How do i explain this to school?

[Wot2do]

I am a regular mn'er just changed my name for this.

This morning I have not been able to take my children to school because of my totm.

I actually went to the bottom of the drive with them and leaked and had to come back in and change I am that heavy, I am anaemic and so so tired and can't seem to get warm. I am changing pads every 15-20 minutes (thank goodness boots always have offers on),I am on the waiting list at the minute for an operation to sort all this.

I have tried to get someone to take the eldest but there is no-one available and the youngest won't go to nursery without me. I may be ok in the morning, unfortunately I have to see how it goes, if not then dh will be able to take them for the rest of the week.

What do I tell the schools? I just cannot get there as I am too heavy and would have to change constantly which isn't possibl.e

Tell them that you had a medical emergency

Wow that sounds dreadful w2d. Tbh a simple "my daughter did not attend school yesterday because I was too ill to take her and unable to arrange alternative transport" will suffice - they don't need to know what was wrong with you.

Hope you get your op soon - must be very debilitating to live with

It is v debilitating and v v embarassing too, I had an accident on public transport the other week and mortified. this can go on sometimes 3 or 4 weeks.

poor you . I know this will sound grim, but incontinence pads are often more absorbent than sanitary towels, so might be of use to reduce accidents/having to change so ridiculously often.

I didn't know that fos, i might give them a go, does anyone have any tips to help me not feel so weak and tired? I slept most of yesterday becuase of this and want to do so today, but obviously can.t

I feel so sick from the pain that I'm not eating, so I am drinking alot.

Keep taking the iron tablets! Lots of red meat. Take iron tablets with orange juice (vitamin C aids absorption). Unfortunately don't think there's much you can do, as the heavy bleeding leaches so much iron out of you. Make a fuss at the GPs as well - get them to recheck your iron levels and your thyroid levels. If you're not eating could you stomach slimfast shakes or meal replacement bars?

Are you taking extra iron tablets?

Have you been to the doctor's to get advice on coping strategies until you get your op? She/he may be able to suggest what to do.

I presume by "drinking" you mean water not alcohol - as alcohol will make the problem worse IIRC.

You can also get fortified drinks (my grandpa had them when he had cancer of the oesophagus and couldn't eat) - you could possibly get them on prescription (he did). Same idea as meal replacement drinks but probably better tailored to someone in your situation.

I am due at the gp's tomorrow, I don't have iron tablets, because I am only aneamic at totm, my consultant says that I don't need them. My doctor is fab and if I mention how tired and drained etc she may be able to sort out some iron tablets for me.

I can drink milk ok so might have a milkshake made with powder mix later.

LOL, yes I do mean water, I am also drinking alot of de-caffeinated tea

Out of interest, how did your consultant reach that conclusion about you only being anaemic at TOTM? Did he/she test your iron levels?

She arranged for bloodtests to be done, but, only during the end of my period, I have only had blood tests suggested by her once.

What a dreadful thing to have to cope with W2D
I would say as others have that you were too ill and were unable to get alternative transport.
Also for iron, try spatone, a sachet of ironised mineral water from most high street health shops and chemists - it got my blood count back very quickly.
It is more easily assimilated than ferrous sulphate and it will not give you constipation.
I would also try and see if you can get a bit of pressure on for your op as living with this month to month must be a night mare
Could you go on the pill short term would that help at all?

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you can get a pill that stops you bleeding as much (tranxaemic acid or something like that) - ask your GP when you go

Wot2do.

Are you under the care of a gynae currently?. I would have strong words with these people if you are.

Fibroids and or endometriosis can cause such heavy bleeding and these possible causes need to be investigated further. Have either of these been mooted as possible causes?

I have tried tranexamic and mefanamic acid and they do nothing, at the minute I am on paracetamol, voltarol and zydol for the pain. Fibroids and enodometriosis haven't even been suggested, all the gynae said was that, after prodding my stomach and abdomen for a while, was that I don't have cysts. I had my last appt with the gynae at the end of dec, so ideally, if the 3 month rule applies, I should have an appt for the end of January.

Dare I mention Mooncup?

DP's sister is very similar but she has been diagnosed with Fibroids. WHat is the operation for if they don't know what's wrong.

DP's sister was told to have a hysterectomy at the age of 38 and understandably resisted. She has done lot's of research and discovered that some gynaes can be a bit aggressive at their treatment of these kind of problems. If anything drastic is suggested to you seek a second opinion.

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What about maternity pads? They are designed to cope with post-partum bleeding which can be pretty heavy. That coupled with a mooncup should do the trick.

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