Haematology

[bobblewobble]

I know people aren't necessarily Drs on here but I have no one to turn to and getting any information from my Drs surgery is really difficult.

At the end of July I went to the Drs as I kept getting a stabbing pain in my chest and I felt like my heart wasn't beating fast enough. I had an immediate ecg which was fine and sent for bloods. The bloods showed my white blood cells and platelets were low. They were repeated a week later and were still low. I was then placed on iron as I'm now also anaemic. They repeated them 4 weeks later as they were still low so I was told they would be asking a haematologist for advise.

I spoke to the Gp at the end of September who said I should have seen a haematologist by then and he was expediting the appointment. My most recent bloods have now shown a b12 and folate deficiency which was previously fine.

I have my appointment for 2 weeks time. I have no idea what to expect, what they are looking for, what they will do etc. Anyone have any ideas? Google is not my friend and brings up Leukaemia and lymphoma based on my symptoms of bruising (low platelets explains this), weight loss, pain in the bones of my arm, night sweats and being constantly exhausted.

I have not actually seen a Dr since I saw the Dr in July about my heart (I have been referred to a cardiologist after a 24 hour ecg) I have only spoken to Drs on the phone!

Anyone know what they will do please? I am really scared and will be going to my appointment alone as my husband will need to look after our children. TIA

[Curlysurprise]

Hi bobblewobble
It’s been a few days since you posted and you are probably feeling very anxious.
Not a Dr but have been a patient of Haematology for about a year so can share my experience.
I did have a diagnosis (lymphoma) before my first appointment so a bit different from you.
My first appointment a nurse weighed me and took my height, then took bloods.
Thereafter I saw the consultant. There was a fair amount of waiting between seeing the nurse and the consultant so be prepared to hang around. Take something to keep you busy, maybe a snack or drink.
The Dr asked me to tell him the history of my illness, about my general health & lifestyle. He then examined me and checked the lymph nodes throughout my body for any swelling.
He then explained his initial diagnosis and prescribed more tests to stage and fully type my cancer.
In the next 2 weeks I went for further tests -PET scan, kidney test, heart test, bone marrow, but mostly those were to confirm the appropriate treatment. (Chemo in my case)
So I am now a fairly regular visitor to Haematology and I meet people with all sorts of blood disorders, some malignant, some not. They generally take bloods and then I meet with a Dr.
Anxiety and waiting for results/ news has been the worst of it.

If you must go on your own, I suggest you take a notepad; write down all your questions, including what your fears are , and if it’s possible , write down the Dr’s answers, otherwise you can easily forget or get muddled.
Please try to focus on the fact that Haematologists are highly specialised in reading blood test results, so the fact that you are seeing one is a positive step and will hopefully lead to you feeling better.

You are in my thoughts, if you can, post after your appointment to update.
Meantime sending you a hug.

[bobblewobble]

Thank you so much for replying. Yes I am very anxious. I don't know what to think or do. So hard to keep myself occupied when I feel so unwell, which serves as a constant reminder.

I will write some questions down and take with me. I feel a little stupid as I feel like I am just reeling off symptoms of a blood cancer. I also do not know what is relevant and what isn't when they ask.

Did you get the blood results the same day?

Thank you for your reply!

[Curlysurprise]

Blood results usually available to the Dr within about 1 hour in local hospital then they can decide next steps.

There are no daft questions, whatever worries you, let them know , and hopefully they can help alleviate some of your worries.
All the best x

[Sunshineonarainyday12]

I am under a haematologist for unexplained large spleen . When I first saw him he examined my lymph nodes and stomach , took my history and arranged for bloods, CT, abdominal scan . I see him ine a year where he does bloods , ultrasound and checks my weight.

Good luck with your appointment x

[Sunshineonarainyday12]

Once

[ClientListQueen]

I see haematology every 12 weeks and they are lovely. They took bloods and asked questions at my first appointment and that was about it, oh and went through results sent from my GP
My first visit was as an emergency referral and I was really worried

[bobblewobble]

Thank you for your replies. You hae reassured me a bit. My blood results are the main reason I have been referred. So hopefully they will have some idea what they want to rule out when I go. This wait is awful!

I have had a lot of illnesses in the past were I have been seriously unwell. I have been made to wait to see someone or they have had the lets see how it goes approach which has resulted in me seriously unwell. It scares me that this will happen again, although this is unrelated.

Thank you