awful period (continued)

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Posted a couple of days ago about the horrendous period I'd just started. I was pretty much doubled up in pain.

It's still going. Pain is a bit better, trying not to take ibuprofen/ paracetamol because ended up making myself feel sick yesterday.

The flow is no better. Having to change tampon every 60 mins (wearing a towel as well as tampon not enough). Got home yesterday at 7, slept for 3 hours, then up for an hour, back to bed for another 6 hours, and i still feel utterly exhausted.

Have dragged myself to work because i know Monday absence is a trigger, and i have already been off one Mon this year due to illness. I just feel shit, really tired and achy.

It takes 3-4 weeks to get a GP appt with my Dr, even if they'd do anything. In the meantime is there anything I can do myself? Other than go home and go to bed which is what I wish I was doing.

Over the counter Tranexamic Acid: it's supposed to help reduce the blood loss. I have recently had it prescribed (and finding it helps a bit with similar symptoms to you) but I believe there's OTC versions which you may be able to get in a pinch.

Other than that, definitely get to a GP before the next one comes along, that level of blood loss is pretty rubbish and likely to make you anaemic which will make you feel tired and shit.

Keep hydrated and eat well in the meantime. Feel better soon, periods really are crap!

www.boots.com/boots-pharmaceuticals-cyklo-f-heavy-period-relief-500mg-tablets-tranexamic-acid-18-tablets-10120808

Linky for the Tranexamic Acid :)

Definitely tranexamic acid. I use it and it does work. If you buy the boots one though you might need 2 boxes. I find when it's that heavy I need to take 2 tablets 4 times a day for about 3-4 days and 1 box doesn't have enough tablets.

If you are changing every 60 minutes you really do need medical advice. Does your GP do telephone consultations?

I'll vouch for the tranexamic acid too. I have just started taking it (prescribed) and it has made a huge difference. Before taking it I once went through a heavy-flow tampon in less than 7 minutes. Now, my bleeding is significantly less and I feel much more confident going about my day and getting through the night without flooding.

I was getting awful gnawing pain that had me doubled over too and I also was prescribed mefenamic acid. This too has made things significantly better. I take it at the first hint that pain is starting and it seems to keep it at bay. You can't take it with ibuprofen.

I haven't seen your other thread so not sure on previous advise. I did see my GP and got sent for ultrasound and then hysteroscopy to check nothing unusual was going on. Everything is ok and apparently it is just my hormones having their last hurrah as I head towards the menopause...or something like that!

Hope you get a GP appointment and at least get some tranexamic acid and better pain-relief before your next cycle.

I'm a bit wary of tranexamic acid, when i took it before it stopped my period completely within 2-3 days but then the next period i got after it was horrendous (fist sized clots etc). Has this happened to anyone else?

It puts me off using it again tbh.

No chance of seeing gp for 3 weeks at least. Actually looking online even the appts in 3 weeks are not ones i could make. I've forced myself to eat some breakfast (not really hungry but feel really weak).

You may also be anaemic if you are feeling very tired - iron tablets or iron rich foods and increase vitamin c as this helps iron to be absorbed. I don't live in the UK, but what about a walk in centre? I think you need to see a doctor asap.

Is there seriously no way to get an on the day appointment?! That's awful. :( We have a similar wait for non urgent issues, but they always keep slots free for those who phone up on the day with more pressing problems. They now triage you so you get a call back from the doctor and they decide if you should go in.

If it's that different to your normal periods (sorry I didn't see the other thread) I'd have thought it warrants OOH really, it could be an infection or something?

Sorry you're going through this, my periods used to be like this but eased drastically after I had my first baby. I found the only thing for the pain was prescribed co codamol, nothing else worked for me.

I don't think we have walk in centres in our area. You can sometimes get an on the day appt but id have to take the day off (which is impossible right now), as you have to start phoning at 9 for appts and they are always between 11and 1.

I'm back to changing every 90 mins which is better. Just wish i didn't feel so weak and lethargic.

Keep a close eye, this sounds very heavy.

I take supplements for iron, magnesium and calcium during my period and it helps a lot. Also try to up my vitamin c intake with diet.

Would you contact the non emergency medical advice phone line? I'm not sure of the number- maybe someone else knows it - possibly 111 or 101?

Bloody hell! Go to A&E!

This bleeding and especially the pain sounds as though you need to be checked over.

I hope I'm not out of turn for writing this, but there isn't a chance you were / are pregnant or might have been?
I had a period like this and it turned out I had had a very early miscarriage. As I often have very very heavy period with big clots I thought nothing of it until the pain was like yours and I was soaking bath towels whilst wearing tampax and a night sanitary towel.

Hope you're ok 💐

Definitely not pregnant.

A&E or calling non emergency no feels a bit overdramatic. Pain has settled down now, and flow is lessening a bit, almost 2 hours between trips to the loo now. Although i do feel shattered, and nearly nodded off at my desk earlier.

You can buy ferrous sulphate iron tablets OTC. Or ferroglobulin/floradix (might have the names slightly wrong), which are liquid iron supplements. The exhaustion may be anaemia so unless you're going to see someone medical who'll check your iron levels, I'd get one of those and start taking them.

I get periods like this which have got worse as time has gone on. Today I have a super plus tampon, a pad and I wear tena pants if I go out or im in bed just incase I flood. Atm im up every 30 mins changing. I have a big fibroid.

If it has just come on all of a sudden for just this one period, I would call doc as something may be amiss and you may need medical attention.

I take tranexamic acid too - I have to take 3 tablets 3 times a day, otherwise I flood through whatever clothing I wear. I cannot keep a tampon in and I go through super size pads, also put a bath towel on top of my bed sheet, as I have had flooded through at night. I usually do this for first 3 days of my period, then it calms down - I've been like this for 5 years, after the birth of my second child. I keep hoping it's all going to come to an end soon - I'm 51 this year.

Purpleclaire, mine started after the birth of my third child! Im wondering whether childbirth could be a trigger sometimes. The only difference this time was I had a section.

Lozzylizzy, not sure... my first was C-section and second normal birth - just unlucky I guess.

Does your GP do telephone appointments?

You could perhaps ask for advice at a pharmacy, they can be very helpful and have good knowledge and advice.

Still feeling similarish today. Was asleep before 12, up at 6.30. Shattered again and yawning at my desk. Have been trying to lose weight but these last few days I've been eating more to try and give myself some energy just to get me through the day.

No phone apps at my GP.

I think you need to think about finding another GP. I'm so sorry you are in so much pain but it sounds like you really need to speak with a doctor. Call NHS24 and see if they can offer any advice on how to manage the pain and book an appointment with your Dr's for 3 weeks so you'll be able to see them before next month.

I understand that Monday absences are a "trigger" - but I dont think 2 in a year are enough to cause your employer any concern so take the time at home if you need it.

Feel better x