My periods starting getting progressively hearvier approx. 6 years ago. Last June after about 5 months of lighter periods, lighter than I'd been having anyway, I started getting a sudden very heavy flow, clots and gushing, but only lasted about an hour then went back to heavy. I found out I had iron deficent anemia after a general check up. Had trouble breathing, tiredness, ect and started taking iron tablets. I went to a gyno who sent me for scans, found out I had fibroids, two of which were making the endometrial lining bulge. I had an operative hysterscope 2 Feb this year, the polyp and one fibroid were removed and I was told "I'd notice a signifcant difference. My period started before the bleeding from the op finished and it had improved, then I got my second one, one week early. It was very light, nothing overnight and hardly anything from the Monday until the Friday morning, I'd felt a gush and checked, I thought it wasn't too bad, but strange to get heavier after five days. I had just hung out some washing and felt the need to use the bathroom.....well blood and huge clots started gushing I do anything, put a pad on and it was soaked within a minute, blood all over the place. I knew I was in trouble phoned my sister and doctor was told to go straight to the hospital. I was given a scan and blood test was taken for hb as I was worried about taking hormones because of breast lumps. I was admitted to hospital. After 5 hours of none stop clots and bleeded it stopped, next morning same thing, about 6 hours then stopped, next morning same thing, next day the same thing my blood had dropped from 134 to 123 in 24 hrs. I was put on primulot and it settled down. By Monday my blood count had dropped to 95. I have just taken my last dose of primulot am getting a period and am scared, so very scared that the same thing is going to happen again. I was started on 2 Primulot every 4 hours for 24hrs, then 2 every six hours for 24 hours, then 2 every eight hours for 4 days, then 1 every eight hours for 3 days, the 1 every 12 hours for 2 days. As I said I've just taken my last dose, period started earlier today and I'm terrified, it's just light at the moment, kind of stalled....I'm just so scared, mostly because my blood level is still so low, 101 at the moment. Has anyone else had this problem. The gyno thinks it's hormonal, had FSH, ect done two days ago came back not post menapausal, thyroid normal. This is so long, I'm just feeling afraid, this has made me so anxious.

Aussie
Welcome to PS!! I wish I could give you answers but unfortunatly I have none. You have had a really rough time haven't you? I too have had heavy periods with lots of clots but not like what you are describing. I understand your anxiety completely. Just wanted to comment on your blood tests. No your not Post menopausal because your still having periods. FSH tests in the peri meno years are unrealiable because hormones flucuate daily. A lot of women experience flooding during this time. I'm sure someone will reply shortly who will be able to help you more. You have come to the right place. Let us know how things are going. Take care.

Cathy

Cathy, thank you for replying I appreciate it very much. I noticed I had a lot of typos in that post, I was feeling so anxious. I thought it was strange that I was told my hormone tests came back as not post menopausal, because I'm still getting my periods and as I understand it post menopausal is 12 months after your last period, is that right? Thank you for explaining the FSH tests to me and thanks again for replying, it has meant a lot to me*S*

Hi Aussie

Yes post is when you have gone 12 straight months without. I hope everything is still going o.k. this month. Keep reading the posts on this site and you will finf many women here going through many of the same things you are, I know for me that just knowing that other women are experiencing the same things has helped my anxiety.

Cathy

Aussie,

Although my flooding wasn't as bad as you describe, it was bad enough that I had to put towels on all the furniture (folded in triples). I would wear a super-tampon and super-pad, and still flood thru' everything. On the worst days, would change my clothes 3 times! I wouldn't leave the house on heavy flow days, and was TERRIFIED when they fell on a holiday, and I would have to be with people!

I'm now having almost no periods anymore, and you will get there too!

Keep working with your doc, and do call him/her if your flooding gets too severe. Meanwhile, be sure you are getting enough iron.

I feel for you! It IS going to get better - promise!


