To be really upset by GP attitude?

[Gigglemousey]

I had a telephone consultation with my GP yesterday over a long running health issue. (Bleeding after sex and now bleeding in between periods as well).

This has been going on for 18 months and in that time I’ve seen multiple GPs/ gynaecologists. I was diagnosed with CIN2 and an ectropion which were both treated with LLETZ. I had a smear 6 months later which came back clear and without HPV.

The bleeding got better after LLETZ but is back and worse than it was before. In November the gynaecologist examined me and said I no longer had the ectropion.

I’m worried now it could be uterus related rather than cervix related. I explained this to the GP who was really dismissive. Basically said I had already been treated for the issue. That LLETZ wouldn’t have helped if it was uterus related, that I didn’t need a scan or any other treatment. It basically felt like I was being told to stop pestering everyone about it. I know I am overly anxious about it. But the symptoms are horrible and it feels like nobody cares.

Going private isn’t an option unfortunately, we don’t have any spare cash at all. It could go on the credit card but I would really rather not. Will try phoning round again on Monday.

No, when they did the initial examination my cervix wasn’t in a great state so had a colp for that and then treatment but all focus has been on my cervix. It still is now even when it’s healthy looking.

So sorry you are going through this, it is so scary. I’ve never had abnormal smears, but have had an issue with heavy bleeding between periods - just a one off, but it was terrifying.

I saw a gynaecologist who did all the cervix investigations - smear, proper look at it etc, all normal. She was very reassuring that uterine cancer was so, so, so unlikely given my age (early 30s), despite me being really overweight. Because I was so worried she sent me for an ultrasound which was normal, so issue is likely hormone / weight related.

It is so hard not to worry, but it is so very unlikely to be uterine cancer if you are a young woman with no risk factors. (I say this as a Macmillan Nurse and in 10 years have seen perhaps one woman under 45 with uterine cancer).

If I were you I would request (insist) on an ultrasound scan to put your mind at rest.

Don’t be dismissed Giggle, it’s your body and your life potentially on the line... I had this scare earlier on in the year so you want to go for a scan to eliminate anything untoward... if it is your uterus causing the bleeding then the chances are it’s polyps or fibroids, mine was caused by a thickening of the uterus wall.
Go and insist that they refer you for a scan, if only to give you peace of mind. 😘

The advice of 'if you think you need an earlier appointment, go and see you GP' is total bullshit - standard deferral of care.

My wife is a GP and this is the kind of thing that really winds her up. She has neither the insight into the specialists waiting lists and clinic bookings, nor as detailed specialist knowledge to know how these symptoms should be prioritised compared, particularly in the context of the onging case-load.

I'd be back on to the secretary, I'd explain that it's inappropriate for them to refer back to the GP, when you have been referred to this specialist for the symptoms and I would ask that the consultant looks at your last clinic letter and your description of the new symptoms and decides on an appropriate time period for you to be seen in.

Hi @Gigglemousey I've been to my GP this last month for bleeding constantly too. I'm on my actual period now but ever since my last one I've been bleeding everyday anyway, not a tonne, but enough that I've had to wear sanitary pads.

My GP has told me to come back next month if I'm still bleeding after my period. I have no idea what it could be and she didn't indicate anything either.

Other symptoms that are similar that I have:
Pain during sex
Heavy periods, even though I'm on the pill

I'm puzzled about it all, and very self conscious a lot of the time as I feel gross everyday😕

girlonatrain19 I’m sorry to hear you also are experiencing unpleasant symptoms. Medical professionals don’t seem to appreciate how annoying/ damaging to self esteem/ sex life it is to be bleeding all the time! Hope you get answers soon.

FixTheBone thanks for the advice. Will try consultant again. It must be stressful for your wife trying to manage upset/ worried patients when the hospital would be better placed to do so.

I should add my best friend has had the same issue ongoing now for nearly 2 years. All investigations normal. Issue seems to be hormonal so is now having to try various contraceptive options (different pill, then coil).

I hope things get sorted for you as soon as possible.

Make anothef appointment and calmly say you are concerned about why you are bleeding and would like a referral to investigate the reason(s) and rule out any serious physical or disease related issues. If that is all clear then you accept you will have to consider hormonal interventions but feel other things need ruling out. If there is resistance ask them to note on your records that you requested further investigation and the GP declined.

That shoukd have a pksitive effect because if it is something serious you will have proof you asked for action and they declined.

I'm not a medic, but I can see what your GP is getting at. If the original. bleeding was cured by the LLETZ, it must have been related to your cervix, not your uterus. Now it's started up again and your cervix was checked last month. So it's likely to be coming from your uterus. This means it's a new sort of bleeding and you've been told to come back in. 6 months if it's still going on. That's probably the standard protocol, because most often the cause is a hormonal blip rather than a malignancy. 'Watchful waiting' is a more appropriate response - or a lot of women would have to go through invasive procedures for nothing.

I think a Gynae consultant trumps Dr Google, who is well known for opting for the worst case scenario, but if it continues to bother you, while waiting 6, now 5, months, make another GP appointment and ask whether you could try hormonal treatment to see if that makes any difference. I had spotting round about the peri-menopause which was sorted with a course of progesterone.

I've never in my life walked away from a doctor feeling that I didn't get the treatment I wanted or needed... This is because I refuse to be fobbed off. Earlier this year I had a medical condition which is so rare no one at the hospital had ever seen it before - they wanted to send me home and "see how it goes" but I wasn't going to leave because I knew something was very wrong. I asked to speak to the head of surgery who after hearing me describe my concerns calmly but firmly agreed to more tests, and he found a OR slot for me within 12 hours of seeing the results. There's a good chance that if I had gone home and ignored it that I could have died within the week.

Go back to your GP and tell him what you want to happen. You want to speak to a specialist. If there is a waiting list you want to try other options while you wait - what does the GP reasonably think it could be? Would hormonal options help?

Doctors only know what you tell them. If you are easily dissuaded, they will assume its not serious - insist that it is and they will find it hard to dismiss you. Don't lie or be dramatic, but be firm... And if you're genuinely concerned about cancer, tell them so - 6 months is too long to wait.

I'm not going into details but I will strongly suggest you get a second opinion. If you are still not happy get another one.
It us important this is sorted out. It coukd be nothing to worry about but at least you will hsve followed up on your concerns.

Thymeout I would love to think that but (and it may sound silly) I keep thinking the cervix and uterus are kind of related. It’s not like a foot and a elbow. Perhaps it was uterine bleeding but the LLETZ somehow treated it? I don’t know but I’ve freaked myself out.

BeanTownNancy I will try and emulate your attitude. I am a bit of a pushover at times but can’t afford not to be assertive on this, I know.