Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Cazikins on August 10, 2013, 06:34:36 PM
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I had an unexpected bleed (after a 3 & a half year gap), & after having a hysteroscopy to investigate things, a polyp was found on my uterus, a biopsy taken & we were hoping that would be the end of it.
However - I am now in my 3rd week of bleeding, & this week I went to the hospital for a follow up appointment, & because of the continuous bleed I now have to have a polypectomy in a few weeks' time to determine if this is the cause of the unexpected bleed.
My HRT regime was the Mirena Coil + 1mg Climaval, but the coil was removed whilst having the hysteroscopy (at my agreement as it was coming to the end of its life expectancy & may have been the cause of the bleed).
I went on to Femoston low dose which is a Continuous combined therapy a week after having the coil removed as I was climbing the walls without my old regime, I was crying at the drop of a hat & unable to concentrate on the simplest of tasks at work. I turned 56 last month & my GP prescribed it for me at my request as I did not want a bleed – she agreed because of my age & the fact that I had gone 3 & a half years without a period. After 1 month of Femoston I had the bleeding (the start of the 3 week spell).
It was not my first mirena coil as I have had them since I was 42, & yes they did help with my heavy periods, but I did still have a period.
I am obviously concerned because if the polypectomy does not stop the bleeding than a hysterectomy has been strongly suggested, & needless to say I am bricking it at the thought of such a major operation. The big C has also been mentioned as this is also something they will be screening for when I have the op.
Any thoughts, or info if anyone has been in this situation gratefully received.
Cazi xx
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If you are rid of your womb, then a lot of your symptoms will go. However, it will start the menopause proper - is there a Dept within the Hospital that can talk you through this? As I had a breast care nurse, is there a specified nurse in Gynae.?
My f riend had enough wind to fly a kite following her hysterectomy and took it steadily after the operation ::) - but you haven't arrived at that point which is why I suggest getting more info before hand.
If the polyp is the source of the bleed - I had one that bled on touch which went of it's own accord when I was in peri-menopause - then after removal it should heal itself. I expect that the polyp will be sent for histology to make sure of what it is made up of. Do you get a 'pre operation' day if so take a list of questions.
Or: ring the Consultant's secretary next week for clarification. The Consultant may do a phone reply to answer your queries.
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Hi Cazi - I haven't been in this situation but just wanted to send a hug.
Although it is obviously worrying it does seem that a polyp will cause post meno bleeding and it is usual to have them removed. It could be the fact that you have started a different regime. Although you haven't had a period for three and a half years it is difficult to know whether the coil was preventing a period and now you have started a continuous regime you may, like me, have continuous bleeding for the first few months. I stopped mine at six months as I got fed up with the constant bleeding. Your polyp could have been causing a bleed to start with but now the new regime has also caused bleeding perhaps.
There is some sensible info here about polyps and polypectomies http://adammagos.com/hysteroscopy/hs_polyps.htm
CLKD - the menopause will not be altered by just removing the womb - it's the removal of the ovaries which affect hormone levels.
Taz xx :bighug:
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Hi Cazi - I haven't been in your situation, just wanted to send hugs.
The site given by Taz looks to have lots of useful information. Hopefully the polypectomy will sort out the bleeding.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Many thanks all.
CLKD, yes you are right - the biopsy will be sent to histology for further investigation & testing. And I was thinking the same as you regarding getting questions answered at the pre op at the end of this month. Making a list as we speak.
Hey Taz :-* thanks for the link & the hugs. That link was really useful. It meant I could show hubby what it looked like.
When did you get the constant bleeding from going on continuous HRT? was it after the first month, week ?? I have now had 3 weeks of bleeding which started after my first full month of Femoston. I was clear till I finished the first month, but haven't stopped since. I am right fed up of it, (& it smells)... :o :o
Ahh thanks Limpy for your hugs, it means a lot to me. Yes Taz posts does a lot of useful links, she's a "legend".
Cazi xxx
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:bighug:
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I'm still bleeding - 3 weeks & 1 day so far.
I trying to cut down on the HRT. I know I should do it gradually but I want to know if it is the change in HRT regime that is causing it.
I went to the ENT last Thursday for my 3monthly check up on my Tinnitus & hey guess what girls...................I have to have an op to have a grommet fitted woopy bl**dy dooo - another op to look forward to.
No appointment date yet but I've told them I don't want it till after my holiday, & after the op for the polyp removal. I jst can't face it yet.
Why does it all come at once?
Cazi xx
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If of course 'they' were organised 'they' would do both at the same time, to save costs and a GA ::)
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;D ;D The trouble is CLKD, the ops are being performed in 2 different hospitals, about 20 miles apart oh & 2 different parts of the body ;D ;D but I know what you mean.
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I can understand why you only want one thing done at a time.
Can I ask....why a grommet for tinnitus? I have mentioned mine to my GP but was told there was nothing they could do.
Honeyb
X
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There is no guarantee that the grommet will stop the T, but because I have crackling & gurgling also (which keeps me awake at night), they are hoping that the grommet may help somewhat.
I have pressure in my inner ear because a "film" like covering is insulating it, & the pressure builds up which means that any dead skin & cells has nowhere to escape (it would normally come out through the Eustachian tube (via the nose). By fitting a grommet there is a chance that it may open up a bit thus relieving the pressure....at least that is what I think it is all about. ??? ???
They did intend to do this early last year but when they put me under they found compacted wax in the upper chamber so they cleared that out thinking that was all that was needed.
