To go to the doctors?

[Farontothemaddingcrowd]

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

What did they test your blood for? Anaemia? It will probably tail off soon but if it doesn't then go back and get sorted X in my experience some Drs are better than others with this stuff

Yep same experience as me OP. Gynae problems go to the bottom of their list. Not interested

@caprisunorange that's shocking. In fairness I was literally bleeding through my clothes several times a day but I'd still expect lighter bleeding to be dealt with.

Saying that I have a long history of heavy bleeding and already had a coil in etc. but that's rubbish if they don't even try to help you. What have you done to get it sorted?

Ok, see what the blood test throws up and go from there. I don't think that they will prescribe anything for the bleeding just yet. I'd do everything you can to increase your iron intake.

(I've been bleeding for 18 months and only now that it is really heavy have I been put on tablets)
I am under the hospital but it's taken a while.

Merry mine personally were when I was a much younger woman and no longer occur luckily, but I spent years trying to get help

Yet more women being failed in the primary care system.

Op I'd recommend giving serious consideration to getting implant removed.

The Drs disinterest and lack of treatment is unacceptable. He could have prescribed something to at least slow the bleeding.

https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/3402449-Aibu-to-ask-you-to-tell-me-your-experiences-of-being-dismissed-by-medics-as-a-sick-woman-I-promise-to-listenn_
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https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amm_ibeingg_unreasonable/3435022-To-think-my-doctor-should-take-my-mirena-out-when-asked

I got a text asking me to book a telephone consultation with a gp, so I suspect they must have shown a deficiency.

When you are anemic you bleed more (ironically) which obviously doesn’t help :/

Glad you went and saw someone but it’s not good enough to fob you off. Hopefully treating the deficiency will help you but please don’t be put off going back to see someone different about the excessive bleeding.

I will raise it in my telephone consultation. It's a woman GP so she might be more understanding.

Consider going to a drop-in sexual health or GUM clinic for the bleeding and smear stuff (if the GP just brushes you off). They deal with this stuff more frequently than your GP is likely to, and will investigate you then and there, in my experience.

Let us know what she says, is your bleeding still the same? D

Hope you get it sorted OP

Still bleeding. Not loads but it's been nearly weeks now.

They could do with removing your implant or giving you something to stop the bleeding. Even if it's not much it's rubbish bleeding all the time 👍

Nearly weeks should say nearly 5 weeks. It's like a period but not a heavy one.

Even if they can't do a smear they can still have a look at your cervix while you're still bleeding. Please ask them to have a look. It could be a number of things (fibroids, a cyst etc) but I had the same symptoms and it turned out to be cancer

I was told they can prescribe a mini pill on top of the implant to stop the bleeding. More effective than just taking the pill as still effective if you miss one

Oh gosh @purpleunicorns. I'm so sorry to hear that. I promise I'll book in for my smear. I have had the hpv virus and abnormal smears in the past, so I don't know why I've been so lackadaisical about it all now.

I am sure it's probably iron deficiency and b12 though.

I'm sure it's nothing serious too but phone the doctors TODAY. Let us know how you get on, I'll be checking back on this thread and nagging you until you get seen

@purpleunicorns I'll join you 😄 ring docs ring docs ring docs

I have a consultation booked for Monday. Feel extremely drained and out of breath today. And like I can't form sentences properly.

Then you really need to be seen today. You should say it's an emergency - breathing problems always are!

No I'm not having breathing problems by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just a bit tired and feeling breathless with any exertion. I can wait till Monday. Just low on energy.

I thought the bleeding had slowed but no, this morning I'm absolutely pouring with blood. I really hope the GP can give me something to stop this as there is no point taking iron otherwise.