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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:
OnePotato2Potato · 08/12/2018 08:44

I've had low iron in the past without realising. I felt totally drained but it was only when I had 2 mouth ulcers come up in 2 weeks that I thought something of it. (I had been in a low carb diet at the time so thought the tiredness was due to that.)

I couldn't get a doc appointment quickly so the pharmacist recommended ferrous fumerate tablets by the name of Galfer. They are easy on your stomach and well absorbed according to pharmacist. I felt a difference a few days after taking them. Maybe you can start as test results take time to come back?

When i got bloods done it came back that folic acid was low too so she prescribed me a high dose of that.

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 08/12/2018 08:46

My test results came back and I have a phone consultation on Monday. They need to stop this bleeding though or the iron will have no effect.

OP posts:
MerryGinmas · 08/12/2018 08:47

I think it's appalling you still haven't been seen OP 😔

They need to help you stop the bleeding, get your iron up and if it doesn't stop get to the bottom of it 👍

Weirdly I'm not anaemic after being on for 4 months. I was initially when I was flooding but once the bleeding decreased with medication my iron levels have been fine.

I hope they manage to out a stop to your bleeding, it's grim 😔

OnePotato2Potato · 08/12/2018 08:48

Sorry I missed that bit op

MerryGinmas · 08/12/2018 08:49

Surely the iron is more important to take while you are still bleeding to replace what you're losing? They definitely need to help you stop the bleeding but treating the anaemia is also helpful 👍

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 08/12/2018 08:52

Yes I will need to take it, but someone said upthread it's like filling a bath with the plug out.
It's making me miserable and I need a smear.
I'm sick of my bedsheets and clothes being stained and the amount of money im spending on sanitary products.

OP posts:
MerryGinmas · 08/12/2018 08:55

In the meantime a mooncup makes things much more manageable as it holds more than anything else. Believe me OP I feel your pain.

I know re: iron but it's better to keep filling the bath than not.

policeandthieves · 08/12/2018 09:01

In addition if the B12 and folate are low they need to look for another cause of this. Heavy bleeding causes an iron deficiency anaemia but low B12 and folate are usually as a result of malabsorption unless you have an exceptionally poor diet.
If the iron is low in isolation then they need to sort the issue with the bleeding but if the others are low they should not ignore the fact that something else is likely to be causing this - I would question them on this.
If the iron is really low and you can't keep on top of it with tablets then they can organise an iv iron infusion but that has to be done through the hospital.

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 08/12/2018 09:14

I know last time this happened, b12 and folate were low.

OP posts:
ThatOneHurt · 08/12/2018 09:19

OP I've been where you are.

For me I was taking the mini pill. I bed for 12 weeks in total, sometimes it was so horrifically heavy that a super plus tampon wouldn't even last an hour and I would just sit on the toilet with blood pouring out of me.

I was so, so ill with anemia, all the things you described.

Some tablets make you sick but there's others that you can try and there's Sytron which is liquid form.
As you have learned, ignoring it doesn't make it go away or make it better with time. It just gets worse (that would be the case even if you weren't bleeding by the way). Anemia needs to be treated or you end up very sick indeed.
I personally wouldn't have waited until Monday but you're here now.

Good luck.

bridezilla1 · 08/12/2018 09:20

I'm really suprised to hear your GP hasn't taken the bleeding seriously. I have just the other day seen my GP for almost identical reasons, stomach pains and a period for over a month that varies in flow but have been near constantly bleeding.

She was really concerned and took swabs, had a look at my cervix and booked me in for an urgent ultrasound. I'm relatively young too and had a smear a year ago so am quite "low risk" for anything major. I'd push for further investigation besides the anaemia!

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 08/12/2018 09:21

Monday was all they offered me.

OP posts:
ThatOneHurt · 08/12/2018 09:25

You could have booked an emergency appointment or asked for the results from the receptionist or a print out.

You can also buy ferrous sulphate from the pharmacy.

Sometimes you just have to stop being passive and take responsibility for your health.

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 08/12/2018 09:27

I had a blood test and just took the telephone consultation they offered me a few days later. I'm a teacher so it's really difficult to get time off and I had seen the GP the day before. You trust the professionals, don't you. I'll get some iron today, but I am worried about the bleeding getting worse now. It seemed to tail off on Friday.

OP posts:
Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 08/12/2018 09:28

The receptionist won't give the results at our practice.

OP posts:
ThatOneHurt · 08/12/2018 09:36

No I don't trust the professionals all the time unfortunately. Things get lost, things don't get communicated and receptionists screw up.
Nonetheless, you have the Monday appointment and that's not too far away. I would purchase some iron meds today and at least begin those.
Good that the bleeding has tailed off a bit.
Lots of rest this weekendZ

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 08/12/2018 09:54

Thank you Smile

OP posts:
MerryGinmas · 08/12/2018 11:13

Rest as much as you can because I find the more you do the more you bleed. I'm also a teacher and if you don't get sorted out you'll end up off for ages.

I had a similar experience to bridezilla, I already had a coil and had an ultrasound last year but my cervix was checked straight away and I had a hysteroscopy, biopsy and medication very quickly.

I'm on month 4 of bleeding and have my second and final surgery for it on Monday. You need to make sure you're being seen, don't minimise your symptoms and make sure you're clear that you expect them to refer you and give you something to stop the bleeding. I hope it reduces for you X

PointlessPigeon · 08/12/2018 11:16

If you have symptoms you do not need a smear you need diagnostic tests. Smears are screening for people with NO symptoms

ThatOneHurt · 10/12/2018 15:00

How did the phone consultation go @Farontothemaddingcrowd

purpleunicorns · 10/12/2018 15:16

Hope your appointment went well today. Let us know how you got on so we can stop worrying about you Smile

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 10/12/2018 17:05

They didn't even ring. It was meant to be between 2 and 5 today.Sad

OP posts:
thedevilinablackdress · 10/12/2018 17:12

Phone them now! You can't go on with this level of bleeding. Ask for Norethisterone.
I've had it on the past when on the implant and had prolonged (lighter bleeding).

thedevilinablackdress · 10/12/2018 17:13

Also agree with @Pointless pigeon above.
Smears are for people with NO symptoms.

Original poster
Farontothemaddingcrowd · 10/12/2018 17:19

The bleeding finally stopped on Monday but I know it still needs sorting. The doctor is behind but I'm still on the list.

OP posts: