Lengthy Periods

[cleanasawhistle]

I have been bleeding for 20 days.
Daft question but do I need to see a doctor ?

I am 45 and definately not pregnant.
I do have a coil but have been using one for years with no problems.

[Quangle]

I've had this too. Had several episodes of 20 days of bleeding last year - GP thought fibroids so had an ultrasound and they did find fibroids but when I saw the gynaecologist he said the bleeding was not caused by the fibroid but that GPs always say that it's fibroids

Anyway, gynae said it was probably just age (am 45) but did a uterine biopsy anyway to check for anything more sinister and it was all clear.

He also offered mirena but I said no at the time. But recently the bleeding has returned (am now on day 15) and I have been struggling with very low ferritin despite supplementation - so I might go back and ask for the mirena after all.

Buzzard, you should definitely go back. What a crappy response you got

[naty1]

Check thyroid as it can affect periods.
And get the results rather than listen to 'its fine'
As it depends on what scale they use.

[cleanasawhistle]

I have my Ultra Sound Scan this afternoon.
Can't believe I have to drink 2 pints of water and not go to the toilet...easier said than done.
Don't suppose I will know anything until I see my doctor on Wednesday.

The bleeding stopped on Thursday.

[CointreauVersial]

What a relief that it stopped. Good luck for the scan. Hope it gives a clue as to what's causing it (although it's more likely to discount certain things).

[cleanasawhistle]

I had two scans today...wasn't expecting the second but it was painless and its over with now.
They showed nothing,so thats good news.I will see my doctor on Wednesday

[LadySybilLikesCake]

They usually do 2, cleanasawhistle. One when your bladder is full, one when it's empty. One scans your belly, one's an internal scan. It's normal for them to do this.

I'm pleased all was OK

[cleanasawhistle]

Went to see my doctor yesterday and she comfirmed that the blood test and the scans showed nothing.
She suggested that as it had been nearly a week with no bleeding or pain then we just wait and see what happens next and take it from there.

So about an hour ago I have passed a tiny amount of blood but I have a horrible pain from my middle to my right side and down my leg and in my back.

[BuzzardBird]

Do you think you should go back then whistle? Maybe you need a referral?

[cleanasawhistle]

The pain has gone now Buzzard.it last about 20 mins.I don't know what to do.

So how about you ?
Could you see another doctor in the practice ?

[BuzzardBird]

I'm just about to call to get my blood test results. Only bled for 2 weeks this month so hoping things might get better. If not next month I will go and see a gp that has been recommended. As soon as I told people who I saw they said "oh no, not that idiot?"

[cleanasawhistle]

There are a couple of idiots I won't see at my practice.

Good luck and take care

[CointreauVersial]

Annoying that you don't have any definitive answers, OP.

Did the sonographer make any comments about your ovaries when they did the scan? Mine mentioned that my ovaries were "hard to detect" which turned out to be a euphemism for "all shrivelled up". This gave great weight to the GP's view that I was pretty much through the menopause (even though I was only 46 at the time).

That monster period was the last one I ever had (crosses fingers....).

Why does no-one ever tell us about this particular aspect of the menopause? I was blithely expecting things to just "fizzle," but periods really do seem to go out with a bang. Heaviest periods of my whole life have been in the last three years.

Hopefully things have settled down for you, at least!

[cleanasawhistle]

The sonographer had a good look at everything even my kidneys ,she said there was nothing of concern.

More blood and pain again this morning.
Why does the pain run down the front of my right leg ?

[hellymelly]

Pain is strange, you can get pain from nerves running close to inflamed areas. Something is clearly going on, endometriosis maybe? Have you had a c-section in the past? Although I would have thought adhesions etc would have shown on the scan. You are getting cramping I imagine, perhaps that is aggravating the nerve running down into your leg. Like one can get back pain from period pain. I would go back to the GP, can she refer you to someone ?

[shobby]

I'm finding this thread reassuring really as my body seems to have been totally out of control in terms of bleeding! I had 5 periods last year, so at 52 things are clearly slowing down, but last October I bled really heavily for 21 days and ended up requiring tablets to get it to stop. My GP was great, did blood tests showing low ferratin and a 3g drop in Hb and hormone leavers showing 'approaching menopause' levels (yeah I could have guessed that!). Scan showed thickened uterine lining but they did not suggest any other treatment, just a Minerva coil if I wanted one, but I decided I didn't fancy that. The pain and clots shocked me a bit, but I've only had two periods since, one post hormone tablet one which was pretty heavy but only lasted 10 days, and only one in April which was also a pretty normal 10 days and not too heavy. It was also unusual as it started without any warning, I usually get lots of back, leg and groin pain grumbling along before it starts, nowt that time . I keep hoping it will be the last bloody one! In terms of pain suffered by others and where you feel it, our bodies are all wired a bit differently, and sometimes ovulation pain or any bleeding in the pelvis can be felt in your groin, lower abdomen, legs, and even as 'shoulder tip' pain. Grim wherever you get it though, my sympathies....

[oliveoil51]

Have you tried GIFT pads at Holland_Barrett
They're giving away free sanitary pads to try out and there is a live chat #naturalsanitary tomorrow at 1pm. Should be interesting!