Is there a point I go to A&E?

[DesignedForLife]

I've had heavy periods most my life, they've got gradually heavier over the last 8 years, but in the last year (since giving birth) they've been very heavy, using night towels all day and changing sometimes every hour. I've seen GP 5 months ago and they referred me to gynae, no medicine as I'm still breastfeeding. Acknowledgment letter from hospital but no appointment. Saw GP again last week, she's arranged ultrasound and blood tests and will try to chase up hospital (I know from a friend that there is a huge backlog there ATM).

I'm in my period now and heavy as usual, not too bad overnight but this morning I've changed pads three time already and I feel shaky and wiped, and trying to juggle two boisterous toddlers. Really struggling to cope.

[letsstickmyhandinthere]

I'm having the same problem OP it's my first period since having ds and I've been soaking through pads every 2 hours for the last month. I'm starting to think I should call the Gp for all the replies

[megletthesecond]

Urgent GP appointment this morning or A&E.

Certainly don't muck about waiting until later today for a GP appointment. The weekend is looming and you can't afford to be palmed off.

[flumpybear]

Ring GO for emergency appointment- consider mirena coil - best thing I ever did! I’m sure the GO would prescribe tranexamic acid and suggest solutions going forward

[SloeSloeQuickQuickGin]

WishfulThanking

the triage nurse said 'this is ridiculous...if they don't sort you out you will be needing a blood transfusion every time you have your period!'

And how did they remedy your heavy periods? what action did hte Triage take apart from empathy?

A few years ago my SIL was sent to hospital by her GP for uncontrollable menstrual bleeding too.

Sent to hospital or sent to A&E? And what did A&E do ? Can we have some conclusion to these whimiscal vists?

[kateandme]

even if its not for a&e this at least needs to be discussed of how to manage if it is something that will regualy happen.like some potassium supplement or electrolyte balance meds or drink because either way dangerous or not it will lead you to weaken and feel dizzy losing that amount of blood.and that's not nice for you to have to deal with.

[JonSnowsWife]

If you're soaking through a night pad in an hour OP then you definitely need checking out especially with your history.

OP.

[NE14T]

If you're feeling ill with it and the bleeding is dangerously heavy now, to the point you might need a transfusion or invasive medical procedures then go to A&E. I'm an A&E nurse and if needs be we would refer you to gynae. But if you can get an emergency gp appt and a same day referral to gynae you'd probably be seen faster tbh.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

After the sepsis thread, no way would I hesitate to seek medical attention if I was losing that much blood.

Because it is a gynae thing, women are expected to put up and shut up. Just because It is normal to have periods doesn't mean every period is normal.

[tocas]

People saying don't go to a&e... I am an a&e doctor. OP if you can't see your GP for bloods urgently today then you need to go to a&e with that history.

[Lunde]

I had very heavy periods after giving birth - used to soak 3 or 4 night towels an hour at worst (plus some embarrassing moments when I stained furniture. It didn't occur to me that it was an A&E thing although it was frustrating when I had to wait 7 months for a gynae appointment.

The gynae appointment didn't turn up any problems apart from the possibility of peri-menopause although they offered me a uterine ablation - while I was thinking about it my periods stopped for good when I was 44.

I was subsequently diagnosed with EDS which can also cause heavy periods.

[innagazing]

Sloe
Are you medically trained?
If not, then you are being very out of order with your constant commenting that is coming across as quite sneery.
As others have pointed out, there was an very similiar post a few month ago where the woman was told that she'd probably have died if she hadn't taken herself to a&e that very night

[Bettercallsaul1]

Yes, I remember that thread where the OP was losing blood heavily but hesitant to go to A and E in case it wasn't an emergency. It was late at night and she had been bleeding heavily all day. It turned out that she was haemorrhaging and, if she had gone to bed, she would have died overnight through blood loss. She posted from hospital the next day to thank posters for their concern and advice.

[Bettercallsaul1]

It is untrue to say that very heavy blood loss would not be investigated at A and E. After making an initial estimate of how much blood was being lost (through number and size of pads used in certain time period), and general physical exam (blood pressure, temperature, possible heart monitor etc), the patient could then be sent to Gynaecology Dept for internal exams and scan to ensure it was simply heavy menstruation going on and not infection or other serious problem.

[Sequence]

How are you OP?

[landgirl1]

My sister had increasingly heavy periods until she collapsed haemorrhaging at work . Was admitted by ambulance to a&e for urgent blood transfusions, she had been brushed off by th gp so many times. Sadly she hadn’t kept her smears up to date & it turned out to be a tumour BUT she’s 3 years in remission now, if she hadn’t gone to a&e then she could have died.
You could dial 111 as they can make an appointment for a hospital gp which might help fast track some treatment?

[Kewcumber]

BettercallSaul1 I remember that thread too. Exactly the same situation though from memory I think the OP on that thread turend out to have an infection.

At the very least urgent GP appt today

[MrsArchchancellorRidcully]

Sloe you might want to look at the post from tocas.

Just sayin.....

[Didntcomeheretofuckspiders]

Just because periods are normal, does not mean excessively heavy blood loss should not be assessed and treated as appropriate. In an emergency (and generally speaking, losing more than a mug full of blood is considered an emergency) A&E is totally appropriate!

[RideOn]

Ring your GP surgery today and say you need to be seen again today.

They can take bloods/examine you/ see if you really need admission or give you some treatment to help whilst waiting for the gynae appt.

Drink plenty fluids and get someone to come and help out with the toddlers.

[Kewcumber]

I went to A&E once rather sheeishly with what many people would have considered a minor bleeding problem, really heavy period and a rash. Only went because my friend said I should and not wait to see GP the next day (it was a sunday).

Hospital were horrified when they saw me and said I should have called an ambulance.

I had no platelets (ie couldn't clot).

[Shakirasma]

sloe whilst I and many others share your concerns about the misuse of a and e, perhaps you could give more thought to the way you put yourself across as tbh you're making yourself look a bit of a nasty cunt.

[OutnumberedbyFurchesters]

Hope you're OK OP.

Not to worry you more, but I remember the lady with Sepsis from before, and from what I learnt from that I'd call 111 at least and get to hospital.
Wishing you all the very best.

[Justaboy]

Phone the GP and say you need to speak with someone urgently as you're worried your bleeding is dangerous and you've even been wondering whether to go to A&E.

This i think is the best course of action overall. No it at the moment isn't an A or and E and we don't know quite how much blood has been lost pads vary in size and the saturation?, is it fairly wet, soaking wet and dripping difficult to quantify but Overall medical help is required.

[JonSnowsWife]

Phone the GP and say you need to speak with someone urgently as you're worried your bleeding is dangerous and you've even been wondering whether to go to A&E.

I'd bet my house on the moment you say that the GPs will tell you to get to A&E anyway.

[JonSnowsWife]

JustABoy she's soaking through nightpads hourly AND she feels unwell. Not to mention the A&E doc further up advising A&E as well. @tocas.