In need of reassurance or a hand hold.

[Isthisanythingtoworryabout]

I was put on the 2 week pathway back in April after post menopausal bleeding (like a light period over a few days that then stopped).

Had an ultrasound scan on 17th April, and the person doing the scan seemed to suggest that a large fibroid pressing on the endometrium was the likely cause. I already knew that I had fibroids as they caused some trouble before my periods stopped. They said that my GP would receive the scan and follow up as appropriate.

I heard nothing further until today. Kind of had it in my mind that I should chase up the results, but also found it quite reassuring that the GP didn't seem to be in a rush to get back to me. This morning, they have called to ask me to go in for a face to face appointment with the GP tomorrow, and I'm panicking. My GP does almost everything by phone these days.

Is there a reason that they would need to see me f2f if they didn't have scary news to convey? If it was something scary, would they have waited almost a month to contact me?

Please help me to stop catastrophising!

Nobody?

I am the worst at catastrophising (if that’s how you spell it?!), especially in medical circumstances. I would have thought if it was anything sinister, you would have heard sooner, like you say. Easier said than done, but can you find something to do to distract yourself? I find listening to a good book or podcast whilst I’m pottering, definitely helps take my mind off things when I’m worrying. Sending hugs x

I imagine it's exactly as the person who scanned you said. You have a large fibroid. So now the GP needs to talk through that and any management / next steps.

Thank you both, I hope you're both right.

How did it go?

there are lots of reasons why the GP might want to talk to you in person - not always the worst ones!

Hope the appointment went well x

How are things after the GP appointment @Isthisanythingtoworryabout?

Thank you so much @PeppermintPatty10 and @chatgptsbestmate for asking.

The GP was lovely and as reassuring as she possibly could be, but basically they are not 100% sure so they are referring me for a biopsy to check for endometrial cancer. Apparently my endometrium is slightly thicker than it should be and it's on the borderline of being within the right range so they need to check. The doctor was very careful to emphasise that she wasn't concerned and that I didn't need to worry/shouldn't panic about the 2-week pathway referral, but inevitably, it's hard to stop your mind from jumping to the worst case scenario.

I'm trying my best to stay calm and not jump to conclusions, but it's difficult not to go there. I lost my mum very suddenly a few months ago, so I was already feeling a bit vulnerable and could have done without this to worry about now.

I will try to stay positive and wait for the biopsy appointment. Does anyone know how long it usual takes to get the results of a biopsy?

Thank you all for your support. I have told my DH but haven't mentioned it to anyone else yet, so I to appreciate the kindness of strangers.

Right I see. It's hard because when you hear 2 week pathway you think that it must be serious, but the GP is probably just being cautious. Either way, it sounds like you are in the best possible hands, with such an on the ball GP who is making sure you get prioritised through the system. Sending a big hug and I hope the biopsy doesn't take too long so that you're not worrying! X

Thank you, and yes, she did suggest that she was just wanting to check in order to be on the safe side. And while it wasn't what I wanted to hear, I'm grateful for the cautious approach. Also incredibly grateful that we still have the NHS for things like this...it might not be perfect but my own personal experience has generally been very positive.

Now I just have to play the waiting game while trying not to overthink everything... which won't be easy because overthinking is one of my special talents.

I was recently put on the two week pathway for breast cancer after I discovered a lump. I’d had a baby 9 days previously so I was all over the place.

My GP told me to compartmentalise as best I could. She told me to focus on the baby and just not think about the next step until the very last minute. Luckily newborn babies do take up a lot of thinking time so I was able to put it to the back of my mind a bit. I also told myself that since discovering the lump, I wanted the referral as it was the only way to know for sure that it wasn’t breast cancer, and had I not got that referral then I’d have always worried they got it wrong.

I appreciate it’s not the exact same as your situation but those are just two things that helped me (also an overthinker) stay calm and not get too worked up. The breast clinic appointment showed there was nothing there and I just have a lumpy bit of tissue - I truly hope you receive the same news and this is nothing serious at all.

Mine was super thick and was referred on the 2 week pathway as well but it was all ok

Well not cancer anyway

Thank you, that's reassuring.

I'm glad that both you and @MrsRandallFraser were given the all clear.

Maybe it would help to think about it as they are looking to confirm that it's not cancer rather than that they are looking for cancer. I know it's a subtle difference but I found this helpful.

Ten years ago, I had post menopausal bleeding. I had a thickening of the endometrium which was caused by a hormone producing cancerous tumour, on my left ovary.

I had the tumour removed along with having a full hysterectomy and removal of omentum.

I mention this, as it might be reassuring to know that even if it is cancer, treatments these days can offer a complete cure.

The waiting for appointments and tests is the worst part but you will get through it. We find strength we didn’t know we had.

Thank you @Ellephanting for sharing that experience. That is really helpful to hear.

And yes @Pinkrabitt, that does help, thank you.

My sister had this diagnosis and there was no cancer.

I know that two friends of mine had thickened endometrium with fibroids and were told that this is quote common. Both were fine after tests 🥰

How are you doing @Isthisanythingtoworryabout ?🥰

Thank you so much for checking in on me @chatgptsbestmate. I have an appointent at the hospital for a biopsy next week. Very nervous about it tbh and dreading the procedure itself, but trying my best not to dwell on it. It's encouraging to know that your friends were both OK.

I'll be thinking of you and sending love ❤️

Thank you @chatgptsbestmate, you are very kind.

I had a hysteroscopy last week, because of post-menopausal bleeding, and they removed some polyps during the procedure. I was a little nervous beforehand, but for me the hysteroscopy was never worse than mildly uncomfortable. They injected local anaesthetic before removing the polyps. I had taken over-the-counter painkillers and hour or so beforehand, as instructed, but honestly think I would have been fine without them. The staff were all very kind, but didn't seem surprised that I was OK without needing gas and air, or a general anaesthetic. So please don't think that it will necessarily be painful. Good luck!

I had a biopsy and it was totally fine. All I felt was the numbing injection at the site (mine wasn’t deep inside or anything) and the thread tickling as they gave me a stitch. Totally fine. No pain. It was a bit sore later in once the anaesthetic wore off but I took paracetamol.

good luck. Just to say I’ve had thickening of the endometrium & bleeding but it was fine following biopsy. They put it down to menopause. That was when I was around 52. Now 60 and no further issues.

My grandma had endometrial cancer - she had a post menopausal bleed. She had a hysterectomy and no other treatment and lived until 98..
It is extremely frightening to even be thinking about it, especially when we catastrophise and panic. Hope all is ok and please update us.
NB I have endometriosis and because of my family history I get checked, but the pain is always there, I totally understand xx

Thank you so much, all, for the really kind and supportive messages. I read them last night and they really did help.

I went for the hysteroscopy this morning. My lovely friend drove me to the hospital and did a great job of trying to distract me while I was waiting to be called in. And while the hysteroscopy wasn't exactly pleasant, it wasn't awful either. Because they had talked about gas & air and the potential need to have it done under general anaesthetic if it was too painful, I expected the pain to be really extreme but it really wasn't too bad in the end, plus the doctor and the two nurses were absolutely lovely. I have a bit of discomfort/mild pain now, but nothing that I can't deal with.

The doctor didn't find anything particularly concerning in what she saw, and advised that the fibroids had probably caused the issues. I still have to wait for the biopsy, but hopefully it will come back OK.

I am genuinely very grateful for all of your support. I will update once I get the biopsy results.