I have been in pain and suffered with symptoms for so long I have lost sight of what is normal for periods. Would you make a GP appointment for the following and request a referral to women’s health?
*Very low mood for 2-3 days prior and/or post period. Including repetitive dark thoughts. I know these thoughts aren’t ‘real’ as they disappear as quickly as they started after a few days. In those few days, they are all consuming and I feel very low. I hate the world and everyone in it. I’m irritable, tearful and have constant intrusive thoughts.
*Fatigue so bad I’m unable to function and spend around a week prior to my period in bed most of the day. I do have other health conditions which cause fatigue but it’s exacerbated the week before and is so disruptive to my life.
*Joint pain in hips, wrists, feet, knees, neck and shoulders. Again, this disappears within a few days.
*Severe pain requiring copious amounts of NSAIDS to stop it in its tracks. This pain is certainly inflammatory as the NSAIDS really help. If I don’t take them at the first sign of pain, the pain breaks in and I’m left in agonising pain for days or weeks and it’s extremely debilitating. At its worst, morphine was required but I was brushed off with “it’s one of those things”.
*Bloating, moon face, increased hunger for a full week prior. I have a good diet but I struggle to lose any weight.
*Irregular cycle and heavy periods. Periods arriving either weeks past due or having cycles every two weeks. I used to be like clockwork and it’s only in the last two years this has happened.
I’ve had tests and I’m not peri menopausal. Endometriosis was suspected but I was refused a referral as it is “probably mild” (said by male doctor). I’ve had enough of this every few weeks.
Is this normal for most women?