Big bleed and now horrendous anxiety

[Wheresmyshittingmeat]

Hiya. I'm 53 and still having periods. I've had a period on and off for 4 weeks and last week, I woke in the night and had a massive bleed with clots and had to call an ambulance. It was very traumatic. I spent rest of night and next day in hospital. Scans showed nothing and blood tests all ok apart from anaemia. Bleeding has eased off now but still going a small bit. I've got a histeroscopy appointment on Thursday and they they will take a bit of my womb lining as it was quite thick, and then put in a coil.

I'm in a right state. I started to feel awful yesterday and I am weak and shaky and feeling sick. Went to GP this morning and she thinks it's anxiety but is redoing blood tests, especially iron, to ensure its not crashed since.

I've been signed off work this week. Going through some crap at work too which isn't helping. Last night I didn't sleep which has also freaked me out.

Does anyone have any soothing words of wisdom as I feel like I'm going mad. I have awful health anxiety too. Many thanks.

Hi. Can totally understand you feeling anxious and probably overwhelmed.
I am slightly younger than you but up until recently my periods were awful. You saying that you are bleeding in and off for four weeks sounds like I was two years ago. It's draining. And worrying. I had a hysteroscopy eventually. With a D&C because I had to have a GA for the hysteroscopy. My periods were heavy, clots were common and they were frequent and lasted weeks. Fortunately my GP was very proactive and contacted a gynaecologist immediately for a referral.
The op ruled out anything sinister. As it turns out, my cervix was very tight (2dc both c-sections so little to no dilation) and blood was likely to be pooling in my uterus as the cervix was so narrow. The pooling led to clots. And made the periods last ages. Grim!
Since the my op my periods calmed down enormously. So much so that within months my periods stopped. I've not had a period for 10 months now.
I truly hope you and your doctors can help you resolve this.
It is exhausting and worrying. Hopefully anything serious can be ruled out.

Foofighters thanks so much for your lovely reply. Was the hysteroscopy not too bad? I'm dreading it but want it over and done with. Glad you are much better now. It can all go wrong at my age I guess. Thanks again.

If I were you, I would ask your gp about HRT as soon as possible. It's a lifesaver.

You're welcome.
Initially I was sent for a ultrasound scan but that was inconclusive so I was referred for the hysteroscopy.
A doctor did attempt a hysteroscopy whilst I was awake but couldn't open my cervix enough. He did take a biopsy (and checked with me verbally that I was happy for him to do this) and then made arrangements for me to come back for a general anaesthetic to perform the hysteroscopy procedure whilst I was unconscious.
The first attempt plus biopsy was not painful. It was uncomfortable but fortunately he did keep checking that I was ok throughout and told me he would stop as soon as I said I couldn't bear anymore. But it was def uncomfortable rather than painful.
From seeing my GP to having the procedure under GA did take a few weeks but looking back it was super care and I felt so much better afterwards. Especially since the biopsy was clear and there was no underlying problems.
I hope you are as fortunate.
I love having no periods now!

And I didn't take HRT - I'm in Prozac already and my GP advised that Prozac was good for treating the symptoms of menopause. I'm 49 now and have experienced the odd night sweat and brain fog is pretty much normal for me but so far so good. Although I guess I'm still in the early stage of menopause.

Thanks Aqua. They want to fit a Mirena coil which has some hormone in it.

Foofighters, that doesn't sound too bad. My GP looked at my bloods from hospital and said there was nothing to suggest something sinister and that they would have picked it up when I was there. She wasn't in the least bit worried so why am I feeling like this? I'm terrified that the biopsy will come back dodgy. Bloods done again today and all ok. Anaemic but not dangerously low. I realise I can't carry on with this level of fear so I've made an appointment with the Depression and Anxiety service too.

Thanks for your wise words. Were you really worried too?

I was a little worried, yes. But only because my mum had similar issues at this age which turned out to be fibroids. She had a hysterectomy ultimately, and I was relieved that I didn't need the same.

But to be honest it could be anything. Or nothing. It's just good to be checked out and know what's happening to your body and why. Try not to worry, although that's easier said than done !
Good luck x

It's good that you're addressing your anxiety too. You seem as though you're tackling stuff with a pragmatism.

Thanks Foofighters. I've just read the information they gave me and it says it can hurt a fair bit. How did you find it? I'm feeling bit better today and trying not to work myself up too much about tomorrow!

Let me know how you get on today x

Thanks. Just about to leave and feeling very sick! Will update later x

I was very brave and had it done even though he offered me to come back and do it under a general. I just wanted it out of the way. He found a large polyp so, as it was painful, he said he would rather remove it under general than do it today. He reassured me that he removes loads every day and it's very routine. In fact the nurse said she had had it done. I do feel better knowing what it is. Now worrying about having a general though! Thanks Foofighters for your support. How was your general?was it a day case?

Oh that's a real relief! Well done for being so brave - it must be so good to know it's not something serious.
Yep, I was a day case. In and out the same day, no big deal. Worst bit was feeling bloody hungry due to not eating since the night before xx

Thanks Foofighters. I will be glad to get it out of the way. I'm feeling less anxious now but anything that goes a little bit wrong is stressing me out. Dp and I have had a big row and so I'm out for a nice nature walk! Just listening to the birds is very calming. Hope all ok with you.