52 week wait for appointment...

[MrsLampard]

I was referred to see a gynaecologist a few weeks ago- fibroids, suspected perimenopause, heavy periods with only 3 or 4 days between them and clots like you wouldn't believe. I've tried the pill and depo injection, no difference at all and it's really depressing me. I think twice about going out, feel like crap most of the time and can literally feel my insides coming out at times- I'm worried that I'll end up embarrassing myself at work or out. As for wearing anything but period pants, sanitary towels and black clothes-well forget it.
I chased up my referral today and was told that the current wait to even be triaged to go on the waiting list for an appointment is obey a year.
I seriously can't go on like this. I'm popping tranexamic acid like smarties, just want it to stop. I've recoiled from the idea of a coil so far but might it make any difference? Or do I need to remortgage and try and get the cash to go private?

That is horrendous, thought cardiology was bad with a 40 week wait.
What is putting you off of a coil?

What treatment has GP recommended in meantime?
Is there a particular reason you have declined the coil?

Just heard horror stories about bleeding on it and how painful it is...

If the wait is that long then trying a coil in the time while you wait is probably worth a try. I've had a mirena coil for about 4 years now and after the first 6months of spotting I barely have any period at all, just the odd couple of days of spotting that is so insignificant I don't keep a track of it. Admittedly my periods were heavy but not as bad as yours, but it's got to be worth a try?

Next appointment I can get with the GP is a phone consultation in 3 weeks time- they rarely have face to face post covid and then only in an emergency which in all conscience I'm not. At this point I'll take whatever's offered tbh!

You are currently bleeding heavily & in discomfort. Consider discuss coil with GP
All treatments will have a group who’ll experience unpleasant side effects. You need to make an informed choice. However it will vary individually. Make a choice based on what’s likely to suit you not what’s online

Thanks ever so much everyone who has responded. I'll try to persuade the GP that I can't go on like this and failing that will try and move surgeries if they tell me one more time to 'just persevere'

I'd try the coil. I wasn't keen on the idea of a hormone coil. It's been amazing. No periods for years, which has meant no hormone related mood swings.

It's very overdue a change, and I am getting g spotting now. And the mood changes are returning.

I didn’t find insertion of the mirena sufficiently painful to put me off having it done more than once. It wasn’t a walk in the park but it was short lived. As others have said my heavy periods stopped completely within a few months.

Honestly what have you got to lose here? That year is going to be gruelling to endure and when you see the gynaecologist the first thing they are likely to suggest is a mirena rather than going straight for a surgical option, so why not short circuit that by giving it a try whilst you are waiting for that first appointment?

I’d get the coil as a starting point.
this is the new NHS. Wait or pay. If enough people choose the latter the former will get shorter for everyone else. If you have a rainy day fund I’d suggest now wwiuld be a good time to dip into it (dr of 2+ decades).

afaik, gynae has the worst wait lists in our area, too.

Also worth noting you can be referred to any hospital/consultant so you could try ring around hospitals in your area and see if any have shorter waiting lists and ask to be referred to them x

@MrsLampard it could be worth considering to pay for a private initial consultation. They cost around £250 and it will allow you to discuss your symptoms, and then they can add you back to the NHS queue which would cut out the triage need. They could offer you some options in the meantime for how to deal with the bleeding and pain?

OP I had similar. I refused the mirena coil for years because of scare stories. I the end I thought: how much worse can It be? I had it put in and my life has been transformed. I'm not exaggerating. I LOVE it I'm so mad I didn't try it before now

That is really shit. The waiting list for a routine appointment at hospital/with a specialist is farcical. I went to the GP for something last spring. (March 2022.) I won't say what it was on here, but basically I went to the doctors in March and he referred me to a specialist. I heard from the specialist in June 2022. They gave me an appointment for July 2023. 13 months later!!!

In my entire 50 plus years, I have never, ever known such a bloody, ludicrous amount of waiting time for a routine appointment. Even as little as three or four years ago, it was just three to four months. They blame COVID - every fucking time. Time to stop blaming COVID. Sort yourselves out!

Hilariously, just last week they sent me a letter saying 'do you still need this appointment? Because we really have such a lot of appointments we need to go through - that we don't want any unnecessary appointments.'

I thought just go FUCK yourselves. I've been waiting for this appointment for a year already and I have still got another 4 months to go ... And they have got the temerity to say, 'are you sure you actually want it?' No I am LYING. There is fuck all wrong with me! I have always had so much respect for the NHS, but my tolerance is starting to waver with them now.

Hope you get sorted soon @MrsLampard

I had my second coil fitted last summer. I use it as part of HRT regime so different to your situation but I have had worse smear tests compared to the Mirena fittings.

MrsLampard

Sadly (a complete understatement) waiting times for gynaecology in many areas are currently miles long so I have been advising women to go private and pay for an initial consultation if finances permit when it comes to such issues.

I have had such issues and I ended up having ablation surgery which ceased all bleeding. BTW a mirena coil was never suggested to me by the gynae who I saw as a private patient, this was instead suggested.

You could give a Mirena coil a try in the meantime but given the current heaviness of bleeding your body could try and expel it. All of this should be discussed face to face with a gynae.

I too have fibroids and suffered very heavy awful periods. My gynaecologist recommended a ablation which in all honesty was the best thing I've ever done
I didn't want the coil either but it destroys the womb lining so only recommended if you don't want more or any children

One option is to pay for a private consultation (probably around £300). Then if treatment is advised you can go back on NHS waiting list. Problem may be knowing who to approach privately but you could start by asking your GP. Consultants usually pretty good if you approach them for a consultation and provide enough info and will recommend a colleague if more appropriate.

"Problem may be knowing who to approach privately but you could start by asking your GP".

I did this very thing at my first (and last) appointment with the GP and I was not given any names; he wanted me to have a blood test done first. When that was done I got "normal" back and then there was a further three week wait for me to see him or any GP in the practice.

After yet another flooding incident at home that same day I phoned the local private hospital to me, in this case Nuffield, and requested an initial appointment with one of the gynaecologists. It was money well spent and I was seen within two days.

I saw a gynaecologist about a month after speaking to my GP about heavy painful periods, though my GP has outsourced it to a private clinic, which is probably why. Is there any way you could go private? I know you shouldn't have to but BUPA or Nuffield offer private appointments I think