At what point would you go to A&E with bleeding (possible TMI)?

[Lovemusic33]

Ongoing issues which I have posted about several times (sorry).

Have been having prolonged bleeding and break through bleeding for 18 months now, getting nowhere with my gp. Last 6 months it has gotten worse and worse to the point I’m bleeding 3 weeks out of 4, in the last 2 months I have had 5 days not bleeding. I am waiting for a phone appointment with my GP (7th October) but I have now been bleeding for 3 weeks, getting heavier and heavier, tonight it’s got worse and I’m passing large clots, I’m in agony, bloated, pain in my back and legs. I have take tranxemic acid which has had no effect what so ever.

I’ve got to the point where I wake up in the morning in tears because I know it’s going to be another day of bleeding, pain and feeling tired. I’m not sleeping well because I’m scared to move and bleed everywhere. I’m struggling with work and my memory is awful due to feeling tired.

My gp doesn’t seem to listen to me, refuses to refer me to gynaecologist . I keep getting told to try various things and come back if it doesn’t work but then can’t get an appointment for a month and am left in pain and possibly anaemic. I’m not sure I can wait until my appointment on the 7th especially if I continue bleeding like I am now.

Would going to A&E be an option? I’m getting desperate.

I have been unable to get though on the phone (others are having the same issue, guess they are busy with people chasing up flu vaccines).

I am looking at changing surgeries but that means travelling quite far.

I have had the most awful head ache all day, probably due to the lack of sleep, I’m running out of fight yet I’m so angry.

@Ginogineli

Dd has been bleeding for last five months and - I’m not lying- hasn’t had a day off

She’s 13. Dr putting her on the pill

I had similar issues and was put on the pill by my GP it masked out my PCOS I didn't have a period for 3 full years and it messed my fertility up. It took me 15 years to fall Pregnant and that's only with the help of metformin

Absolutely disgraceful. If a bloke had been bleeding like that the GP wouldn't have thought twice about a referral.

Op, can you ask (demand) an appointment with the practice manager? They can do a lot more than Gps at times. Or untie their hands. I had a problem with a different issue (prescription problems) and the practice manager sorted it out so fast. Whereas gp just shrugged their shoulders. Even with a letter from hospital consultant for diabetes supplies.

If you would consider a hysterectomy, print off the Nice guidelines, the criteria for heavy bleeding is:

You have completed your family
You have tried hormonal treatments (pill, mini pill Norethisterone or mineral coil)
It is affecting your life (work, sexual relationship)

You can refuse the Mirena, if they push you, tell them you are Catholic, that worked for me.

If you get refused a referral, wite to the practice manager & your CCG

Ask for an NHS choices choose & book appointment at your local private hospital, it is free under the NHS

If you have to go to A & E, use this with your GP (The cost to the NHS is more than a referral would cost)

I had to do all these to get my hysterectomy & get my MP involved, but I got mine done after my local CCG twice refused me funding.

Put a complaint in to your practice manager & threaten legal action if you don't get referred, prolonged heavy bleeding could be caused by something more serious & any delay could be detrimental to your health.

I hope your GP starts listening soon. My GP was very good with me and I had a myamectomy last year to remove a large fibroid. I went to A&E several time’s for bleeding as was very anaemic with it too. Reading this thread has reminded me how debilitating and awful that time was but my GP tried the treatments you mentioned then referred me to gynae and she said to me that she would always refer a woman because if they come complaining of heavy bleeding it must be heavy because as women we tend to pass it off as normal until it’s unmanageable.

I’m now experiencing constant pain for the past two months and she’s referring me for a scan. We shouldn’t have to put up with such debilitating circumstances. I can only echo what others have said about the complaints process because this is unacceptable. I’m very sorry you’re going through this.

I hope you get sorted OP, this sounds horrendous!

Can you pay for a private consultation at all?

Like a previous poster said, absolutely complain to the practice manager, why should you suffer because you are a woman? You should be able to access the treatment you need!

Could you afford the initial private consultation? I did that years ago and they will write to your GP documenting the need for further investigation if you cannot afford everything recommended. It may help your case. I was left for 10 years with such low levels of ferritin I was so tired eating sugar for energy and ended up having iron infusions when I finally got people to take me seriously my HB levels were never low enough it took someone to look at the bigger picture (a nurse!)

How are you now, @Lovemusic33 ?

Thank you for checking in on me.
i ended up having Endometrial ablation and was sterilised at the same time, I would love to say it was successful but it wasn’t as successful as planned. I was told it would stop my periods, reduce pain and was told it would change my life, sadly it hasn’t. My bleeding isn’t as heavy but my periods are very painful, ovulation is painful and I still have bleeding in between periods. I long for a hysterectomy but due to being alone with a disabled child I am not able to go through major surgery and a long recovery 😞. Things are slightly better than they are, no more flooding so I guess I should be grateful.

wow, thank you for update & sorry to hear it couldn't be sorted more easily.
You just seem so unlucky. :(
I feel like suggesting what if you had a repeat Endometrial ablation but I know that's unlikely with NHS so overwhelmed right now.

I was pretty unwell after the first, had a scan a couple months later and was told it didn’t look like I had even had the ablation but when I spoke to gynaecologist they fobbed me off and told me it would take a while to settle but was 100% successful. I waited in hope it would settle and the bleeding would stop and before I knew it a year had passed. I was told the op works 90% of the time resulting in no more periods, sadly I was in the 10%, they told me having it done again was not an option. I am oddly looking forward to menopause and no longer having periods but at the age of 40 I may still have a few years to wait.

‘After the surgery’ not ‘after the first’

I had to go to A&e as was bleeding heavily and losing huge clots. I ended up in resus as was tachycardiac as a result.