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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask a bit of a TMI question? High traffic in here and just want a quick response!

38 replies

Itsnotahoover · 17/12/2012 23:01

Apologies for this not being an AIBU post but I just want a quick bit of advice.

Took the morning after pill on Sunday 9th December after a bit of a mishap the night before and started bleeding heavily the next day. Period wasn't due for another week at least. Over a week later and I've still not stopped bleeding.

I've not been able to get an appointment at the docs, and rang for advice to be told it was normal for the MAP to cause some "irregularity" in my cycle, but I've had nearly 8 days of very heavy bleeding and I'm starting to feel drained and ill. I've never taken it before so I don't know if this is normal or not? Does anyone have any experience? I'm off work after I morrow so I'm going to get to the docs if it hasn't stopped.

OP posts:

Original poster

Itsnotahoover · 18/12/2012 16:07

Well I rang in sick this morning and went to the docs who sent me to have bloods taken. My iron levels are under 7 which is pretty low I believe, so I had to have a vitamin B12 injection (boosts iron absorption or something?) and have been sent home finally with shit loads of iron supplements. The doc also prescribed me the progesterone only pill as she says this should slow the bleeding down and balance my hormone levels out again, and I should be getting an appointment though for a Scan to check out my fibroids as they think this might be the underlying cause for this. Also been told to get plenty of vitamin C to help with iron levels, and take a couple of days off work to rest. I'm dropping to pieces! Lol

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Guiltypleasures001 · 18/12/2012 16:11

Oh love I too know what it's like to call out a CSI unit each month and its no fun, sit relax and I hope you feel better soon. x

SledsImOn · 18/12/2012 17:05

Yes under 7 is very low. If it drops much further they may start suggesting you have a transfusion so do take the supplements - and if they make you feel rough, try asking for ferrous sulphate instead (of ferrous fumarate) or the syrup stuff, instead of the pills, or if all else fails take something like floradix or spatone as they won't upset your stomach at all.

Thanks for updating - I am so glad you are being treated properly now and I hope that things improve quickly x

LadyMaryChristmas · 18/12/2012 17:05

I'm so pleased you went, hoover. A glass of orange juice when you take the iron pill helps as vitamin C helps your body absorb the iron better. Under 7 is very low, they should be slightly above 14! You must be feeling dire. Take it easy, the iron pills work quite quickly though so in a few days you'll be full of beans.

Original poster

Itsnotahoover · 18/12/2012 20:43

Thanks everyone :) they have said if I don't feel better in the next couple of days to go straight back. I'm glad I went now! Realised just how grim I felt this morning when I got up as I felt so light headed and short of breath that I had to sit on the stairs with my head between my knees to stop myself passing out. Just hope the bleeding stops soon and I start to feel a bit more human again!

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LadyMaryChristmas · 18/12/2012 22:08

They are right. You could have a blood transfusion, this will help within hours.

SledsImOn · 19/12/2012 08:08

mine was 7.9 when I was pg with ds1, I did feel a bit tired but didn't need a transfusion - the syrup worked very fast and within a week or so it was going up.

Good luck, and do take it easy for a few days.

aPirateInaPearTree · 19/12/2012 08:11

hi i have taken it and never had a bleed like this.

glad you went to the docs. i am on the pop pill, and find it very good.

take care.x

loopylou6 · 19/12/2012 09:19

Plenty of orange juice and fibre as iron tablets can make you very constipated.

Birnamwood · 19/12/2012 09:32

Ok, I've got past experience of low iron...

Take it with oj (as previously advised)
Don't take it with milk- calcium can affect the absorption, so don't take it just before/after breakfast.
Caffeine can also affect absorption.
Drink prune juice to avoid constipation. Just a glass a day will help.
Eat beans/pulses as they have high iron. Peas are surprisingly very high in iron (more than spinach) as are eggs.
And finally, take a folic acid supplement as it really improves the absorption of iron (and yes, see if you can get ferrous sulphate rather than ferrous fumarate as the iron is more readily available to be absorbed)

And if they don't work, a blood transfusion will make you feel like a new woman instantly! (I didn't want one as I was a donor and you can't donate if you've had a transfusion, but my iron was 6 and I was nearly passing out, not good with a bf newborn) it was like someone had turned on a light and I could function again :) thank you to all donors, you're amazing.

Good luck and I hope it all sorts itself out for you

Babyroobs · 19/12/2012 09:45

To be honest I would get checked out today, rather than tomorrow if you are bleeding that heavily . Ring your GP and insist on an appointment asap .

Original poster

Itsnotahoover · 19/12/2012 09:46

I feel a bit better this morning already :) I've made myself scrambled eggs for breakfast and had a glass of oj with my iron tablet. Got 3 days off work now, so going to take it easy and concentrate on getting better. The bleeding is slowing down, although I've not stopped yet, but it's an improvement on how it was. Thanks for all your advice guys :) x

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MummyDuckAndDuckling · 19/12/2012 10:16

Glad to hear you are feeling better

My iron a few months ago was 9 so I'm trying to get it back up. I can't imagine how you must have felt with yours being as low as it was!!

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