ladies only, please...scary gyne visit
 

I went to see the gynecologist for the first time in five years on Friday. Prior to those five years I went regularly.

BTW, I'm posting this here because this where my nt buddies hang out :).

I've been having irregular periods for a while now along with hot flashes, I'm 43 so it's par for the course
The last couple of times "with" my dh I've had bleeding. I thought it was just my irregular period again. Then the pelvic pain started. This is something I've had off an on over the past 20 years. My doctor could never find anything wrong. This time it's felt different than in the past.

I'm sorry if this is too graphic but I don't know how to explain it.

At my appointment on Friday I told the doctor all of this and more. When she did my pap test, I was in a ton of pain and started bleeding immediately. :( She said my cervix was very tender and that was where the pain was coming from. She drew a bunch of blood (I won't have the results for at least 10 days), I have a pelvic ultrasound on Tuesday. She asked if I could have an std and I said only if it came from my dh (god forbid). When I went out in the hall I heard her mention my name to the nurse along with cervical cancer. She didn't realize I was in the hall. I didn't say anything to her about it. I know she can't possibly know anything for sure yet.

I am really scared. Naturally I came home and started researching online because I just can't help myself, ya know? I'm trying to stay optimistic but it's tough.

I guess I just need somebody to tell me to calm down. :). If you know my family history from the last few years you probably understand where my paranoia comes from :(. I can't seem to get a month without some kind of health drama. If you're still reading this, thanks for listening.

I don't think you're paranoid, I think you're scared. Who wouldn't be? Try to take a deep breath, and I'll be praying for you. She could have been saying something like "I don't think it's cervical cancer, but we'd be remiss not to rule it out."

((((((((((Joelle))))))))))...What Blessings said..:smileypray:

Oh Joelle, I'm so sorry. I wish they were more upfront with you about the possibilities of what they were looking for. :( I agree with blessings about taking a deep breath - and I don't blame you for being scared. I've had a couple of "C" scares, and totally normal to be feeling the way you do.

((((HUGS)))) and prayers heading your way :hug::hug:

You have the right to be scared.

Whenever the C word is mention everyone panics.

Your symptoms are so similar to what I had years ago. I had problems
for years, pain, bleeding excessively, bleeding with dh and cramps constantly
where you think your monthly visitor has never left.

It turned out I had Endrometreosis (hope i spelled it right). My DD has it
now and she is having a h===ll of a time.

I was 35yrs old when I had to have a complete hysterectomy. After that
life was a big change.

They told DD that in about 2 - 3 yrs. she will probably have one.

Keep yourself together until all results come in.

Prayers being sent your way. :smileypray:

Jappy :hug:

aw big hugs to you jo.:hug::hug:..please just dont go on the internet
for awhile. Its the best advice my ob/gyn gave me when I had pregnancy
complications. I did check things out after my son's birth but was so
glad I stayed off before. I will be keeping you in my prayers.:hug::hug:

:hug: here too. Try not to research too much. It could be something simple like inflammation that can be fixed. I suffered for years with something very similar and they couldn't find anything too. Finally I met a wonderful, compassionate female doc who said no woman should live like I was and she went in to look. She still didn't find much except Endometriosis scarring so we went ahead with the hysterectomy. I was bleeding just about every single day at that point. I had my uterus and cervix taken out but kept my ovaries. It was the best thing for me.

So, take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Call the office on Tuesday when they open and ask them to ask the doctor what she was checking for if it still worries you. More than likely in the case of cervical stuff, they ran a HPV test first along with the pap. Just remember, HPV can stay in the system for a long time before it manifests itself so there really is no telling when you got it if it comes up positive. :hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug::hug:Please listen to these ladies - they are giving you wonderful advice. Sending hugs your way and will keep you in my thoughts. I hope you receive some answers quickly. :hug::hug:

:hug: Please try not to research on the Internet......I did when I was trying to find out what I had (MS) and had all but dx myself with a brain tumor!! Nobody could understand why I was so relieved to have MS! :o I know it's hard not to.....but it only serves to give you anxiety.

What you have sounds like what Jappy suggested - endometreosis. My sister had it and it was very painful for her. I'm sure the doctor has to rule out everything and it just stands to reason that they'd test for everything while they're at it. If you have to research anything online start with endometreosis. I know it's nearly impossible not to look things up especially when you don't know what's going on with your body.

