Woman's Health question (guys... you don't wanna look..lol)

**mommy4ever** · 03-10-2009, 10:47 AM

Ok, so here's the history.

From teens to 6 years ago, I had a text book cycle. 28 days, period started by noon every 4th Wednesday. Seriously.

I was pregnant with our 4th child(2nd son), and he died in utero. I delivered at home 3 weeks later(Dr wanted contractions, so we did some waiting), but the placenta ruptured and was stuck. I hemorrhaged and had to have an emergency d&c. My first period following the d&c was very heavy. I was pregnant again after that, but miscarried. Each period following that has been heavy, but predictable 28 day cycle. About 5 months later I was pregnant again, and delivered a healthy 9lb 2 oz baby girl(not my biggest..lol). Due to breast feeding, i didn't have another period for about 20 months post delivery. And when it came back it was again with a vengence. Very heavy.

I've spoken to dr and am told, "oh that's inconvenient". Or "well women change over time". Or, "when your thyroide is regulated".

Can you tell they are MEN? Even when my thyroid is perfectly balance, the period is brutally heavy.

Fast forward 5 years later, my period is now an 18 day cycle! I finished less than 2 weeks ago and it started AGAIN. There are bigger and bigger clots. This has been going on for 2 months. The thing is as soon as they ask if I have pain, which at worst I have mild cramps, it's dismissed.

I need some ammunition when I get my next appointment. I'm tired of being dismissed. I'm anemic at the best of times, now I'm dragging pretty bad. All my numbers are low, iron, ferritin, hemoglobin. This can't go on.

I figure my fellow FV'ers would have some ammunition for me!

**TigerGirl1226** · 03-10-2009, 11:13 AM

My only suggestion would be to get a new doctor. It seems if you are having problems, you shouldn't feel "dismissed" even if your problems are minor to the doctor.

**mommy4ever** · 03-10-2009, 11:29 AM

I've been to THREE. I am booking with a 4th and need something to fight with. I want a referral to my obgyn. I can't just walk in.

**PrairieRose** · 03-10-2009, 11:33 AM

I would just be adamant and tell him/her that this is not normal for you and you need him to either do another d & c or to try something.....you're not comfortable with the changes and are very concerned. I'm sorry I don't have more for you but you are in charge of your own health care and have to be your own advocate. I agree that women do change due to health and circumstances but if you're convinced that something is wrong, push it.

**TigerGirl1226** · 03-10-2009, 11:39 AM

Are you on the pill? I am having a cycle problems, too. Yesterday when I went to the OBGYN she put me on the pill to try to regulate me. We'll see...

**mommy4ever** · 03-10-2009, 11:45 AM

I had been on the pill and it didn't make a difference to my cycle heaviness. I won't go on the pill again. too many other side effects for me.

**perSue** · 03-10-2009, 11:46 AM

i'd see about getting a female obgyn honestly.
otherwise, i had a colleague who had something similar to this happen to her. she ended up getting a d&c and said it lessened. dunno how (doesnt seem like it'd affect how much ya build up)... but i dont know.
however if you're clotting a lot, it could be fibroids.
possibly PCOS (on an extreme end)... (polycystic ovarian syndrome).

I'd go into the next Dr & say "look, i've been regular my whole life, despite pregnancies. i understand with that & age, hormones change, cycles change. Right now, I'm more concerned about other possible issues causing this. I may have a family history of uterine fibroids... but no one ever really talked about these things in my family."

key words a Dr hears: Family History
How they interpret that: Liability

I'd do a google as well (what I did) and type in treatment of heavy periods... where i got fibriods & pcos... maybe google those & see if there's something else there.

i REALLY hope you can get this fixed.
i had a (hormonal) issue where i would bleed for 3 weeks straight...(that's SO backwards!!) and this went on for about 4 mos before anyone listened to me.
Good luck and many hugs to you.

**cheriede** · 03-10-2009, 11:51 AM

If you have clots and they are getting bigger, wouldn't that be enough for the doctor to believe that something is wrong?

**Gardengal18** · 03-10-2009, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by mommy4ever

Ok, so here's the history.

From teens to 6 years ago, I had a text book cycle. 28 days, period started by noon every 4th Wednesday. Seriously.

