Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: Nas on January 03, 2022, 04:25:27 PM
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I can't cope any longer.
I have started bleeding AGAIN, two weeks since the last one.
I don't know what is causing it.
I feel ill and miserable.
The £350 scan is going to have to include a consultation of £195.
Back to work tomorrow and I haven't the will to start chasing the NHS to find out when my appointment is likely to be.
Just don't know what to do.
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Sorry to hear that Nas.
It's a lot of money but worth it if you can find a much needed solution. As per your post on the other thread in the Alternatives section, I think it's worth having a scan and to discuss an ablation. Perhaps they can advise you on this during the consultation. They might suggest a Mirena coil, have you tried one before?
I had fairly heavy bleeds when I was on a high dose of oestrogen and not only did it get me down, it made me feel really ill. I found it difficult to cope with the bleeding as I got older and it wiped out all the benefits of the oestrogen in the end. I also found that the bleeds triggered my migraines.
How soon can they give you an appointment?
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Hi Mary,
Yes it is alot of money and money I don't really have to spend.
My GP wrote to gynae on Dec 23 to request that they escalate the scan.
I have also emailed them to ask whether they have received the letter as of yet.
Ideally, I wanted to have the scan and ablation on the NHS, but don't know if I can wait that long now.
It seems, that my womb keeps kicking off at any oestrogen that goes into my body, yet I am plagued with symptoms!
When you say you bled with high doses of oestrogen, how much do you mean?
My patch is 75, so medium dose , but even when I cut it down to 50, I was still getting pains.
Think I am going to have to revert to the patch, as that is the only thing that gets me out of the dark hole and just put up with the pains and bleeding until my scan.
Just an awful time, as I can't focus on anything.
The private hospital have appointments at the end of the month, but even that seems too long to wait now!
xx
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Hi Nas ... I've tried to read back through some of your threads. I have the following observations to this one:
Back to work tomorrow ... I feel ill - is there any possibility you can phone in sick? You appear to be unwell and running on fumes.
Feeling like you can't cope, miserable, and I sense anxiety and hopelessness - as you know, this is what happens when we're faced with long term problems and no apparent solutions. I can completely understand why it now seems as if there just isn't anymore 'fight' left in you. If at all possible, you kinda need some rest ...
I think I can sympathise with your situation. I suffered from chronic and acute bleeding for years. It wasn't until a friend lent me some of her emotional energy that I was finally able to 'fight my way to the front'. My GP organised an emergency next day referral to gynae for the scans, and indeed I did then go on to have an emergency ablation within the week, some cauterisation and a mirena coil fitted. Within a couple of weeks I stopped feeling as if I was dying (partly because I was also supported by fairly heavy duty tranqs for this) and within another couple of weeks I could see light at the end of the tunnel. It probably took six months for me to heal.
Point being, I was desperate and hopeless. It was the GP referring me for emergency procedures that did the trick.
Take care, and I hope you get the care you need.
Best
EK
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Thanks Elk.
Well after one final blast at the GP today, word has got through to gynae, that I am desperate!
A scan will be arranged as an emergency this week. Thank god!!
You are right, I am running on empty, but as much as I was tempted to get myself signed off today, work ironically gives me something to help me take my mind off things.
I will be requesting a womb ablation to begin with I think and take it from there. It all depends what they find this week. I’m hoping nothing bad!!
Thanks again x
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Hey Nas
Very pleased to hear this! And also that you get respite at work. It's great when it can take you outside of yourself a bit and you can breathe a version of 'fresh air'.
Fingers crossed for good news and a structured way forward within a reasonable timeline. Keep us posted.
On a slightly related note, are you shoving the supplements down? My old mum (who was a nurse) swore by Floradix. I swear that was the only thing that kept me vertical some days.
All the best
EK
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Tell you what Elk, coming off that patch for a month was a very scary experience! I had never felt such despair in my life! This means I cannot come off HRT for a while yet, that has been proven!
Joint aches, gone within 4 days, mood lifted a bit, urgency to wee, reduced dramatically..
The bleed will start within 2 weeks, so someone needs to sort my womb out and do some investigational work. Either that, or the progesterone needs changing.
What a long journey !
Xx
No word from the hospital today, so will chase tomorrow.
I am not a fan of supplements, but so have some ashwangandha tablets?
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That's good Nas, hopefully you will hear from them soon!
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I know what you mean about the HRT, it really set me on the right track. Unfortunately, it screwed up my blood pressure, so it had to be withdrawn. Funny you mention ashwangandha, because I went down the herbal route next and that was one of the components. Re: the Floradix, it's just because I was chronically anemic and it's an iron rich tonic.
I mean at this stage you need answers so you can make a plan. I still remember the incredible relief when this finally became a possibility for me. Sounds like you're on top of it. The worse is not knowing and feeling as if your life is disappearing.
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Hi Nas
Sorry to hear about your problems - I haven't been on the forum for a few weeks so I don't know your story. I am gathering you have been bleeding on 75 mcg patches but not sure what prog you are using and the dose and where you are in menopause?
