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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to mention this to my GP or will I look like a loon?

151 replies

LittleRedWagon1 · 14/12/2016 09:47

I have an appointment with my GP later on this morning for some other ongoing health issues. While I'm there would IBU to ask about another issue?

My period started 8 days after my last period ended. I am experiencing extremely heavy flow so much so I am completely flooding thick, heavy flow pads every 20-30 minutes. I have never had a flow this heavy, I have really bad lower back pain but not too bad on the stomach/cramping side of things. I feel okayish, if a bit tired. In general my periods are pretty consistent 25-28 day cycle, lasting 4-7 days and medium to light flow.

Would I look like a loon to mention this to my GP at my appointment today, I don't want tmy GP to think I'm nuts complaining about a period!

OP posts:
BingBongBam · 17/12/2016 03:37

Hope you are ok op.

rainbowlou · 17/12/2016 08:51

I keep checking back to see if there's an update...hope you're ok op x

Original poster
LittleRedWagon1 · 17/12/2016 11:13

DH took me to the GP who sent me to A&E, I actually saw a nurse this time as the Dr was unable to fit me in. The nurse was quite shocked that I had been sent home by the GP with no other tests done. The Nurse was really nice and sent me straight to A&E, he even called them ahead of time (Didn't know they could do that). By this point the bleeding had slowed slightly and the clots were definitely smaller than they had been but he wanted me checked out anyway.

Luckily A&E didn't seem to busy so I was seen pretty much as soon as DH got me there. They did bloods which showed nothing untoward and my BP was back to normal. They wanted to do a scan to see if they could find any other reason for the excessive bleeding but I had to wait as the mobile scanning units were in use (Small hospital). Once they did the scan they diagnosed fibroids and also found a small cyst on one of my ovaries which was they originally found when I was pregnant with DD2.

Unfortunately due to side effects of hormonal contraceptives I cant have them, they also seriously and negatively affect my mental health. They have given me Ibuprofen to take 3 times a day! I'm to go back if the bleeding doesn't stop. I wasn't released from A&E until the early hours of yesterday morning and slept pretty much all day yesterday. DH woke me up for food etc. I feel so much better today and the bleeding has slowed right down now it is like a normal period for me.

I'm so sorry that I didn't manage to update yesterday, I was absolutely exhausted. MIL has taken the DD's out for a few hours, DH is cooking an all day breakfast and I am relaxing in my PJ's on the sofa where I plan to stay for the day.

Thank you all for your advice and kindness. I do agree with pp's that this is for all intents and purposes a feminist issue, I hate making a fuss, especially over a period. The nurse I saw at my Doctors Surgery didn't seem to happy with the Locum and said that these sorts of issues should not be ignored. The Dr's and Nurses at A&E were awesome and assured me that I was not overreacting.

Flowers for you all you lovely, lovely people Star

OP posts:
Auntpodder · 17/12/2016 11:19

Thank you for the update. I think a letter to the surgery practice manager is in order. If nothing else, it'll back up the concerns that the surgery nurse had about the locum. You certainly weren't over-reacting, judging by the actions of A&E. Can you have Tranexamic Acid to slow the bleeding another time, or is it hormonal? I've found it useful in the past (but I'm now on a Mirena coil - that is hormonal, I know).

Original poster
LittleRedWagon1 · 17/12/2016 11:43

Unfortunately due to a previous diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism (a few hours after giving birth to DD2) they were reluctant to give me tranexamic acid, especially due to the fact that the bleeding was reducing anyway.

I'm not sure why they prescribed ibuprofen though as I'm not really in any pain, just a bit sore.

OP posts:
BarryTheKestrel · 17/12/2016 11:47

Glad to hear you are doing better. The Ibuprofen will be to slow the bleeding. It slows/stops the production of prostaglandins so does good for heavy menstrual type bleeding.

Original poster
LittleRedWagon1 · 17/12/2016 11:49

I never knew that BarryTheKestrel , they probably did tell me why but I was so bloody tired by that point I was barely able to keep my eyes open Blush

OP posts:
KitKat1985 · 17/12/2016 12:01

Oh I'm so pleased you went back OP. Hope you are on the road to recovery now. x

Lweji · 17/12/2016 12:05

So glad you're ok. :)

Luckily A&E didn't seem to busy so I was seen pretty much as soon as DH got me there

Or they were really worried and you got priority?

