Really really heavy periods

[Apirateslifeforme]

I'm so scared.
I dont have regular periods.
I have PCOS so once every 3 months or so. Always quite heavy, but I've passed so much blood in the past 12 hours, I dont really know what to do.
All sort of normal until about 10pm last night. When i started getting crampy and I started passing massive clots. I tend to use STs and tampons, but even with those I was bleeding through clothing within an hour.
I managed to get 2 hours of sleep. I made myself a makeshift nappy of STs, and laid on a few towels to save my bedding.

I woke up literally that 2 hours later. I was scared of ruining the sheets.

I have changed my clothes 3 times today. I fell asleep in the living room on my side, within an hour I'm awake again, passed so much blood that despite 3 pads and a tampon, I've got soaked underwear and Jean's.

What can I do?
I'm sorry I dont know where else to ask. I dont want to call 111 for them to tell me that this is just on the heavy side of normal. What does everyone else do who suffers with very heavy periods?

I'm really worried right now.
DH has even realised how bad it is, hes just ran upstairs with an empty bucket and said he would put the next wash on. Since last night I've literally had another wash on every time its stopped because I'm going to the toilet atleast once an hour.

Is there some sort of magic cure?

Sorry I know it's disgusting.

[EatsShootsAndRuns]

Call 111. You'll get more accurate advice than you'll get on a chat forum.

[Bat3]

This has happened to me. Awful.
Take care of yourself. Bed rest and lots of baths. I lost lots of blood.

In the short term it was stopped with tranexamic acid tablets, but in the long term I got a coil put in. It took a couple of doctors appointments to sort it. I’m not sure what the situation is with GP appointments at the moment.

[Bat3]

Yes, ring 111.

[PerfectionistProcrastinator]

I don’t want to worry you bit this can be very serious. You need to call 111.

[Likethebattle]

That’s not normal. Please call 111, I have heavy periods but have never had that.

[Apirateslifeforme]

Thank you @EatsShootsAndRuns I'm hoping not to need medical advice right now if at all possible... I'm just worried they'll think I'm being an idiot who cant handle a period. I'm not sure why this feels different to anything else.

[NiteFlights]

I have heavy periods. They are on the heavy side of normal. That’s not what you’re experiencing. Call 111.

[mommymooo]

It's not normal. That much blood loss definitely isn't good for you. If that much was coming from else where you would go hospital or doctors.
Call 111.
I don't want to upset or scare or anything but could there have been a chance you Calums have been pregnant and you maybe miscarrying. Sounds a lot like when I was I am sorry to say that. Xx

[WrongKindOfFace]

It’s not normal for you which is why you need to seek medical advice. Is there any possibility you could be pregnant?

You may also want to ask about iron supplements as it won’t be doing your iron levels any favours.

[Apirateslifeforme]

Thank you everyone, I've just done an online 111 form, and the result is that I should be able to take care of myself at home, maybe I'll call too.
It's just a lot more than I'm used to.

Sorry about your loss @mommymooo

[RandomMess]

Please err on the side of caution and go to A&E if it gets worse or doesn't improve.

[Canadianpancake]

I have very heavy periods, and pass big clots every month, but not for more than about 6-12 hrs. I have also had several m/c and what you have described sounds similar to what I experienced.

The big message from the NHS is to please seek medical attention when it is needed, despite the current situation. Call 111 op.

[glasgowLil]

I’ve had similar to you due to a benign womb polyp deciding to bleed heavily. I would ring 111 and explain how much blood you’ve lost. There are quite a few drugs that work on heavy bleeding like tranexamic acid so I think you need that. You are going to end up with anaemia if you keep bleeding heavily. Good luck!

[ECBC]

I would definitely ring, if only for reassurance.

[glitterbiscuits]

Ibruprofen will slow blood loss.
Tranexamic acid from the GP going forward and period pants for leaks.

[Hwyrynos]

Call 111 and speak to a person. This is what it’s for.

[RandomMess]

Ate you feeling unwell at all - light headed, dizzy, clammy?

[BammBamm]

I had this for two years or so after my 2nd DC. I would struggle to make the school run. I have found a menstrual cup to be more effective than tampons but I still have 2/3 days a month where I have to empty every 30 mins to an hour.
I was referred to a lovely consultant who asked me to try the mirena coil (I don't tolerate hormonal contraceptive so was reluctant). I tried it but I bled nearly every day for 9 months and put on a stone in the first 2 months, so he removed it. My next option is ablation which I was a little reluctant to because of my age (32/3 at the time). Luckily around 6 months ago my periods started to ease slightly. I still have 2/3 days where my period is very heavy, but it's just about manageable using a menstrual cup and sanitary towel.
I would ring for advice, especially due to the clots. I hope things improve, it's truly miserable.

[Gruffalomom]

I used to have periods like this. I'm now evangelical about womb ablation! I went in for my procedure on day 2 of a period, woke up with just a little discharge and have not had a period since.
Obviously you have to be sure you are done having children. I was sterilised at the same time. But when you are ready ablation is a miracle.

[MiniEggs234]

Hi OP, how are you doing now? Did you call 111?

If you haven't please do call them. That is definitely very heavy and sounds to be a worrying amount. You also said there were large clots. Depending on the size this is also worrying.

If you haven't already spoken to 111 or got medical help, I would be happy to talk to you abut this more if it would help (I'm a med student and have relatively heavy periods)

[OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea]

That level of blood loss is a medical emergency. You need a&e. Do you have someone with you? If not then an ambulance would be perfectly justified. That level of consistent blood loss and you can very quickly and easily become confused and unconscious.

[Apirateslifeforme]

Thank you everyone. I have to wait for someone to call me back, apparently I was right to call.
Thank you all, because I wouldn't have done it otherwise. I just thought they'd be like, you have a period. Deal with it.

Thankfully it feels like its easing a little bit, but I darent move through fear itll start again.

I'd definitely be willing to give womb ablation a go.. I've had fertility problems for years and I've come to terms with not having anymore children.

Thank you all.

[Apirateslifeforme]

@MiniEggs234 that's very kind. Thank you.

[Scarlettpixie]

You needs some tranexamic acid or other medication. You may find your GP surgery is open (111 will tell you if they are) now you have called them. Mine are open 7 days during covid. They should be able to triage you over the phone and send a prescription to a pharmacy. I had a uti over easter weekend and thats what happened for me. I rang 111 thinking the GP would be shut. Good luck.

[Scarlettpixie]

Btw going on the Mini pill solved my horrendous periods but I wasn't prepared to take a contraceptive for a few years while hoping to have a second baby.