I've run out of options

[Linlinds]

I've wrote about my condition on here before. I've received horrible responses like get a grip. It's only iron blablabla.

For the last two years I've struggled. The birth of my second child led me to bad periods. Feeling lethargic. Weak. Headachy. I mentioned how I felt to drs. They said I was anxious. They gave me a CBT card and sent me away. I was back again a month later to tell them my heavy periods were making me miserable. I was soaking through jeans and showering 5 times a day. I was laid in bed for half my holiday. They tried me on the contraceptive pill and took bloods. The combination pill made me suffer low mood, panic attacks and nausea. So I came off it. The Dr called me in and said I had no iron reserves. She said to take ferrous sulfate and go back in 8 weeks. The 8 week bloods were taken and instead of a Dr the receptionist told me it just said no further action. I tried to get an appointment to discuss my periods again. Nothing for 7 weeks.

I just muddled through for 6 months. I felt ok. Then a bad period started. It made me shake I was that weak. I was dizzy. My heart was pounding. 2 weeks later I was still paying the price. I managed to get a nurse to take some bloods. It took all my strength to get of the sofa to go. I was no longer taking my child to school. I found this particularly hard as I felt cut off from life. I spent 3 weeks trying to feel better whilst I waited for a drs appointment to discuss my results. The Dr confirmed anemia again. I was given the mini pill to try along with iron. Told to go back in 8-12 weeks. I started taking the pill. Everything seemed ok. But my period arrived 5 days late and has lasted 20 days so far. I'm currently in bed weak. Feeling sick. I'm freezing. My brain is foggy. I'm having to deep breathe. I spoke to the Dr last week. He just seemed unsure on what to do. Because of coronavirus he said he couldn't give me anything to stop the bleeding. We agreed I'd keep going for a week or two. The bleed is not stopping (5 days since I spoke to the Dr)

I feel extremely down. Coronavirus has made everything stop. I was supposed to be referred to gynocology. But it's like the drs have forgotten as this was suggested 2 months ago when my scan was clear. I can't get hold of my usual Dr and it seems this locum is the only one. He doesn't seem very good as my original Dr wouldn't give me the mini pill due to the risk to bleed more. He just gave it to me without asking questions. I trusted him and now he's made me worse. He said women usually benefit from it.

I'm just lying here thinking is this it now? Nothing has worked for me. I've tried pills, transexamic acid etc. The drs don't have anything else to offer. They have not discussed options like surgery. I'm only 31 though.

I just don't want to live like this anymore. If I can't look after my kids or function I just don't see the point. It makes me feel miserable. I am missing out on so much family time because I'm cooped up trying to feel better. I want to run about with my kids and talk to them. I have no energy to say one word to them today.

Not sure why I'm writing this. I just feel like one day this could kill me. My heart's already fluttering again because of the constant bleeding

I just wanted to offer a handhold. That sounds awful for you. All I can suggest is to keep on and on at the doctors and for a referral.

If I were you I would consider a hysterectomy (not sure how to spell it) You can't keep living like that.

And I am sorry you had to deal with arseholes on here. There are plenty on mumsnet with no empathy and no ability to understand any experience they have not had.

Perhaps ask for Endometrial ablation?

Thanks for the replies. I will try the GP tomorrow but today they have switched off the app!

I am curious about the womb eblation. I have read up on it. But the drs don't ever have time to discuss. They seem to give me a prescription. Nod and sympathize when I say I can't function then send me away.

It sounds very hard. I didn't understand from the OP, is it monthly for a week, or bleeding almost all the time? If monthly, are you giving the meds long enough to take effect do you think? You say it happened after the birth. Do you have your own thoughts on what changed in your body at that time? Was there anything else untoward regarding your nutrition/hormones/weight/medication/NH? Just wondering if you hadn't suffered with heavy periods before, why did they start out of the blue? Maybe a medical person will be along soon with some suggestions.

