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suffyl
Hi,
I am just over 50 and had my last period over 2 years ago. I have spotted a little in the past two years not to mention discharge. A couple of times a few drops of bright red blood as well.

Sex is so painful and I told my doctor but just a sign of menopause and vaginal dryness.
Last week I start bleeding heavy..I went right away to a doctor as the cramps were bad. It stopped for a day and started again for a day. Back to spotting again.
Went for Pelvic exam and the Gyno at looking at it saw that the endometruim was 12 mm. 3 x the average thickness.
Right there he took a biopsy. He usually did the procedure at the hospital with freezing but I didn't want to wait.
Yikes...did it hurt. I screamed a few times and nearly passed out...then I went for blood tests to check hormone levels.
I'm glad it is over and done with. Still spotting (maybe because of the biopsy??) They are checking for Endometrial Cancer and I have to wait 3 weeks for results.

I am reading horror stories about thickened endometruims and I am very scared. I never took Hormone Replacement Therapy or anything. Hot flashes were not that bad. Chubby but not very heavy. Started period young- 10 years old finished at 50 ish. two kids...

Any one ever have these symptoms and a story..?

I am scared and don't want to worry my family..

Thanks

LSuffy
lavenderladywing
Yes, I had the same problem. I think my endometrial lining was a little bit thicker tho. When it got really thick I had the never ending period. My biopsy came back with abnormal cells that were benign but could turn cancerous. Soooo took some progesterone to help get rid of lining. Did that off and on for about a year. Then went off pills and started spotting---again. So I had a D&C with hysterscope. Boy, was I nervous about that! But--everything turned out OK. The culprit was a uterine polyp and it was removed. Haven't had any problems since.

The symptoms you are having can be caused by other things besides cancer. I know how the waiting can really be nerve wracking. I was a nervous wreck myself waiting for all the biopsy results.

LLW
janet c
Suffy sweetheart I feel for you so much-and three weeks seems an awfully long time to wait for the result of an endo biopsy. Why so long?

As you have asked for stories I will tell you about my experience, and try and reassure you a little.
I actually have had endometrial cancer and had surgery in 2006.

I was still in peri. I was having a VERY bad time. I didn't suffer particularly from heavy bleeding but I was often bloated, extremely tearful, anxious and depressed. I tried an HRT patch but it made me feel very ill so I was not on systemic HRT. I was, however using Vagifem for vaginal dryness.I had about two episodes of light spotting- seemingly so innocuous I didn't even bother to go to the doctor. After all- the vagifem leaflet mentioned spotting as a side effect.

What made me finally go to the doctor was a clear watery discharge which got really heavy. My doctor was unconcerned but I had the usual tests for infections and yeast. All came back fine.

After going back to the doctor the third time I insisted on a referral and I had a biopsy which I did not find particularly painful.
The only heavy bleeding I had was after the biopsy (which seemed to set it off.) It wasn't like normal bleeding it was thin, watery and "bitty".
The Gyn was pretty certain there was nothing seriously wrong so when I went back for a sonogram which showed a very thick endometrium, I was shocked to be told I had endometrial cancer and the biopsy had shown grade one cancer cells.
Within two weeks I had an MRI scan and a full hysterectomy and removal of ovaries, so after diagnosis it was a bit of a whirlwind!

The surgery went well and I was reassurred that endometrial cancer is so contained it is the "best" one to get because if caught early it is totally curable by just surgery alone.
My post surgery biopsy came back as grade one, stage one cancer. There was no spread to lymph nodes or ovaries and no further treatment was required. No radiotherapy, no chemotherapy just check ups every 6 months.
The surgeons have told me they think the Vagifem may well have caused the cancer as I was estrogen dominant but had no other risk factors.
Anyway, I am delighted to tell you that after only three years of check ups I was discharged from the hospital in March this year as cured- and am now free!

The fear of what might be is worse than knowing the truth. Whatever the diagnosis might be you would cope.I can promise you that. I was really terrified but I came through it!
I am living proof of a complete and total cure from endometrial cancer. I am absolutely well and getting on with my life now smile.gif

Hopefully your diagnosis will not be cancer-there are so many other causes of post menopausal bleeding -but if it was you would cope and recover-of that I am confident!

Please keep in touch and let us know the result of the biopsy and feel free to ask me anything.

Wishing you good luck

janet c smile.gif



suffyl
QUOTE (janet c @ Oct 4 2009, 06:17 PM) *
Suffy sweetheart I feel for you so much-and three weeks seems an awfully long time to wait for the result of an endo biopsy. Why so long?

As you have asked for stories I will tell you about my experience, and try and reassure you a little.
I actually have had endometrial cancer and had surgery in 2006.

I was still in peri. I was having a VERY bad time. I didn't suffer particularly from heavy bleeding but I was often bloated, extremely tearful, anxious and depressed. I tried an HRT patch but it made me feel very ill so I was not on systemic HRT. I was, however using Vagifem for vaginal dryness.I had about two episodes of light spotting- seemingly so innocuous I didn't even bother to go to the doctor. After all- the vagifem leaflet mentioned spotting as a side effect.

