please do let us know. 

Jane

Thank you for your reply, it helped to know that I am not going mad .l just feel like I have no control of my body any more. It more the lack of information that I am struggling with not just the test results, and the symptoms getting worse but still no real advice so thank you for explaining some of it . I just don't really know what to expect or what is a symptoms to tell the doctor or even if its related.

Feeling like you have no control is normal. 

Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for the results. 

In the meantime the advice I was given by one of the nurse specialist was to get immediate medical help if bleeding was very heavy and painful- she said this would be where blood loss required changing a pad within an hour. 

Any new symptoms or concerns I was told in the first instance to either contact hospital or GP. I was told to call NHS111 if I had any worries outside of GP hours. 

She also mentioned prolonged/heavy bleeding could lead to anaemia, dizzy spells etc and that GP could do routine bloods or to call NHS 111 and get advice as to whether to attend urgent care. 

I know exactly how you feel. It is the waiting for results, waiting for appointments that is the worst. Like you, at times I feel that I am totally loosing it.

I have been told that I have a high grade cancer, going by the biopsies. I had a total hysterectomy 4 weeks ago ( which was actually ok and not something to worry too much about). I was told pathology results would be 2 - 3 weeks. It is now 4 weeks and my Macmillan nurse phoned to say next week. They need the results to decide which further treatment I need. 

Perhaps you could speak to your GP. Mine gave me some Diazapan and started me on antidepressants. The Diazapan certainly helps Might be worth a try .I also spoke on the phone to the hospital gynae Macmillan nurse,  who is lovely. I hope it is not too long until you get your results, I had to wait 2 weeks 

My polyp turned out not be cancerous as such but I'll be going back for another hysteroscopy next month as some cells have a risk of becoming cancerous. Meanwhile I have a mirena coil. Some people, including my daughter, have problems but my coil has not caused any major issues. It took 3 weeks to get my biopsy results and the waiting is very hard. They were in after 2 weeks and the nurse dictated a letter than was not sent until I phoned to chase the results. So dont be shy over phoning them to check. 

Pain was very short duration for me. I've had problems with constipation for years and recommend figs or fig biscuits if you like them. Optibac prebiotic gummies are good - I've tried other probiotics or prebiotics but that's the only one I've tried that I buy again.  It's often 3 for 2 in Boots or Sainsburys and sometimes Holland & Barrett have a good deal. I've also added inulin powder to food or drink - it's the cheap option. I dont really notice the taste but other people sometimes do. Walking helps and chocolate is mildly laxative.

The pain does sound concerning, why not speak to the McMillan nurse about that.

1. Thanks for your reply.  It's the pain that is the hardest to deal with as well as the waiting.  They just said that I will get a letter, so then probably have another wait for an appointment.  But in the mean time I am suffering in pain . Tried over the counter meds no good , went to the GP and they gave codeine not much better and made the constipation worse.  I am morphine sensitive so thats no good for me .Then all I get is go to A&E .No thank youI spent most of the last few years sat there with my husband due to complications with his treatment can't start that again.. I can't work due to the pain which doesn't help. I love to walk and go to the gym but no way at the moment..