I'm going to try and give you a call tomorrow.....might be Tuesday......but I'm gonna call! I promise! ;)

I'm with the others, don't panic yet. I agree with whoever told you to call the office and speak to that doctor. Maybe she can calm some of your fears. Not knowing is scary, at least to me. Some people like my SIL would rather be oblivious, but I need to know. I need to be able to get myself prepared for things and figure out how to deal with it. I will pray for you that it is nothing bad, OK?

Thanks everyone :). I had cryo-ablation about 10 years ago which destroyed about 85% of my uterine lining (I was having 21 day long periods) to stop excessive bleeding. I believe that's why she didn't mention endometrosis.

I still periods after that albeit very light ones which was fine by me! I also had my left ovary removed to because the pelvic pain I had back then was concentrated on the left side. It didn't alleviate the pain so now i'm minus one ovary for no reason. I think i'm just gonna wait for the test results to come back and stop trying to second guess my doctor. I wasn't supposed to hear what she said anyway. I'm sure she didn't want to worry me before she had more info.

I'm having the ultrasound done in her office so I'll have a chance to talk to her more then. You know how you can just feel when something is really wrong? That's how I feel now. I just pray that I'm not right this time.

I had the same problems as you did Joelle. It is common for a lot of women. I had the cyro done too. Ten years later, I had a part one of a Hysterectomy. Multiple cysts and multiple fibroids.

I also had Endometriosis and lots of pain. Yikes! Fibroids were sitting on top of the Uterus so they did not see them, endo tissue too.

My GYN scared me too. Said I must have the above surgery immediately, as per my pap test. I had myself mentally writing my will, and I had another new baby to worry about.:eek:

It was okay, TG. They left one ovary for years, to make the hormones. One is plenty if it is working properly.

Ten years later, and tons of pain again, I had to have the last ovary removed. I went on HRT and to this day.

I hope you get a good report, and if you need more surgery I pray for a terrific recovery with no problems and no bad issues to worry about.:hug:

We females get all the luck.:( More diseases than men, and more problems once puberty begins. :rolleyes:

Stay calm. You can't change anything by worrying. So why worry twice.

I lost count how many surgeries I have had in my life. I laugh and just say they are burying me a piece at a time. Please try to stay positive, it helps.:hug:

no advice, just hugs :hug: the ladies here are giving you great advice.

A fibroid can also cause bleeding. Endo is a major culprit in bleeding, cramps, and painful sex. Hang in there, answers will come soon. :hug:

Here's my story. I had no female problems, I'm lucky like that. Had always done my yearly pap on time, because I was on b/c pills and had to to get my refills.

So I hd my pap and a few days later I get a call from the office, but I missed the call (on friday, so I had to wait all weekend to call back). This never happened - I always had to call them , make sure it was okay.

So monday, I call, they set me up an appt, will not discuss results on the phone. Thanks for freaking me out.

He wants a biopsy, takes 6-7 *samples* and does something called cryosurgery right there in the office. It's not that big a deal. I took two days off work and stayed in bed one day.

Results come back a few days later, the cells are pre-cancerous. No other explanations. He asked me a bunch of questions too - including possibilities of std, how many partners. Heck, he'd known me for 20 yrs, that I was married etc.

:mad:

Never explained any of this stuff though.

Only told me this; cryo should wipe all the bad cells out and I'd need another pap every 6 months for a while, to be sure it was all clear. I've been fine ever since, at least till my last check up a couple years ago.

I still don't understand how this happens really - but who knows how any of it does?

It is sort of scary to me that one person can be layed flat be a monthly cycle and I have something like this brewing, walking around totally unaware. Certainly can't judge the severity of things by how bad they feel.

(If that were the case, my cervical spine would have done me in before my cervix lol)

Anyone who's been there will understand if you flip out a bit right now.
:hug::hug::hug:

But hang onto the thought that there are a lot of things it could be, and I hope this turns out okay for you.

Yeah, don't freak out, there's lots of minor things that can cause these symptoms! I can add another one to the list - cervical ectropion. I had symptoms similar to yours for many years and was finally dxd with that. It just means that the outside of your cervix has the same type of cells as the inside (it's not supposed to!), so it becomes irritated and inflamed very easily, and can cause abnormal bleeding and pain.

I went through the cryosurgery and uterine ablation, and nothing really helped for long. Once I found out I could have a vaginal hysterectomy and be up and about in a few days, I said, "Sign me up!" Life has been SO MUCH better since then. I wish I could have had it done sooner.

