Will I ever stop bleeding?

[ShowOfHands]

I have had a lifetime of predictable periods. 28 day cycle and manageable. Over the last 18 months or so, they've become slowly closer together and I now have a 21 day cycle and bleed for 8 days, often heavy with flooding and clots and it's more painful. I don't think I'm ovulating anymore either as I used to have clear signs.

I'm currently 16 days into bleeding and for the first 13 days it was so heavy. I'm on norethisterone from the GP to try and stop it but after 3 days, it's slowed down massively but still there when wiping.

I'm clearly anaemic and the GP has given me iron tablets and referred me for blood tests for everything she can think of (no appointments for 2 weeks for that), and ultrasound but that will take a few weeks and she's recommended a Mirena but the GP can't do them and the clinics have a 6 month waiting list and will only give them for contraception. So I have to lie given that DH has had a vasectomy and I don't think I'm fertile anyway.

Meanwhile, I swing between thinking this is normal and just the perimenopause and being terrified that it's something sinister.

I am so so so so done with bleeding. I feel grey and lifeless and exhausted and I don't understand what is happening and if it will ever stop.

I don't even know what I want from this thread.

Thank you for the update @ShowOfHands . Sorry you are feeling anxious and down. I think a range of emotions is to be expected and normal.

It sounds as though you are recovering well though - walking to the shop is impressive. Take care x

I think you're absolutely right to just roll with it - it's a big change and you'll have a lot of built up exhaustion, and I expect probably you're deficient or nearing deficiency in lots of things just from the volume of blood loss. And your body is going to have to a) heal all the internal wounds and b) start building back up all your reserves. All of that together is bound to make your feel pretty off balance I reckon.

I hope you're still improving @ShowOfHandsit's major surgery and will leave people feeling vulnerable and shaky.

One day at a time @ShowOfHands

As pp said, your body has a lot of recovering to do - think how much energy that is using up.
Have you got support from your family?

I am continuing to improve thank you. Had a bit of a tough weekend as I developed a nasty, oozy infection in one of my wounds. It was both frightening (convinced the infection would end up inside me and lead to sepsis and/or further surgery) and also, frustrating and painful. I'd been doing more and more, probably too much under the mask of the painkillers and I was told to go back to semi bed rest and doing next to nothing for a couple of days. Compounding it, DH was due to take the DC away to Wales for the weekend - I was originally supposed to go as well - and I'd been convinced I would be fine to be alone. But when the infection set in, I became overwhelmed and tearful and DD ended up staying at home with me and DH and DS went alone.

Antibiotics are working thankfully, bruising has finally changing to a lighter yellowy purple rather than a dark black purple and I'm up, have made lunch and been for a short walk. I'm aiming to go into work on Friday to see colleagues and check in on my year 10 student before they go off on work experience.

I'm 10 days post op and managing with just a couple of paracetamol a few times a day. I'm still concerned that I'm having horrendous night sweats as I worry my ovaries have failed but know through endless googling that it's quite normal for it to take time to resume normal function. I'm going to see the GP later who is going to check my wounds and discuss any necessary plans for managing recovery from a hormonal perspective.

DH is very supportive @Etherealcelestialbeing but works 12hr shifts night and day so the DC - 14 and 19 respectively - are helping. DD came home from university slightly earlier than planned to help out. I haven't told anybody else. I keep having to tell my parents endless white lies about why I can't do father's day or go for a walk with them this weekend for example because I don't want them to worry.

I've watched loads of Marvel films and re-watched The Other Bennet Sister. Hoping to be focused enough to read some of the books I've bought as the week continues. The brain fog is still a bit present unfortunately.

And if anybody ever reads this after searching for hysterectomy information, please don't alarmed if the stream of your wee completely changes direction post op. Apparently, the urethra can change angle during surgery and your norm might just change #tmi

please don't alarmed if the stream of your wee completely changes direction post op. Apparently, the urethra can change angle during surgery and your norm might just change #tmi

Well I've learned something new today!

Please take it easy. A total stranger on the internet thinks you're doing too much. Sit down and watch another movie please.

Glad the antibiotics have helped with your infection @ShowOfHands

One of mine started to look a little infected but of course it was at a weekend so since it didn’t look too bad I waited it out and just kept washing it and by Monday it was thankfully fine. But like you I definitely panicked about it being much worse.

I’ve had to get a folding walking stick now as I was trying to do too much and I was getting the worst pains in my hips and pelvis once I walked a certain amount (bit like those shooty bum pains but up the front instead 🙈).

Funnily enough I’ve been watching a lot of Marvel stuff too (and also watched The Other Bennet Sister, did you see they’re doing more at Christmas? 😍). I’ve been doing the MCU from the start in release order anyway so I just continued that. I knew I had a good surgeon when she mentioned that she collected Marvel memorabilia. 🤣

I’ve seen you on some other threads too, it’s amazing to be able to pass on hints and tips and then see other people joining in after theirs too. This is the really lovely side to MN. I have my own thread in the cancer section about my journey and it’s helped me through so much when I haven’t always been able to talk to “real life” people.

I've been on Mumsnet for nearly 25 years and it has helped me through so many difficult times. From getting married to trying to and subsequently having children, raising a family, dealing with illness and challenges. It's been a real support and I will never not be grateful for the women who populate it.

I took have been watching the MCU from the beginning but in chronological order rather than release order. I adore them. Mostly. I'm about to watch WandaVision. I have such a soft spot for Vision (my phone is called Jarvis in fact).

As a 1995 P&P obsessive, I didn't ever think I'd approve anything new in the cannon but it was skilfully done. DD and I are currently debating the content of the Christmas special. Will it pick up when the series finished? Will it be set at Christmas? I can't wait.

Thank you for your lovely support @Tarkan Particularly when you are going through it yourself and sounds like you've had quite the journey besides. I wish you nothing but health and happiness as you move forwards. Please always consider my inbox open if you want a friendly ear.

Ditto about my inbox (although I use the app so I only see messages when I’m on my Chromebook as I can’t access PMs on the app, missed quite a few messages in the past before I realised that). 🙈 I do check them a bit more often now at least LOL.

I lurked on MN for a while when my kids were young and they’re both young adults now so I guess that says how long I’ve been around. It’s now over 13.5 years since I split from their dad and it was other stories on MN that helped me realise it wasn’t a good relationship even though I didn’t post myself at the time. I’ve seen a big change in some areas here though but I think these threads are proof that it’s not all like that.

I did chronological for MCU before but just the movies, so that’s why I went for release order this time. Right now I’m going through a lot of the shows from around a decade ago that I hadn’t watched. I’m on a season of Agents of Shield right now then I think it’s Black Panther after that at least. Have to say some of the shows like Iron Fist, Luke Cage and The Punisher I struggled with. Not really my style of things as much as the bigger hero stories. I did put up with getting through them though as I thought WandaVision was horrendous at first and then a few episodes in it all makes sense and I loved it LOL.

DH was complaining just last night that I skipped The Punisher. Once was enough. Black Panther I have a lot of affection for but watch it with such sadness about Chadwick Boseman.

MN remains good at heart. I think appendages such as AIBU and growing social media presence across other sites has affected things. I well remember the early days where it very much felt like two dynamic women starting a forum from their kitchen while Tech sat in his shed with the big hammer waitint for any issues. It was smaller and a lot more organic. But you're right about the core of support being there regardless.