I'm 38. If I go to the GP about PMT and period pain.....

[mankyscotslass]

Will she laugh at me and tell me I should be used to it by now?

I've always had heavy painful periods, but since returning after littlest Manky they are heavier, more painful, last longer and my PMT is awful...from just after I ovulate til the day I come on properly I can feel it building. I am either shrieking like a fishwife , or bursting into tears, or sitting not wanting to move/be bothered with anything.

If someone is nice to me I either snap or cry .

I am also tired all the time. I thought it was because I was overweight, but over the last 10 months I have lost 20lbs, and am powerwalking/running 3 or 4 times a week to try and boost energy levels.

I think it's all connected, but feel daft going to the doctor about it, because as my mum said, that's just being a woman isn't it? Although she is getting as bit worried by the mood swings I have now.

I have tried evening primrose oil, but that didn't work.

I have made an appointment with the GP for next week, but I feel like cancelling it.

I think you should go ahead and get checked up. I'm 37 and after 2 kids and years on the pill (now stopped) I've found my periods/pmt have changed a lot. Ah, the delights of our changing bodies....

If its changed enough to bother you, do go and have a chat about it.

I'd bet you my last 10p she'll suggest getting a Mirena coil.

Eeeek, do you reckon Expat?

DH has been done, so no need for contraception, and I've not ben on the pill for years as it affects my skin condition (I have Rosacea).

I'm kind of scared of the Mirena, after reading everything on here.

Have you tried a good high quality Vit B complex? Worked wonders for me.
(I'm 39 btw)

You have to take it for several weeks before ffeeling benefit though.

Mollyroger, I hadn't heard of that, it's worth a try.

Thanks

Don't cancel it whatever you do. Afraid yoru Mum is wrong here; its not just about being a woman. You should not have to put up with it. I would go to the GP and ask for a referral to a gynae for further evaluation. You should be assessed further by a gynae in any event. Some GPs are pretty much hopeless when it comes to such issues.

I think blood tests should be done too to see if there are any problems like thyroid imbalance (this may be the cause of your tiredness).

BTW a common cause of heavy and or painful periods is endometriosis. (Have also had heavy and painful periods for years). This though is not picked up by any scans or blood tests. Its usually diagnosed through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy.

You will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

I went to my gp about pmt a good few years ago and had quite a bad experience. Older female gp told me - what do you want me to do - refer you to a psychiatrist? She was quite abrubt, and told me there was nothing to be done.
Later found that there was a local consultant who specialised in pmt and sought a referral there by ringing in to surgery and setting the old witch her straight.
Saw consultant who was extremely understanding, but sadly not very helpful. Suggested agnus castus but no real guidance on doseage.

Things I find help - eating little and often of slow release carbs, e.g. taking oatcakes to work. Avoiding too much chocolate or sugary stuff. Getting plenty of sleep.

Heavy periods as well though, I don't think any decent gp would laugh at you.
Agree minera coil may be suggested.

must learn to do striking out words properly!

You'll be given blood tests and probably be offered some pain killers and clotting tablets.

I am 36, mine get worse every year.

I will not cancel...Dh would kill me I think.
He had to take me in and stand beside me when I booked it, or I would probably have "forgotten" ....again.

The last time I went to the doctors about period pain I was 17/18 and he put me on Ponstan Forte. They looked like horse tablets.

I've not been to a GP about Gynae stuff since then.

I've had 3 straightforward pregnancies, although the youngest was early, one mc, no problems concieving...infact youngest manky was conceived after one drunken forgetful night. Surely something like Endo would have shown up before?

Just fed up sleeping on towels 3 nights out of my period.....

And not being very nice for nearly 2 weeks....although that could just be my nature,

Good luck at the GP's. Please let us know how you get on.

Hi manky,

Re your question on endometriosis my response would be not necessarily, and they also have to be looking for endometriosis as well. You'd be surprised how long it can take for some women to be diagnosed (17 years in my case!). In your case endometriosis can not be ruled out primarily because of the ongoing painful periods. Also ponstan has been given to you; its also given to women who can present with endo.