Cazi xx
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That's really interesting as I thought they only gave them to children. Makes sense though as its supposed to help drain the gloop.
Hopefully you will get some relief from the tinnitus as it can slowly drive you up the wall.
Honeyb
X
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Thanks HB. The grommet will drop out after about 18 months or so, but I will give anything a go at the moment.... just not at the same time as the polypectomy ;D
Cazi xx
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Hi Cazikins
Just to say I can relate a little to how you feel as I have to look forward to a possible polypectomy next week too - I am having a hysteroscopy because of unexpected bleeding and my scan showed an abnormality on the womb lining which could be a polyp so they are doing a biopsy and if it looks like a polyp while they are up there with a camera they will chop it out! I am having it done under local anaesthetic and can drive myself there and back. However I haven't had any heavy bleeding except as part of my HRT cycle (still doing this at 60).
For you, I think changing the HRT and going from the Mirena to a different progestogen as well as changing the amount of oestrogen in the different preparations would definitely take some adjustment, but it must be very frustrating to be bleeding for so long.
Do hope the bleeding stops soon and you don't have to wait too long for your operation - are you having it done under local anaesthetic?
Take care
Hurdity x
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Hi Hurdity,
Good luck with your hysteroscopy next week, you are a very brave lady to have a polypectomy without a GA. Crikey no way am I having mine done without a general anaesthetic, I'm just not brave enough.
I wasn't offered a scan like you, they just decided straight away to remove my coil & do a hysteroscopy.
I think you are right about the HRT regime. I have stopped taking the HRT for now (last tablet 4 days ago), as I got so blooming fed up with the bleeding etc & guess what............I have almost stopped bleeding, just a very small amount of dark spotting. I'm climbing the walls without it however >:(. Damn if I do & damned if I don't, it is so frustrating.
My op is Sept 4th & the pre op assessment is the week before.
Let us know how you get on (you brave woman you)
Cazikins x
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Hi Cazikins
Thanks. :) The thing I'm banking on is that I am hoping it isn't a polyp whatever they saw but it's down as possible polypectomy. It's offered as a local so I presume it's OK - but whatever it is it was small 0.8 mm, so I don't know what they do. I imagine it's all soft tissue. Actually I'm not brave - I'm more of a coward - about GA - as I've never had one so would be more scared of that!! Have had 4 children so the pain can't be anything like that. Given the choice I would avoid one of those (GA) if I could.
As you've definitely been diagnosed with one (polyp) maybe it's a bit larger and would be more of a big deal under local. Glad the bleeding's stopped. It's a drag that we get all these problems when we need the HRT to feel normal and keep us healthy in other ways.
I hope you are able to continue with the HRT eventually - it's the uncertainty that's a worry isn't it?
Hurdity x
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Hi Cazikins and Hurdity, I recently had a hysteroscopy under LA and they found and removed a polyp at the same time. I hardly noticed her doing it as once the anaesthesia had kicked in you don't feel anything. Actually the smear test she did first was far more painful. Anyway it was all over v quickly. Good luck to both of you - often the thought of v these things is often worse than the procedures themselves ;)
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My polyp is 0.5mm Hurdity....Yours is bigger then mine, & you are having a LA.
However you have had 4 children, & I have never even been pregnant, it's OK, it is was my choice, but it does make you wonder..... Is that why they offered me a GA & you a LA???
I was showed a picture of my polyp, it looked all red, & like e stick of rhubarb uggh.
Thanks mummajo, it is so good to hear that it is not allways too painful...xx
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Some surgeons prefer to have a patient deeply under so that they can take their time ............ they can chat about what is happening without the patient being worried about all the technical terms being used ;)
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Hi Hurdity - have you had your hysteroscopy done & did they confirm a polyp (sorry if I've missed it elsewhere).
I have my op next Weds.
I had a whole month of bleeding when I went on Femoston - it only stopped when I stopped taking them (I couldn't cope with it anymore).... So I am now in the throws of hot flushes etc.
I will see what happens after my op, maybe the bleeding was because of the polyp.
I don't like feeling like this though, it is a pain in the wotsit.
Cazi xx
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Hi Cazikins - thanks for asking yes I did update a thread but no worries. Had it done last week. It was quite quick but a little painful though but breathed through it and it was finished. Didn't have LA in the end as gynae said many women find this (ie the injection) more painful than the procedure. They just did the hysteroscopy and biopsy and woopee the thing wasn't a polyp. He thinks it's a small fibroid which he said not to worry about. Forgot to ask if the biopsy was of the circular thing or just the lining. Anyway will hear in a few weeks but he said the lining looked normal so I'm not worried. I have an ectropion (used to be called cervical erosion) which he suggested I could get treated or leave so I am leaving it. This he thinks was the cause of the bleeding.
Sorry to hear about the flushes returning - I really feel for you as I know I couldn't cope with these again and function normally. Hopefully after you've had the procedure and you've found out what caused the bleeding, you will be able to re-start HRT and feel human again! Fingers crossed!
Will be thinking of you next week and all the best with your op. Let us know how it went when you have recovered!
Hurdity x
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Thanks Hurdity.
I'm so glad yours went well - you are brave having it done with no anaesthetic at all. I would have been screaming like a banshee if it was me ::)
I've been 2 weeks without HRT & it has been a rollercoaster of emotions etc. Still I'm taking one day at a time.
Cazi x