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

It will be the implant. I had it in for 6 months and soaked a whole pack of super heavy flow pads a day from the word go, they kept telling me to persist but in the end I was so unwell, anaemic, my hair was falling out and my mental health was psychotic and swinging to severe depression.
In the end I drove to the surgery and stood and sobbed hysterically in the reception until the women's health doctor came and saw me and removed it. I've been fine ever since. It's an evil thing I swear.

I need b12 injections and iron. She said I should book an internal exam, but the bleeding could be because my implant is close to the end of its life - it's due to come out in January.

I always get more bleeding near the end of implant (no. 5 now) but if it's very heavy it needs attention.

Did you book an internal exam? Nag nag nag I'm sure it's nothing but please get it booked if only to put your mind at rest

Not yet, but I promise I will do.