What can I do about my periods?

[manchestermummy]

I cannot believe at the age of 36 and after two children I am sitting here (at work) feeling like poo because I'm on my period.

I'm in pain, I feel sick and I am also boiling hot. They're heavy and I sometimes flood but not always. This morning at 5 a.m. the pain was akin to labour - I have given birth with absolutely no pain relief at all and this wasn't far off.

I have tired about six types of pill over the years and I put on weight, my skin was awful and I became very depressed. The latter is a very big thing for me as I've been on and off antidepressants for six years and am currently off them: I'm in a good place and I don't want anything to jeopardise that. I'm scared of anything hormonal tbh, based on my own experiences of the pill and hearing horror stories.

GP very unsympathetic.

I was scanned for fybroids a couple of years ago - negative.

Anyone have any suggestions? I have to go sit on a customer-facing desk for the next two hours and all I really want to do is curl up with a hot water bottle in bed.

Sorry, because it's just so awful when your GP is not helpful.
Google NICE guidelines on heavy menstrual bleeding. I'd also seriously consider changing GP, it's really not difficult to do these days. You could be intolerant to progestin (synthetic progesterone) which is why the pill makes everything worse for you. If so, a Mirena coil would be a Bad Move.

You can take ibuprofen, preferably max on the allowed doseage.
It should help with the pain AND bleeding if you have a lot too.

Alternatively, paracetamol (but doesn't have the nice effect on blood), or paracetamol+codeine.

But there is help out there. Definitely talk to another GP.

And I refer you to this thread.

have you finished having children?

If so, think about an ablation, where they cauterise the womb. It is a permanent solution, effectively an alternative to a hysterectomy.

Oh and I used to swear by Alka Seltzer for period pain and feeling queasy...

Thanks all. I feel comforted that there are people who care...

I can't take ibuprofen - upsets my stomach dreadfully. Not sure if I am done with having babies just yet. The odd thing is that after having my dds they were much lighter and not really painful at all. This has been happening in the past two years or so.

Apparently my iron levels are down but the GP said tough

If this GP is unsympathetic find another GP to work with within this practice. It is no point at all in trying to deal with such unsympathetic people. You can always change GP practice as well, that is easier to do nowadays.

When I read your message the first thought that occurred to me was endometriosis (that can cause great pain as well as heavy bleeding) and that does not show up on scans. You need current and up to date results; anything done over six months ago should be discounted.

You need to see a GP and insist that you are now referred to a gynaecologist for further evaluation. I would in the meantime keep a daily pain and symptom diary and show this to the gynae when you see this person.

Do not be fobbed off but determine for yourself exactly why this is happening as well as treating the current symptoms.

Find another GP or go to a gum clinic and get checked out. What you are experiencing is not normal and you shouldn't have to suffer every month because your gp can't be bothered.

the GP said tough
WTAF?
Not even iron supplements?

Tranexamic acid from the gp along with ibuprofen from the moment the bleeding starts and regular doses was the only thing that made my periods bearable. If I miss a dose or even a couple of hours late I can feel the pain and start flooding again. It's very effective..... I also didn't realise that the ibuprofen isn't just for pain relief but actually helps to reduce the level of bleeding.....

Yep see another GP at the practice or change GP practice. Don't let the bastards fob you off.

Check out the services directory on the NHS website, there are patient reviews which are helpful.

I've always been terrible on the pill - moody and acne. But I bloody hate periods, so I have bit the bullet and tried a mirena coil. So far so good, although I haven't had it long - couple of weeks literally. There is less hormone because it's localised, so I'm hoping it won't have the same effects as the pill, and that my periods will go away. I'd recommend giving it a go. Good luck. x

Your GP is wrong. Wrong. Wrong. That's terrible. Definitely see someone else. Ask for a referral to a gynaecologist. Yy to endometriosis. I have been practically passed out with the pain. Yy to endometrial ablation. Unfortunately I couldn't have it. I was so disappointed. It is a very simple way of dealing with heavy bleeding. Novasure I think is the brand NHS use. Cannot believe you aren't getting an iron supplement. Shocking.