To feel terrified I am unwell after this appointment?

[Scared11]

I had a gp appointment a few days ago as I have had awful symptoms for over two weeks, things like a hacking cough, temperatures, feeling sick and unable to eat (but not being sick). Anyway during the appointment I mentioned mild abdominal pain and also that I had been bleeding between my last two periods. Not spotting, an actual full bleed. This sparked a full conversation about that side of things that I didn’t expect (I had gone in as I felt unwell generally and attributed it to my cough).

Anyway, I’ve been referred urgently for an ultrasound. I have a 18 month old and my periods before and after her have always been normal. I’ve never had any spotting, nothing. I’m now terrified something is badly wrong. I did ask the gp if the bleeding could be linked to this illness but as she said, it started a month or two before I was unwell with a cough. I have pain all down one side too. I’m so worried. I’m all my little girl has.

YANBU to feel the way you do - most (all?) women would. However, there is a range of things that could be causing this which are not life-threatening. Moreover, you haven't had these symptoms for very long and will probably get seen quickly.

I can't make you feel better or less terrfified, I know - but the chances are extremely high that it will not be anything life-threatening.

@VickyEadieofThigh thank you so much. What do you think it could be if it’s not bad?

You aren’t allowed to post about health anxiety on here. I posted last night and my thread was deleted because they said it was “unlikely to help”.

@Zusammen

That's not true, your thread was removed as you expect other humans to put your anxiety at the very front of their priorities and reassure you "again and again and again" multiple times a day forever. That's not fair on other humans, your DH is not your full time crutch and is aired to say no to protect his own sanity. What you need is to get help, reassurance and self acceptance needs to come from within or you will drive yourself absolutely crazy. You don't seem to appreciate just how exhausting it is living with that sort of person. It's brutal. Get help. You have already tried to turn this thread around so it's about you and that's not fair. Just stop.

OP. The GP is just being very careful and will likely be ruling things out. That's their job and I know you must be scared but on the flip side it's great that your Gp is taking this seriously right away. I bet within a week you will feel much better and have had your mind put at ease after tests etc

@Scared11, try not to worry. It could be all sorts of things, most of which are not life-threatening. Could be something like a benign ovarian cyst affecting your ovulation (I have an ovarian cyst which is occasionally bothersome)!

Or it could possibly an infection like pelvic inflammatory disease - which is unpleasant and can be serious if untreated, but which is curable with a course of antibiotics.

It could also just be 'one of those things' where your hormones are all over the place for no obvious reason.

It is a very good thing that your GP has referred you for an ultrasound - it means that if it is something that needs treating, they can get you sorted and well again ASAP.

These things are so scary when you have little dc. It magnifies the worry so much.

The gp is ruling out the worst case scenarios and using brilliant medical equipment at her disposal to look where she can’t, so you can get timely treatment. But bodies are funny things and often throw us a few curve balls then go back to normal, with nothing actually being wrong.

Try to stay away from Dr. Google or you’ll drive yourself mad, and channel that worry into something productive if you can,

No, that's completely untrue. Your thread was deleted because you were essentially obsessively demanding the same reassurance repeatedly and constantly, rather than actually asking a question or acting on any advice. And yes, it was 'unlikely to help' because it was clearly just fuelling your anxiety. A thread in which someone with anorexia repeatedly asked 'Do I look fat?' over and over again would also be removed. Please don't hijack the OP's reasonable question about her health - you're being really selfish.

Hi OP - I had really heavy mid-cycle bleeding a few years ago, I was basically getting a period every two weeks. I was terrified but all my tests came back normal and my GP put it down to stress and weight loss.

I had a smear (clear), a pelvic ultrasound (clear) as well as checks for fibroids etc. I was absolutely fine but because of my symptoms, I had to be seen quickly.

Try not to panic (I know it's really hard) but lots of women have abnormal periods and weird mid-cycle bleeding at some point in their lives, and the vast majority of the time it's absolutely nothing to worry about.

EDIT: to add, that was six years ago and my periods are now back to normal. I spot around ovulation and it occasionally lasts a couple of days but my GP isn't concerned and all my smears since have been absolutely fine.

I went to a hospital appointment about a prolapse, in the discussion I mentioned very slight bleeding, really just a bit of pinkish discharge, so suddenly I had a whole range of tests thrown at me including an ultrasound (this was post menopause), all came back negative. But it was nice to know they didn't just say probably nothing.

Thanks @sunsetsandboardwalks , that’s exactly what has been happening. Did you have the pain too? I feel really worn down recently and this has just made me panic so much, I feel guilty having DD suddenly too and I’m just so overwhelmed. Thank you for posting x

Do you take the pill? I had regular periods before pregnancy taking the mini pill, however after pregnancy it caused me to have bleeding between periods, ended up stopping taking the pill and periods went back to normal.

Others have already made some suggestions and I might add fibroids, too.

Female gynaecology can present all sorts of things as we're very much governed by our hormones. But as I said - you sensibly told the doctor very early and will be given the right tests.

@Scared11 I had cramps just like a regular period from what I recall, but it was a while ago now so I couldn't say for certain.

My GP was great and really thorough, and she did say the vast, vast majority of mid-cycle bleeding is nothing serious, but they have to treat it as though it is just in case.

Like you, I'd never had any issues before then (no mid cycle bleeds or spotting that I can remember) but now I get ovulation spotting most months - I think it's just one of those things that can change as you get older unfortunately.

Even now my periods can be early/late when I'm stressed, I guess I'm just one of those unlucky people whose periods are really sensitive to their hormones and emotions, haha. I track everything now on an app so I can see what's normal for me and it means I worry way less as I now know I get certain symptoms the same time every month.

I totally understand your fears OP, all you can do is take it a day at a time knowing you're closer to getting some answers. Fingers firmly crossed its some post birth hormonal trickery or similar.

My dad is a gyno - my periods changed after pregnancy and he confirmed loads of women’s do too. Much more likely to be some of the suggestions others have put on here etc., I’d try and focus on the fact they are at least investigating rather than minimising. But you weren’t whisked off to A&E instantly, so hopefully that’s helped your mental state. I do understand though - my current pregnancy measured small and I was referred for an emergency follow up ultrasound, and despite knowing about pregnancy/gynae issues I still freak out regardless! It’s impossible not to, esp when small babies are in the picture xx

Thinking of you. I totally know what you are going through. I hope you get some answers soon and feel better. I also have an 18 month old and despite me being back and forth to the doctors for 3 months now I still have the persistent pain in my abdomen and side, I've had blood tests, antibiotics, stronger painkillers, an ultrasound on my kidneys and bladder and been given exercises but still in pain 😔 my periods are normal though!

Being a mum of a little one can make anxiety sky rocket when at another time you wouldn’t be so freaked out by the further tests. Try to focus on the tests being a positive for reassurance that nothing is actually wrong. It’s very hard but being a mum to a young child is making you catastrophise more than is merited.

A psychologist may be of more help

There are so many things which could be causing this. I totally get the worry, but sounds like your GP is on the case and you should get answers soon.

How are things now? @Scared11 x