I was pregnant with our 4th child(2nd son), and he died in utero. I delivered at home 3 weeks later(Dr wanted contractions, so we did some waiting), but the placenta ruptured and was stuck. I hemorrhaged and had to have an emergency d&c. My first period following the d&c was very heavy. I was pregnant again after that, but miscarried. Each period following that has been heavy, but predictable 28 day cycle. About 5 months later I was pregnant again, and delivered a healthy 9lb 2 oz baby girl(not my biggest..lol). Due to breast feeding, i didn't have another period for about 20 months post delivery. And when it came back it was again with a vengence. Very heavy.

I've spoken to dr and am told, "oh that's inconvenient". Or "well women change over time". Or, "when your thyroide is regulated".

Can you tell they are MEN? Even when my thyroid is perfectly balance, the period is brutally heavy.

Fast forward 5 years later, my period is now an 18 day cycle! I finished less than 2 weeks ago and it started AGAIN. There are bigger and bigger clots. This has been going on for 2 months. The thing is as soon as they ask if I have pain, which at worst I have mild cramps, it's dismissed.

I need some ammunition when I get my next appointment. I'm tired of being dismissed. I'm anemic at the best of times, now I'm dragging pretty bad. All my numbers are low, iron, ferritin, hemoglobin. This can't go on.

I figure my fellow FV'ers would have some ammunition for me!

Find yourself a female GYN. Sounds to me like you might be Pre-Menopausal, and possible fibroid, but I'm not a Dr. (just worked for a Hospital GYN Dept at one point.)

**mommy4ever** · 03-10-2009, 11:56 AM

thanks PerSue, actually, my mom had a hysterectomy due to fibroids.

I have a great ob gyn. HOwever, because my youngest is 5 years old, I can't get in to see her without a referral, and these jerks won't refer me. They have god complex or something.

I just want to get a referral and it's like pulling teeth.

**mommy4ever** · 03-10-2009, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Gardengal18

Find yourself a female GYN. Sounds to me like you might be Pre-Menopausal, and possible fibroid, but I'm not a Dr. (just worked for a Hospital GYN Dept at one point.)

Thanks

The heavy bleeding started after a D&C, I do think it's linked to that. I'm not sure about the pre-menopausal, but anything is possible. But I'm only 35..lol. I hope not! I don't wanna get old! If that's what it is then so be it.

I might just do a walk in clinic and demand a referral..lol.

**butterflygreen** · 03-10-2009, 12:03 PM

Well for the clots you could try taking ibuprofen when you are cycling it should help with the clots. about the pain if it gets any worst it could be endometriosis or you could have a lesion on your uterine wall. I had both these problems and at only 24 had an hysterectomy due to the fact that by the time the problems were cought they could not be fixed. Just remember you know your body better than any doctor and just keep complaining they will give you your referal if only so they dont have to deal with you any more.

**mommy4ever** · 03-10-2009, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by butterflygreen

Well for the clots you could try taking ibuprofen when you are cycling it should help with the clots. about the pain if it gets any worst it could be endometriosis or you could have a lesion on your uterine wall. I had both these problems and at only 24 had an hysterectomy due to the fact that by the time the problems were cought they could not be fixed. Just remember you know your body better than any doctor and just keep complaining they will give you your referal if only so they dont have to deal with you any more.

I don't have any pain, *maybe* some mild cramping, but usually not. This is where I'm running into a wall. If there's no pain, than it must be normal. DOH. I am booking an appointment and with any luck, get my referral, if it doesn't work there, then i'm going to throw a tantrum. I'm NOT one to be at the dr all the time. I'm rarely there other than for my routine thyroid checks.

**butterflygreen** · 03-10-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by mommy4ever

I don't have any pain, *maybe* some mild cramping, but usually not. This is where I'm running into a wall. If there's no pain, than it must be normal. DOH. I am booking an appointment and with any luck, get my referral, if it doesn't work there, then i'm going to throw a tantrum. I'm NOT one to be at the dr all the time. I'm rarely there other than for my routine thyroid checks.

the Ibprofin helps with the clots makes them smaller.This is what my ob-gyn told me.

**perSue** · 03-10-2009, 09:41 PM

oooh the referral issue... been there done that.
just tell yer regular Doc you think yer prego again

LOL

seriously... find any solid reason a Dr will give you that referral & go!

i'm sorta outta ideas... but i know how frustrating it is for someone to listen to you & not give you a referral you really need.

{hugs}