*WAVES*
What a nightmare. Sorry, it's a long one. Again. Rant in progress.
Gynae consultant said in January he was happy with the results of my 2 previous scans, 2 biopsies and a hysteroscopy (which I didn't have!)
So gave me the all clear to go back onto HRT for post menopause symptoms (all of them. I get all of the symptoms). My GP suggested that I have another scan after 3 months of HRT to check on womb lining which was previously 8mm. Consultant agreed, said lets just do another scan to see if lining has shrunk before HRT, if it is more than 5mm we should keep an eye on it. If it is less than 5mm then no further tests required, go back on HRT.
I had the scan, 5mm. Everything looks nice and smooth, everything where it should be and the right size (his exact words)
GP agreed I could go back on HRT, re-scan in 3 months - emailed consultant to ask if that was OK.
Consultants secretary replied, said that's OK, no more scans required.
Cool. Cancelled the scan for 3 months time and happily started re-taking HRT.
DIFFERENT consultant rang me last week (3 months after I was given the all clear) - I want to see you urgently for a scan and biopsy.
?? No explanation, just "as a precaution".
At this point, I figure that they have realised they have been looking at the wrong file when they see me - especially as they were happy with the hysteroscopy results - that I never had.
2 days later, I am in for a scan & biopsy same day. Scan operator asks if this is the first time I have had a scan and biopsy..... No, no this would be the third time for each. Oh, she replies, I don't see any other scan results on your file.
An hour after the scan, I have an appointment with new consultant for biopsy. Previous consultant has moved to Dubai.
Sorry Menomelly, he says, but no biopsy for you today, you have a polyp approx 10x13x5mm in size, we need to remove it. Can you come back on Thursday for a hysteroscopy and if it is a polyp I will just remove it? By the way, womb lining is at 9mm.
Me: the hysteroscopy I was SUPPOSED to have last year and you never did? How did a scan 3 months ago not see this? How fast do these things grow? Is this something that is fuelled by HRT?
His VERY frosty reply: I don't know!
Fanfuckingtastic. (sorry) A consultant that doesn't like being asked questions.
Last Thursday, I spent the most horrific 45minutes of my life whilst this man attempted to force his way through my cervix with no anaesthetic and cut the "polyp" out. He managed the scope through to locate the polyp, painful, but I could manage it. Then my cervix clamped shut and so he FORCED the tools through - there was an audible POP sound which made me and the two nurses jump. At this point, the assisting nurse demanded he stop (I was hyperventilating at this stage) and inject some local anaesthetic. Which he did, quite begrudgingly. I felt the needle go in 4 times. He then proceeded to ram the tools through again, and this time the pain was actually worse. The procedure involves pumping the womb with water - by this point I am trying not to scream as he is telling the assisting nurse: MORE PRESSURE. She replies: We are already at 300... MORE pressure, and he glares at her. As he is cutting this not particularly big polyp out, he starts saying: Hmmmmm. This is very fibrous and thick, like a polyp on a fibroid.
Super.
He continues to hack at it. Gets it out and then goes back in to "tidy up" the area he has been cutting. He says: I will send it off and ring you in 2 to 3 weeks with the result.
It took about 20 minutes before I could stand and get my clothes on because I thought I would faint and puke from the pain, then a further 30 minutes in the recovery room.
IS THIS NORMAL?!! This can't be normal, surely? It was brutal. Am I just being a wuss? How is this not done under a general anaesthetic?! I bet if he had to have a polyp removed from his arse he would want a freaking general anaesthetic!
SO, polyps and/or fibroids, is this something that is driven by hrt? Can I expect this to happen again?
Also, I can't go back to that clinic. The thought of it makes me feel sick. My daughter has recently seen a consultant at a private facility through the NHS for a hysterectomy - her consultant is actually a meno specialist - how do I get referred to him rather than this consultant I saw last week, is it even possible to change consultants, or do you just get who you get on the NHS? I can't go back there.
Thank you. And apologies for the graphic nature of my rant.