So just think about the bright side - maybe you can get a good hysterectomy out of this, and have a bonfire with your monthly "supplies"!

hugsss and good luck on the news.. .hoping no matter what is causing it, that the pain subsides... hugss,sarah

((((Joellelee))))

You've received lots of good advice from the "voice of experience." I have nothing to add, other than

Its Tuesday -- whatdthey say?

Sitting on pins and needles along with you, my dear. Best wishes. :hug::hug::hug:

Hi all! I go to the doctor at 2:45. I'm with a list questions that I didn't ask yet :). I'm still nervous but not as much before.

Thanks for all of the support :). I really don't know what I'd without all of you.

(it was great talking to ya Kelly, we have to make sure we call more often!)

Seeing this late, Jo~ as have been away, but sending hugs and prayers your way for everything to come out normal.

I had the ultrasound done and the only thing the doc saw was that my endometrial lining was extraordinarily thick for someone who has only had one real period in the last six months. She's going to call me to set an appointment for a biopsy of that tissue.

Sooo....more waiting :(. My pap and bloodwork won't be back until next week. I'll let you all know when I hear more. At least there wasn't a visible tumor or anything :).

Ughhh....more waiting. Hurry up and wait. You're right, though...at least they didn't find anything to be concerned about right away. It could just be so many different things that can be easily corrected. I know it's hard not to try and self-diagnose but it just makes you worry more.....I know first hand how that goes. :rolleyes:

Thanks for giving us an update. I'll keep praying that it's something easily fixed or treated. :hug:

Keeping you in my prayers, Joelle..:hug:

Did the doctor do a pregnancy test? Maybe you are, or were, pregnant and did not know. Usually the lining thickens when pregnant. Or BC pills can cause this too. Just thinking here. Thought I might mention it.

Maybe a D & C will correct the problem, scape out the thick lining, if you're not pregnant. Still sending good thoughts your way, as you wait for the test results.

I think the pregnancy thing is nearly impossible since I had my tubes tied 18 years ago, the cryoablation, and only one ovary left.

I guess my uterine lining completely grew back after the ablation?! It's not uncommon but I should have been having periods then. All of this is just so strange...but as usual in my family, we don't have things that are easily diagnosed. I have a family history of a multitude of cancers so that's part of why i'm so freaked out.

I read up about the endometrial biopsy and I think the doc had better put me under for it...or tie me down lol. They have "grab a hold" of my cervix with an instrument! I can't even have a pap test without wanting to scream right now.

Argh, I think I must be the most impatient person on earth right now :).

They have a spray they can use that is a novacaine spray. its pretty effective at numbing the whole floor of the pelvis. They usually give you an anti anxiety med if you ask for it anyway.

its scary to have things going wrong with your body, and feel so out of control. :hug:

I got my pap results back. No stds and no infections :( to explain my problems. I'm kinda happy about not having an std (for my husband's sake anyway :)).

The doc wants to do the endometrial biopsy asap so I'm going Monday at 11 am. It's going to feel like a looong weekend for me. So far they've ruled out fibroids, endometriosis, and infections. I wish I could go back and have the gyne visits I missed for all those years...coulda, shoulda, woulda. Blah, blah, blah.

Wish me luck coz I could sure use some right now.

She finally mentioned that she's concerned that it may be some type of uterine/endometrial cancer. I'm praying that it's not. My family has been through enough lately :(.

Hang in there, J., I'm still praying. :)

Hugs and prayers headed at ya. :hug:

Still keepin' you in my prayers, Joelle. :hug:

Glad for the Good News, but its the "No News" that makes you wonder. :confused:

Keeping you in my prayers, dear Joellelee. :hug:

:hug:

Ain't it great to be female?

So sorry you're going through this. Tests and more tests, waiting and more waiting, doctors who won't say anything for fear of upsetting you or I don't know what. Of course worrying about a situation doesn't change it, but I like to know what I'm up against so I can prepare myself.

The best thing that life has shown me though, is more times than not these health scares turn out to be nothing, or something minor. I sure hope that's the case here.

Hang in and hold on. No matter what life throws at us, we women are strong and we can deal with anything! :D

I had the endometrial biopsy done today. Very painful (the doc stopped and gave me a couple of vicodon and waited until they kicked in). It seems that since I had my pelvic exam about 10 days ago a polyp grew on my cervix?! She said it was so visible there was no way she could have missed it the first time....hmm. During today's torture session, she found some abnormalities in my uterine lining. The biopsy will take up to two weeks to come back. She sent the cervical polyp to be biopsied too.

