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[sidse]

Hi All,
I had an ultra sound last week and the person doing the scan said that everything looked fine. So when I went for my follow up appointment today, I wasn't prepared for being asked to have a biopsy within the next couple of weeks. I know it is for the best and others on here have had one, but it is such a worry. And, I have been asked to stop my HRT ( 50 femseven conti) which means a **** Christmas. How long before the night sweats etc kick in again?

[CLKD]

I would postpone.  If the person doing the scan told you that 'everything looked fine' I would want to know where along the line, this viewpoint was changed.  I would never put a celebration in jeopardy [particularly C.mas] if it meant leaving investigations for a couple of weeks.

Have you been given a date?

[walking the dog]

Hi sidse
Can you speak to someone and double check you need to stop hrt ?
My womb linings,at 10, I have never been told to stop my hrt but we don't all get the same advice. Hope you get it sorted xx

[linz57]

My lining was found to be 6.1 and I needed a biopsy but I wasn't advised to stop taking my hrt ( FemSeven Conti).

[sidse]

Thanks for all your replies. I haven't been given a date as yet - I only had my GP appointment today. I don't think that I would be able to postpone it as I would be thinking that I would be tempting fate, daft, I know. It is interesting to hear that some of you have been told not to stop HRT. Hopefully, others may come along with their experiences. To be honest, I was surprised when the person doing the ultra sound gave me some feedback as I thought that they were not supposed to. She must have know that I would have had to have a biopsy as I heard her saying 7mm to her colleague.

[Hurdity]

Hi sidse

You do not need to stop your HRT! Just don't! What was the reason for your U/S scan - have you had some irregular bleeding? If you are on Evorel conti then sometimes bleeding does occur - and especially if your own cycle kicks in sometimes. Also it could mean a fibroid or polyp. Post-menopausal bleeding in the absence of taking HRT is more of a worry as this is unexpected, whereas on HRT it is common.

I had the same thing - I had some slight bleeding - while on HRT but not continuous combined, so was told to stop HRT pending investigation. However I had an e-mail consultation with Dr Currie who said I didn't. I then went back to a different doc in the practice and basically told her I wasn't (stopping) and that I had consulted a specialist.

The reason the sonographer may have said everything looked fine was because she perhaps could not see any irregularities. In my case it was both thick ( approx 7.5 mm) and she could see an irregularity (which turned out to be a small fibroid) - hence the need in my case for hysteroscopy and biopsy.

From what I have read I would say it is arguable actually whether you need a biopsy for a thickened lining on HRT but I would actually be pleased because it means you are being checked out. They will be checking for hyperplasia which in a small proportion  of some cases can lead to cancer, Most cases of thickened lining can just be treated with increased progestogen provided nothing is wrong. I would not be worried at all - I mean the two week rule for referral should not apply if you are on HRT so I would say the docs are being over cautious - but I would still go along with it ( apart from stopping the HRT).

Hopefully you can have it (the biopsy) as a quick in/out procedure like some of us on here - and just take pain-killers and it's over and done with very quickly. You won't get the appt before Christmas anyway and if you do just say it's inconvenient....

Good luck

Hurdity x

[sidse]

Thanks Hurdity. My abnormal bleeding started a couple of months ago when I  ran  out of patches( my last one didn't stick well and I didn't have a replacement) and had to go a couple of days without one which I think brought on a bleed. However, I have since had two lighter but still 'period like' bleeds. I think that you are right when you say that it is a good thing( especially as I have never been checked out before) and will try to hold my nerve and not worry. 

[CLKD]

What's tempting fate - isn't it better to get through this already stressful time of year so that one is prepared for intervention and results?  Hey ho ……… 

Maybe ring the Dept to see why you have been advised to stop the HRT?  Maybe it's to bring on a bleed so that the scan gives a clearer picture, however, if you get an appt., stop the HRT then the appt. is postponed ?  ?

[Hurdity]

You mean the bleeds that came later were while you were taking the HRT? It could well be that forgetting the patch messed up your system a bit but as you say - great to be checked! I would take all tests going because one day it could make all the difference....

Let us know the outcome

Hurdity x

[sidse]

I still have not decided whether to stop taking the HRT. I have been at work today so have not had a chance to get to the docs to try to get a second opinion. I suppose as a compromise, I could wait until the appointment comes through and then stop a few days before.

[Taz2]

I think that I would go with what you have been advised to do even though your symptoms may return. If you stop the HRT then you should have a bleed which will reduce your lining. This  may be why you have been advised to stop just to see how your body copes naturally?  If you do stop you might find it is a good few weeks before night sweats start. I find it's around eight weeks for me before I notice too much of a difference.

I hope that you get an appointment soon.

Taz x