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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Periods are ruining my life!

15 replies

ApplesandOrangesandPears · 10/06/2023 21:51

I am desperate for help, I'd beg for a hysterectomy if I thought I'd actually get one at this point. I've always suffered from long, heavy cycles and they're irregular so I can't plan for them well either. I'm on the implant which doctors tell me should help but don't, they've given me tranexamic acid which does nothing, naproxen doesn't even touch the pain and I constantly feel nauseous, dizzy and achey. All that would be bad enough but on top of that every time I get my period - I turn into the most horrible, nasty, useless person going. I can't think, I have brain fog but my head is so full of things that need doing I feel like it's going to explode, I'm irritable and impatient and either tearful or full of rage but it's unpredictable. I am suicidal and self harmed a few times.

I am on antidepressants anyway as I do suffer in general but it's normally well managed until my period when I implode. I've spoken to family who seem to think I'm overreacting but surely this isn't normal! My doctor just says the implant and tranexamic acid should work and that my antidepressants are a high dose already and work well generally so is reluctant to change them. I'm nowhere near average menopause age and just don't see an end to this misery. I feel like I'm going to lose everything because I'm so horrible to be around - it's exhausting dealing with someone like me but I don't know how to cope.

OP posts:
Mischance · 10/06/2023 21:55

I remember it well - and changing the bed in the middle of the night because of the floods. And the clots .... and the intolerable pain - it was all a bloody disaster. And then I had a hysterectomy - best thing I ever did. I was 42.

You have all my sympathy - I found I got little - I am sure the docs thought I was making a fuss. Then I saw a gynaecologist privately and he listened to this litany of misery and booked me onto the NHS to have the op - I have never looked back.

DustyLee123 · 10/06/2023 21:57

Have you tried a mirena coil ?

cardibach · 10/06/2023 21:57

@DustyLee123 i was literally about type that! Changed my life.

Wibbleswombats · 10/06/2023 21:58

The only thing I regret in life is not getting an IUS sooner. My life would be very different if I had. It's not for everyone as people react differently to them but for me, it was great. No more periods, much calmer, altogether life-changing.

kerrycgeorgie · 10/06/2023 22:10

Have you heard of PMDD? Have a look, it sounds like it could be that. There's a great PMDD support group on Fb. There are certain SSRIs recommended under NICE guidelines for being effective, and some women up their dosage from ovulation until end of period.
It would be helpful to build up an evidence base for your GP - if you can mark on calendar when it kicks in and abates. Some GPs aren't well versed in it although they are getting better, I basically had to educate mine in it.
There's a great YouTube lecture on it from an Irish doctor that explains the science behind it.
And as others have said, certain contraception works well to ease the symptoms but it might be trial and error to find what works for you.
I am very grateful that mine is now under control. Your post very much sounds like how I was for a long time.

Lovemusic33 · 10/06/2023 22:13

I am the same. I have tried almost everything other than the coil, I am on a waiting list for one but apparently I could be waiting a year, I have been sterilised so I can’t go to the sexual health clinic to get a coil (as it’s not for contraception). I dread getting my period, often I only get a week between bleeding and I’m constantly in pain.

Summerhillsquare · 10/06/2023 22:16

You can take the pill back to back, have you tried that? Been assessed for endometriosis? Alas you have to be pushy with these things.

Grumpy101 · 10/06/2023 22:17

Mirena coil! Absolute life changer and has probably saved my marriage!

ApplesandOrangesandPears · 10/06/2023 22:22

I can't take the pill unfortunately and I'm a little apprehensive about the coil due to a previous ectopic pregnancy (but I will try anything at this point so I'll look into that).

OP posts:
HouseIsOnFire · 11/06/2023 00:06

I know this will sound twee and mad, but I was housebound for 11 months with severe menorrhagia, tried tranxeric acid, norethisterone etc Won't go back to the coil as it caused huge mental issues and nearly caused me to take my own life!

The thing that fixed it for me was changing my diet to a pcos diet, whole foods, high protein, limited processed foods and really avoiding soy products, sunflower, veg and rapeseed oil. I did go gluten free but reintroduced it and am fine with it.

Went from housebound to periods I could deal with within weeks. If I slip up too much (try to stick to it 80% of the time which is fine) I can see it coming back to how it used to be within days!

DustyLee123 · 11/06/2023 07:39

Sorry to repeat myself, I’ve said this twice this week on threads already, a gynae consultant said to me this week that the best way to control bleeding is progesterone in the womb ie a coil with progesterone.

Coronationstation · 11/06/2023 08:01

Hmmm I had a mirena to supposedly control heavy bleeding and it actually made it worse! I would be very hesitant to have something that you can’t easily remove or stop taking, it was honestly the worst 12months of my life. Have they investigated you for fibroids or endometriosis?

SadieLia · 11/06/2023 09:40

I was the same, coil never worked for me either so I had a hysterectomy.

Groovee · 11/06/2023 09:42

I had a uterine ablation 5 years ago. Game changer.

Lovemusic33 · 11/06/2023 09:55

I have had an ablation and it has made no difference, I know it works for 90% of women, sadly I was in the 10%. Coil is my last resort before hysterectomy so I have nothing to lose.

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