Fibroids and bleeding heavily - advice needed

[MickeyHICMoose]

I’m wondering if anyone could share their experience or help me talk this through.

I’ve had a scan showing fibroids and something which is probably a polyp, with a recommendation to have a biopsy. I see the consultant at the end of next week.

The bleeding has been insane, but I’ve been on medroxyprogesterone for more than a month and it’s been more manageable.

Yesterday, I started bleeding very heavily again (there’s too much to flush away) and the pain is so bad in my lower pelvis and my back I just want to sleep. I haven’t missed a tablet. I’ll call the GPs if it’s still this bad on Monday but with the covid situation, I’m worried about calling 111 as I don’t want to have to go anywhere if it’s not necessary.

I guess I wondered whether anyone else had experienced anything similar and whether there could be complications or if I should just wait it out.

[emmathedilemma]

If you can take ibuprofen then take that every 4 hours, it should help with the bleeding. I had a terribly heavy bleed - so bad I had to ring 111 from the toilet - and they sent me to A&E but to be completely honest it was a waste of time. They did basic obs, checked I wasn't pregnant (despite me telling them it would have been an immaculate conception if I was!), didn't examine me other than feeling my stomach and sent me home as I was already awaiting a gynae consultation. It's since turned out that we suspect my mirena came out in that bleed and I'm pretty cross they never checked or even warned me to check for the strings afterwards. If I'd been using it for contraceptive reasons (it was meant to help the bleeding.....ha ha ha) I could have had an unwanted outcome!!

[emmathedilemma]

I used to take tranexamic acid which helped with the bleeding, although it was still bad!

[Milomonster]

Yes. I’ve had horrific bleeding, clots, and anemia since being diagnosed with fibroids over a year ago. My recent scan showed one has doubled in size. Feel dizzy wit headaches after flooding but haven’t been to AandE. I had my second iron infusion today and gynae and hematologist want me to wait 6 weeks to make sure my iron levels have increased and I’m fit enough for surgery. I’m having a myomectomy as the main fibroid is embedded in the uterus wall. Have you had your iron checked?

[MickeyHICMoose]

Ibuprofen is a good idea, I’ve been on paracetamol. Thanks @emmathedilemma

I had doubts about trying the coil for that reason!

@Milomonster I’ve had the same, I had an iron infusion a couple of months ago. Had iron levels retested a couple of weeks ago but I’d have waited if I’d known what was coming! Good luck with the myomectomy, I am so desperate to get this sorted.

[MickeyHICMoose]

@emmathedilemma are things better for you now?

[Lastfreakinglegs]

Watching as I had a rather heavy bleed with clots and pain down my left side.

[Milomonster]

I think if you feel like you will pass out, go to A+E. Take it easy until you see your consultant. I hope you get this resolved as I know how debilitating it is. The type of procedure you will be offered will depend on the location of the fibroids. Keep us posted!

[Chocomel]

I went in for a D&C and my bleeding hasn't been so bad since. I had an iron infusion as well so I felt less dizzy. Have you been given an idea of when they'll actually get you in for treatment?

[MickeyHICMoose]

That’s good advice, thanks @Milomonster.

I’ve just added Tena pants to my online shop, the glamour

@Chocomel I’m not sure what to expect yet in terms of treatment or timescale. Hoping to come out of the appointment next week feeling more positive!

[emmathedilemma]

Better than it was thanks. I had uterine artery embolisation (there's another thread going on this) but still have a day of pretty heavy bleeding. It's been manageable because we're stuck at home at the moment but I still a couple of doses of tranexamic acid to help reduce it. I'm debating if I should go back to my GP or just live with it.

[WiseOwlRelaxing]

I used tranaxemic acid and it was still so bad I could hardly go to work. I was flooding. I had a bad flood and was put on a high dose of progesterone for 10 days to dry it up. Now I've been on progesterone only pill for a year and it's helped a lot. The occasional period still breaks through but it ends after five days and it's not that heavy. Actually that hasn't happened for a while now.

[Chocomel]

My gynecologist has prescribed me the contraceptive pill Optimizette which has kept the bleeding to a minimum since the D&C. I'm in France - not sure what the UK equivalent is, sorry. But just wanted to let you know that there are options. My fibroids have come back (I have regular scans) but the bleeding is nothing like the palm-sized clots I was getting before.

[WiseOwlRelaxing]

I just googled and that is a POP with desogestrel and I'm on Azalia which is the same thing.

It has worked for me. I didn't have fibroids but my periods were so heavy. It was scaring me and making me wonder how I was going to avoid flooding at work, even with tranaxemic acid I had a few close shaves.

One friday I got home from work and flooded just after I put the key in the door. Terrified my poor daughter. It was awful but I was just so grateful it happened at work. That was 2 months before my 50th and things have been fine the last 9 months.

[Milomonster]

@WiseOwlRelaxing did you get any side effects with progesterone?

[WiseOwlRelaxing]

No, none.

No headaches, no weight gain, nothing.

I can wear pale trousers.

[Chocomel]

@WiseOwlRelaxing I've only been on it six months but my periods have vastly reduced in volume. I'm told that they may stop altogether, which I think should be fair given the floods before! Good to hear that things are getting better for you.

[MickeyHICMoose]

My experience has been similar. It’s been going on for a year, I put up with it for a bit, then after flooding regularly, including at work I went on medroxyprogesterone for five days and then desogestrel. That made no difference at all to the bleeding but did make me cry at literally anything.

I’m now taking the medroxyprogesterone until they tell me to stop, I’ve had an iron infusion and the scan and waiting now to hear what comes next.

This weekend though, it’s very painful, first it was like incredibly intense period pains and now sore and tender. I’m surprised to be bleeding this much on the tablets. Supposed to be taking DS out for a walk later and already worried about it!

It’s making me feel calmer reading your posts, thanks x

[NeilBuchananisBanksy]

Call the gp and get a gyne referral. I had one removed a few years ago and it made life much better, I'm back in gyne care as I have more. Don't struggle along, especially if you are anaemic.