Constant Bleeding For 6 Months

Hi all

I've been bleeding every single day since January of this year - not spotting but like a full on period.

At first, I assumed it was because of the Depo contraceptive injection, but the last one I had was about 2 years ago and I didn't have any periods or bleeding at all -that is until January 2007!

My first abnormal pap smear came back at the start of 2006 showing "mild abornormalities", so went for another in the summer - "mild abnormalities again". I went for a colposcopy in October 2006 - again these damn "mild abbormmalities!"

I went to my doctor about the bleeding about a month ago who did an internal examination but found nothing, although said there was some cervical erosion. He told me to ask the colposcopy doctor for cauterization on my next visit.

Finally, I went to have another colposcopy last week and they found a largish abnormal patch which they took a biopsy from. He refused to do any cautery until he knew why the paps were abnormal and why I was bleeding.

I've now been referred for an ultrasound scan and have to wait 6 weeks for the biopsy results! It's so infuriating!

Has anyone had anything similar or can shed any light on the matter? I'm so sick of this constant bleeding! I have no idea whether I have HPV or not, although I have had HSV Type 2 for about 8 years.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Louise :)

Louise,

I am sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing.  6 weeks to wait for the results of a biospy is ridiculous.  It does not take that long for results. When I went to my gyn I had experienced spotting for about 6 months and constant heavier bleeding for 2 months.  I had fibroids and a polyp and we thought that was the cause but she also saw an abnormal patch and ordered a colposcopy.  I had that done the follwoing week and about a week later she called me into her office to tell me I had stage 1b1 adencarcinoma.  I wish I hadn't waited so long to go to to the doctor, but I thought the spotting was normal mid-cycle stuff, but once it turned constant I knew something wasn't right. 

Call you doctor and demand to know the results much much sooner than 6 weeks.  I don't understand why they think it is ok to wait that long for results.  They need to give you a very good explanantion as to why it takes that long.  It is very possible that your biopsy comes back clean and your bleeding is not due to any type of cancer, but I have learned that you need to take your health in your own hands and sometimes really push to get answers. 

Let me know what they tell you and how you are.  All the best to you.

Lisa 

Hi Lisa

Thank you very much for your reply.

I don't know if it's because I'm in the UK or if my hospital is just rubbish! Yes, I did think it was a long wait - and I think smear tests take the same amount of time.

In hindsight, I definitely should have asked more questions - for example, I don't even know how I'll get the results, or even if they come direct to me! When I had my last colposcopy, I didn't know the results until I went for the one last week, where they told me they were only marginally abnormal. It is a bit of a joke.

I will get onto them about this today and see what their response is.  I'm also sorry to learn that you discovered you had cancer and I hope all is well now.

Best wishes

Louise

Louise,

 Good to hear you are going ot get on them about results.  It's just so horrible how we have to sit and play the waiting game, especially when time is of the essence.  I am waiting myself for some test results to tell me if they found another tumor, so I can understand your frustration.  I will be keeping you in my thoughts and hope you receive good news....soon!  Let me know how you are, and hang in there.

Reagrds,

Lisa

Hi Louise,

I can completely understand your frustration with the waiting time. I had an abnormal smear in February 06, they did a colposcopy in July 06, which showed CIN 1 so they decided to wait and see how it develops. In January 07 I had another smear and now they also found atypical glandular cells (these are different to the squamous CIN cells and apparently much more serious and quite rare). In May this year they did endometrial (womb) sample which was really painful but luckily was quite quick.They told me I will have to wait 6 weeks for results (my hospital is Chelsea & Westminster in London) but in the end I got the results after 2 weeks. Luckily, the did not find anything in my womb but decided to do the LEEP procedure as the glandular cells are unlikely to dissapear without treatment. I had the LEEP done today and it honestly was not that bad. I was given 4 injections and I did not even feel them. I had cramps after about an hour after the procedure and now I feel fine so we will see. The gyno said I will have to wait 6 weeks for the results but hopefully it won't be that long and hopefully they removed all of the abnormal cells. Good luck to you and hopefully you will get your results sooner and they will be good.

Hi again!

Well, as I still hadn't received my test results, or a response from my GP to my complaint, I phoned the hospital direct today and spoke to someone in the Patient Advisory Service who said the "biopsy had come back normal" and that I would receive a letter in due course.

He wouldn't give any further information and when I asked when I would get the letter, he said "How long is a piece of string?" and then went on to say how there were so many secretaries there, he couldn't possily know when the letter would be sent out.

As the biopsy results were normal, I'm not sure why my paps have been abnormal or why they found an abnormal patch during the colposcopy, but I guess the main point is that I was given the all clear, which I'm very pleased about. However, at the same time, it's quite frustrating that I'm still bleeding and seem to be back at square 1!

Not sure what to do about the bleeding now - I guess I just have to wait for my ultrasound!

 Have you found out your test results yet Lisa and Bambulka? I hope all is well with you both.

 Louise :)

Hi Louise,

I was give the all clear today!!  I had an abnormal pap that they re-did last week and just got off the phone with my doctor's nurse who said my biopsy came back cancer free...my pap came back cancer free... and my HPV test came back negative!!!!!  I am so happy about all of this that I just want to scream!  Or cry, not sure which.  It's hard when you live trying to rid yourself of cancer and keep getting more and more bad news that when you get some good news you're not sure how to react.  I do go back in 2 months to have another pap and colposcopy to make sure there is no recurrance, and then I'll go to a 3 month interval for the next 3 years, then 6 months, then one day I'll finally be released from the care of my oncologist.  I'm remaining positive that that is how it will happen.  I do have a few complications that I am needing to deal with with my doctor now, but it's not cancer so that's a plus. 

 I am sorry to hear about your experiences.  I am worried because you say you are still bleeding and yet your colposcopy came back ok.  Can you go down to the hospital and ask for a copy of the pathology report?  I would.  You said you are going through your GP... I'm in the US so I'm not sure how things work there, but can you go to a gyneocologist for this?  I would think a gyno would be the best possible doctor to see for he symptoms you are having. 

Let me know what happens and how you are doing.

Lisa