Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: cherylks on January 27, 2014, 09:50:04 AM
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Please don't be cross with me! Am hoping someone out there can understand what I am going through... My daily bleeding continues and there is a bit more of it although it still stops for a few hours each day. As it has now been over 4 weeks I wonder whether next period is kicking in and might sort it all out. I know from other threads that many perimeno women have bleeding for weeks or months on end and I have typical perimeno symptoms - night sweats, palpitations, mega heavy or really light periods. I don't want to see a doctor and I don't want hrt or operations. Why?...
I had period problems from teens. Mega painful and awful pmt. Eventually diagnosed with endometriosis. Many years ago was tried on various pills/hrt but couldn't cope with side effects (which were extreme at times), too much hormone changes so gave up. Over the years pain subsided and for last couple of years much better pmt.
Three years ago I had tooth infection that went horribly wrong. Dentists and doctors didn't treat until too late. As result I lost hearing in one ear, nerve damage to face and immune system really lowered. I decided then I would never see doctor again unless absolutely necessary. Also decided to get myself as fit and healthy as possible.
For the last year I have felt so healthy and well. Am coping with hormone changes, not getting ill etc. I really don't want anyone messing me up again!!
Went to doctor a year ago to get heart checked (palpitations etc) and was told slight irregularity but nothing to worry about (so am not totally against them). But for some reason am in tears at thought of going about hormone stuff! I just want to be left alone and let my body deal with it as naturally as possible. Does anyone understand....
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Yes I can understand :hug: but ::)
You may well be getting aneamic from constantly bleeding. Could you see a practise nurse who deals with meno. There is also the option of e-mailing Dr Currie to see what she thinks would be best. You could also have a look at the find a specialist link at the top of the page. Some need a doctor's referral but a few don't. It's always worth a look.
I am not great with doctors either but sometimes needs must.
Honeyb
x
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If you are bleeding non-stop for 4 weeks then it's likely you will become anaemic. There is also the tiny chance that it may not be hormonal and something more serious, which does need treatment. Not likely- but be silly to ignore the slight possibility.
If your tooth infection was made worse by a late diagnosis, ( is that what you meant?) is that not even more of a reason to see a dr sooner rather than later?
You don't have to see a dr but that may mean you suffer other symptoms which will make your health worse.
Even if you go to the dr you can't be forced into having treatment, but at least you'd know the options.
Is it not worth doing that?
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Your dental problems is different to seeing a GP. Does your Surgery have a Practice Nurse with whom you can talk issues through or could you ask for a phone call from your GP. If you take a list of symptoms and worries with you it allows you to work through it with the GP/Nurse.
Does your Surgery run a 'well woman' Clinic?
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Dentist was too busy to see me on two occasions! Doctor misdiagnosed infection spreading. By the time I was referred to hospital it was too late. Damage done. Spent 9 month in and out of hosp. Am thinking of ringing doc and getting appointment with nurse. You are right i can at least talk to them without agreeing to anything.
I know I probably sound stupid - maybe part of meno symptoms but I am fearful and tearful of certain things!! Including not having my body messed up anymore.
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I recently had problems with bleeding - I bled for 7 weeks non stop. I ended up anaemic and am still taking the iron tablets to try and up my levels. My GP sent me for a scan and I found out today that I have a polyp, so if I were you I would visit your GP for advice just in case it isn't hormonal.
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The inability to make decisions is experienced by lots of women at this time of Life. So don't beat yourself up! We have a thread on this here somewhere, if I could only remember what it is called ::).
Make that list, ring the Surgery for an appt. with the Practice Nurse - you don't need to go through your GP - and get a working relationship with her so that you can address your worries. If I don't get the answers first time round I go back "I wasn't listening properly last time, can you remind me of what we said?" - that way you don't come over as confrontational ;) ……… if anything is recommended you can tell them that you need to think about it, this can be useful in other areas of life too. Now I don't say 'yes' to anything if I'm asked to help out I tell the person that I need to consult with DH and our calendar ;)
I too had painful periods, went on The Pill at aged 16 and in later Life, suffered severe PMT. Awful :sigh:
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Don't think anyone hates going to the dr more then I do, so I am with you there. A recent bout with prolonged bleeding sent me in though.
