Any doctors about? Panicking

[Howldens]

I will try to keep this brief but backstory relevant. Would be so grateful for any words of wisdom.

I'm in New York for work. I am experiencing a heavy bleed (mid-cycle). Yesterday it was so bad that I was bleeding through sanitary wear and trousers every hour. today I woke in pain and heavy bleeding - a big clot plopped out in the shower - like two fingers width & length.
bleeding all day & more clots but not so massive.

im panicking bc about 10 yrs ago i had some retained matter after an abortion but I was on holiday in a developing country, experienced crazy heavy bleeding, passed out & got taken to a hospital, had my womb scraped under general anaesthetic and lots of antibiotics. I think I nearly died- but didn’t ever really get full picture.

because of that I am finding this really scary and triggering. I don’t know if I need to go to hospital - could there be another infection?

I messed up my HRT - oestrogen gel & progesterone tables and I’m currently taking the progesterone at night but should I stop as not sure I’m taking it right.

i went to urgent care this morning - temp & heart rate fine. They said there was nothing more they could do and next step in treatment is A&E for ultrasound & bloods if I wanted to seek further treatment. I’m not sure if i should go?

I feel very very far from home & im panicking.

I think I am fine now (not dizzy like before - can’t decide if I am pale or not) but my fear is I go downhill overnight like last time and I can’t help myself. Last time it was my husband who got me help when I collapsed I but I’m alone here.

as a canadian, my experience and those of friends is that the usa system is very efficient and certainly worthwhile.
of my friends without extra insurance (as our basic stuff does cover some fees) most HAVE NOT been charged.
go in

Hi OP. Has the bleeding slowed since yesterday? Did you mess up your HRT before or after the heavy bleeding began?

THANKYOU!!!

This just sounds like irregular bleeding due to your hrt being out of sync. You say you messed up your hrt? How do you mean?

See how you are in the morning, when are you due to go home? I don't think you need to panic. Go to GP as soon as you're home so they can review HRT and make sure have the correct dose and taking correctly. They will book you an ultrasound to check your endometrium, etc to rule out any other cause going on.

I messed it up before the bleeding started. I remembered I needed to start the progesterone and so started it thinking it was “about the right time”, but had been forgetting the oestrogen sometimes.

I know how stupid I sound but I have been under so much pressure at work, I let things slide.

I think it has slowed since yesterday, yes.

You are in the US for work- are you sure your employer doesn’t cover travel insurance?

Every employer I have had that sent me overseas had a block travel insurance policy. Could you have travel insurance with a bank account?

I feel for you- it’s so scary. I hope you get sorted one way or another

Going to check my bank & see if I have cover

OK. So the hormonal interferences can definitely cause bleeding changes – especially progesterone. There’s no certainty that’s the cause, but you have a fair reason there. If the bleeding has slowed, and you feel fairly well in yourself, I would keep hydrated and make sure you eat and rest until tomorrow. Try to do something to calm your anxiety – listen to something, some breathing exercises etc – because it will contribute to your sense of feeling unwell. If your bleeding picks up again or continues to be uncontrollably heavy I would either get on a flight home tomorrow or go to the emergency room.

To help with the anxiety, I would decide on a 3-step plan you feel comfortable with, write it down and keep reminding yourself that your plan is there.

Thankyou everyone from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to respond. I will do as the recent posters suggest. Thankyou

I hope it slows or stops soon. How scary for you.
I agree sounds like the hrt cock up has caused it.

@Howldens 👆 This is absolutely true and probably the most important post on the thread. If you are worried then go to the ER (American A&E)! Make sure you tell them your medical history, and make sure it’s not a private hospital before you go. Any hospital that receives government funding also has programs to reduce/waive fees for non-citizens and those who are poor/disadvantaged. New York will be no problem at all.

I live in the US now but when I was younger I was foolish enough to travel here and get injured without insurance. I was upfront about it and they walked me through what documents I needed to submit. They waived the entire cost. This was in California, so a similarly liberal state where uninsured tourists get ill/hurt regularly and need free care. 😅

All the best OP, hope you get some rest and a decision becomes easy for you to make soon.

If you are positive that you don’t have travel insurance through work, you need to phone your company and tell them you have been taken ill on work related travel and need medical care and get them to confirm that they will cover this as a travel expense. I have never worked anywhere where this would not be reimbursed by the employer.

If you bank with HSBC and have a premier account you will have automatic travel insurance. I think quite a few banks offer that. Please check as it would put your mind at ease in case you need to use it. Take care!

I don’t.. HSBC advance not premier.

Are there any pharmacies still open near you? Have you tried tranexanic acid before? I have a feeling it might be available over the counter there, you could see if that helps slow the bleeding

Not a doctor and not sure if these are words of wisdom but I remember someone telling me something similar happened to her. She was on HRT and had been travelling/very busy. Just got in the door when she had a sudden whoosh with blood everywhere. After investigations including a hysteroscopy they found nothing malignant and concluded it was an HRT hiccup. I feel for you - it's so isolating when you're the other side of the ocean from home. Don't hesitate to go to the ER if the pain gets worse. Otherwise try and relax and sleep if you can. All the best🌻

If you're travelling with work you should be insured by work.

(My dad travelled a lot with work and I remember him saying his company actually stopped buying travel insurance - they just took on the liability for occasionally having to assist employees overseas themselves - but they'll be some way of getting assistance.)

HSBC advance does have insurance but not for new customers, have you contacted them to find out?

Check your Credit cards to see if they provide coverage.

If you can’t get tranexamic acid then you could try ibuprofen (as long as it’s not contraindicated for some other reason) as that can reduce heavy period bleeding.

Credit Cards can sometimes provide travel insurance, specifically emergency medical care.