Post Menopausal Bleeding, 2 month wait for GYN referral

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!

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. 

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!

 

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 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.

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.