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Help me to decide whether to go to A&E in the morning

264 replies

Cailleach · 04/11/2020 18:17

Briefly...have now had period for 20 days straight. Seems to be getting heavier as the days go by...bright red, no clots, not like normal period blood, used 9 pads in a 10 hour shift on Monday.

Am 43. Quick history of recent menstrual issues as follows:

  • Age 36 - periods become thin, pale pink, last three or four days.
  • Age 38-42 - periods disappear entirely.
  • Sept 2019 - periods return, light and pale pink again, last three or four days.
  • Last four months - considerable discomfort and bloating around ovulation in left ovary with masses of egg white mucus being produced over a two week period. Over the last six weeks ovulation appears to fail, no egg white mucus produced, appears to try again, huge bloating, constant need to urinate, once again fails to produce ewm, period comes.

20 days later, it's still going. Over the last five days, tenderness again in left ovary area...uncomfortable to press on lower abdomen. Strong need to urinate every half hour. Dehydrated. Fast heart rate. Nausea. Dizzy on standing. Sleeping 12 hours a day when not working.

Triaged by emergency clinic over the phone as no gp appointments left. Recommends A&E. Would have to get bus, 12 mile journey, really can't be arsed. Fell asleep sitting up at the dining table whilst considering this - that was 11am, woke up at 2pm. Went back to bed for a few hours (day off today and tomorrow.)

What are the chances of this period stopping soon? We are a tier 3 area and whilst I'm not bothered about the virus itself per se, I really don't want to rock up at A&E whimpering that "me periods mekking me reyt gippy sicky like" in the middle of a sodding pandemic.

Can any lurking medics or people with similar experiences advise?

My thanks in advance.

PS: family history of early menopause (40's)

OP posts:
CluelessWriter · 06/11/2020 23:26

Just stumbled across this thread and wanted to wish you good luck for tomorrow.

I had an ovary (& cyst) removed 6 years ago. Was quite sore immediately afterwards but out the same day.

Just be prepared for some possible hormonal symptoms...about 36 hours after my op I had a monumental hot flush that lasted about 5 hours...presumably the remaining ovary kicking in!

Kaceywd · 06/11/2020 23:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cailleach · 07/11/2020 15:06

Hopefully this will be the final update from me - was in surgery three hours as it was all a bit of a mess in there. The biggest cyst had caused the ovary it was on to torsion so that ovary was removed. The other one was covered in more cysts than they realised so they took their time to tidy that one up a bit too.

Now back on the ward and tbh the only major pain is from my diaphragm where the gas had bruised it. I also sound like Eartha Kitt from where they intubated me. Oxygen stats are a bit low so they are keeping me on o2 for a bit.

And that's that! Big thanks to you all for your advice and support, much appreciated. Xxx

OP posts:

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TenCornMaidens · 07/11/2020 15:07

So glad you are being treated. All a bit more dramatic than you thought! Wishing you a speedy recovery. Flowers

Joditaylorfan · 07/11/2020 15:19

Oh my goodness what a time of it you have had
. So pleased you are being treated. Here's to an uncomplicated recovery!

CluelessWriter · 07/11/2020 15:21

Glad they got it sorted and you're bearing up okay Flowers

CaraDuneRedux · 07/11/2020 15:26

Flowers OP - here's to a speedy recovery. Your junior doctor going "yikes" did make me smile (fellow owner of retroverted uterus here, so I know all about awkward internals - they're a bugger, aren't they?)

LabradorGalore · 07/11/2020 15:30

Here’s to a smooth and speedy recovery OP Flowers

Having just read this, it’s wonderful how many mumsnetters did encourage the OP to go and get medical treatment.

AudTheDeepMinded · 07/11/2020 15:45

@LabradorGalore indeed, and the less said about the chorus of 'it's only a bad period' from others the better!
OP so glad you've been sorted out! Enjoy a rest now and take care!

LadyEloise · 07/11/2020 16:47

Wishing you a speedy recovery. So glad you got sorted.

CustardySergeant · 07/11/2020 16:58

I'm so glad that it's finally been sorted and hope you make a very rapid recovery.

SistemaAddict · 07/11/2020 18:18

@Cailleach ask the nurses for some peppermint water for the gas pains, it really helps. I'm glad you've been treated and hope you make a speedy recovery. Rest as much as possible for a couple of weeks as you will be tired.

NullcovoidNovember · 07/11/2020 18:33

Wow op! What a journey, thank you goodness it was sorted out!!.. Thank goodness.. I wish you a speedy recovery I do hope you can update us when your fully well again. Take care.

NullcovoidNovember · 07/11/2020 18:35

Op just out of interest did they do a ca125 on you? And if so what was result?

Cailleach · 07/11/2020 18:45

No they are doing biopsies on what they took out today. The surgeon didn't seem too concerned by what he saw...said he thinks it's endometriotic type cysts on the left and a whacking great dermoid on the right.

OP posts:
NullcovoidNovember · 07/11/2020 18:58

Wow... What a shock op!
I'm going for scans later this month..
So glad you got help.. With all that going on inside... Did they not mention taking womb out too?

Lordamighty · 07/11/2020 19:04

So relieved for you OP, I’m still in shock over the revelation that these cysts can have hair, teeth & sometimes eyeballs.
Hope your road to recovery is swift & smooth.

Cailleach · 07/11/2020 20:10

No, a hysterectomy wasn't mentioned. That's a huge op and I am keen to avoid it for a while yet.

I ended up with two surgeons in the end - the original plan was to remove the right ovary with the huge dermoid. When they actually got in there they realised the left ovary was in worse shape as the cysts on that were embedded in the ovary whereas the dermoid on the other was just sitting on the top. So one whipped out the left ovary whilst the other worked to preserve the right one by removing the dermoid.

Gotta think fast when you're a surgeon!

OP posts:
CaraDuneRedux · 07/11/2020 20:18

Thank goodness for excellent surgeons. And my understanding (usual caveat, am not a medic) is that biopsies on the tissue removed will be more definitive than ca125, but sounds like your surgeons are on the ball, and everything is okay.

The whole thing must have been such a huge shock for you.

Cailleach · 07/11/2020 20:25

Yes it's not what I'd planned for this week that's for sure! Oh well...

OP posts:
Cailleach · 07/11/2020 20:26

So I got told wrongly what had happened by a nurse as I came round in recovery - a day of mass confusion all round!

OP posts:
NightmareLoon · 07/11/2020 21:40

I've had a large ovarian cyst removed before, be gentle on yourself for the next week!

Usernamealreadyexists · 07/11/2020 21:52

Wishing you well and so glad you went to A&E. Flowers

justasking111 · 07/11/2020 22:26

Glad that surgery is behind you. Now be careful you will be very sore for a while, be kind to yourself and rest up.

Fittata · 07/11/2020 22:36

Hope you feel better soon