Gynaecological issues have moved on quite a lot in the last few years; the trick is to find a decent gynae with up to date knowledge. You need to ask lots of questions of this person. You need to see a gynae and do not take not for an answer from the GP!!.

As already mentioned, many GPs are pretty much useless when it comes to such problems.
You will need to be persistant in order to get answers.

Good luck with the GP, I would like an update if possible.

Attila x

I echo what attila says. After some mumsnet prompting I went to my doctors again after being fobbed off with some useless painkillers and an ultrasound scan. Turns out I have severe endo and I'm 39 with one DS

Its somewhat amusing now at the doctors because I'm treated as a sort of mini celebrity when I go in as apparently they don't see many women with endo

It may well not be that, but being in excruciating pain for part of the month shouldn't just be accepted and you are doing the right thing going to the doctors.

Don't rule out a Mirena. i was like you heavy wise - could barely get out of the shower some mornings.

Had one fitted last Nov and have had no period to speak of since Christmas - i can plan camping, swimming etc. without giving it another thought. The only thing is i think it's made me put on a bit of weight but what's that compared to having to spend two days in bed every month?

Ok thanks, I will let you know what happens.

The appointment is next Wedneday, with the only female doctor in the practise...she is fairly young but also a bit of a dragon.

I need it sorting.

manky

Endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological problem seen in women after fibroids. This is also why further investigation is warranted.

I also had a GP once tell me that endo is not common; I soon put him right on that piece of misinformation!.

Be aware that any ultrasound scan or internal pelvic scan will NOT detect endo if it is present. Laparoscopic surgery is the usual way it is detected.

A good gynae as well will try to establish the underlying causes along with taking a detailed case history rather than just give you pills or even a mirena coil.

Thanks Attila, I will ask for a refferal to St Mary's and see how she takes it.

Yes my Gynae did thorough testing and polyp removal before fitting Mirena.

manky,

You do this and do not take no for an answer!!!.

Good luck to you. If you can update some time after next Wednesday that would be good as I'd be interested to see how you get on.

Attila

I will.

I too went after being prodded on MN to go see my GP. I had gone from having virtually no period pain and realtively heavy periods which lasted about 2 days - to pain so bad I was crawling on the floor and bleeding so heavy I was sleeping with 6 sanitary towels on and bath towels on the sheets. I couldn't leave the house it was so bad. One particularly bad episode, DH was away and I called my friend crying down teh phone beging her to come and help me.

I was given a scan and diagnosed with firboids, and have had the Depo injection ever since and never looked back - no bleeding no pain. its great

Agnus castus should be taken from ovulation until end of bleeding. The tincture dose is 20 drops in the morning.

I gave up though and went back on the pill with absolute minimum breaks. I feel like a nice person new woman!

Omg remember ponstan! Am 36 and my periods are getting worse and worse. Since i had my dds really. The last few months i have also been feeling awfully nauseous about a day before i come on - another added bonus!

I am taking starflower oil and have been for about 3 months. This month i do actually feel better, not so unbelievably tired and irritable. Also get a bad tummy around this time too. I try and avoid alcohol after i have ovulated as well as trying - doesn't always happen - to, as other people have said on here, eat better, not let myself get hungry etc. But usually it doesnt matter what i do, i get so tired. Will see next month if i feel better again and then i will believe that maybe this starflower oil is working. Also take zinc too. Thinking about going to see doc too but don't know if she'll be able to do anything. Had mirena coil for 18 months and it was awful. Now have a copper coil so periods are heavier. Both my mum and her mum, my nan, had a hysterectomy at 44 due to heavy periods.

Good advice everyone

Just to add, I have found , despite long settling down period, that the Mirena has sorted me out very well (I used to have very painful periods and PMT). No periods at all now, no pain and only 1 day of mild PMT. I'm on my second one now.

manky (may I call you manky) - Go to you GP. This is not some little thing. It's really affecting your quality of life. Good luck