Now I have to get a pelvic mri with and without contrast (I just can't get away from that damnable mri :)) and she's scheduling me for a d & c with a hysteroscopy in order to get better tissue samples.

On the bright side, I've lost 9 pounds since August 18 :).

I just wish I knew something concrete. I realize they're doing everything possible as quickly as possible but I can't stop stressing. My doc said she knows a very good gynecological oncologist "just in case" :(.

Praying for you, Joelle. :hug: I hope the two weeks that you have to wait goes by quickly. Why do these things take so long? :mad:

Good luck to you. I will send some prayers your way for good news.

Lucky that women can live without these parts of our body so that is a plus. You will probably have to get a hysterectomy no matter what the results since you have so much pain in that area and localized problems.

The MRI will give them a clue to where all these problems are coming from. As I said mine was on top of the uterus. I had three D & C's and no one ever saw it. They said the D & C's would cure my troubles.:rolleyes:

Tons of endometriosis tissue that bleed monthly when my period did and multiple fibroids (non cancerous tumors.)

Also multiple cysts on the ovaries. They were the most painful when they blew up and then broke. Like a knife stabbing me.

The hysterectomy found all this. They didn't want to give it to me because I was young and still could have more kids. It was hard to get them years ago. Until I hemorrhaged.:eek:

I hope your problems are much less then mine were, and all healthy tissue once this all gets healed for you. :)

hey
 

hi, i couldnt help but notice, that what you have said sounds a lot liek what i go threw with my periods and some obgyn visets, has your doctor ever talked to you about Endometriosis . or checked for it, im 25 i got my period when i was 9 and was dx with it when i was 14. its reked havic, caused cysts painfull sex, painfull obgyn visutes, evon caused an abnormal papsmer.
Endometriosis can lead to cansor, but if you have endo, and a good doc, for the most part it dosnt get that far, if treated, its not a 100% garentee that if u have endo u get cansor, but it dose put you at a higher risk.
when i reall started compaling about t he pain and the messed up perioeds and a bunch of other stuff my obgyn figuard it was jsut becuse i was young, finaly at 14 she concluded that, endo was what i had, now it wasnt till i was 21 years old before they went in and did what i call a fishing expadition, surgey to 100% conferm it. endo for me has caused lots of issues, back pain (ontop of messed up b ack) migrains irregluar periods, not being able to have children becuse mine is so bad and ive had it for so long, abnormal papsmersh. if u havent talekd to ur doc about Endometriosis , pls do. i hope this helped some.

praying for you Jo. I hope the pain is getting better. I hope it all works
out for you.:hug:

Hi Joellelee, I haven't been on NT much lately and just stumbled upon this. I'm thinking about you and sending positive energy and good thoughts. :hug: I know 2 weeks is a long time to wait but in the meantime, just to reiterate what everyone else has said here, promise yourself that you will not go on the internet and read about C. It's so hard to do that but it will keep your worries down. Good luck, take care. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Oh my gosh Joelle,

I'm so sorry you're going through this. :( I went through this crappola for years before I had a hysterectomy. They used to do the freezing of the cervix and burning of it or whatever. The D&Cs, all of it. My hemoglobin dropped very low, to about 7. I was very anemic, then I had an ovarian cyst rupture. :eek: For me, that hurt, and it turns out I had diseased ovaries (according to my ob/gyn.) On top of that, I had a fibroid tumor as big as a grapefruit. None of this responded to any medication they tried.

My dear niece had the same thing going on not long ago and they found cervical cancer. They did a hysterectomy and removed the ovaries too and she's been fine ever since.

I'll keep you in my prayers that this will be easily treatable and get you back to a more normal state fast. :hug: :hug:

I think you'll be fine, it sounds like they're taking very good care of you and keeping a close eye on you. :hug:

It does sound like they're taking good care of you. and you know us... we'd be jumping up and down, screaming if we thought they weren't.

:hug::hug::hug:

Thanks again everyone :). I seem to be less stressed today :).

I'm one of those people that prays for the best but prepares for the worst. I know things will be okay no matter what the results are (at least that's what I keep telling myself :)). I'm pretty sure i'll need a hysterectomy no matter what happens. Right now i'm just preparing myself mentally for that. Surgery has brought on a major MS flare in the past, Argh :(.

I'm a pretty tough broad, lol. I just wish my dh was tougher! He is just so emotional right now; I end up comforting him! He acts like a tough guy with other people but only I know the truth, he's a big sissy :).