Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: kp64 on April 05, 2019, 11:22:31 AM
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Hi everyone,
I'm new here and I suffer from health anxiety. I'm post menopausal my last period being 4 years ago. 2 yrs ago I had a bleed and it turned out to be a polyp which was behind a fibroid so I had both removed. A couple of weeks ago I had a bleed after sex. I've had a couple of light bleeds since and my doctor gave me an internal. I'm feeling very dry inside and sore and I'm going for a wee quite a lot. The doctor has referred me for a scan within 4 weeks she said. She has given me Estoril cream and said to use it twice weekly. My sister in law has had cancer and I'm so scared as she had the bleeding as well. I don't think twice a week is enough for the cream as the leaflet inside says to use 2-3 weeks and then twice a week. Sorry to go on but I'm frantic. Has anyone had this experience.
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Yep. GPs being cautious because they really don't know what they are on about ::)
You could ring the Surgery and explain what the leaflet suggests ...... as it is usual to use every night for 2 weeks.
Let us know!
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I was going to ring but my anxiety has taken over and I just can't. I feel sick all day and can't calm myself. Thanks for replying.
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R U alone? Would a friend make the call?
Browse round here. ........ and breath, lots of ladies have health anxiety during peri/menopause.
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Hi kp64
Sorry to hear you are having such a horrible time at the moment, I am exactly the same. I have found CBT and mindfulness to be helpful (I use an app called CALM, its really good although there are lots of other too).
did they find the fibroid/polyp after a scan? If it was two years ago, maybe you have developed another? Is that possible?
Are you on any HRT at the moment? I'm going back to the hospital following a second PMB. First time scan showed nothing untoward, so put it down to hormones. It is scary though,
Take care and post more if it helps
Jeepers xx
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Kp64. It is natural to worry but try to think of the scan as a precaution. Being very sore and dry inside can cause bleeding after sex as the tissues thin post meno. I would concur about the estriol. It is usually a 2 week loading dose. Maybe as CLKD says someone could call for you just to clarify.
Have you checked out the anxiety thread in private lives. Lots of support on there if you feel able.
Best wishes to you xx
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Thank you for your replies. I have never been on any HRT just this recent cream which I got last week. I know the scan is just a precaution but can you still get the bleeding without the sex? I'm just getting myself totally wound up at the moment, won't know until I have the scan. Thank you all
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Yep. there maybe some tearing due to dryness. blood in the urine is 'normal' sometimes. Dryness is awful! What's the worst it could be though?
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Thank you. Yes I did think it could be a tear. My mind runs away with me thinking all sorts of bad outcomes. Thanks for your reassurance glad I find you all in here I'll keep you posted. Thanks again
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Have you had a peep down there with a mirror ;)
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No I haven't done that - maybe I'll take a look.
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Don't be surprised ;-).
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CKLD I had a look and it looks slightly red in there. I'm not having a good day I've absolutely convinced myself I've got something horrible going on. I so need this sorted before I drive myself mad. I just want to cry. Sorry to be so negative but I just don't know what to think.
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You do have something horrible but not necessarily fatal - atrophy and associated soreness around the vaginal area can drag us down! but appropriate treatment will help.
Pain relief will ease any bladder irritation. What's your next step?
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I'm waiting for my appointment for the scan, the doctor said it would be within 4 weeks, it's nearly 2 weeks since I saw her so hoping it won't be much longer. I assume that the scan would show up VA
Just need this sorted. Thanks x
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Silly Meno-brain here had forgotten about the scan :-\ - sorry. :kick:
Could you ring the dept to see if you can have a cancellation appt., did I say already :-\. Anxiety always plays a part in my appt. in case a panic attack stops me going :(
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I know what you mean about the brain. Don't know what I'm going to be like on the day, the last scan I had when I arrived they said they had no appointment for me, really helpful, I did get it done but the lady that did it wasn't very pleasant and started talking about biopsies, this bloody anxiety is crippling just can't calm down, don't want any food. Don't think there is much chance of a cancellation you have to wait 3 weeks for a docs appointment, I just said I needed to see the doc as an emergency
it was her who mentioned the dryness after I told her I had the bleed. I don't think she would have given me the Estirol if she didn't think I needed it, she did look. Sorry I'm going off on one again, I do appreciate you talking to me, my closest friend died last year and I'm feeling a bit lost. Thanks again
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Sharing helps. Getting it onto paper clears the head!
