Hi Songbird68,

I do have private healthcare but only covers consultation, not any specific tests. Anyway, as you say, after the delays with the NHS it is worth the money spent (if one can afford it) to go down the private route and get so needed answers.

I did that last week when I had a private colonoscopy and was ready to do it again for an MRI, but luckily the NHS booked me for a MRI this coming week, so I'll have it through the NHS. 

When I first went to the GP at the end of Feb and was put on the 2ww referral I thought I would know within 2 weeks what was going on, but only now I realise that 2ww it is just to have a telephone consultation with the consultant that after sends you for again urgent tests that he told me would take place within 2-3 weeks to be offered a colonoscopy by the end of week 4, a total of 6 weeks since I saw the GP.

Unfortunately, if we want fast answers the NHS is no to able to offer us that...

Hi SelynaPTR,

I am glad your MRI is coming up soon. I would say you might wait a while for results (I had to wait 5 weeks for last one as results went to MDT) . If it is something very clear and straight forward you might find out sooner (with MRI which found my fibroid I was told within 7 days) . If it is something they clearly see is a cancer - then I am pretty sure things will move swiftly, if it is something like a fibriod - then probably not. Unfortunately if you are in pain, but something is classed as not life threatening or benign, then you will wait a long time to get anything done. Since I had my first MRI on my lump my work colleague has had tests and 2 operations privately - and that included all diagnostics and blood tests - thats the difference!

Let me know how you get on  - I am wishing you the best of luck xx

Hi Songbird68,

MRI done, took what felt to me a.very long time, 50 mins and now I'll need to wait for the results. It was pelvic and rectal one due to the mass found outside the rectum wall.

In the last few days the pain travelled from the abdomen to my lower back, left side and I feel that the bone is swollen there. The back pain is more unbearable than the one I had until now. It doesn't get better with movement or rest, it's just always there.

Hi Selyna,

My last abdo MRI scan took around that time too. Did they put the cage around your pelvic area? 

If you have a growth in that area, as it grows the pain intensifies and presses on your nerves and irritates your muscles. I know, as this is what the growth I have does - it can make my back very sore and that radiates into my hip. It can actually make the muscle rigid sometimes. I have codiene to take for pain on the really bad days - but I am lucky that a hot water bottle on the small of my back can help sometimes too. I can remember with the large fibroid I had - that my tail bone would ache and ache - and I was taking codiene every single day as it was constant pain 24/7 which went after  I had a hysterectomy. I was not given any pain meds until they found out the cause. Fortunately the lesion I have now is only badly rritated when I do too much of something (like travelling long distance) then it takes me days to get over it! I will be glad when it's gone!

I hope that you get some answers soon. Did they give you any indication how long for your results would be? Or have you already got a follow up appointment? 

Let me know xx

Hi SelynaPTR,

Any news on your MRI result? If not I really hope you get an answer soon.

I had a suprise phone call on Wednesday - via NHS - they had a cancellation for day surgery today and I have had my lump removed under local. It was painful - and I am still kind of numbed by the local. Funny the surgeon kept on saying my growth was tiny and he kept saying that, until he opened me up, then he kind of shut up. Samples been sent to histology and cytology - so I will hopefully find out what's been going on in about 5- 6 weeks.

Hi Songbird68,

I am so glad to hear that you had your lump removed this week! I can just imagine your surprise when you received the call asking you to come and have it done. I hope that the results from the samples taken will finally put an end to this difficult time! 

As for me, after unsuccessful calls to the consultant's receptionist I decided to go to the hospital, waited a few hours and managed to see the consultant that ordered my MRI and was told that all is fine with all my exams and there is no mass anywhere! 

The consultant did a physical examination and told me  that he understands where the pain and discomfort come from but nothing shows on the MRI. He told me that one possibility is that I have pelvic floor dysfunction and he will write to the GP suggesting a referral for a specific clinic that deals with these issues.

I am very relieved that nothing sinister was found but still in pain and wondering if this new referral with provide me with a diagnosis and treatment as I still have pain that travels between my lower abdomen, lower back and somewhere inside where the consultants also feel something when they examine me...

Please let me know how you get on in the next few weeks. Take it easy and I wish you a speedy recovery from surgery. 

Xxx

Hi SelynaPTR,

I really hope that you can get some help soon. I am fairly sure pelvic floor dysfunction could cause a whole heap of discomfort, I'm not sure if that's linked to prolapses - or something like that? It would cause a lot of back pain - that's for sure! I do know there is help out there for this kind of issue.

Please let me know how you get on too xx