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[BermudaQueen]

Fingers crossed you get the treatment you need.  I’ve found it’s so important to find a sympathetic GP - the consultants and hospital staff are lovely, but to them it’s routine and you feel like you’re on a conveyor belt of tests.

Don’t get me wrong, I am forever grateful for the care that I’m lucky to have here, but knowing my GP will support me in decisions I have to make, it makes all the difference, just a friendly and understanding ear!

I’m postmenopausal and suffering from spotting and VA badly! 😦

Following the spotting, had all the usual tests done, blood test and smears, and then referred to the hospital for scans and finally a Hysteroscopy under GA with biopsy.

10 days past, still waiting for my results.  They told me after the surgery that I have ‘atrophic uterus’ and ‘stenosed cervix’ (apparently they really struggle to dilate me - no wonder I’ve been sore since!).

I’ve found the the best way for me at appointments is to ask loads of questions and take notes - 
Not always easy if you can’t understand what they’re saying, but I’ve had times , like you, when I come off the phone or from an appointment, wondering what it was actually said 🙂‍↔️

Best of luck finding what’s right for you,  life’s too short to be uncomfortable or worried x

[Mercede2]

Thanks for the reply (Bermudaqueen). A similar story to what happened to me six years ago  although I was able to have the biopsies then which hasn't been the case this time, as the hysteroscopy was abandoned due to them saying it was too risky due to the cervix being stenosed.

I am having a follow up face to face appt with the consultant next week to discuss what next.  Can only hope for answers and a more positive outcome, although I don't feel very hopeful due to them saying the lining has thickened from 2 in March to 4.7 in June and the fact that they weren't able to do the biopsies.  I also still have a little bit of fluid in the womb, although the consultant did say that could be a consequence of the stenosis.

I will definately be asking lots of questions this time and I'm taking my husband with me for support.

Good luck with your results I'm sure they will be fine. Results can take ages coming back, take that as a good sign that all is ok or maybe contact the secretary and ask if anything has come back.

Thanks again.

[Mercede2]

Apologies to you all but I'm after advice yet again please!
Went back for my follow up in June.  (Delay in getting back to you.... family worries 🥲)

Hysterectomy was my only option to rule anything sinister or otherwise out due to the stenosis of cervix preventing biopsies being taken.  My lining was 4.7 and the fluid that had been seen on the first scan had reduced on the second scan.  As far as they could see the scan appeared OK other than an old fibroid that was of no concern. 
The consultant appeared to lean towards a wait and watch as he said total hysterectomy was a major op and not without its problems! Also mentioned that pathology on 90% of hysterectomies are benign.
I asked if an MRI would be a plan but he said that wouldn't provide answers either.  Also asked if I would need a follow up ultrasound in a few months.  His reply was that he didn't see the point in that. So I was told to just go back to the gp if I had any more bleeding/problems.
I requested a copy of the discharge letter  which was quite blunt and to the point saying that I'd requested a watch and wait and nothing could be ruled out!! So putting the onus on me (sign of the times I suppose!)

Not sure whether the worries I've had the last few months have made me question the decision that was made that day.
Should I be worried that he didn't feel a follow up was necessary and what are your views on moving forward should I be considering a hysterectomy due to not being able to have the biopsies taken.

[bombsh3ll]

I think that whilst it sounds like his bedside manner could use some work, medically this is entirely appropriate.

You aren't on hormone therapy so wouldn't benefit from the hysterectomy in terms of progestogen avoidance, and it is major surgery for a history that is almost certainly benign.

Endometrial cancer does generally announce itself early on with PERSISTENT, irregular bleeding, which can be heavy.

I would be happy to leave this alone and get on with life. You can always make a decision that if you do have any further bleeding episodes, you will insist on a hysterectomy at that time for peace of mind.

Also, and I am not saying that you in particular should do this any more than anyone else, but you can always pay for a private ultrasound any time you wanted for additional reassurance.

I am a non carrier within a BRCA family and I pay for an annual pelvic scan and CA125. I had already started this before I found out my genetic status and chose to continue as for me it is a valuable part of well woman screening,

[CLKD]

Mercede2 - how do U feel overall?   A wait and watch until the New Year, keeping a mood/symptom/food diary would be 1 way to go, so that U have a baseline from which to work.  Hysterectomy may bring it's own problems.

[Mercede2]

Bombsh3ll  - Might be a plan for me to look into having a check up privately, so thanks for that suggestion. At least that may give me a way forward if I need it. It's a such a big decision to have major surgery to just give me peace of mind but then we all know how anxiety takes over in these matters.  As you say check ups are a valuable part of keeping us healthy.

CLKD - I do feel well in myself except for the bouts of anxiety and overthinking things when I have the slightest twinge!! Good idea to keep a record though of how I'm feeling etc so thanks for that.

Thank you both for the advice, much appreciated.   I feel bad for even asking when there are so many of you with bigger issues.  So glad we have these sites

[CLKD]

It's your problem - sharing can help.  Don't worry about how good/bad others might be feeling ;-)

Keeping a note reminds me of the 'better' days too !

[bombsh3ll]

It's a such a big decision to have major surgery to just give me peace of mind

I know what you mean, however whilst peace of mind is incredibly valuable in itself (I had risk reducing mastectomies at 29 and you cannot put a price on the psychological relief that gave me), I wouldn't necessarily categorise it as "just" for peace of mind if you had further bleeding - in that instance it would be to avoid repeated painful and invasive attempts to investigate said bleeding. 

[Mercede2]

Totally agree CLKD I do think keeping notes helps, keeps us grounded and also makes you appreciate the good days too 🙂

Bombsh3ll - that must have been a very big decision and traumatic for you to go through, good that it helped you though.  Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. It's good to have people to talk to about our worries.