I can't eat when anxiety hits. I have to eat B4 my body requires energy ::): dried fruits/nuts, pancakes, thin 'gruel' - I don't mean gruel, ah, Redybrek ::) .......... bananas.
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Sometimes I go to long and end up with a belly of trapped wind. Oh the joys! It is good to talk x
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Grazing helps me enormously. Don't wait too long B4 eating breakfast and graze so that the body doesn't get full of wind.
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Thank you birdy,
It was the bleeding that worried me that was the reason for the visit to the docs.
Now I've thought about it, the blood was in the wee so could this be due to the VA also because I'm weeing an awful lot.
Thanks x
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KP. Birdy has just said what I wouldve said about VA
I just would like to add that waiting on scans can ramp up anxiety. Myself and lots of ladies on here have been there. Im not saying for a minute that your worry and anxiety isnt real .but in the event it turns out to be not the worst,which you are thinking, and the odds are it will not be the worst, then you work yourself into a right old stew while waiting
it's hard to gain perspective but it helps if you can. Your doc didnt make an urgent referral and if they suspect cancer they have to. Even then, from personal experience I have 3 times in my life had an urgent 2 week referral with "suspected cancer" on my notes and it turned out not to be
They wouldn't be doing their job if they didnt err on the side of caution..
Try to think of it as a step on the route to resolve and treat your symptoms.
Much love to you xxx
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Thank you so much for your reassurance. Yes I'm burning as I'm sitting, just inside. As I said it was the bleeding that really frightened me. I assumed that I was having a bleed, but thinking now it was in the wee and very light & watery on the paper if you get what I mean. It doesn't continually bleed
Thank you all I'm feeling much calmer now. I will let you know when my appointment comes through. Love to you too. Thanks for taking the time to reply xx
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Thank you so much. Hope you don't mind me asking but do you get a water like discharge with this as well. Seems strange when everything is dry, I've noticed this for a couple of days it's not major but you can feel it there. xx
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Thank you I'll have a read. xx
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Anxiety can cause people to shallow breath which may dehydrate the body so yep, VA may be affected :-\
Would we benefit from a group :hug:
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Yes I don't think the anxiety helps with the constant weeing either. That's a great idea for a group you can count me in. Thanks again x
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When I come down from a panic attack I wee in quantity every 10 mins. :-\
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Thanks ladies all your info has been so good I never knew what a common problem this was. Thank goodness for you! X
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I was just thinking, as I do too much. When I go for my scan do you think I should tell them that I've been using the Estirol cream? Thanks all.
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I think it's the transvaginal one but I'm guessing they will do the usual ultrasound as well. I have had both before 2 years ago and once before that. I just wish it was over. Thanks Birdy. x
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I'm still waiting for the letter. Within 4 weeks Doc said it's been 2. Hopefully hear soon x
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I believe that the Staff should check what you are taking/using anyway ::)
let us know how you get on.
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I will let you know. Might just mention the Estriol anyway. It depends who does it I have found that some of them are not to friendly or put you at ease.
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Well hopefully it all goes well when the appointment finally arrives. Will keep you posted. Thanks x
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Hi ladies, so I'm still waiting for my scan appointment will have to chase it up as was told it would be within 4 weeks and it's 4 weeks this week. I've been using the Estirol cream twice weekly and the urge to keep going for a wee is a bit better. I'm still sore most days but have bought a moisturiser. I've noticed it's yellow on wiping after going for a wee and wondered if this is normal? I haven't had any more blood in urine since using the cream, last blood in urine was 3 weeks ago. I'm so confused and fed up with this I don't know what's normal. As I said the GP examined me internally, I didn't actually go for the dryness it was because of bleeding after sex. She just said are you dry and packed me off with the cream. I'm very anxious sorry for the long rant but it's just driving me mad. Any help would be appreciated.
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You may not be drinking enough. What's the colour of your urine? The first pee should be dark and may be smelly. Through the day the urine should be straw coloured, any lighter and you are drinking too much. I get a stain on the paper these days ........... age.
Give the Dept a ring to make sure that you are on the appt list. Can you take a cancellation appt.?