What made me finally go to the doctor was a clear watery discharge which got really heavy. My doctor was unconcerned but I had the usual tests for infections and yeast. All came back fine.

After going back to the doctor the third time I insisted on a referral and I had a biopsy which I did not find particularly painful.
The only heavy bleeding I had was after the biopsy (which seemed to set it off.) It wasn't like normal bleeding it was thin, watery and "bitty".
The Gyn was pretty certain there was nothing seriously wrong so when I went back for a sonogram which showed a very thick endometrium, I was shocked to be told I had endometrial cancer and the biopsy had shown grade one cancer cells.
Within two weeks I had an MRI scan and a full hysterectomy and removal of ovaries, so after diagnosis it was a bit of a whirlwind!

The surgery went well and I was reassurred that endometrial cancer is so contained it is the "best" one to get because if caught early it is totally curable by just surgery alone.
My post surgery biopsy came back as grade one, stage one cancer. There was no spread to lymph nodes or ovaries and no further treatment was required. No radiotherapy, no chemotherapy just check ups every 6 months.
The surgeons have told me they think the Vagifem may well have caused the cancer as I was estrogen dominant but had no other risk factors.
Anyway, I am delighted to tell you that after only three years of check ups I was discharged from the hospital in March this year as cured- and am now free!

The fear of what might be is worse than knowing the truth. Whatever the diagnosis might be you would cope.I can promise you that. I was really terrified but I came through it!
I am living proof of a complete and total cure from endometrial cancer. I am absolutely well and getting on with my life now smile.gif

Hopefully your diagnosis will not be cancer-there are so many other causes of post menopausal bleeding -but if it was you would cope and recover-of that I am confident!

Please keep in touch and let us know the result of the biopsy and feel free to ask me anything.

Wishing you good luck

janet c smile.gif

suffyl
QUOTE (lavenderladywing @ Oct 4 2009, 04:30 PM) *
Yes, I had the same problem. I think my endometrial lining was a little bit thicker tho. When it got really thick I had the never ending period. My biopsy came back with abnormal cells that were benign but could turn cancerous. Soooo took some progesterone to help get rid of lining. Did that off and on for about a year. Then went off pills and started spotting---again. So I had a D&C with hysterscope. Boy, was I nervous about that! But--everything turned out OK. The culprit was a uterine polyp and it was removed. Haven't had any problems since.

The symptoms you are having can be caused by other things besides cancer. I know how the waiting can really be nerve wracking. I was a nervous wreck myself waiting for all the biopsy results.

LLW


Thanks for the encouragement...It is the wait I can hardly handle..
Did you ever think of having a hysterecemy (sp?)
I don't know much at this time about anything since I have never really had troubles with anything ...!!

Thanks again,,,,will keep you posted..

Liz
Snowmoon56
LSuffy, you may just need a d&c to get back on track!
lavenderladywing
QUOTE (suffyl @ Oct 4 2009, 06:30 PM) *
Thanks for the encouragement...It is the wait I can hardly handle..
Did you ever think of having a hysterecemy (sp?)
I don't know much at this time about anything since I have never really had troubles with anything ...!!

Thanks again,,,,will keep you posted..

Liz


Yes! My other doctor before I moved wanted to do a hysterectomy almost 12 years ago! My doc here said that I didn't need one. hmmm....... I struggled for so many years with horrible heavy bleeding. Became terribly anemic. Took huge dosages of iron pills that tore my stomach up. But now, after all of that I really feel that I would have had a better quality of life if I had the hysterectomy. Oh well--what is done is done. I still have all my parts and I am doing OK. smile.gif It was a really long long road until I got to this point though.

The waiting for biopsy results is hard. Try to stay busy with things. It helps.

LLW
~K~
Hi, This subject comes up here from time to time and is more common than you think. I had bleeding after no periods for two years and had a womb lining thicker than yours. I had not been ovulating but the endometrium had continued to thicken. I was given progesterone which induced a heavy bleed after being stopped. It is much more likely to be hormones or polyps than cancer. I remember being very scared, though, so big hug to you.
Kim
WriterMom
Kathy C,
Congratulations on beating the cancer. And good for you for insisting on further biopsy and studies, otherwise your cancer could have progressed!

WriterMom
janet c

I presume you mean me WriterMom?
Thankyou for your good wishes. I would always advise anyone to be persistant if they feel that something is not right. We all know our own bodies best!

janet c smile.gif
suffyl
QUOTE (~K~ @ Oct 5 2009, 09:13 PM) *
Hi, This subject comes up here from time to time and is more common than you think. I had bleeding after no periods for two years and had a womb lining thicker than yours. I had not been ovulating but the endometrium had continued to thicken. I was given progesterone which induced a heavy bleed after being stopped. It is much more likely to be hormones or polyps than cancer. I remember being very scared, though, so big hug to you.
Kim

Hi Kim, Thanks,
I still haven't heard any thing...The hospital just called this morning but did not leave a message....so of course now I am freaking. The doctor said no news is good news...but someone called. I have not been on the chat line for a couple of weeks because my mind would not relax, so I just went on with everyday life. I feel good and am active...so it's so weird to think something is going on...
Any ways, hopefully it is polyps.
Bye, and talk to you soon...
Liz
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