Anaemia - fainting/heavy periods

[Bringbring]

Hello all

Background. I've have been treating my anaemia since October 2014 (heam 9 / ferritin 2). I eat a good diet with lots of meat, greens so shouldn't be this anaemic. Thyroid/coeliac apparently ok (not much confidence in dr) currently on ferrous gluconate every other day as everything else/more aggravates ibs and loss of bowel control! Had levels tested in feb and levels hadn't changed. After discussions and tears at the dr, I have been referred to the hospital to discuss injections (although not hopeful as appear entry this is unusual and my dr is only referring on my insistence)

This weekend I started my period and I've really struggled. Periods are so heavy and painful with clots and I've had three since feb! I'm faint, breathless and exhausted (sleeping 14 hours a day). I woke up in the middle if the night heart racing and freezing cold. I really don't know if it's worth going to the drs tomorrow but I feel do I'll. I can't cope, never mind exercise or have a social life. Is it possible to see anyone privately to address this asap? I can pay, I just can't continue like this. My husband doesn't seem to understand how ill I feel and I am struggling to look after my toddler. Any suggestions?

Hi bringbring. That sounds absolutely awful. I've recently had anaemia but my levels went up with ferrous sulphate. The gluconate isn't as good. Perhaps the injections will be good for you considering your ibs. Have you talked to your doctor about other ways to control your periods? All the while you bleed like that your levels won't improve. Take care x

I am wondering if your thyroid levels were actually tested thoroughly enough; its certainly possible that this has been missed. What levels were actually tested?.

I would see another GP within the practice; certainly not the person you have seen till now. If they continue to be unhelpful then I would change GP practice; its no point working with anyone whom you cannot communicate with openly.

Have you seen a Gyne to see what the possible source of the heavy periods are - fibroids? You will never get on top of the anaemia until the heavy bleeding is under control.

Thanks for your replies, day three now and everything is under control. I am on tranexamic acid to sort the bleeding but it doesn't kick in immediately.

Thanks for your replies, I am going to speak with another dr. I know there have been suggestions to see a gynae but I think the heavy periods are a symptom of the anaemia. I could live with the periods, if I had more energy, less breathlessness etc. the gluconate is the only iron tablet I can half tolerate, everything else makes me very ill (cramps, vomiting, loss of bowel control!)

I will go back and ask for thyroid and celiac to be retested/explained. And to push for iron injections.

I would also push for a gynae referral now also.

Transexamic acid again only treats the symptoms and not the cause; its the cause that needs to be determined properly here. I think you should also see a gynae as a matter of course to determine if there is fibroids or endometriosis; also three bleeds since February is not normal. This is likely causing you to become anaemic.

If you have had 3 periods since Feb then that is not normal. How old are you? if you are 40s then it is likely to be peri menopause.

You need to get this sorted. The anaemia is caused by the heavy periods- not the other way round!

You may not sort the anaemia until you have your cycles and amount of blood loss under control.

The most obvious treatment is the Mirena coil, or the Pill or an endometrial ablation if neither of the other treatments works.

Your GP ought to push for a referral to a gynae and if not then insist on seeing someone - and pay if necessary for a consultation.

Hi OP. I've got similar issues- feritin 0.5 and h 4. Doctor being useless and iron tablets aggrivating IBS. I'm going back to surgery this week to demand more and better help. Certainly iron injections. Struggling with my 6 month old baby and sleeping like I'm in a coma!

This is exactly like me (except I'm now pregnant), I have had hundreds of blood tests and recently an iron infusion which helped my fatigue, have you had your vit d tested?

OP, the anaemia is a result of the heavy periods, NOT the reverse! You need to sort out the gynae issues in order to get the anaemia under control.