Hi all,
Looking for a little information - I know my Dr should be the first port of call but having met my consultant for the first time on Monday, I'm very much reluctant to do that. Reasons for this below!
So, the process I've experienced so far - female, 42, suspected to be perimenopausal back in October last year due to no period for 2 months. Blood tests revealed nothing up with my hormones, then things seemed to go back to normal so all good there. (I didn't hear anything back from my Dr re: the blood test results so assumed everything was normal as couldn't see any flags through the NHS app.)
From March this year, it's been continuous bleeding. Some days heavy, some days not so much. Went back to my Dr in May, saw a new GP who was lovely. She did an examination and referred me for an ultrasound, which I had within the week. The ultrasound revealed a thickened womb lining (22cm) and my doctor ordered blood tests (which revealed I was anaemic - no surprise!) and referred me to Gynaecology for an urgent referral. This is where things started going a little bit wrong!
After 6 weeks, I'd heard nothing and when I checked the NHS app, the appointment waiting time had changed from 6 weeks to up to 16. I called the number on the app and was told the appointment was a routine referral, it could take up to 14 weeks to be reviewed and a further 6 weeks for an appointment. Four weeks after that, I got an appointment through, which was this Monday.
The consultant I met with was very brusque - he was running 40 minutes late for the appointments so I figured that might be why. He seemed annoyed I'd not considered options - a coil or pill - and said they'd fit a coil if they could that same day during the hysteroscopy. I said I wasn't sure I wanted a coil and he again seemed annoyed with me, which set me on edge. When he asked if I wanted a local anaesthetic, I said yes, and again, he was visibly annoyed. The nurse with me, bless her, reassured me it was fine.
During the procedure, he kept muttering to himself and said there were actually two polyps, one large. I'm sure he told the student in with us to come and take a look as one was abnormal but he didn't address this to me or say anything more about it. He took a biopsy, and then started to say they could be removed with local or general anaesthetic at a later date and paused, expecting me to make a decision there and then. He said I'd handled it fine with local so he'd recommend that as a general would require a theatre and take more time.
Afterwards, the nurse told me I was entitled to a general anaesthetic if I wanted - I was a bit in shock so didn't really say anything, other than to thank her for being kind.
My last conversation with the consultant was that his secretary would be in touch with an appointment, anywhere from 1-3 months, he probably wouldn't do the surgery as he doesn't do them usually, and they'd fit a coil at the same time. At no time have I said I want a coil fitted, and there's been no mention of when or how I should expect to receive the results of my biopsy.
So I'm now confused - should I be concerned? I'm worried, obviously, but I don't know what the next steps are or what to think. I went home from the appointment feeling in shock, went to bed with a hot water bottle and cried.
Anyone have any words of wisdom or advice?
