Post Menopausal Bleeding, 2 month wait for GYN referral

Wareagle
Wareagle Member Posts: 4
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

Hi all, 

I have been >10 years without a period due to Mirena IUD. After it was removed more than a year ago, she ran hormone levels that showed I was firmly post menopausal. 

In early March, I had a heavy "period". I told my primary care doctor this on Monday. She said that postmenopausal bleeding can be a symptom of uterine cancer, but she wanted to repeat the hormone levels to confirm that I was postmenopausal. Results came back that I am definitely post menopausal. 

Unfortunately, I am a VA patient. The GYN clinic called me and their next available appointment is not until late June, so I won't get any work up at all for 2 months. 

I know the chance of uterine cancer is low (10-15%), but if it is cancer, is a two month wait harmful? I know it will be mentally harmful, but I'm wondering about the growth rate... 

 

Many thanks in advance! 

Comments

  • linmk
    linmk Member Posts: 58
    #2
    Post Menopausal Bleeding Abnormal

    Bleeding after menopause is abnormal. I am wondering why the gyn clinic did not tell you to go to the emergency room instead of waiting for two months. That's what it should have done. You may need to check with the VA and any other health insurance coverage you have to see what the coverage is. https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/Emergency_Care.asp

    Welcome to the board and good luck!

  • Wareagle
    Wareagle Member Posts: 4
    #3
    linmk said:

    Post Menopausal Bleeding Abnormal

    Bleeding after menopause is abnormal. I am wondering why the gyn clinic did not tell you to go to the emergency room instead of waiting for two months. That's what it should have done. You may need to check with the VA and any other health insurance coverage you have to see what the coverage is. https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/Emergency_Care.asp

    Welcome to the board and good luck!

    Less urgent if not actively bleeding???

    linmk - do you think it is less urgent if I'm not currently actively bleeding? I am feeling pelvic discomfort - almost like pms'ing - since about a month or so before my March bleeding episode. 

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,486 Member
    #4
    ANY bleeding post menopause

    ANY bleeding post menopause is reason for concern.  While I can't say how long 2 months would matter - I am more concerned how LONG it is going to take them when they decide to do some procedures, endometrial biopsy or D&C (the latter is probably better), after you see them.  It kills me to see veterans have to wait and maybe you need to call your local congressman/woman to help!  This is not how we should be taking care of our vets - we are free because of those who serve, and we owe YOU better. 

     

  • linmk
    linmk Member Posts: 58
    edited April 2018 #5
    Agree With NoTimeForCancer

    that any post menopausal bleeding should raise red flags even if it's minor. Pelvic discomfort with or without bleeding is not a good sign. I would voice my concerns to the doctor,not the clinic schedular, and ask why she/he has not suggested going to the emergency room. The emergency room could do an ultrasound to see what might be going on.

    Just my two cents.

  • MugsBugs
    MugsBugs Member Posts: 111 Member
    #6
    Can you get a referral?

    Any postmenopausal bleeding is suspicious and should be looked at sooner rather than later.  I know the VA has programs where you can use local doctors. Is it possible to use a local physician through the Veterans Choice Program.  The bleeding may be nothing but I know I would feel better knowing one way or another rather than waiting 2 months.

    My in-laws lived in Picayune, Miss. and instead of driving to Biloxi they were able to use local doctors and hospitals for about 10 years before they died.  My mother-in-law had gynological cancers and colon cancer which was initially diagnosed and treated at the VA hospital in Biloxi.  They gave her excellent treatment and were very proactive when she was diagnosed. Biloxi is a teaching hospital which I think has its advantages.  She was diagnosed in her early 50's and died from diabetes and heart-related issues at 76, not cancer.  

     

    Good luck!

     

  • Wareagle
    Wareagle Member Posts: 4
    #7
    MugsBugs said:

    Can you get a referral?

    Any postmenopausal bleeding is suspicious and should be looked at sooner rather than later.  I know the VA has programs where you can use local doctors. Is it possible to use a local physician through the Veterans Choice Program.  The bleeding may be nothing but I know I would feel better knowing one way or another rather than waiting 2 months.

