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Original poster

Help please - super heavy period possible TMI

35 replies

Morethanfedupwithitall · 05/10/2018 17:29

Sorry in advance. Going through the worst period ever...changing tampon hourly and still some leaking (Am using tampon and towel). Clots about the size of a small matchbox.

This happened before years ago and I got some tablets from GP. However my GP is really hard to get an appt with its normally a 3 week wait. I can't do 3 more weeks of this. Is there anything I can buy over the counter to Help? Or any other suggestions. We don't have out of hours, our nearest walk in is 40 mins away...

OP posts:
AornisHades · 05/10/2018 17:33

Ibuprofen is meant to help think as a short term thing.

PiggeryPorcombe · 05/10/2018 17:34

Changing pad or tampon hourly is cause for concern. I’d phone 111 for advice.

sleepismysuperpower1 · 05/10/2018 17:34

could you go and see your local pharmasist in a place like sainsburys? they have private consultation rooms there.

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Glitterandunicorns · 05/10/2018 17:34

Hi OP, I think under those circumstances I'd go to the walk-in centre, even though it is far away from you. With that kind of blood loss, I'd be afraid of it making you ill.

Have you ever had a period that heavy before?

I hope you're able to see a doctor quickly OP.

Original poster
Morethanfedupwithitall · 05/10/2018 17:37

Already taking ibuprofen and paracetamol which doesn't seem to be affecting it.

It happened probably 5 years ago GP said it was perimenopause. I'm mid 40s.

OP posts:
MirandaWest · 05/10/2018 17:38

There was someone on mumsnet a while ago who had a horrendously heavy period - she went to a and e on the advice of mumsnet and it was something serious. So get medical advice please

Original poster
Morethanfedupwithitall · 05/10/2018 17:39

I really don't want to go to the walk in. It's in a really rough area and I know I'll be waiting to be seen for hours.

OP posts:
pickledparsnip · 05/10/2018 17:44

You can get tranexamic acid over the counter. I get Mefenamic acid from the Dr. Helps with blood loss and pain.

pickledparsnip · 05/10/2018 17:45

Heavy periods are the worst. Mine are like that every month if I don't take tablets. If this isn't normal for you, I think you should see a Doc at some point.

winchesterfan · 05/10/2018 17:49

Sorry this will come across as very blunt but ibuprofen & paracetamol will do sod all for the heavy bleeding you're experiencing.
A mumsnetter has this and was hospitalised with sepsis, so is it worth you sitting in the walk in centre or ringing 111......of course it is, so get off here and go ring 111

loobylou10 · 05/10/2018 17:49

Phone and get some advice. I remember a mn a little while ago who had something similar and she was seriously ill - I don’t normally panic but I would urge you to phone and speak to someone.

Original poster
Morethanfedupwithitall · 05/10/2018 18:09

I think I had tranexamic acid from the GP when this happened before, it rings a bell. Didn't know I could get it OTC. I'll see where there's a pharmacy still open I know most shut at 5ish but hopefully there's a late night one.

I don't want people to worry. This happened before and went on for a while til I could get to GP. My GP was pretty dismissive of it from what I remember.

OP posts:
elliejjtiny · 05/10/2018 18:21

I have periods like that every time, the only thing that stops the leaking is an adult nappy with a really thick pad inside it. However if that's not normal for you then you need to see someone as it's not just the heavy bleeding it's the "different from normal" bleeding.

AwkwardAsAllGetout · 05/10/2018 18:23

How long has this been going on? I had this when I miscarried and nearly died from the blood loss. Sorry I don’t want to scare you. I called 111 for advice and was sent an ambulance straight away. I needed a very big blood transfusion. Any chance this could be a miscarriage?

Original poster
Morethanfedupwithitall · 05/10/2018 18:28

No chance whatsoever it's a miscarriage.

My periods are heavyish normally for the last 5-6 years (which I'm told is normal for my age. Last for 2-3 weeks, a week of which is changing every cpuple of hours) but not quite as heavy as this. My periods are increasingly less frequent too, the last one before this was August and before that June I think. However it has been like this at least once before as I went to GP about it.

OP posts:
IfeelFloopy · 05/10/2018 18:31

If you call 111 and they think after assessment that you need to be seen by a dr they will make an appointment for you so that you don’t have to wait for hours.

We have a walk in minor injuries unit near me. I had a uti on Tuesday. Called 111 at 6:45 got an appointment for 7:15, waited for 5 minutes and was seen. In and out before anyone else who walked in and waited was.

I have also read some scary stories about heavy periods here on Mumsnet. I’d give 111 a call and see what they say.

HashTagLil · 05/10/2018 18:40

Please call 111 for advice OP.

Original poster
Morethanfedupwithitall · 05/10/2018 18:57

I've called 111. They said I will get a call Back for 'home management' which I assume means put up with it til you can see your GP!

I felt a bit like I was wasting their time.

OP posts:
Kezzie200 · 05/10/2018 19:02

I wore most absorbant towels changed regularly plus incontinence pants and then two pairs of regular pants over. Just to get through the day.

I feel for you.

Original poster
Morethanfedupwithitall · 05/10/2018 19:34

God I thought super plus extra tampons and nightime towels that I use was bad enough.

I honestly wish I hadn't called 111 and just gone to a pharmacy. I felt really stupid. One of the questions was is the blood flow enough to make a puddle...I said over what time and they said seconds. Well no then. They also asked the size of clots and I said like a matchbox and they said not big then. It's big enough for me!

OP posts:
LucyFox · 05/10/2018 20:01

I would honestly say that if you don’t have to go out, then ditch the tampons for a few hours. Sit on a folded bath towel if you’d need extra absorbency to the pad (it will wash!) but seriously for heavy clotty periods tampons actually make it worse - if you can get your body to expel the clots rather than holding them in (as a tampon does) it will shorten your period. Drink plenty, look after yourself ... this is a horrible side effect or perimenopause l

sleepismysuperpower1 · 05/10/2018 20:17

maybe you could try this sort of sanitary towel? they are suitable for postpartum so i presume can handle super heavy flow. alternatively, have you considered a menstrual cup?

www.ebay.co.uk/i/232393405456?chn=ps&var=531671900823

MrBeansXmasTurkey · 05/10/2018 20:21

Don't feel stupid OP I heard you should get advice if you are soaking a pad in less than one hour, so it was well worth checking.

Bowlofbabelfish · 05/10/2018 20:23

Soaking through a pad an hour or more IS a Reason to be seen urgently. It’s haemorrhage territory.

It makes me furious that women are fobbed off like this. No man would be expected to ‘just’ deal with it. It’s not normal and it should be treated.

If you have any fever or begin to feel lightheaded INSIST on being seen.

OP, once the immediate bleeding is sorted out you should also visit your GP again and have bloods done. With this level of bleeding it’s fairly likely you’re anaemic. You should also be checked for things like fibroids which can cause heavy blood loss as well as chronic blood loss.

ChimesOnSundayMorn · 05/10/2018 20:27

I had similar to this twice in the last couple of years. It's horrible. I think it's perimenopause related.

Keep an eye on things though and if it worsens get medical help.