My life is being ruined by heavy periods

[ImFree2doasiwant]

Sounds dramatic I know. But I am t the end of my tether with it. I have lived with it for well over 2 years now. Saw the GP when my maternity leave was finishing as wasn't sure how I would cope at work.

There have been times when it's not quite as bad. And indeed in general it's improved. But, I am bleeding for weeks at a time. Months in fact. Heavily. Losing large clots. Having to waddle to the loo. Have to use the accessible toilet at work so I can properly clean up. Been to the loo 3 times in the last 10 minutes to change a fucking massive pad that was full.

I'm severely anaemic. Exhausted. I do have underactive thyroid which I think may be the cause but who on earth knows? I know the bleeding us even worse if I run out of thyroxine for a few days.

I've had a scan, showing nothing small ovarian cysts and thickened womb lining, GP seemed unconcerned but has referred me to a Gynaecologist. I've had a letter back saying "No appointments available ".

I've had tranexamic acid. Which doesn't work (as predicted by the GP)
My sleep is disturbed as the feeling of losing the blood wakes me. I've done 3 extra loads of washing today - bedding, pjs and bath mat and washable pads.

Has anyone had this and what did you do? I'm desperate. I even said receny that at least I had no real pain and bingo, now I'm getting pains. I have no idea how I can go on like it.

My hysterectomy was done for heavy periods OP - everything else had been tried to no avail..

Poor you OP

I was bad as a child but thankfully found the depo jab worked for me.

Then I started getting huge ovarian cysts and ending up in A and E.

When I finally got to the correct Gynae we discussed options, one was to have the ovary removed and the other was to push me through menopause (I was late 40s) I opted for the op and then went through the menopause naturally and breezed through it.

Keep on at your GP and do think about going private, even for just one appointment, you are probably spending so much on washing / san pro etc that you have spent the cost of the appointment.

Others have said it but ablation changed my life. I could enjoy holidays, go swimming.exercise and not live in fear of flooding or feel so exhausted.if you can afford it look privately otherwise find an NHS consultant who will listen and help you. Good luck

I hate how it's seen as some amazing cure when for a significant amount of women it does not work and actually makes bleeding worse.

THIS

I had horrendous periods and a Ferratin level of 8. GP insisted a Mirena would be the answer but it only made the bleeding worse not better. I eventually insisted on referral to a gynae. It turned out that I had a massive fibroid - I had it removed and everything got instantly better

You really need to see the gynae but things your GP can do which would make the world of difference are sort your thyroid out and an iron infusion.

You are never going to catch up your Hb and ferritin with oral iron when you are bleeding that much.

@highfalutinlootin and @ouchmyfeet have you read my posts? In particular...

"RE. the coil. The idea fills me with horror to be honest, although at this stage I would consider it. There are concerns though over the suitability after the birth of my second massive child."

Also, where I've said that regardless of my feelings, I need to see the gynaecologist first. And I can't see a gynaecologist as there are no available appointments.

@OwlOne thanks. People dobt seem to understand that everyone is different. I really feel incredible anxious at the idea of the coil. But, as I said at the start, at this stage of consider it. If And when I get to see a gynae I will discuss it. That said, it's an option. Not a requirement.

It's also an option that is not guaranteed to work. And can take months to have removed. And can make bleeding and pain worse......etc etc. (Sorry @owlone that's all not all directed at you!!)

@PegasusReturns my cervix is definitely NOT clamped shut. The GP thinks this may be why I don't suffer pain while passing the (frankly, massive) clots

The GP isn't in til Thursday so will call back then. The referral letter says no appointment for at least 18 weeks.

Ah mate, no advice but that sounds dreadful. Hope you get it sorted

Sorry OP, I misread. Thought you'd said that you wouldn't consider it!

Totally understand your hesitation, I felt the same. Have always hated the idea of hormonal contraception and never used it before the coil (at age 38). It honestly transformed my life, I'm so glad I tried it. Never going back.

@ImFree2doasiwant recovery has been uneventful at 4 weeks post op. Yeah it hurts straight after but what op doesn't. Totally worth it for the freedom of not having to worry about haemorrhaging all over the place

@ouchmyfeet I do really hate the idea of it tbh, but I can't go on. I had no periods at all on the depo jab pre kids, but it didn't do a thing this time, the pill isn't working so I'm reluctant about the coil, as it is just another form of hormonal contraception, albeit more of a direct hit.

