Sharp pain period- nearly fainted

[ChiefInspectorBarnaby]

This morning I felt nauseous- have been on my period for a week. My periods have never had any pattern to them and often last over a week- sometimes 2 weeks. I'm 31. I've been to the doctor about irregular periods and pains in my abdomen since I was 16 but stopped bothering in my 20s as they just said it was normal for some people. Sometimes I get sharp shooting pains in my abdomen that make me grip my body, gasp and nearly faint. I have to find something to lean on or sit down and it also makes me shake and unable to talk. This happened this morning. After its passed I feel nauseous but fine to function just a bit 'floaty'- like I'm not really here. Does this happen to anyone else? What is this? Please don't tell me to go to the doctor- they're not interested.

Pre-having babies, I used to get this plus throwing up and having to lie down for a bit on the first day of my period.

I think it was something to do with blood flow hence the light headedness.

Having babies has stopped it for me. Otherwise, I would recommend acupuncture. An holistic practitioner will really listen to you, and I've had much success with it over the years.

Thanks Chris that's something I've never considered before.

I would urge you to change GP practice particularly as the current one is not very good. They have basically failed and have thus fobbed you off, you should ideally be seeing a gynaecologist about these issues (many GPs are not all that up to date when it comes to gynae issues anyway). It is not normal for people to have both irregular periods and pain (I should know because I've had both from the age of 14 and there are causes).

Irregular periods are often caused by hormonal imbalances; in this respect PCOS or thyroid problems are common culprits. These can be looked for via blood tests.

Are your pains cyclical in nature, do they get worse up to and including menses?.

I would suggest you keep a daily pain and symptom diary if you do not already do so as this will give the gynae clues.

Do not be fobbed off any longer, see a different GP practice and insist on getting proper answers. This is too important for you to get fobbed off.

Agree that you shouldn't be fobbed off and should see a gynaecologist about it.

There's a lot of different causes for irregular periods and painful periods. I struggled with them for years until I found out I have fibroids.

I've just read the whole of your first post through properly.

The previous posters are right, such irregular periods are definitely cause for proper medical investigation.

Have you ever been referred to a specialist?

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I've never been referred to a specialist. I've seen all the doctors at the surgery and the nurse and all have said that its normal for some people. They also prescribed me the contraceptive pill twice telling me it would even out my cycle but it didn't and actually made things worse. The pain isn't cyclical I don't think- I need to start a diary as has been suggested. A family member suffers from endometriosis and I asked he doctor of it could be this and she did a blood test and never contacted me with any results. This was years ago. I got so fed up of being ignored that I stopped going.

It's hard to keep going back when you're being fobbed off, but you do really need to keep a diary of your periods/pain and push for a referral to a gynaecologist.

Endometriosis isn't diagnosed by a blood test, it is diagnosed by a Gynaecologist during a laparoscopy (like keyhole surgery with a tiny camera). A trial of a contraceptive pill can be a reasonable first step though, although obviously this hasn't helped you.

There can be other causes of severe pains, I would see a GP and ask whether they think it could be endometriosis or something else. Have a look at symptoms of endometriosis first and write a list of those you have, and keep a symptom diary to see if they are worse during your period, or with anything else.

Blood tests would be helpful for irregular periods looking for polycystic ovarian syndrome, thyroid probs amongst others.

Many GPs don't contact you with blood results unless they are very worrying- they ask you to telephone for your result. They might be sending off thousands of blood tests a month and can't phone everyone. Have you asked for your blood result?

If you don't find your GP interested, you could see a different doctor- do any GPs have an interest in women's health, or the qualification DRCOG (a Gynae qualification for GPs), or if no other GPs you could push for a Gynae referral if your symptoms do seem to fit endometriosis.