Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Jo4545 on August 31, 2021, 01:35:42 PM
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I'm a fairly new member and introduced myself in a new members a week or so ago.
As well as being prescribed combined HRT last week (so 7 days in) the GP also asked me to go for some blood tests just to rule out any other reason for my extreme tiredeness and check all was ok.
I got a call this morning from my GP to say that the results had shown that I am very anaemic (!) and that also my white blood cell count was up a bit so may have some underlying infection too. I've got to go back for more blood tests tomorrow to work out why I am so anaemic (B12, folate etc) and some other blood tests too that the GP will put down on the form.
I guess that explains my extreme tiredeness.
They also want to do a quick chest x-ray to see if my lingering cough (which I was putting down to silent reflux after reading about it on here) is the result of a chest infection as that would explain the white blood cell count.
Oh and a poo stick test just to check I'm not losing the blood anywhere (I don't think I am). Deep joy ;D
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Tnx for the update. It's all or nothing!
Let us know how you get on. Your GP is being thorough.
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Thanks CKLD. My only real concern is we've got a trip booked to the Netherlands towards the end of this month to see my daughter and my new granddaughter. I last saw my daughter in March 2020. So I don't want that to be disrupted by any of this but hopefully the GP and I can work around it.
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My Consultant told me when I was undergoing treatment, 'miss a week, the holiday will do you both good!'. If you get called 4 the tests but your holiday is booked, put the tests off. A few days/weeks won't make much difference.
A new baby ..........
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Yeah I think that is what I will do but would like some iron or B12 whatever I need before I go away as life isn't much fun feeling like this.
And yes very exciting - my first grandchild!
I was just looking up anaemia and it's also a symptom of Coeliac disease. Whilst I don't feel I have that (yet), my Mum was diagnosed with it a couple of years ago so worth a blood test for that I think (too late for tomorrow now but will ask the doctor when we next speak to discuss these test results).
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Blood tests and Chest Xray done at lunchtime. The doctors have already called to check how I am feeling as apparently the calcium in my blood is high. The blood test lab phoned them up to tell them as it was urgent.
As I'm not quite at death's door yet I am just going to drink extra to hopefully flush the calcium out and they will await the rest of my results.
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So finally the doctor called me this morning. Apparently my blood test results are concerning and I have to pop in and see her this afternoon. Then they will probably have to refer me on to the hospital. She is prescribing an Iron Supplement meanwhile though which fingers crossed should help me feel a bit better.
She's going to do one of these two week referrals which is a tad unfortunate for me in that the next week three days were supposed to be spent on moving my partner out of his house that he's selling and a trip to see my daughter and new granddaughter in Holland the following week which looks that that might have to be postponed by at least 2 weeks now.
I am also very concerned about what is wrong with me now and annoyed I put it all down to Menopause
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What’s the news? Hope all is ok…
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Thanks for asking gm_thomson :)
The doctor gave me a good examination and could find nothing obviously wrong. She was keen to send me to the hospital straight away when she saw my pulse rate but I convinced her not if I sent her in some readings from today and tomorrow and promised to go to A and E if something felt really wrong. So she is referring me to the hospital. Starting with Gynae and if they come up with nothing we'll move on.
I am now on Iron Supplements so hoping that will give me some energy at least.
Our trip to visit my granddaughter is postponed for two weeks and my daughter quite surprisingly was ok with that (phew!) so I can be free for appointments during that time. If we still can't manage a whole week next time we'll go for a long weekend instead (Fri through Sun) and fingers crossed it doesn't coincide with any hospital appointments on a Friday.
I did suddenly remember today that I take Nexium for indigestion every two days and have for longer than maybe I should. I've not mentioned it to the doctors as I genuinely totally forgot but having read about the dangers of taking them long term I've stopped (though may need the odd antacid meanwhile). I'll mention it to the doctor as apparently that could affect iron absorbtion... Oops!
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Thats great news, although sometimes its better when they find something and then you stop worrying. Good catch on the Nexium.
Keep us updated!
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Thank you. The doctor was being very bad case scenario (i.e. cancer) but I've experienced that in the past. In reality they don't know what is up with me and cancer is just one (unwelcome) option.
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Got my first appointment for an ultrasound of my pelvis and stomach on Thursday (16th). I assume I won't hear anything else until after then.
