Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to the doctors?

80 replies

Farontothemaddingcrowd · 02/12/2018 10:52

I've had a period that's lasted for almost 4 weeks now. It's not always heavy - it's variable and sometimes I think it's stopped and then it starts up again. I'm having to use sanitary protection every single day and sometimes I'm having stomach cramps that are much more painful than usual.

I have been anaemic in the past and last year when I had a blood test, my stored iron (ferritin) was 7, when I understand it should be at least 50. I've also had low b12 and folates.

I'm not taking iron or anything at the moment because when I had it prescribed it made me feel sick. I've neglected my health a bit really and haven't been back to the GP since my last blood test, a year ago.

I've often had irregular/heavy bleeding which I put down to the contraceptive implant and just ignored. But it seems to be getting to the point where I probably need to sort it out, don't I?

I've had the b12 injections in the past but nothing for a while.

I'm worrying as well because I have ignored repeated letters inviting me for a smear test and now I'm slightly stressing that something is really wrong.

I make excuses not to go to the doctor because it's hard to get an appointment. You are meant to ring repeatedly at 8.30 am. I'm a teacher and I can't do that.

I do probably need to go though, don't I

OP posts:
Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 02/12/2018 10:59

I also have mouth ulcers and feel a bit ropey. I'm vegetarian as well, so I'm probably susceptible to being low in iron.

OP posts:
Youmadorwhat · 02/12/2018 11:00

Go to the doctor!!

Colabottles64 · 02/12/2018 11:00

Yes go to doctor. Consider switching to a doctors that offers online booking. I switched from the practise that had that policy to one that’s got much better tech when I moved house and it’s brilliant, can always get seen when I need to

Purplejay · 02/12/2018 11:15

Yes, go to the dr. If yo7 are struggling with the online system, try going in.

If you need iron tell them the last time it made you feel sick and they will give you another type. This happened to me and the second one was fine.

Purplejay · 02/12/2018 11:16

You not yo7!

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 02/12/2018 11:17

I will see if I can get a blood test with a nurse as a first step.

I'm also scared in case something really bad is wrong.

OP posts:
Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 02/12/2018 12:14

I'm also feeling faint and pale. And depressed!

OP posts:
loubluee · 02/12/2018 12:17

You need your b12 injections for starters

Fleabag123 · 02/12/2018 12:20

If you have the contraceptive implant then irregular bleeding is likely due to that. However it does sound as if you are symptomatic from anaemia due to losing more blood than you produce. It’s like trying to fill the bath with the plug out. Ferritin of 7 suggests you have virtually no iron stores.
They may be able to refer you for an intravenous infusion of iron if you can’t tolerate the tablets.
You should have your smear if it’s due when you’ve stopped bleeding.
I’d also recommend switching contraception.

Please don’t worry but do book a doctors appt. It won’t get sorted by itself and you’ll make yourself more ill by worrying

thaegumathteth · 02/12/2018 12:21

Book your smear too

Caprisunorange · 02/12/2018 12:21

Yes go to the GP but don’t expect much. I was at various GPS for years with this Angry

DomesticAnarchist · 02/12/2018 12:28

OP, read back everything you've written, and imagine it's your colleague or friend.

I think you'll agree that aside from the gynae symptom (which in itself needs investigating) this person is run-down and exhausted, probably anaemic and should take some time off to visit the doctor, rest and recover.

Plan your cover work today and call in sick tomorrow. Taking time to get well now will be vastly better than running yourself into the ground and possibly taking longer off as a result.

Your classes will cope. Your department will cope. REST!

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 04/12/2018 06:49

I went to the doctors yesterday and had a blood test. I'm still bleeding, but the doctor couldn't be less interested. It was a later appointment and I think he just wanted to go home.

OP posts:
Scarydinosaurs · 04/12/2018 06:52

I’m so pleased you went!

Did you mention missed smears?

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 04/12/2018 06:53

No he wasn't interested in diagnosing me or anything. Just did the blood test. I will book the smear if I eventually stop bleeding though. Hoping the blood test will mean I need a follow up appointment when they might be more interested.

OP posts:
theredjellybean · 04/12/2018 06:55

Fatigue, mouth ulcers and known to have low b12... You almost certainly have vit b12 deficiency and anaemia.
Possibly caused by periods
You really really need to get on top of this.
After your blood tests you need to take iron supplements,, try the liquid ones if tabs made you sick. You need to get your vit b12 injections, and keep to the regular schedule.
Then you need to discuss with your gp or local sexual health clinic about a hormonal form of contraceptive to regulate your periods
You must have a smear! When you have stopped bleeding.
I am sorry your gp appeared uninterested but quite a lot of this stuff you need to take personal responsibility for.

theredjellybean · 04/12/2018 06:57

Your gp can't diagnose anaemia and vit b 12 deficiency without a blood test which he ordered for you. So he is doing what needs to be done as a first step.

SchnooSchnoo · 04/12/2018 06:59

I get aenemic and I find the iron pills prescribed by the doctor make me feel ill too! Try Feroglobin, it’s much easier in the stomach. Not sure about the rest, but hope you get it sorted.

MerryGinmas · 04/12/2018 07:00

They should be offering you a coil/ other change of contraception to sort your bleeding or norethisterone to stop it. You need you smear sorting. They can do it when you're bleeding although I understand you might not want them to. Do you often have period problems or is this an isolated issue?

Look after yourself op.

RayRayBidet · 04/12/2018 07:02

Get some Floradix op, iron tablets are bloody horrible.

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 04/12/2018 07:12

I thought he could prescribe something to stop the bleeding.

OP posts:
MerryGinmas · 04/12/2018 07:22

@farontothemaddingcrowd he should have. Did you make it clear that it's affecting your life?

My situation is quite different as I flood constantly and have done since August. I already had a coil to deal with period issues and now I'm on medication my bleeding sounds a bit like yours.

I have no serious medical condition but they can't stop it so I'm having a hysterectomy. They have been really surprised that they can't stop the bleeding as I think they mostly prescribe norethisterone and it stops straight away more or less.

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 04/12/2018 07:26

I said I had been bleeding constantly for a month now.

OP posts:
MerryGinmas · 04/12/2018 07:40

He should have done something really, I'd recommend seeing a different doctor. Are you on any contraception that could be causing it?

I wouldn't worry you've probably just gone a bit haywire and you NEED a smear!

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 04/12/2018 07:53

Pretty sure it's caused by the implant. I'll wait to see what the blood test says.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread