Am I going to bleed to death?

[Seema1234]

Warning - before I get numpties telling me to call 999 the title is tongue in cheek, but an accurate description of how I feel.

Age 48, apart from a bit of insomnia I've been ok with perimenopause. Cycle reduced from 28 to 21 days which I considered annoying. But what I didn't know was what my uterus had planned next. I've been on my period for a whole month. 28 days of bleeding. What fresh hell is this and why did I know this was a thing ?

I have a GP appointment tomorrow. What should I be expecting ? Ask for?

Everytime I think the thing has gone , it comes back again. How is it possible to bleed this much and not be dead?

And if DH tells me one more time how tired he is I will scream..

GPs working remotely! Ridiculous at this point.

@Seema1234

Still going, but down to a trickle. I think I 'm on week 5. I can't see my GP for another 2 weeks as I need to examined and she's working 'remotely: next week. Why the hell a NHS Dr is working at home so her skills cannot be accessed is beyond me.

I would phone and ask for an emergency appointment and specifically ask for progesterone and a blood test for anaemia.

I'm currently on day 34 bleeding and feeling bloody miserable, and that is with progesterone tablets.

After a phone appointment today I have to go for a blood test and GP will write to gynae tomorrow for advice (cancer already been ruled out in my case)

I'm really angry at the lack of urgency too. It depends on how anaemic I am as to how quickly gynae will see me again.

It's picked up again. Heading into week 6. I'm going to get a blood test done next week and GP for a smear and swabs the week after. I try and forget about it as otherwise I get tearful with the what ifs.

My 'normal' cycle is 21ish days so that may explain why it's picked up. I hate this.

Week 6 and still going. Just when I think it's over , it starts again. Appointment is another week. All I've been given so far is some tablets there were meant to stop the bleeding but achieved bugger all. Do you think I should phone tomorrow and ask for an urgent prescription for progesterone or something ? Does anyone know of this level of bleeding would be cancer ? I keep reading that Cancer causes abnormal bleeding, but how would cancer cause non stop bleeding ? Surely it would just be hormones. I still don't understand how I'm not in shock for blood loss, or dead. But I'm still on MN so clearly alive. How is this possible ?

I think you should definitely phone the surgery and tell them what's happening and that the stuff they gave you isn't working. What else can they offer you as you're finding all this very difficult. As they say it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil... hopefully a female receptionist might take pity on you and magic up an earlier appointment

@Seema1234, just to make you feel better, or less alone in the madness of the NHS....
I had two repair operations a long time ago for multiple pelvic organ prolapses (I'll go into detail if you want me to, but I don't think it's relevant to your thread).
It's clear the repair has now broken down (and has done for the last 3/4 years). It's got to the point I no longer want to live with it.
My GP practice response? A nurse practitioner will call me in over a week from my original request... I feel very sorry for her as there is no way she can help me - I need a referral to a gynaecologist. There is no way a professional can do this referral, it needs a GP, but hey? Why not put the patient off and waste their time (and yours).
You really need to advocate for yourself.
Good luck!

Thank you both. I've been quite stoic until now but I'm really fed up of it now.

That sounds awful @vipersnest1. Maybe you should call reception back and say it's not a matter for a nurse as it requires a referall?

I got Norethisterone form my GP, worked in 24 hours but I'm still spotting but that's loads better than I was for the previous 3 weeks.

Norethisterone worked within a couple of days for me - and I was flooding really badly.

Breaks my heart to read about your predicament… but you are not alone. It is perfectly horrible to have to go through this. I’m in the same boat. My period won’t stop- been over 2 months now. Seen 3 gynaecologists, had 2 hysteroscopies and 2 sets of biopsies to rule out cancer and had all sorts of unpleasant side effects after. Tried Norethisterone- caused very high bp, but so had to ask for help- the 3rd gynaecologist has put me on a cocktail of meds, including HRT… I have no idea when/if things will get better. It could just be perimenopause but it could be additional problems. I understand the feeling of bemusement and helplessness- I can’t believe this is happening to me. Hang in there and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

And definitely ask to see another GP as an emergency appointment - you have to use the word ‘emergency ‘ for them to take you seriously.

@Seema1234
I get hormonal migraines so can’t have the pill. I’m in peri (43 years old) I have the mirena coil and estrogel HRT. Mirena helps with bleeding gel with symptoms of loss of estrogen. You can have both with migraines as the coil is localised and transdermal gel or patch are through the skin. Check out the menopause doctor Louise Newson and her website balance and the nice guidelines for HRT. Most doctors know little about menopause as it’s not taught much during there training amazingly there is an optional syllabus they can take. My friends husband is a top consultant (not gynaecologist) but was taught nothing in his basic gp training about it. It’s terrible really so do your research!

Thank you.

@Seema1234

www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/008-migraines-menopause-gp-menopause-expert-dr-sarah-ball-dr-louise-newson/

@Seema1234 Any change? How are you doing?

@Glitterbiscuits. Thank you for asking, no change. I'm now on Transaxemic (sp?) Acid. It's made no difference and when I asked why they can't give me progesterone she said she needed to try this first.

I am finally seeing the Dr in person on Friday for a smear and swabs. I think they've referred me for a scan as well but need to ask. I also have to get some blood tests done. It's been almost 7 weeks of continual bleeding. I'm really fed up. Got to go away with work on Wednesday which I'm dreading.

I've calmed down about the whole cancer thing as it seems the least likely option and probably hormones given I'm 48. I just assume a tumour wouldn't bleed constantly but what do I know.

The only good thing is it's not flooding and is fairly light. A bit like the first day or two of a period.

I think I'm going to end up needing a Morena coil. Really not keen , does anyone know of there are alternatives like a pill or is that too strong ?

I don't know about Mirena alternatives, but i held off having Mirena for ages and with I had had it sooner.

Glad you have GP appointment, hope you can get some answers and help soon.

I had to ring my GP about this earlier this month (period that lasted three weeks). He basically said that's what I can expect at my age, don't be alarmed 🙄, but to ring the GP if the bleeding is excessive or if it's painful. About as much help as a chocolate teapot. He has clearly never had a period...

But I think you should ask about iron supplements. My GP told me that HRT etc were only an option when I was having more symptoms...

Good luck 💐

Sorry - replied after only reading the first posts. Really hope you get it sorted. Menopause care can be so shit.

[quote Seema1234]@Glitterbiscuits. Thank you for asking, no change. I'm now on Transaxemic (sp?) Acid. It's made no difference and when I asked why they can't give me progesterone she said she needed to try this first.

I am finally seeing the Dr in person on Friday for a smear and swabs. I think they've referred me for a scan as well but need to ask. I also have to get some blood tests done. It's been almost 7 weeks of continual bleeding. I'm really fed up. Got to go away with work on Wednesday which I'm dreading.

I've calmed down about the whole cancer thing as it seems the least likely option and probably hormones given I'm 48. I just assume a tumour wouldn't bleed constantly but what do I know.

The only good thing is it's not flooding and is fairly light. A bit like the first day or two of a period.[/quote]
I've just seen this thread.

Please please please get an appointment to see a gynaecologist privately. It will cost you £200-£300. You might be able to get one within days. Google private healthcare in your area, look at the consultants list, contact the hospital or their private secretary, they move quickly in my experience. You do not need to be referred by your GP for a private appointment.

If they are concerned they will refer you to urgent testing & treatment within the NHS. The log jam atm is getting to the consultant via the GP. It is not worth the risk, this is not normal bleeding. I'm sorry that this will undoubtedly freak you out, but the reality is this could be cancer. My friend waited too long before getting pushy with her GP. Her symptoms were the same as yours. Don't wait, please.

That a good point about iron supplements.

I only thought about those in peri when I got turned away from blood donation 3 times in a row due to my levels - they said I couldn't donate for 18 months.

OP sorry to see you are going through this. I was in a similar situation and became so aneamic my iron was 4.8 I was so weak and breathless. I was on tranexamic acid etc. My GP took blood and phoned me 2 hours later and said to go straight to hospital. I had 5 transfusions. They found a polyp and uterus full of fibroid. To cut a long story short I had a hysterectomy. I have never looked back. After 14 years of flooding and bring housebound at times, I am finally living a normal life! I was 50 when I had my op. Please go to a and e if you arw having no luck at the GP

@Seema1234

I think I'm going to end up needing a Morena coil. Really not keen , does anyone know of there are alternatives like a pill or is that too strong ?

I'm sorry you've not had much support from your GP. Sounds dreadful.

Not a medic, but wanted to say I suffered from hormone related migraines for years and also very heavy bleeding (very heavy over about 4 days each period rather than constant bleeding for weeks), and I was prescribed the Mirena Coil when I was mid 40's.

It took a few months for everything to settle down but I had it in for about 10 years (!) and finally had it removed by my GP last year when I was 56. It was blissful having no periods all that time and I was well into the menopause when it got removed. It didn't have any effect on my migraines, I still got those but they were reduced by taking a daily dose of feverfew tablets. That was a tip from another GP.

So, having the Mirena coil fitted isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Also, I was referred to a Gynae appt. after getting the coil removed just for a check up and the doctor I saw was actually great. He was very nice and we were chatting away like old pals whilst he was doing the rummaging. It really wasn't as scary or painful as I'd thought it was going to be, so please try not to worry.