Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: cherylks on September 21, 2014, 08:23:05 PM
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Yesterday it looked like a period starting (6 weeks late) and then during the night got what felt liked period pain. Went downstairs to get hot water bottle and next thing I remember is waking up on the floor in the kitchen. Unconscious for about 10 mins. Then started vomiting but nothing really coming up. Thought I would pass out again so rang 999 as husband away. Whilst at hospital suddenly started flooding with blood. Heart checked thoroughly (have minor ongoing issue) but was fine. Bloods more or less normal (low white cell count). Anyway, I had a similar episode a few months ago but was on edge of bed at time and husband around. Again, later in day started heavy bleeding. When mentioned menopausal and sudden flooding at hospital they weren't interested.
I think it related to meno. Hospital don't have an answer but said to go back if happens again. Has anyone else had this or similar happen?
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Sounds a bit like friend of mine. She ended up needing blood transfusions. Then mirena coil was fitted once things settled & all was well again. She has since had coil removed & has been fine since. No more meno symptoms.
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cherylks - sounds very frightening. This could be down to meno. You definitely need to have this investigated, so get down to your GP. Good luck DG x
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You may have had a sudden drop in blood pressure due to getting out of bed suddenly and half-awake. Some people vomit on re-gaining consciousness. Horrid. Bleeding can also cause low blood pressure. I think I would be asking for a gynae appt. at the Hospital. At least you need to see your GP.
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Got appointment with Doctor tomorrow. Hope he has some ideas! Really don't want the worry of this happening again next time my body decides to bleed... :(
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Certainly not! Do you drive?
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Yes I do drive. My plan is this.... I get about 15-20 second warning that it is going to happen. Both times I had this immense loud buzzing in my head and felt weak and very strange just before I passed out. So if in car will just brake hard. If out and about will just put myself on the floor before I fall down! Don't know what else I could do!
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STOP Driving until you have seen a Specialist. You may find that your Insurance is null and void if you have a 'pre-determined' condition. Also, you might injure another person: or worse :'(
This may be a form of late onset epilepsy related to hormones. Let us know how you get on 2-day!
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Hopefully you doctor will be able to help.
I don't think you get enough notice of this kind of episode to be able to stop safely. What would happen if you were in the fast lane of the motorway.
Your GP will advise. My hubby drives under a restricted license because he is diabetic. We also have to inform our insurance company. It's a pain but it is for his and others safety.
Honeyb
x
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Thing is cherylks, you may not get that 15-20 minute warning one time when you're driving. Breaking hard isn't always a feasible option.
My friend was in a bad way when she had similar, but refused to drive. She went to GP & was sent straight to hospital. She'd been in agony, but just put up with it.
I do hope your GP has helped you today. Let us know.
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My appointment with Doc is 5pm tomorrow (not today). Appreciate all the concern about driving but both times were at night. Around the time of heavy bleeding. So I don't expect anything to happen again for a few weeks now.
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How have you felt today?
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I feel a bit lightheaded but that's all. To be honest often have that and put it down to hormones. Have more energy today and more alert than I have been since it happened (which was Sat). The hosp put me on 500mg clarithromycin in case there is infection somewhere in my body (had low white cell count) when they did blood tests. But of course, that doesn't explain why I had identical happen a month or two ago. Husband is coming with me to see doctor tomorrow so hopefully between us we will get some idea of what is going on from him.
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Take a list? Moods, food diary ……….
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Well I have just seen the doctor. His first response after hearing exactly what happened both times is that it is definitely NOT epilepsy. Mainly based on the fact that I remember everything right up to the passing out and remember everything once I came around.
At the moment he thinks probably linked to bleeding. His suggestion is that I go on the combined pill permanently and therefore stop having bleeds altogether. He said I would have 3 or 4 periods a year as I would have a week off pill every three months.
My concern is this... I seem very sensitive to changes in hormonal levels when using pill/hrt. This is based on the fact that many years ago I tried all sorts of versions of both because I had such problems with periods. However within months of whatever I took I would have such huge mood swings I would be suicidal on many occasions. I have never wanted to use pill/hrt since.
