I can't put up with my awful periods any more, I think I'm going to have to go back on the pill, but we want another child

[rookiemater]

I just don't know what to do. We have been ttc no 2 for well over a year now and my periods have been getting progessively worse. Now to cap it all they seem to be getting more frequent so this one has started less than 2 weeks after the last one, so clearly no chance of conception anyway.

I have had a scan and they have found a cyst but nothing more. I have tried a few pain killers prescription and otherwise, but its awful searing pain. I'm in work atm and I just want to curl into a ball and cry.

Its so bad I'm thinking maybe I should just go back on the pill for a few months just to get rid of the pain. I can't take any more time off work or I will be on attendance management. But I'm 38 so its not like we have all the time in the world.

Please help me I don't know what to do.

If it hurts that much I can't help wondering whether you might need more investigations to rule out, for example, endometriosis. As I understand it this will not show up on a scan and a laparoscopy is required. As you are 38 and have been ttc for over a year I think you should demand your GP refer you and explain to the consultant what you have posted here.

On a less "medical" note, have you tried acupuncture? Many practitioners claim to be able to help with hormonal issues and I have found it makes my cycle more predictable.
Also evening primrose oil might help regulate things - you could take it up to ovulation and then reduce the dose thereafter. Some people also swear by Agnus Castus, so it might be worth reading up on it.

Thanks MrsHappy, I have made an appointment with the doctor on Monday.

I haven't tried acupuncture but I did go to a hands on healer but it has made no difference. I also went to a nutritionist and on her recommendation am taking Evening Primrose Oil, Magnesium, Omega 3 and an absolutely foul profertility pill which has agnus castus.She also recommended that i cut out wheat, dairy products, alcohol and caffeine, but I just cannot manage to do that so I'm focusing on just the wheat, but again no perceptible difference.

I started taking these a few weeks ago and if anything things have got worse as until then I had a horrible painful period but at least it was every 28-30 days, but cycle before this was 25 days and this one is 12 days.

I might see if I can go back on the pill until they have done the laparoscopy.We are due to go on holiday in about 2 weeks time and at the minute I don't want to go as if my period comes it will mean I won't be able to do anything for 2 days and DH won't have a spare bed to sleep in.

I'm just so sad. We want another child, but I cannot keep going like this.

Thanks MrsHappy, I have made an appointment with the doctor on Monday.

I haven't tried acupuncture but I did go to a hands on healer but it has made no difference. I also went to a nutritionist and on her recommendation am taking Evening Primrose Oil, Magnesium, Omega 3 and an absolutely foul profertility pill which has agnus castus.She also recommended that i cut out wheat, dairy products, alcohol and caffeine, but I just cannot manage to do that so I'm focusing on just the wheat, but again no perceptible difference.

I started taking these a few weeks ago and if anything things have got worse as until then I had a horrible painful period but at least it was every 28-30 days, but cycle before this was 25 days and this one is 12 days.

I might see if I can go back on the pill until they have done the laparoscopy.We are due to go on holiday in about 2 weeks time and at the minute I don't want to go as if my period comes it will mean I won't be able to do anything for 2 days and DH won't have a spare bed to sleep in.

I'm just so sad. We want another child, but I cannot keep going like this.

Poor you. It does sound terrible.
TBH I am a bit skeptical about the hands on healing. I know people are about acupuncture, but acupuncture is mainstream medicine in China so I think it might be worth a go.

I do think you need to see a doctor and get a referral. You must be exhausted with it all.

Any symptom that is cyclical in nature and gets worse during menstruation may well be due to endometriosis. It is also the second most common gynae condition seen in women after fibroids (what did they say about the cyst?).

I would certainly agree with the suggestion made to get a referral to a gynae asap. Do not take no for an answer!!. This problem re pain needs to be investigated further to see if endometriosis is present.

Endometriosis does not show up on ultrasound scans - the endometrical deposits if they are there are very small.

A laparoscopy is usually done as well if endometriosis is suspected.

www.endo.org.uk is a helpful website.

You will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

Hi there, things got so bad I ended up going into emergency walk in to get stronger painkillers, although its easing off a bit now.

The nurse practicioner I saw said I would probably need to keep a diary of my periods for six months before I see a gynae . There is no way I can wait another 6 months. Do you think with the fertility issue as well I have a strong case for getting an immediate referral ?

The cyst is constant in size as it was measured a few years ago and is on my left hand side. I don't have pain in my right hand side so I think I might only be ovulating on one side.