I agree that if you need an emergency scan due to abnormal bleeding then you absolutely should not have to pay for it so I am glad that this is being organised.
Re Floradix - tonic (not tablets) - I took this throughout my pregnancies when i was anaemic and still keep some in the fridge and every now and then have a glug. It shouldn't really be taken if you ont need iron as too much iron can be problematic ( hence my occasional glug) but it is great stuff I agree! I am not a great fan opf supplements either but I do have that around and also cod liver oil (pure) also for the odd swig (!) in the winter months just in case I am low on vit D - which I wasn't when I was measured several years back in March). If you are bleeding a lot then you Floradix might be a good thing to top up iron.
Hurdity x
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Thanks Mary, nothing today, so will have to mither them
tomorrow now!
Elk, I may just get myself some of that floradix, sounds like it could be beneficial.
I do need answers and pronto. The familiar dull ache in my abdomen is lurking, but I’ve got to keep going now and push for the scan . I need to know what is going on in there and if necessary, an ablation or what ever is necessary to get me well. Of course, I’m thinking cancer ( particularly as the menopause nurse gave me a stark reminder today, saying that ‘ a lot can change since your last clear hysteroscopy’ ! ) Great!
So until the scan, I can’t focus on a lot.
Will keep you posted.
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Yes Hurdity, miserable bleeding on HRT patch 75 and 100mg utrogestan. I’m post menopausal by three plus years now.
I had a hysteroscopy last April which was clear but have continued to bleed on and off ever since.
Trying to push for a scan is like extracting teeth. Got to ring early tomorrow as the pain is brewing again, but I can’t remove the patch this time as all hell breaks loose hormonally!
Xx
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Nas, I’m sorry that you’re dealing with this and the appalling way you’re being treated. I REALLY hope you get the scan tomorrow.
Sending hugs.
V.xx
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Thanks Victoria,
Getting no where fast!
Rang gynae again, no answer, just keep leaving messages.
Convinced I’ve got cancer now!
Must I really pay £550 for private treatment?? 😥😥
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Oh ... Sorry, Nas, just swung by to check in ... Pandemic innit, people not answering phones, patients blocked from physical contact, many horror stories in the papers about people who've gone undiagnosed (I assume this is what's playing on your mind) ...
Could PALS help?
I am sorry this is happening.
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There's a thread on it somewhere, there are places that do it for a lot less than that. Might be worth a search or perhaps a new post asking for cheaper options. Sorry I can't remember who posted or anything specific to search on.
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There's a thread on it somewhere, there are places that do it for a lot less than that. Might be worth a search or perhaps a new post asking for cheaper options. Sorry I can't remember who posted or anything specific to search on.
I remember the thread too, I think Hurdity posted about the place and it was under £100.
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Nas, I went through this last year from Feb to November. Medical intervention was an absolute clown car at times but long story short - I eventually had a mirena put in after polyp removal. I really didn't want one as I felt weird about having something in there and what if it fell out or didn't work and I had to faff about getting it removed, but apart from some bleeding after insertion, then a full on period for two weeks, it's been fine. It's like someone turned a tap off about 6 weeks ago and I've been bleed free since then.
I was on 100 utrogestan daily, and, at the time the bleeding started, 50 estradot patch. I went as high as 200 utrogestan daily and it just wasn't going to happen. I was worried as hell but it got sorted. If you're offered a coil it's worth considering.
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Thanks all, appreciate your advice.
Well I’ve been forgotten about clearly, as no phone all, nothing. I can’t be bothered to chase it right now, so what ever will be, will be; cancer, no cancer, who knows!
I’m not paying £550, don’t have that kind of money unfortunately. Be it on their shoulders if I’m sick.
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Thanks minus,
Just did a quick google search and there is an ultra sound direct within an hours drive, with appointments this week.
I may investigate tomorrow!
Thanks 😊
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Awwww, chin up, chick. Literally nothing useful to say, but thinking of you.
EK
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Thanks Elk,
Im going to book a private scan.
Thanks for checking in on me ☺ and thanks Minus for that info! 😊
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Hi again,
Well, I rang gynae (NHS) and they said they were in the process of updating their rota and were going to offer me a scan appointment next week. Do I trust what they say and wait a bit longer, or go ahead and try and book privately (could be seen on Sunday potentially).
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Book the private scan for the following week and cancel if the nhs one comes up? If they offer you one next week on the 2 week pathway personally I'd wait for that (yes, I'm tight fisted) but it sounds a little bit like the cheque's in the post
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Private booked for Sunday. Thank god!
IF I ever get offered an NHS one, will attend that too!
🙂
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Glad to hear it. Hopefully the NHS will get back to you tomorrow. Good knows why they can't seem to take account of how stressful this all is.
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In my previous experience ultrasound direct do the full post-meno scan which includes a blood test for ovarian cancer as i recall but Im sure you can just get a uterus scan for less ie for the basic thickness?
