Spoke with PA today about Pink spotting 7 months post surgery/ 4 months post Brachy

Denise66

 I had my surgery for stage 1b, grade 2 endo cancer in August 2018. I had 3 rounds of Brachy which finished in Nov. Since December I’ve been having a light yellow discharge.  Doctor said nothing to worry about. It’s inflammatoon from the Brachy. Ok, I wore a panty liner today ( which I do most days bc of the light yellow discharge) and I noticed a small pink spot on the panty liner. i then placed some toilet paper into my vagina and had some pink spots appear on the toilet paper.   Also, a red spot  

Of note, I did go back to weight lifting this week. I lifted today and took completed a 3 mile walk. I had a CT of the abdomen and pelvis last week which was normal. That was done 2 weeks ago. My radiation oncologist also did an exam 2 weeks ago and everything was good. One month ago I had the NP at the oncologist exam me and she said everything was good.   Has anyone experienced the pink spotting?  If so, what caused it? 

 

Im going to call and make an appointment on Monday.  

zsazsa1

i would go get an internal

i would go get an internal exam again.

 

Denise66

NoTimeForCancer said:

Denise, I believe you have

Denise, I believe you have been talking about this for some time - regarding discharge (I wanted to edit my post to clarify).  While they may tell the workout brought it on, I am glad you are going to make an appointment to talk to them.  I would suggest that you tell them you need some answers.  You had brachy, so are you using a dialator?  I will tell you - over six years after completing brachy - I still get pink on the dialator.  I have to wrap my head around it is a radiation burn.  Again, glad to hear you are following up.

 

I’ve never had any pink

I’ve never had any pink spotting or blood until yesterday. For the last four months it’s been a yellow discharge. i have not used my dilator for about 3 weeks. I used it last night after seeing the pink spotting and blood.  i did not have anything on the dilator. However, I inserted toilet paper into my vagina after using the dilator and noticed a very small amount of blood on the toilet paper. 

 

They keep saying everything thing looks great!  Just had an exam 2 weeks ago. 

MoeKay

Denise66 said:

I’ve never had any pink

I’ve never had any pink spotting or blood until yesterday. For the last four months it’s been a yellow discharge. i have not used my dilator for about 3 weeks. I used it last night after seeing the pink spotting and blood.  i did not have anything on the dilator. However, I inserted toilet paper into my vagina after using the dilator and noticed a very small amount of blood on the toilet paper. 

 

They keep saying everything thing looks great!  Just had an exam 2 weeks ago. 

Vaginal Spotting

Hi Denise,

I recall some vaginal spotting after using the dilator many years ago.  I had my gyn-onc check things out, and he said it was likely due to radiation-related changes in the vaginal tissue.  Here's a recent study that you may find informative on long and short-term effects of HDR brachytherapy on the vagina:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6335557/

I had LDR brachytherapy, which was more commonly used when I was treated back  in 1999.  Since you're having a new symptom, I think having your gyn-onc and/or rad-onc examine you is a good idea.

Wishing you the best. 

NoTimeForCancer

Denise, I believe you have

Denise, I believe you have been talking about this for some time - regarding discharge (I wanted to edit my post to clarify).  While they may tell the workout brought it on, I am glad you are going to make an appointment to talk to them.  I would suggest that you tell them you need some answers.  You had brachy, so are you using a dialator?  I will tell you - over six years after completing brachy - I still get pink on the dialator.  I have to wrap my head around it is a radiation burn.  Again, glad to hear you are following up.

 

Denise66

PA F/U

Spoke with the PA over the phone today.  She's the PA at the radiation oncologist's office.  She said they examined me 2 weeks ago and also had a CT of the abdomen and pelvis.  She said based on my symptoms they are not concerned.  I told her I had pink spotting and blood.  I never had that.  I have only had yellowish discharge.  She said when you put pressure on the cuff that can happen.  She said I need to get used to my "new normal".  She asked if I still have the pink spotting and blood.  I said no.  I went back to my yellowish discharge again.  It's increased a bit since Saturday when I worked out.  But, not by much.  She again said, I need to get used to my new normal.  She said she knows it's hard for patients.  But she is not concerned this is a recurrance.  The radiation oncologist has a trained eye and the tissue looks completely healthy.  The doc has been doing this for a long time.  He knows what's going on with me.  She also said to get the PAP in june for anything microscopic that could be going on.  However, she firmly believes there is nothing going on.  She recommended Zoloft.

 

I did post on a couple of facebook endo sites.  I have encountered a couple of women who after brachy, had this yellowish discharge for months.  They are completely fine.  They said they also had spotting or blood after using the dilator.  I don't have that.  Just had this encounter with pink spotting and some blood after weight lifting. 

Does anyone have any other recommendations?  Do you think I should just calm down and accept this as my "new normal"?  Has anyone been told that?

Thanks everyone for being there for me.  It means so very much. 

 

 

 

 

 

oldbeauty

Denise66 said:

PA F/U

Spoke with the PA over the phone today.  She's the PA at the radiation oncologist's office.  She said they examined me 2 weeks ago and also had a CT of the abdomen and pelvis.  She said based on my symptoms they are not concerned.  I told her I had pink spotting and blood.  I never had that.  I have only had yellowish discharge.  She said when you put pressure on the cuff that can happen.  She said I need to get used to my "new normal".  She asked if I still have the pink spotting and blood.  I said no.  I went back to my yellowish discharge again.  It's increased a bit since Saturday when I worked out.  But, not by much.  She again said, I need to get used to my new normal.  She said she knows it's hard for patients.  But she is not concerned this is a recurrance.  The radiation oncologist has a trained eye and the tissue looks completely healthy.  The doc has been doing this for a long time.  He knows what's going on with me.  She also said to get the PAP in june for anything microscopic that could be going on.  However, she firmly believes there is nothing going on.  She recommended Zoloft.