Haggisfish · 17/12/2016 12:18

I do find ibuprofen really helps stop my periods being as heavy so do give them s go op. Maybe get some iron supplements when you're a bit. Better.

expatinscotland · 17/12/2016 12:25

'Thank you all for your advice and kindness. I do agree with pp's that this is for all intents and purposes a feminist issue, I hate making a fuss, especially over a period. The nurse I saw at my Doctors Surgery didn't seem to happy with the Locum and said that these sorts of issues should not be ignored. The Dr's and Nurses at A&E were awesome and assured me that I was not overreacting.'

But it wasn't a period since it came 8 days after yours finished. It was a haemorrhage. That should never be ignored. Because you can die from it. I had a friend who had one from fibroids and she wound up passing out and needing an emergency hysterectomy because she was bleeding to death. Don't ever minimise or ignore heavy bleeding just because it's coming from your vagina, or assume that all bleeding, no matter how heavy, is 'just a period' because this sure wasn't.

PLEASE stop minimising and make sure you get an appointment with a GYN for further discussion about what can be done about the fibroid since you cannot have a Mirena coil (I can't myself) and don't be fobbed off.

Really not impressed with a doctor who told you a GYN haemorrhage was due to stress. That could have killed someone. Seriously.

Original poster
LittleRedWagon1 · 17/12/2016 12:52

Thanks expat, it's difficult because I think a lot of women have been conditioned to not make a fuss with regards to vaginal bleeding.

I'm going to ring my Dr surgery for an appointment after Christmas and the new year, when I can see my normal GP and ask her for a referral.

OP posts:
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 17/12/2016 13:04

I'm very pleased you are ok and quite relieved. I'm not pleased by the poor standard of care or that you put yourself in danger by not wanting to make a fuss. I'm very cross with the medics who should have known better. I'm not cross with you, just very sorry you're feeling so bad and suffered so much needlessly.

I understand it is social conditioning but that social conditioning is killing and injuring women so it has to stop. We need to start making a fuss. A really big, serious fuss about the sheer stupidity and ignorance around women's gynaecological conditions. We need to do it together.

Hope you're feeling better very soon Flowers

iamdivergent · 17/12/2016 13:13

Glad you are OK op x

rainbowlou · 17/12/2016 13:45

Glad you're ok and being Well looked after x

lilyb84 · 17/12/2016 14:17

Glad to hear you're okay op but I agree, please get yourself checked in the new year.

galaxygirl45 · 17/12/2016 14:29

So glad to hear you are OK. Take extra care to rest and recover after such a heavy blood loss Flowers

wineandsunshine · 17/12/2016 15:29

I'm so glad you are ok - I kept checking back on here to see how you were. Make sure you rest up lots x

Batteriesallgone · 17/12/2016 15:35

Glad you're OK OP. Please do complain about the GP who sent you away.

FourKidsNotCrazyYet · 17/12/2016 15:53

I'm so pleased you're feeling much better and have been treated appropriately this time. A little R &a R and you'll be back to normal soon. Sending you hugs and Flowers

pklme · 17/12/2016 15:57

I remember the days when stout was recommended after blood loss...
Take it easy, you've had a traumatic few days, and you've lots of blood to make up!

Benedikte2 · 17/12/2016 16:17

Best wishes OP. I hope you get appropriate long term treatment so it doesn't happen again.
Pklme stout/Guinness used to be stored in iron barrels and the iron leached out into the liquor which is why it was recommended. Not sure if it could be absorbed by the body, though.
I had a pregnant mother on my caseload who was had alcohol issues. Swore she was no longer drinking heavily but then admitted she was drinking Guinness for the iron. No one was able to convince her that it was a fallacy , unfortunately.

Lovelybangers · 17/12/2016 18:23

Am glad you are okay OP. Excessive bleeding problems are very worrying.

The nurse sounds more switched on than the GP. I would certainly follow this up with a letter to the practice manager.

Hope you get to rest up amd enjoy Xmas

Rrross1ges · 18/12/2016 07:45

Delighted that you're on the mend. I hope you have a lovely Christmas. I'm told there's a lot of iron in chocolate 🍫

Isadora2007 · 18/12/2016 16:49

Glad you're better and were seen at A and E.