    My in-laws lived in Picayune, Miss. and instead of driving to Biloxi they were able to use local doctors and hospitals for about 10 years before they died.  My mother-in-law had gynological cancers and colon cancer which was initially diagnosed and treated at the VA hospital in Biloxi.  They gave her excellent treatment and were very proactive when she was diagnosed. Biloxi is a teaching hospital which I think has its advantages.  She was diagnosed in her early 50's and died from diabetes and heart-related issues at 76, not cancer.  

     

    Good luck!

     

    Trying to speed up VA

    I've now been put in to the Veteran's Choice program, but was informed that I shouldn't even call to check on the status for at least two weeks. I've emailed my doctor and asked her about the affect of such a delay could take and to see if she could do anything to speed up the process. I may do exactly what I've heard suggested and go to the ER. 

    I know the risk of cancer is relatively low, but in the worst case scenario, I can't imagine it is good to wait. Plus, I don't want to spend the next however many weeks waiting in fear. 

     

    Thank you to all of you for the encouragement and kind words. 

  • janaes
    janaes Member Posts: 799 Member
    #8
    Wareagle, i dont want to tell

    Wareagle, i dont want to tell you this to scare you but i think its important to get this checked out.  I had some unusual bleeding and a doctor from a instacare told me if it stops to not worry. Well i didnt lisyen and went to my primary care doctor even though it stoped. It ended up being cancer.  It might not be for you and i hope it is not buy it is best to get it checked out.  

    Please know we care about you here. Its scary i know butvyou will be glad you did.

  • Wareagle
    Wareagle Member Posts: 4
    #9
    janaes said:

    Wareagle, i dont want to tell

    Wareagle, i dont want to tell you this to scare you but i think its important to get this checked out.  I had some unusual bleeding and a doctor from a instacare told me if it stops to not worry. Well i didnt lisyen and went to my primary care doctor even though it stoped. It ended up being cancer.  It might not be for you and i hope it is not buy it is best to get it checked out.  

    Please know we care about you here. Its scary i know butvyou will be glad you did.

    VA lack of care

    On Friday, I was able to get my clinic's scheduler to change my appointment from being seen at the VA hospital in Atlanta in 2 months to being seen through the Veteran's Choice program. 

     

    So this morning, I called the Veteran's Choice program to make sure they received everything they needed. Of course, who ever referred me to Veteran's Choice only put in a request, but did not include any paperwork, any reason for the request, or anything. The man I talked to at Choice was wonderful though. He said because I'm so far from any of the hospitals/clinics, I'm eligible to be seen outside of the VA system anyway. When I told him the referral was for possible uterine cancer, he put it in the system as ASAP and said I should have an appointment within the next 5 days. He also ssaid that I am not locked in to this doctor. If a biopsy does come back positive, then we can look at specialist care and/or cancer treatement centers. 


    Thank heavens I listened to my little voice (and Janaes - your reply did encourage me because my bleeding has also stopped) and actually followed up with Choice today. 

    And thanks to you for listening when I'm just in the "scare" mode and not the "diagnosed" mode. It means a lot to me. 

  • MrsBerry
    MrsBerry Member Posts: 102 Member
    #10
    War eagle, good for you for

    War eagle, good for you for being your own advocate! Unfortunately, it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. No one should have to fight for proper, timely treatment!

  • HorseLvr
    HorseLvr Member Posts: 102
    #11
    Two months is really not that

    Two months is really not that long. It was 4 months from the time my GP referred me to a gyn till I got the first appointment (which I had to change and it was another 2 months till I actually saw him).

  • HorseLvr
    HorseLvr Member Posts: 102
    #12
    Two months is really not that

    Two months is really not that long. It was 4 months from the time my GP referred me to a gyn till I got the first appointment (which I had to change and it was another 2 months till I actually saw him).

  • Nanabell
    Nanabell Member Posts: 1
    #13
    Bleeding after menopause

    Hopefully you can get in sooner. Had somewhat of a similiar situation. Bleeding after menopause having to wait ot get seen. In my situation it didn't get better it got much worse. First found out in Oct. 2017 may have uterine cancer. By mid Dec.2017 was in so much pain that I went to the ER and had a full hysterectomy the next day. Glad you are being seen sooner.

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