I need to let my GP know about this appointment (though she didn't make it too clear the best way to do this) and include my latest blood pressure/pulse checks so she knows I really don't need to go to the hospital straight away :D
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Yep probably will take a few days to get results. My doctor wants a pelvic and vaginal ultrasound as well… To check i am indeed in perimenopause. I was having a good day so i joked with him and said if i am having a period once every 3 months and hot flashes and all these symptoms and I am NOT in periomenopause then WTF is it lol. And he laughed. I guess just being thorough. Also I am in Canada, he gets paid for referrals etc so its in his best interest ;)
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I've now got a CT scan on Thursday too. I've never had one of those before but sounds like a good starting point if they are looking at the whole torso to see what is up with me. Sods law means my partner isn't free to go with me but should be ok. He'd only be sat in the waiting room I guess anyway.
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I almost feel I'm on the wrong forum now.
My doctor called me all doom and gloom on Friday as she'd seen the ultrasound results and she could see a (her words) "vascular mass" in my pelvic area plus a few things I didn't understand. She kept saying "I'm so sorry" and "are you ok" but not sure what she was being sorry for really ("sorry you've got two weeks left to live" or "sorry it's not 100% good news" or something totally in between and I'm quite cross she made that call as they had to wait for the CT scan for anything definite.
Anyway CT scan results back to the Gynae specialist at the hospital I've now got to go to see her at the hospital tomorrow morning (and take someone with me) to talk to her and she may need to do a biopsy. I can't help worrying quite a bit about this.
So it's not all menopause symptoms then!
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I'll be thinking of you this morning Jo4545. You must have had a horrible weekend trying to analyse everything the GP said. This morning you will hopefully receive some proper answers and get a plan of action. X
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Thinking of you this morning Jo4545
Just wanted to leave you a message
Hopefully today like gnatty said you get some answers and a plan forward Xx
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Thanks both. So basically there is a mass there, they don't like the look of it so took a biopsy. I should hear back next Monday which gives me a few days to get my head around it.
The specialist did say that with chemo/radiotherapy (if needed) the outcome should be good which made me feel a bit better.
What made me feel worst was 50 minutes sat in a stuffy waiting room before I got to see her.
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Hi jo4545
Sorry to hear there is a mass there , hopefully the biopsy comes back soon so you knows what’s what
The unknown is the worst part I think
It’s good they have done it all so quick for you.
Waiting around is the worst , I think as your already anxious wanting to know and waiting makes it worse
Im sending you lots of hugs and I hope your ok ..
keep us updated and take things easy xx
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Thank you. From what she said I am expecting to need Chemo but will go with the flow. Rather me than my parents (79 and 80) - they probably wouldn't stand a chance.
Meanwhile my Partner is looking after me so I am having a nice rest and enjoying no hospital trips for a few days (and trying not to think too hard about it all)
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That’s good jo that your partner is looking after you and you can relax
If it gets too much , come on here and let it all out as you know someone is always reading , even if we can’t help .. it may help you by releasing it all
Sending you hugs xx
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Thanks.. It does really help being able to tell like minded people on here more than I'd tell anyone else to be honest. That's what I like about this forum xx
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Sending you best wishes Jo4545 x
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Thank you!
I've had a few more hospital trips etc since I last posted on here. I am having 5 weeks of daily (weekday) radiotherapy starting Oct 20th. The professor overseeing my care that we saw reckoned it will be a cure but whilst I trust him and he was a really really nice man, I can't help to think that is a bit optimistic but I am guessing I need to trust him and believe what he said.
It would be nice to be less tired but radiotherapy also causes extreme tiredness amongst other things so we'll see. The side effects will probably last into next year too. But at least heading in the right direction hopefully!
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Hope your ok Jo4545
Sending you lots of hugs & well wishes & hopefully soon you will have all your energy back
Good luck with your treatment .. You Have Got This 💪
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Just catching up with your thread Jo4545. I hope you soon have your energy back and that the treatment is going well. :hug:
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Good luck Jo4545 xx
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Sending love :-*
Keep us updated on how you are getting on xxxxx
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Thanks all for the best wishes. I've not got a PET CT scan on Friday but other than that nothing planned until the radiotherapy starts on the 20th. I'll keep this updated xx