I have spoken to DH and I think to give myself a break when I speak to the doctor on Monday I'm going to ask to go back on the pill until the end of the year can't see any other way forward. I guess they can do investigations even if I am on it.

rookiemater,

You were misinformed by this lady when she said the six months before investigations comment. Keeping a pain diary though is a useful thing to do, I would make a daily note of all your symptoms prior to seeing the gynae and give a pain scale of 1 to 10. I would go to the GP on Monday and insist on an urgent gynae referral. Do not take no for an answer!!.

I think you have a strong case for immediate referral; certainly do not wait six months!. I am wondering what sort of cyst you have as these can also be caused by endometriosis (these are called chocolate cysts and can cause pain).

You can go back on the pill if you so wish and they should be able to do a lap operation whilst you are on it. The pill will dampen down the endo deposits if they are present (endometriosis is not shown on any scan).

You will need to be persistant in order to get answers particularly if endo is the root cause.

Good luck Monday, let us know how you get on.

Attila

Also you have been ttc your second child for over a year now, that fact also warrants further investigation.

Thanks Attila. We were about to go down the blood tests on day 5 and day 21 route, so not actually getting to day 21 could be a bit of an issue. Fingers crossed that our next door neighbour can look after DS for an hour when I go to the appointment so I don't get distracted.

Hi Rookiemater

The day 3 test is done to compare your LH and FSH levels, the day 21 is done to measure progesterone.

If endometriosis is there (and your painful periods do warrant further investigation from a gynae) it will not be detected through these blood tests either. You need to bear that in mind too.

I have endo and I certainly think your symptoms warrant further investigation. What you have written about your painful periods sounds awfully familiar. BTW do you get pains down your legs and or "old" i.e brown blood too?. These can be symptomatic too of endo.

I had trouble with painful periods at the beginning of the year and had one session of acupuncture. I haven't had the same pain since.

I also think as you are 38 you should ask to be referred for further investigations. Have you ahd the 5 day and 21 day hormone tests?

Thanks for replying. No I don't get pains in my legs or old blood.

Very useful to know that the blood tests won't be useful if there is endometriosis.

I got pregnant after first period off the pill with DS I was naively hoping the same would happen this time round.

I just had a little chat with DH I feel like I am letting him down by wanting to go back on the pill because we really want no 2, but he says he understands and doesn't want to see me in so much pain.

Fingers crossed for Monday. It really helps me to get information so I know what to say to the doctor.

Rookie, I can take your ds if your neighbour isn't around. (Favour btw)

I wonder if you might get more joy from the family planning clinic? Do you know the one? Think they do evening appointments too.

Aw maw thanks for lurking and the offer. Will give you a ring if she isn't around.

Which family planning clinic ?

No probs. I will probably be going to the toddler group at around 10am and I have a mindee as well as ds (same age as your ds) so they would probably love to have another wee boy to play with.

The family planning clinic is in Dean Terrace.

I have heard that fertility is often improved in the first couple of months after coming of the pill - maybe because the pill helps to regulate your cycles? I can't tell you where I heard that, but I'm pretty sure it was a reasonably reliable source. It might have been in relation to people with PCOS though, not endometriosis. If it's true, going back on the pill for a bit may actually help you ttc no 2.

Good luck with the GP. It sounds a horrible situation for you.

My appointment is at 2.30 in the afternoon. I hope they will be good, the medical practice is usually very helpful.

I will check with our next door neighbour tomorrow. Haven't left the house today. Thank you so much mawbroon I really appreciate your kindness.

Cece maybe I should make that acupuncture appointment.I guess I'm just sceptical about these sort of things,having spent a fortune on the nutritionist and the supplements and they don't seem to have helped. But a lot of people have recommended acupuncture.

Afternoon is fine Rookiemum.

Just give me a shout if you need me.

Yes I wasn't sure about it but was amazed at the difference it made. He pushe don pressure points at the beginning of the appointment and it was agony. After treatment, he pushe don them again and it was fine . Not sure how it worked but it convinced me!

Hi just to let people know how I got on. I got pill prescription, hopefully for a short time only, and doctor is going to refer me to the gynae. However the waiting list may be a few months, but I forgot that I have private medical cover through work and the excess is not as much as I thought so am going to ask for a referral. Maybe worth me going for some acupuncture anyway.

Fingers crossed I get things sorted out. Am a lot more hopeful than I was on Friday, but then thats because I am not in pain.

Thanks very much mawbroon for looking after DS, really appreciate it.

Hi just wanted to give an update. Went to see the consultant and he said that it sounded very much like I had endometriosis so he has booked me in for a laparoscopy, removal of my cyst and a general D&C to remove any endometriosis. The operation is scheduled for November so hardly any time to wait. I'm delighted and can't wait to get it done.

That's great.
Hopefully it will get rid of the pain and help you conceive quickly.
Well done for getting it sorted.