Just had a look and you can get one for £90
"Pelvic Scan
Endometrial Thickness¹
20 minute appointment for women of child bearing age, detailed scan of the endometrium, empty bladder pre-scan preparation required."
There is nothing stopping anyone getting one of these even if post-menopausal I would have said, if its just thickness you want measured.
This is what is says about the post-meno one:
"Pelvic Scan
Post Menopause¹
30 minute appointment for post menopausal women, detailed scan of pelvic area and blood test for CA125 marker (ovarian cancer screening), clear fluids pre-scan preparation required "
Good luck Nas and I hope the NHS appointment comes up soon!
Hurdity x
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Thanks Hurdity, I’m booking now. :)
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Are you having a womb scan too Victoria? X
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Yes, decided it’s time to start looking after myself. Until I can trade this body in I need it to last another 40+ years!
Good luck with your scan, have the NHS contacted yet?
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Typical! NHS appointment Tuesday 25th January. Private scan now cancelled, although 25th is ages away!
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Sorry, just wanted to check in ... Well, obviously, given today's date, it's not too far away. Hope you've been managing ok in the meantime, and you'll get the answers you so desperately need. On the upside, I'm hoping things progress swiftly as you're now in the NHS system and so if there are any further develops as a result of the scan it should be quicker
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Thanks Elk
Tuesday can’t come soon enough.
About to start bleeding AGAIN, after only 3 weeks!
If all is clear, the womb lining must have built up again, hence the cramps etc. Got to seriously try and work out what to do progesterone wise I guess.
Don’t want a coil, but may see about a womb ablation, I don’t know. All is do know is, that this is no way to live! The trouble is, the 75 patch does suit me ( but for the bleeding )
🤦♀️
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Good luck for tomorrow Nas.x
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Thanks Victoria
Not bleeding yet, but oh my the cramps are hellish.. >:(
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Got to wait for results now! God what a palava...
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How did it go? Was it an internal scan? X
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Yes Suzy, internal.
Have to wait a week to get the results 🤨
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Well, glad you got over the first hurdle. God, it's neverending innit. Take really good care, Nas.
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Thanks Elk, appreciate you checking in on me.. :)
Never ending it is !
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Got to have hysteroscopy next!
God I hate that procedure! >:(
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What's one of those?
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Long telescopic instrument inserted internally, to see the inside of the uterus etc via a camera. Grim procedure.
No information from scan at all. >:(
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It doesn’t sound very nice Nas. Will you be under anaesthetic?
It will be worth it for answers though!
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Hi I wonder if anyone can help?
I’m trying to find somewhere to do a trans abdominal and trans vaginal scan and having no luck!
I contacted Ultrasound direct and they rang me and refused to do one as they say I need a medical reason!
I don’t have a medical reason, I’m progesterone intolerant and on continuous low dose so my specialist wants a baseline to see where is am.
Any suggestions would be welcome x
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Can’t the specialist refer you?
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I used Ultrasound direct. They were very good and reasonable price.
I had a referral letter from my clinic - so you probably just need your Specialist to drop you a note of referral on headed paper.
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I got a referral letter from my specialist and they still don’t want to know!
It’s very strange and the reason I went to them was because some MM members say they have used them.
I’m at a loss what to do!
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That's do odd. I had not problem at all...
I have a recollection of booking online and I think k maybe only took the referral letter along... I'll see if I can check that.
Did you call them up?
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I've looked. I'm 95% sure I just booked online and took my referral letter in on the day which face her some info on whatbthe clinic needed it for.
I'm assuming you called up and maybe got someone unknowledgeable. Just nook it online ;D
Certainly when i went through for mine the young chap on reception showed me the way and told me to 'enjoy my scan'. So he certainly had no idea what services they were running 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Ha no indeed!
Well, what happened is I rang and left a message and it was actually the sonography herself who rang me back.
She said she was sorry but as I didn’t have a medical reason, even with a referral they couldn’t do it!
I explained that I did have a medical reason in a way, as I was progesterone intolerant and on a low dose needed to keep an eye on things. To this she replied ‘I’m not a doctor, but no we can’t do it’
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I booked last night with them, got an email in seconds confirming appointment, this morning got another with parking instructions. Mine says something along the lines of it’s trans vaginal but if I prefer they’ll do abdominal. I self referred.
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Oh golly, I don’t know whether to ring them up again or just book online?
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Right, I’ve got to admit it I’m a true idiot!
The person who rang me wasn’t from Ultrasound Direct, but from somewhere else I’d called yesterday and forgotten about.
I’m sorry if I’ve got you all confused and running about on my behalf.
So, I’ve booked online with Ultrasound and thank you for all your help xx
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Omg... Who on earth were you talking to about an internal ultrasound 🤣🤣🤣 no wonder they refused you.
Glad you got sorted!! Take your referral letter with you - gives the sonographer all the info on what they're looking for.
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It was an NHS place!
Got me thinking …..
NHS, do any sort of preventative screening, no not us, just wait until you have a medical problem!