Health Question

I went to the doctor last week because I have been bleeding almost every day for about 6 months. Not a lot but every day. Lately it has been a bit more and bright red in color. So this is the first time I saw this doctor. She walked in the room introduced herself and said, "You have a classic case of uterine cancer. We're probably looking at a hysterectomy here." This was before she even looked at me. She based this decision on the fact that I have high blood preassure, diabetes, and I'm overweight. Today she called and said the tests came back and show that I have hyperplasia (Probably not spelled right). She wants me to see an oncologist even though she said it is not cancer. She wants me to get a second opinion on whether to have a hysterectomy. I have had this hyperplasia a few years ago. It was treated with drugs and after a few months I was fine. But the doctor I saw then does not take the insurance I have now. My question is, does this sound normal. If it is not cancer and it is treatable with hormones, why should I have part of my body removed. I made the appointment with the oncologist, but I just wanted to know if other people saw as many red flags about this as I do. She put me on hormones that stopped the bleeding the same day. So is this surgery necessary? What do you think.

Kathi

 

erm, I'm a little confused, sorry... She said it was uterine cancer, but then said it isn't cancer when she directed you towards the oncologist?

Anyways, I'd be worried that she said it is cancer without examining you, just looking at your history and symptoms. However, very good that she did direct you to an oncologist. I would say, find out what you actually have before you consider treatment options. Possibly talk to another doctor/oncologist to get a second opinion, if you're worried about the doctors you're currently dealing with.

 

I would definatly get a second opinion... Not only on the hysterectomy but the whole situation.. When you the the hyperplasia the first time did you bleed like this? Didn't your doctor look at you medical history of having this before... I would call another doctor and she what they say... I would also say if the hystorectomy would stop the bleeding, think about having it... but if it will only change the symptoms of the hyperplasia (i have no idea what it is or does) dont bother...But definatly go see another doctor

 

Hyperplasia is a thickening of the lining of the uterus. It causes bleeding which is what it did a few years ago. I took progesterone and the bleeding stopped. I had repeat pap tests every three months and no more symptoms until now. Again the bleeding. I started taking progesterone last Wednesday morning and the blleding stopped by Wednesday afternoon.

This dimwit said that I had cancer without even looking at me. She then did a pap and an endometrial biopsy and an ultrasound. These came back that I have hyperplasia but no cancer. She still says I need to see an oncologist because it could turn into cancer. What I've read on the internet is that it turns to cancer in maybe 3 % of the cases. She still thinks I need a hysterectomy. It would end the problem because it removes the uterus. No uterus, no chance of uterine cancer.

I have an appointment next week with an oncologist for a second opinion. But I did not go to the doctors that she recommended. I found one on my own. I don't trust anything this woman says.

Kathi

 

first of all, it's horrible for a doctor to say something as extreme as, "you have a classic case of cancer!" without having examined you... how insensitive and ignorant! based on that alone, i'd try and find someone who's a bit better informed.

i think a hysterectomy sounds a little extreme, but then again, i'm no doctor. i mean, if this sort of thing can be treated with drug/hormone therapy, why remove it? plus, there's all sorts of other stuff that goes on with a hysterectomy.. scaring in the vagina makes it lose 'elasticity' (for lack of a better word), you're likely to have difficulties making lube/getting moist, difficulty reaching orgasm, you might have a decrease in your sex drive, depression is likely, etc. would she want to do an ovaryectomy, too? cause if she does that before menopause, your chances of heart disease and osteoperosis will increase. i don't know.. i mean, your chances of getting cancer are slim, so i'd wait before removing those parts until it's necessary. i mean, you wouldn't go up to a smoker and say, "well, there's a chance you'll get lung cancer, might as well hand that left one over now, to prevent it from occuring..."

anyway, my opinion is to get a second opinion. haha and good call on finding an oncologist on your own, rather than the one she recommended... s/he might be just as flakey and inept as the first!

i hope you're able to find a more trustworthy, intelligent, and considerate doctor.. and that it gives you an opinion that will work. good luck! i wish you the absolute best of health!

 

OMG, Kathi! I am so sorry you have to go through this.

Diagnosing cancer without a complete biopsy is medical negligence. That is horrible. If the biopsy came back negative for cancer, why treat FOR cancer?

I can't tell you what to do, none of us can. But I would certianly see a more empathic specialst, who can tell you what your options really are. Some doctors are just too eager to take out the uteri of womyn who "don't need it anymore." I am of the impression that womyn who have lifestyles certain doctors don't "approve of" (meaning you dress differently than they do, live differently, or have a history of a colorful life) are more suseptable to non warrented hystorectomies.

Kathi, please see a good specialist you are comfortable with.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I candle will be lit for you today.

