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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be frightened and upset by NHS response?

106 replies

Rhioplepog · 19/12/2021 20:04

For background I have been having random spotting throughout cycle and sometimes after sex. Went to GP who was great saw me same day, examined me and immediately sent me for colposcopy and Gynae specialist as a two week wait, she said she couldn’t see anything on my cervix but that this needed immediate attention. I was sent for blood tests also.

Im a nurse who used to work in oncology. I know 2 week waits should be taken seriously as cancer is a possibility. My GP said it’s unlikely, as I’m 35, but nevertheless possible. Possibly due to my old job I have sensitivity around this, but I keep worrying, thinking what if something is wrong and I need urgent treatment? I have 2 little kids to look after.

This was 4 weeks ago, and I have no appointment. The sent me a letter saying they would be in touch with an appointment by 3rd of December. I called the hospital and there is a recorded message saying saying they will be in touch in due course. So I stayed on and got through to another department who wouldn’t discuss with me. Friday I spent hours trying to speak to GP for help, couldn’t get through, then got cut off. Then couldn’t get through again etc.

I am starting to get more and more anxious as time passes. Tomorrow I will try again and I will also call the patient liaison people for help.

I know Covid a thing, but AIBU to feel this is really shoddy and needlessly horrible for someone?

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 19/12/2021 20:08

I was referred for an ultrasound under the two week rule.
Two weeks came and went, so I rang the u/s department and was told that someone at the department had downgraded it so I was just to wait.

Original poster
Rhioplepog · 19/12/2021 20:10

Did u get seen eventually? Did they say why they downgraded it?

OP posts:
Yuledo · 19/12/2021 20:10

I’ve had cervical cancer.
Given that the gp couldn’t see anything, I’d have thought that even if it is worst case scenario, it will have been caught early.

I do know how worrying the wait is though but I’m sure you will be fine, as I am now.

Original poster
Rhioplepog · 19/12/2021 20:12

Thank you for the reassurance. I am glad you are well now x

OP posts:
ftw163532 · 19/12/2021 20:14

Standard for nhs, covid or not. I'm sorry this is how you are finding out what it's really like. Yes it is shoddy and yes you deserve better.

I hope everything works out for you.

IoWfairyonthetopofthetree · 19/12/2021 20:31

You’re right. It’s shoddy and it’s a covid thing. the best you can do is make sure you’re on the list. It’s awful that you have to wait but the NHS is on it’s knees. I’m sure nobody wants to keep you waiting any longer than necessary so they’ll be contacting you as soon as feasible. I hope everything is alright for you x

SoapyWit · 19/12/2021 20:32

Hope things work out. I recently paid for two private health appointments, self funded no insurance. Was not cheap BUT cheaper than I had first thought. It meant I waited two days instead of months. And that alone was worth it.

Apricotblue · 19/12/2021 20:33

Its really poor treatment, totally understand why you’re worried. If it helps, a friend of mine (who is the same age as you ) had exactly same symptoms and it was a polyp. They removed it in the end, hopefully yours will be something similar.

Glowmaintenance · 19/12/2021 20:33

It's really unacceptable but I can't say I'm surprised. This time last year I was referred on the 2 week pathway. I waited 11 weeks for my appointment and about 9-10 weeks after the appointment, I found out I had cancer with a letter through the post!!! I understand at the time we were in our second and third lockdown and it was the middle of winter so the nhs was majorly struggling but it was so bloody cruel and inhumane to share that news via the post. I'll never forget that feeling in the pit of my stomach reading that letter and having no one to answer my questions or offer any support. I'm all clear now thankfully but my mental health took a severe bashing with it.

Floundery · 19/12/2021 20:36

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

aliceca · 19/12/2021 20:39

I have had a couple of friends diagnosed with cancer or suspected to have cancer recently. First one-two months ago seen within 2 weeks. The second one was about a month ago seen within three weeks. The third one was referred 3 weeks ago still waiting.
Waiting times are sadly getting longer as staff are off ill. Around here it is just as long a wait to be seen privately, presumably because it is the same Drs doing the work.
The only thing I can say is that you may be seen as someone who can wait a bit longer as it is unlikely you have cancer. I had spotting in my thirties and they checked it all out, was nothing. Its a symptom that is not uncommon. I hope though you get seen soon and that everything is fine. I know it is nerve wracking waiting.

PlasticCupPolitics · 19/12/2021 20:44

YANBU, my two week wait for a similar issue turned into a 4 month wait. Thank god it didn’t end up being cervical cancer. The NHS is up shit creek.

I understand how worrying it is, hopefully as the GP didn’t see anything it will be nothing of concern but I really feel for you. I hope you get some answers soon Flowers

GoodnightGrandma · 19/12/2021 20:44

@Rhioplepog

Did u get seen eventually? Did they say why they downgraded it?
Yes, I got seen a couple of weeks later. I got a phone call for my appointment so keep your phone handy. No, didn’t say why.
Original poster
Rhioplepog · 19/12/2021 20:46

I am so sorry this happened to you. I hope you are well now x

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 19/12/2021 20:46

My post sex bleeding was an erosion, but the GP didn’t see it.

Original poster
Rhioplepog · 19/12/2021 20:47

Would you be able to say which company you went with? I would consider doing this x

OP posts:
GreenLunchBox · 19/12/2021 20:48

@Glowmaintenance

It's really unacceptable but I can't say I'm surprised. This time last year I was referred on the 2 week pathway. I waited 11 weeks for my appointment and about 9-10 weeks after the appointment, I found out I had cancer with a letter through the post!!! I understand at the time we were in our second and third lockdown and it was the middle of winter so the nhs was majorly struggling but it was so bloody cruel and inhumane to share that news via the post. I'll never forget that feeling in the pit of my stomach reading that letter and having no one to answer my questions or offer any support. I'm all clear now thankfully but my mental health took a severe bashing with it.
That's appalling
ChikiTIKI · 19/12/2021 20:49

You should contact PALS.

Emelene · 19/12/2021 21:08

Have you contacted PALs? They should be able to chase this for you.

Rubyupbeat · 19/12/2021 21:10

I am actually waiting for a gynae appt on the 2 week wait. I was phoned by my gp on friday to inform me. If I don't hear by new year I will ho private. like you say it does your mental health no good at all.
Mine is for suspected endometrial cancer that a scan picked up.

Glowmaintenance · 19/12/2021 21:11

@GreenLunchBox it really was. Now that the fog has lifted and I've had time to reflect, I'm absolutely gobsmacked that this was allowed (unsure if this was the norm for the pandemic?) I hope no one else ever has to experience similar, It put me in a really dark place.

Op I hope things have improved since my experience and I hope it all turns out to be nothing serious for you.

Wrongkindofovercoat · 19/12/2021 21:13

When this happened to me, I actually contacted the unit who did colposcopies direct, after ending up down a 'choose and book' rabbit hole and they made an appointment for me very quickly. Worth a try ?

Luhou · 19/12/2021 21:15

Hope you get an appointment soon. I recently had an urgent gynaecology referal, was seen within 2 weeks, but then dr told me there was an "abnormality" and then did a biopsy, this took 6 weeks to come back. I was a nervous wreck for 6 weeks. But everything came back fine in the end. Try not to worry. Best of luck!

rooarsome · 19/12/2021 21:29

I'm a nurse too and have been failed constantly as a patient. I'm sorry you are going through this Flowers

CharlotteRose90 · 19/12/2021 21:30

Gynaecology is understaffed and underfunded at the minute it’s an absolute joke. My 2 week wait turned into a 6 month wait and I’m still waiting for the update from them. If you can go private then do

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