 

I did post on a couple of facebook endo sites.  I have encountered a couple of women who after brachy, had this yellowish discharge for months.  They are completely fine.  They said they also had spotting or blood after using the dilator.  I don't have that.  Just had this encounter with pink spotting and some blood after weight lifting. 

Does anyone have any other recommendations?  Do you think I should just calm down and accept this as my "new normal"?  Has anyone been told that?

Thanks everyone for being there for me.  It means so very much. 

 

 

 

 

 

Get the PAP

Hi Denise.  I support your efforts to get a definitive answer.  You explained before why you must wait until June for the PAP.  I think unless you have additional symptoms to report waiting for that exam and scraping of tissue to test for abnormal cells is about all you can do at this point.  You might consider keeping a log of the discharge, including activity that preceded the discharge.  If possible, take pictures.  Yes, we have a new normal but No everything is not necessarily "in your head.". The reference to Zoloft, if made in a offhand way would rub me the wrong way.  On the bright side, you are back to engaging in regular activities like sex and weight lifting.  Good for you.  Don't let this drop until you are satisfied you have an acceptable answer.  But it may be a time will tell issue.  Your condition is not likely to become deadly in two months; more likely, it will improve.  Best wishes, Oldbeauty

Tamlen

I had spotting after heavy lifting

I had brachy last June. I haven't had any discharge, except for a pink discharge in the few weeks following brachy. Last month I lifted and moved some heavy pieces of equipment, 9 items weighing about 50 pounds each. I hadn't lifted anything that heavy since my hysterectomy. That afternoon I had noticeable red spotting. Scared me to death. Called the nurse at my onc's office and they told me that this can happen at the vaginal cuff and that I shouldn't worry about it unless it continues. It hasn't happened since, so I've decided not to worry about it and bring it up again when I go for a routine pelvic in May. My situation's different than yours because I haven't had other discharge, but I thought it might be helpful to hear that someone else also had red spotting after heavy lifting. I've been rowing everyday since with nothing more happening.

Northwoodsgirl

Pink

Hi Denise, It sounds like you have taken prudent steps to address your concerns. I remind myself when I see a bit of pink that with brachytherapy my vaginal cuff and vagina are like a single layer of tissue paper and will be for the rest of my life. I don’t appreciate the suggestion for Zoloft unless the NP sensed that you were suffering from anxiety over the pink spots. I think the NP had good intentions. If you prefer the reassurance of being examined by your GYN/ Onc sooner then request an appointment sooner.

You have the right to schedule an appointment with your GYN/ Onc. Tell the scheduler that you have unusual spotting. As far as the comment about a “new normal”... pink spotting has not been your “new normal”.  If you thought it was you wouldn’t be anxious, worried and wanting to go to yet another medical appointment. You go girl and get the exam and peace of mind❤️

Lori

Denise66

Tamlen said:

I had spotting after heavy lifting

I had brachy last June. I haven't had any discharge, except for a pink discharge in the few weeks following brachy. Last month I lifted and moved some heavy pieces of equipment, 9 items weighing about 50 pounds each. I hadn't lifted anything that heavy since my hysterectomy. That afternoon I had noticeable red spotting. Scared me to death. Called the nurse at my onc's office and they told me that this can happen at the vaginal cuff and that I shouldn't worry about it unless it continues. It hasn't happened since, so I've decided not to worry about it and bring it up again when I go for a routine pelvic in May. My situation's different than yours because I haven't had other discharge, but I thought it might be helpful to hear that someone else also had red spotting after heavy lifting. I've been rowing everyday since with nothing more happening.

Thank you so much!  It does

Thank you so much!  It does make me feel much better.  How long did the spotting last?  I noticed 2 pink spots on Saturday evening, then a couple more on Sunday.  Nothing today. 

Thanks again.  Very sweet of you to respond. 

Tamlen

Denise66 said:

Thank you so much!  It does

Thank you so much!  It does make me feel much better.  How long did the spotting last?  I noticed 2 pink spots on Saturday evening, then a couple more on Sunday.  Nothing today. 

Thanks again.  Very sweet of you to respond. 

Just that one day

It lasted just that one day. By the time I knew it had happened, it was over. My guess is that it happened only during that 15 minutes of heavy lifting, then stopped.

MoeKay

Dealing with Symptoms After Treatment is Stressful

Hi Denise, I remember being stressed when I had the spotting after finishing treament.  After all, spotting is what got most of us into the doctor's office in the first place and then we ended up with a cancer diagnosis.  If I'm reading your posts correctly, it appears that you've been dealing with your radiation oncologist's office on this issue.  I know that when I had the spotting, I contacted my gynecologic oncologist and he had me come into the office to do an examination.  Do you recall your gyn-onc instructing you to contact the office if you had any bleeding after you finished treatment?  I recall being told that when I finished treatment.  Since the spotting is a new symptom for you, I don't think it would be unreasonable for your gyn-onc to take a look-see and give you reassurance that all is well.  While women on this board can provide you with reassurance that their spotting or bleeding after treatment was nothing to worry about, you would probably feel more comfortable hearing that from your gyn-onc.  I know once my gyn-onc reassured me that the spotting was not due to a recurrence or another problem, I felt a whole lot better. 

Maureen