@ouchmyfeet I do really hate the idea of it tbh, but I can't go on. I had no periods at all on the depo jab pre kids, but it didn't do a thing this time, the pill isn't working so I'm reluctant about the coil, as it is just another form of hormonal contraception, albeit more of a direct hit.

This sounds a bit like me - the only thing that cured it was the coil. I had a biopsy to check there was nothing insidious going on and had the coil fitted at the same time. It was a bit uncomfortable but bareable. I have never felt it at all. My periods stopped completely within 4 months. I also never felt pain when passing clots - my friends who suffered the same way didn’t feel pain either.

I wish someone had talked me into getting a mirena a few years before I actually did. It would have saved many days out, holidays, saved trying to catch the 'liver lumps' as they slither down your leg, late nights & early mornings with an alarm set for 3am too. Even the 40 minute school run drive would have been managed without the need for towels on the seat.

Absolutely life changing - lost weight too as didn't have to fuel the tiredness with caffeine and sugar.

I wish someone had talked me into getting a mirena a few years before I actually did. It would have saved many days out, holidays, saved trying to catch the 'liver lumps' as they slither down your leg, late nights & early mornings with an alarm set for 3am too. Even the 40 minute school run drive would have been managed without the need for towels on the seat.

Absolutely life changing - lost weight too as didn't have to fuel the tiredness with caffeine and sugar.

The way women's suffering is ignored by doctors is an absolute scandal. My own heavy periods were only investigated after multiple trips to the GP over a couple of years, culminating in me breaking down and sobbing in the practice. Luckily that time I was seeing a registrar GP (so still in training I think) who followed protocol to the letter and referred me for a scan rather than dismissing me as a hysterical woman. The scan revealed thickening of the uterus lining (like the OP) and I was immediately referred on to gynae on a urgent 2 week wait list as cancer was a possibility. The thickening was due to a massive polyp which had to be removed under GA and on doctor's advice I had a coil inserted during the surgery. It was the best decision I ever made but it still makes me angry when I think about how long it took me to get primary care doctors to even consider treating or investigating my ridiculously heavy periods.

I hope you can get seen soon OP.

All my LIFE i have envied the uk the NHS and i lived in the uk for years and benefitted from it.

Now though, i do feel that there is a more customer /patron (??? cant think of the word) relationship when you have to pay.

I paid 55 euro for the apppointment and 110 for an on the same day scan to rule out fibroids. It would have been cheaper if id waited. But by the time id stumped up that much cash i was channelling a more assertive customer energy.

I do agree that men's suffering is taken so much more seriously.

For women, it's almost like a court of law, you have to prove you really are suffering, not exaggerating, not mad.

OP I am so sorry you are going through this. I have been going through similar (but not as heavy as you). I had been waiting for gynaecologist appt for months, kept getting rescheduled because of covid. Then in August my GP put me through to hospital under a 2 week urgent referral, saying personally she didn't suspect cancer but it should be ruled out and I was clearly miserable with symptoms.

I've since been seen and had biopsy taken (all good but they said they were happy to have checked just in case) and for me, Mirena put in as first treatment. I've also had follow up scan to lion at cysts and fibroids and check Mirena placement, and a phone with another to come after xmas.

Would your GP be able to do urgent referral?

I was going to write out my experience here telling you what happened to me. It's a long story.

Instead I want to advise you to go to the GP, take a towel with you to sit on. This will enable you to sit without fear and it will also illustrate to the GP how bad it is. You demand a blood test there and then. Do not accept waiting to see a nurse, or for an appointment for this test. The GP can freaking well take it.

Demand to know the results asap. Ask for a check for raised C125. Also for your red blood cell count. If it's low enough you will need a blood transfusion and the hospital gyne team will HAVE to see you while you are in. Research an ablation (if your family is complete). You can ask for one.

Owl One. Where are you in the EU? I was looking into private options back when I was suffering and the NHS were not helping me.

Im in Ireland and when i first located here i was on benefits so i had a medical card thankfully. Now i have health ins and i pay. But fair enough, thank god the most vulnerable can access medical care.

I would go private if you're not being heard. I wouldnt have said this when i was young but now im 50 your health is yr wealth.

My health ins 47 euro a month. It seems like a waste til you need it, ykwim. Peace of mind. I dont begrudge that as much as i begrudge 168 PA for a tv licence for rte 😓🤔!!
But the older i get the more of a security blanket I like to have.