So, what do I do?? For the moment I am doing nothing. Will alert my husband whenever my body decides to start bleeding again. Will be extra careful getting out of bed during this time and wait and see what happens. If the pattern is identical then I guess I may not have any option??? :-\
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My first thought would be to consider a Mirena. This could control the bleeding and far less progesterone is absorbed so fewer side effects. You could then just add some oestrogen in patch or gel form to reduce flushes etc. This might be better if you are so sensitive to hormones in pill form.
I assume you are peri menopausal?
Dg xxx
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I am definitely perimenopausal. Had night sweats for couple of years, now get the odd hot flush, palpitations, anxiety, etc... Periods been going awry since last year. Anything from constant bleeding for 3 months to now having bleeds spaced out from 6.5 to 7.5 weeks apart. The doc didn't mention mirena. And said HRT is only for once gone through menopause. Will think about Mirena if I get another episode. Sounds better than pill.
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Why wait :-\ medication has improved over the years and you cannot risk causing an accident whilst driving. You may not get a warning in future.
Your GP has offered you medication, if you don't want to risk feeling suicidal again - been there myself - have a chat about other options? Mirena coil as suggested ……….
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I'm sorry but your GP is talking rubbish if he/she is telling you that HRT is only given once you are through the menopause :bang:. If you are getting peri meno symptoms as you are ( the excessive bleeding you are experiencing can be a typical symptom in the peri stage ) - then HRT should definitely be an option. However, controlling this heavy bleeding is a priority at this stage and I believe many gynaes use the Mirena as it can be very effective in controlling the bleeds. Maybe your GP is thinking you are too young to be menopausal? In which case he/she is even more out of touch!!! How old are you ?
What hormone pills is your GP suggesting? I don't know about the contraceptive pills that are around now but when I first started to get problems with my cycle (I was in my mid 30s when this started) my GP tried me on The Pill and it really didn't suit me - basically it was the wrong hormones - once I was diagnosed as peri meno I started HRT aged 37!!!!
If you are given continuous progesterone (I think many who have heavy bleeding are given this to start with) then you may have problems as you could be progesterone intolerant which is why you had problems before. The Mirena can reduce such symptoms although some women who are very sensitive still have issues.
I think you should be asking to be referred to a gynae as you could have fibroids and such dramatic bleeding should be investigated 'just in case'.
Keep us posted Dg x
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I am 50 years old. I don't have heavy bleeding all the time now so would Mirena still be right option? For instance, this last period, although had sudden gush of heavy bleeding at hospital, within 2 days settled down and now stopped completely as of yesterday.
Can someone tell me what is it like having a Mirena coil inserted? I.e. painful, takes long? What stops it coming back out again? Does it affect having sex? What is it made of? Sorry but have heard of it but never liked the sound of it.
As far as driving, we are going on holiday today (to Yorkshire) for a week and OH does most driving when we are away. It at least gives me time to think about all this.
Thanks for all the concern and advice. Much appreciated x
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Hi cherylks
I had a Mirena post meno as I was struggling with progesterone in other HRT preparations so it is used for a variety of reasons. I believe many women are given the Mirena if they experience any heavy bleeding. It also acts as a contraceptive so no other contraception required through the peri stage. It takes minutes to insert and at your age it would probably be mildly uncomfortable (for me it was quite painful because of atrophy). You can ask to have it done under general anaesthetic and many are fitted after an investigative procedure. You can have some stomach cramps for a few hours afterwards. Coils of all sorts have been used for a very long time but the Mirena is different because it contains progesterone which is slowly released (over 4 years) more directly where it is needed. It doesn't interfere with sex in any way. I think it is designed to basically wedge inside the uterus - they have been known to slip out but not often. There are strings that hang down inside the vagina which you can feel to check it is still in place. It is quite small and I think it is a combination of metal and plastic - but I'm not sure about this.
The Mirena slowly releases progesterone thereby keeping the uterus from thickening - there is far less absorption into the rest of the body so in theory there should be fewer side effects - some women still find they get some side effects. The Mirena will eventually result in no bleeding at all - a bit of a plus really!
AS you have struggled with hormone treatments before this could be an option but I think you need to discuss this with a gynae who will be able to advice you. I still think a referral would be a good idea as I think you need peace of mind about these terrible bleeding 'floods'. Good luck and keep us posted. DG xxx
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:thankyou: Dancinggirl!
Enjoy your break Cherylks!
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http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/thankyou.gif
Thank you for all the info Dancinggirl. Really helpful.