Blessings,

Maggie

 

I was hoping you were reading this thread Maggie. Can you believe the audacity of that woman? (Don't think that's spelled right.) I would expect this maybe from a man, but this was a woman. Granted I'm not a size 8 or even 18 but she still had no right to talk to me this way. She got really resentful when I told her I had this problem before and I thought I just needed hormone treatment. Then when the biopsy came back confirming that I needed hormone treatment, she was still insisting on surgery. Can you imagine if I were someone with emotional problems and she talked like that. I could have went home and killed myself thinking I was dying of cancer. Fortunately I'm not like that. But if she treated me this way, how does she treat other overweight women. Makes you wonder. I have an appointment next Wednesday with an oncologist. We'll see what she has to say. Either way, I won't be going back to Ms. Know It All. I'm more inclined to wait and see how things work out with the hormones. Four years ago, the problem resolved itself with hormone treatment. And 15 years ago, the same. Why would I immediately think I need to take the most drastic route this time around.

Thanks for your thoughts and words.
Kathi

 

Hi.......I'm not sure if this will help shed light on the situation, but I remember reading in book by the English journalist Shelly Bovey ( The book was called " Being Fat is not a sin," I think it's out of print at the moment).....that doctors in the UK have been found to have an amazingly high prejudice to big people. I wouldn't be surprised if this was true of doctors in the US as well......it certainly seems very unprofessional to me to make such a diagnosis without test results.
I think it's really good that you were able to be strong and positive despite what the doctor said, and I wish you healing of your health problems.

 

Have you considered making a complaint? Even calling the receptionist and anonymously making a comment about her lack of respect towards you, and no testing before diagnosing you. You're obviously upset about the treatment you've received, and concerned about her treatment of other patients.... if enough complaints pile up, maybe she'll consider revising her methods.

 

Id get a second and third opinion

 

Dear Dakotas Mom,
Please Do Get At Least A Second Opinion,this Doc Sounds Like She Has Serious Rectal-cranial Insertion Issues!!!i Think I Would Report Her To The A.m.a.,or Even Possibly File A Grievence.besides,i Thought Hrp Therapy Was No Longer Safe,that That Can Also Cause Cancer.what Kind Of Family Health Problems Have There Been,mother Grandma,etc.itellyou,there Are Alot Of Docs Out Therethat Just Dont Take Their Oath To Heart.its Taken Me Approx.6 Docs Before I Found The Right One.i Wish You Lived Ouy Here,cause She Is The Bomb.there Are Alot Of Resources On The Net That Can Educate You In Terms Of Options And Knowledge About Your Condition. Any Time A Doc Wont Take The Time To Explain Or Answer Questions.its Time To Find Another One...love And Light Surround You,godspeed.audreyanne

 

(You spelled audacity right, lol!) This kind of medical negligence really pisses me off. Beleive me (from a womyn with a couple of health isssues) I haven't found womyn doc any more empathic than men. In fact, I prefer men. I have a pain disorder, and womyn docs tend to be really judgmental about it ("oh we all have pain, you'll just have to live with it.") Both my OB and my Neurologist are men and I have gotten better care from them than from the OBs or Internists who were womyn. I think it may be the lifestyle thing again. I "got to" stay home and have babies, and they "had to" "work hard" and wait or not have them at all. That was the impression I got, anyway. Not ALL of them, but more than I liked.

Please get a second opinion, and don't worry about the sex of the doctor, females are just as likely to be prejudiced and want to take out your organs you "aren't using" as male doctors.

Blessings to you and yours,

Maggie

 

Just wanted to let you all know that the oncologist said there is nothing to worry about. She didn't even know why I had been sent to her. She is going to do a D&C just to make sure there is nothing hidden in there and to clean out the junk that's probably causing the bleeding. She said it is literally a 5 minute operation.

Thanks for all your thoughts and all. Things seem to be working out.

Kathi

 

hi, can you get a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist? sounds like you're estrogen dominant, yes? estrogen dominance can cause endometrial hyperplasia... An RE can give you a much better picture of what's happening in your body and why.

also, what do you eat? have you read anything about syndrome X? hormone inbalances can be caused by what we eat, and can also be cured by some simple changes in diet. most allopaths wont look at the root cause of medical problems, they treat symptoms and prescribe meds with lots of side effects. there is *often* a nutritional solution to chronic health problems like the one you are living with right now. i think that you would like dianna schwarzbein's books. she teaches people how to eat and live to rebalance hormones. another book that i think you would like is _the maker's diet_

i wish you health
~nimh~

ps, here's a nice link about estrogen dominance

 

I am so glad everything looks fine! I was worried for you and your baby and your dh!

Blessings and health, sweet mama,

Maggie

 

Estrogen Dominance is exactly what my problem is. Because of my body size I manufacture and store large amounts of estrogen. I guess that's why I never needed hrt when I went into menopause. Thanks for the link you posted. It was very informative.

Kathi

 

Kathi, just to know, did you not get hot flashes and night sweats? I'm in perimenopause and sweatin like a pig all night. Maybe I'll make an other thread about this.

I am sooooooooooooooo glad you are OK.

 

I have had no symptoms of menopause. Occasionally I'll get slightly overheated, but not enough to complain about. No night sweats, no hot flashes, no vaginal dryness, nothing. I guess that's the positive side of too much estrogen.

Hope this passes for you soon.

Kathi

 

Thanks, Kathi, it's not too bad. Wow, menopause with no symptoms. We all have different experiences as womyn.

I am glad your procedure will be a short one.

Good luck. Let us know when so we can keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

I've had D&Cs, it isn't bad at all. Didn't even need anything for pain or anything afterward.