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Hi CKLD
Yes it's usually darker in the morning but normal straw coloured during the day I'm 54. If I don't get any appointment in the post tomorrow I'll give them a ring as it's 4 weeks. So fed up with this now.
I'm wondering if the scan will show any VA symptoms can they tell? Thanks
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Hi
I heard someone say that taking an anti histamine is good for anxiety
Just taken one tonight
Will tell you tomorrow if it helpsxxxx
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Hope it helped you. Let me know
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Scan isn't looking for vaginal atrophy.
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I know it's to check everything but was just wondering if they can tell VA by the scan.
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VA mimics repeated urine-type infection symptoms. Appropriate treatment eases that as it plumps up the vaginal tissues and helps any dryness which might be causing irritation down there.
Let us know how you get on.
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I've chased up the appointment it's for Friday morning. I'm absolutely frantic now. Fingers crossed all is ok. Thanks ladies x
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Hi took anti histamine last night
Felt great this morning, don't know if because drank loads of water but it helped xxx
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Golden, that's really interesting. Thanks for reporting back. Would be interested to hear if it works a 2nd time. :)
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Thanks Birdy,
It's just this horrible anxiety, I'm imagining all sorts. Don't know if they will let me know anything. Last time I had one she mentioned a fibroid and said
Oh I think it's a fibroid your probably have to have a biopsy and that just totally scared the hell out of me. Thanks for your support really appreciated xx
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Thanks for all your reassurance. Be glad when it's over with. Will let you know what happens. X
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I certainly need one of those x
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I'm sorry to go on again but today I'm in such a state. Yesterday I had to wee a lot and today I've got like a fullness feeling down below but only when I sit which feels like I need to wee. Has anyone had this? Thank you all
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Thanks Birdy, you are so kind with all your answers I think I'm just getting myself in a state again, what with tomorrow's scan looming I'm imagining everything. I've got into such a state that I'm having all sorts of symptoms, I think half of it is down to my mind working on double overtime. I'm job hunting at the moment so being on your own all day is a no no when your anxious. Thanks again X
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Yes your right, I do need to wee more when anxious so it's just adding to the problem. I'm so anxious I can't eat properly and that's not helping either x
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Yes tomorrow morning
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Thank you so much. I'm petrified. Update you later X
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Hi Birdy,
I've been and it's all done thank goodness. A very nice lady did it this time and said everything looks ok. The womb lining is ok not thickened. I told her about my dryness and she said to speak to doctor again and results would be back at the doctors in about 10 days
Oh what a relief. Thanks for all your kindness so appreciated. Xx
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Thank you. You too. 😊X
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Hi kp64
So glad to hear that everything was okay, hope you have a fabulous and happy weekend
Jeepers xx
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Thank you ladies,
So appreciate all your help, been out of my mind this week with the worry.
Happy weekend 😀xxx
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To say I'm mad is an understatement. I've just had a phone appointment with my doctor regarding my scan results.
Womb lining is ok, I have a fibroid which I already knew. She asked me about the
cream Estirol which she gave me and I told her that I thought I should of done the 2 week loading dose but as she told me to use twice a week I hadn't done it. She said no only twice a week as it's to much of an influx of hormones, I told her I was sore on the outside and she said oh that's all part of it, nothing else I can do and said bye. Bloody doctors! Obviously she doesn't suffer from this. What a waste of time that was. Moan over.
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Think it's time for a change of doctor.
She just couldn't care less.
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Hi Birdy,
She said I can have 1 tube but I'm only to use it twice a week. She was quite adamant about that. Very helpful👎🏻
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No Estriol cream is what she gave me.
Will be changing surgery hopefully find a nice understanding doctor if there are any.
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KP64. Do not put up with this. I had similar issues.with a gynae who prescribed me once a week with no loading dose. I contacted the British menopause society and a nurse emailed me to say the 2 week loading dose is the correct way to use the product. . The leaflet tells you the same thing. The NICE guidelines too.
Some docs have a "lowest effective dose" mantra around HRT but the key word is effective. If the manufacturers say this is the correct and most effective way to use a product who is a gp to argue. In effect they are prescribing it wrongly.
I did the same as you. I felt there was no point starting it if I didnt have enough to do the loading dose so i saw a different doc who prescribed me the correct dose. But it caused a delay meanwhile you are suffering symptoms. Do you have a prescribing nurse at your surgery?