Have you been offered any other methods of contraception other than pills, ive got the coil and although my periods dont sound anything like yours they are now much lighter and less painful, my friend also has a coil and has none at all. Im on my second one and have had no issues with it. Some people do so it could be worth asking about x

Really sorry you've been going through this. Are there any other GPs in the practice that you could speak to? Is there anyone who can be there to support you when you speak to them as it doesn't sound as though they are listening to you.

If it's any consolation at all then you are missing out on the least you could be at the moment - everyone is a bit trapped and feeling funny. I know that doesn't improve your situation but hopefully you can worry less about what you feel you should/could be doing right now.

I haven't seen your previous posts but I'm so sorry for you that you've been fobbed off in this way. You're clearly anaemic and very unwell (do you mind me asking what your Hb levels were last time you were tested?).

I'm sorry, I'm not a medic and have no suggestions as to what is causing this, but I can sympathise because I had the same symptoms, but due to menopause / fibroids. I could barely get myself to work, partly because of the unmanageable bleeding and partly because of the exhaustion. By the time I saw the Dr I needed a blood transfusion.

Iron tablets are notoriously slow to work. If you have any left, I would start taking those again right away. I was told (by the GP and the consultant) taking them more than twice a day is pointless, even though they write 3 times a day on the box, so eek them out for as long as you can and try and get your reserves up. Don;t take them with tea or coffee, try orange juice.

Other than that there are no quick wins, but I do sympathise. I had a hysterectomy in the end, and I certainly didn't regret it, but I'm a fair bit older than you, and you may not want to go down that route. And my experience of gynae is that appts take ages to materialise, so prepare yourself for a wait.

I know it's really hard in the current situation, but I would really push trying to get a consultation with the GP and another blood test if you can. And yes, you sound like you need that gynae appointment, so push for that as well (or at least check you really are on the waiting list). I'm not a doctor and I don't know you, but nothing about this that says it's all in your mind, though I can see it's making you really miserable.

Hold on in there and keep fighting for a diagnosis.

Thanks for your replies. I'm just feeling really down about it all now. I should be full of energy at my age.

I've not tried a coil yet. Tried all the hormonal type things. It seems to be the ostregan that makes me feel low and sick. This mini pill hadn't affected my mood or made me feel sick. But it's unfortunately made me bleed.

I'm going to try and see if the ask my gp app is working tomorrow and I think I can request someone else to speak too. I was just unlucky the other day. When I heard his voice again I was disappointed. I would rather speak to the doctors that been there. I feel he wanted me to decide for him because he doesn't work there normally. My normal Dr tells me what to do. I will try and see what I can do tomorrow.

I am 99% sure I don't want anymore children. Probably 100% sure. I just have the normal I miss having a baby occasionally. I would be prepared to have an eblation if possible. I'm not sure I'd want a hysterectomy as the recovery would be impossible to cope with with having two little ones.

The lady who scanned me said it was probably just bad luck with my periods. I had a really fast birth with him. But I don't think that would cause bad periods. I eat quite well. Always have veg for tea. Rarely have take away etc. I walk plenty.

I take 2 iron tablets a day. 200mg each of ferrous sulfate. I always take it with orange juice. I've ordered some b vitamins but they may not arrive for ages because of the hold ups.

I have never felt they have listened to the impact side of things. When I tell them I can't get out of bed. Or I can't walk. They just have no advice. I wish they would say you can't live like that. But they don't. I'm not sure at what point they offer transfusions etc.

My levels were 6. She said they should be between 20-120. I don't know what that means.

I think I've answered all your questions. Thanks so much for replying. I do appreciate it x

How many months have you tried the mini pill?

6 is very low. Different people use different scales, some say 120 is normal, others say it as 12. 10 or 100 is classed as anaemic (unless pregnant). Below 8 is low. I'd suggest you wait to speak to a dr you trust (it will be a phone consultation now) and really push that.