Period - how heavy is too heavy? (If it even is a period...?)

[UnexpectedPigeon]

TMI warning!

Period has come out of nowhere and I’m currently soaking through a pad every 1-2 hours and passing lots of jelly like clots - about 5cm+ long.

I haven’t had a period for about 18 months due to contraception, so I assumed it was just some epic breakthrough bleed. However, I’m now 3 days in and it’s not easing off, even the clots are still coming. Weirdly I have next to no period pain or cramping (and I used to have awful painful periods) only an odd painful twinge when the clots are coming through.

Is this just a bastard revenge period for not having one for so long, or has a bit of me broken?

Also any ideas how I can get through a 7 hour shift at work tomorrow when I can’t get to a toilet often will be gratefully received.

I had this for 18 months, so heavy I wore a super super plus tampon and a nighttime maxi pad just before setting off to work, 45 mins later I would arrive and straight to the loo to change! 3 4-5 days at a time, it completely floored me but o kept thinking it would get better.

I eventually went to the docs as was fed up of ruining knickers, bedsheets, etc. I was falling asleep all the time and my nails were flaking. I’m 47 so thought it was the change!?

GP took some bloods, my iron levels were on the floor, hormone levels fine, thyroid fine, had scans internal and external and they found a few fibroids. Nothing to stress over but enough to disrupt my cycle.
Doc put me on iron tablets, mini pill
to regulate and transathemic something or other (acid tablets) to stop the bleeding altogether. 3 months in and I’ve just had a tiny little regular sized bleed. All has settled down and I feel so much better.

The moral of the story is go to see your GP sooner rather than later, I suffered in silence as I didn’t want to make a fuss and could kick myself that it was so easy to sort out!

Please ring 111

If you are still awake I too really think you should call 111 or just go and see a doctor. I too read two other threads that sounded like this and it turned out to be life threatening. I’m not trying to be dramatic but I don’t think you should be toughing it out.

How are you today, Pigeon?

Still alive! Seemed less bad overnight so I went to work. It was a bit lighter in the morning then (tmi) went bonkers in the afternoon and soaked through pad & my clothes into my car seat on the way home

I drove straight to the doctors from work, but got out of the car and realised how it had leaked everywhere and came straight home DH and kids looking after me and bleeding has slowed again. I will call the gp tomorrow but I’m also in hospital for another procedure tomorrow so at least if I keel over I’ll be in the right place.

Oh no, do go and get it sorted.
Pretty sure I leaked on to the car seat once. As well as in to a friend's cream leather sofa...

I heard the pad an hour rule as well. If you can take ibuprofen that reduces the bleeding by about 25%

I have tranexamic acid tablets on prescription which reduce it a lot.

Also drink plenty, you might get dehydrated and light headed otherwise. And if you have any mulitivits or iron I would take one of them too.

@UnexpectedPigeon I believe the underactive thyroid can cause heavy periods. I was the same, no pain despite having had awful pain when I was younger.

I would get sone spatone or similar too to help with iron.

How are you today OP?

Still alive today too, if somewhat exhausted! The bleeding has finally (touches all the wood) eased off, so I’m at normal period levels rather than biblical flood levels I will still book an appointment with the gp anyway, in case it never ends or keeps happening.
Fingers crossed it’s tailing off now though.

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and new things to worry about and sorry for not calling the doctor sooner because I know I’d tell anyone else in my position to call them straightaway! It’s been such a tough week with the bleeding, a pre existing chronic pain embuggerance and hospital appointments too that I’ve been too exhausted to get it checked out. Which is pathetic. But thank you to those checking up on me. I’ll update if I ever get an answer as to what it is! smile]

Ahh, bless you. Glad it's tailed off somewhat but not remotely surprised you're exhausted. When I had the summer of hellish, never ending, heavy periods I got into the habit of afternoon naps, which helped. Not possible if you're working, obviously.
It sucks being a woman sometimes.
Keep us posted.