My Dr reassured me that she didn't think it was cancer, but of course had to send me for the standard tests, bloodwork, pap, endo biopsy and ultrasounds. I have fibroids, all else was clear.
Prolonged bleeding is a scary thing, I worried myself sick... so sick that my dr perscribed xanax for me while I waited for my test results.
My bleeding lasted 7 weeks, it's been gone since Dec 10th but honestly, every day I'm looking for it to return.
No HRT for me, not now, not ever.
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It's not really going to help your current problems by looking back to your previous experience when your dentist was fully booked ( though most offer emergency appts.) and your dr isn't an expert on teeth.
I think almost everyone has- sadly- had experiences of drs not getting it right all of the time.
But you need to put that behind you and deal with what is happening now. No one can take away your control over your body but if you ignore things then the delay may mean you suffer longer or a condition becomes worse.
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Ok. Have been for a 3 mile run to clear my head. Rang doc and got appointment with a female doc later this afternoon. Thanks for all your replies.
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3 miles :o
Let us know how you get on!
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Well, I saw a young female doc who said sounds like perimeno. Offered me hrt, the pill, mirana coil, mefenamic and some other tablets - to deal with heavy bleeding - despite me saying its not heavy just some every day. She also said that jogging would just be loosening what is already there and needs to come out. She will send me for a scan but is convinced it is just normal perimeno.
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Was it as bad as you feared?
Did the Dr tell you whether to have the scan before you begin medication to stop the bleeding?
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Thanks for the update :-)
How do you feel about what was offered to you ?
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I said I didn't want anything I just want to know what's causing the bleeding. Assuming its just normal perimeno I am happy to let it run its course.
I actually felt I wasted my time cos she said exactly what I was thinking and hoping. But no harm done :)
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However: often we feel that peri-menopause will 'run it's course' but as time progresses, we require support, because symptoms take over. So getting information allows us to make choices as 'the change' happens, it ain't given that name for the fun of it ;)
Having gone along you have been offered a scan which you couldn't book on your own. Will you go?
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I will go for scan. I will be happier then knowing nothing needs to be done. I do accept that meno symptoms could get worse - but want to stay positive and manage without any kind of treatment if I possibly can. Of course if I was in a really bad way I would have to reconsider and I accept that. I have absolutely no problem with others taking hrt or whatever else. It's just not easy to believe that my body will respond differently to what it has in the past.
As far as docs are concerned, I have more faith in medics that train in a specific area rather than gp status. I know gps have a vital role to play in general medicine but of course it is stuff like meno where they can get it so wrong or give wrong impressions as so many on here have testified before.
If you get good gp - fantastic! If not,.....
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GPs go through the exact same training as Consultants! in fact they do 6 months as SHOs in each speciality. It's whether they can keep up as GPs and how budgets are within the Practice that takes up so much time. Consultants don't know everything either which is why we need to chat amongst ourselves and ask questions of our GPs. The important thing I have found is to ask before symptoms become unbearable.
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cheryl- you can always see a consultant privately if that is the kind of thing you'd like to put your mind at rest.
Some will see you without a referral whereas others won't- but if you are paying for the appt yourself your GP should have no issues with writing a letter.
It's something to consider anyway, if your finances permit. You may just need a chat and no tests etc which can make t money well spent for reassurance or advice.
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Sarah, thanks for that! I hadn't considered it but actually it may well suit me better. I will wait for scan and results first. But at least going private I know I will get the time and attention I need with my history. And no, I am not knocking the NHS. They are expected to achieve so much with so little time and money per patient - not their fault!!
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cheryl- have sent you a PM if you can access it.
Sx
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Things are looking up. I saw doc on Monday and had two phone calls from hospital today. I now have scan appointment on Tuesday. At least i will get to find out why I am still bleeding... particularly now it is continuous day and night although not heavy. One step at a time...
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Take a list of any queries. Let us know how you get on!