Jacquie

Sorry to hear about you problem Aussie. My heart goes out to you! I too am having the floods, but not as bad as you Aussie, and had been diagnosed with anemia although that's improving now - I'm on Duroferon, as that's the only thing (apart from an injection), that helps. With me the anemia thing is chronic - recurring theme throughout my life! Ultrasounds of my uterus show that everything is normal (no fibroids). My GP (not my GYNO, note) suggested that I should still consider my uterus scraped, as that might reduce the flow. Apparently, the procedure that they use nowadays, in Sweden, is some sort of cauterization (with a hot balloon, I believe). I'm planning to see my GYNO about this soon, but wondered whether anyone has had any experience of this procedure or any other scraping procedure and its effects on bleeding?

JolieJacq.... thank you for your kind words and reassurance, it is very much appreciated. Do you mind if I ask you how long you had flooding before things started to improve? I'm so happy to hear you don't experience that anymore.

LadyB......it's a terrible thing to go through isn't it and the lack of iron makes everyday tasks so tiring. I think you are talking about ablation. My gyno has suggested two things that we are going to talk about at my next appointment. The first is what is called Merina, I think it is like an IUD, it continuously releases small amounts of pergestorone which keeps the lining of the uterus thin and is supposed to help with heavy bleeding. The second suggestion is an MEA (Microwave Endometrial Ablation), as I understand it, it's performed under a light anethetic and takes about 3 or 4 minutes, it pentrates about 6mm of the lining and if successful you either don't bleed anymore or bleed lightly every month. Check this information out to see if I've got it right, as I said I have to discuss this properly with her at my next appointment. As I understand it you are talking about an ablation, but it is the balloon method. Check all of this out to make sure it's correct. I hope it will be of some help to you and I hope you improve soon.

Hi Aussie,

I'd say the intense flooding lasted about a year - a LONG year.

I have since thrown out all of my ruined undergarments, and bought some pretty new ones! You can look forward to that, my friend. This IS going to get better!


Jacquie

Hi Aussie

Thanks for the info. I used the hormone spiral that you describe when I was in my 30's and it helped (STOPPED) the bleeding then. I've always been a heavy bleeder but this is hell. I'm a bit concerned about the possible side-effects of using any hormones at this point, and would prefer a minor surgical procedure like the ablation.

JolieJacq......My heavy periods first started about 6 years ago gradually getting worse, but the intense flooding that is keeping me in the house for a few days out of every month started suddenly last June....it's nearly a year......how I'm hoping that like you I will finish very soon. I spoke to my gyno about 1/2 hour ago and she is seeing me tomorrow to discuss options. Thank you so much for the reassurance, it means so much to me.

LadyB....what possible side affects are you concerned about? I'm seeing my gyno tomorrow to discuss options.

Lady B and JolieJacq.....I'm so happy that I'm able to see my gyno tomorrow (well the one that is looking after my gyno's patients while she is on leave). She said we'd discuss things and get things moving. I know after what happened to me a couple of weeks ago has left me very anxious, I have a terrible time every month, but that was frightening....I could never believe something like that could happen. I thought what I'd been experiencing was bad and it is, but that was unbelievable. The nurse rang to check and see how I was going today, she said they were very worried about me, so I guess that says how bad it really was doesn't it. If they were worried about what was happening to me.

Hi Aussie

I just want to point out that my concerns about possible effects apply to me personally with my own background and medical history. It may be different for you. From what I understand, doctors usually recommend hormone replacement for limited periods of time. I'm 45 and I don't know how much time I have left before reaching menopause (it could be anything from 5 to 15 years). Maybe it's not a good idea for me to start down the HRT road just yet. Also, my GYNO doesn't seem too keen on starting me on HRT right off at the beginning of perimenopause. I guess I just want to see how long I can handle the symptoms by alternative means. Secondly, I'm concerned since there is a history of breast cancer in my family, and there is an association between some types of HRT and increased incidence of breast cancer. Good luck when you see your GYNO!

LadyB.....I have concerns too. I was put on such large doses of Primulot, but I had to take it I had no choice. I have a history of DVT in the family, my grandmother, mother and sister and I have had a surface clot. I stopped taking Primulot last Thursday night and woke up early Sunday morning with a terrible pain in the arch of my right foot, had a look and there was a black spot in the arch of my foot I ended up going to the hospital and was told it was a surface clot....makes me wonder if the high doses of Primulot might have made me more susceptible to getting a clot. I have breast lumps and that is a great concern of mine, then there is the water retention and Migrains, so I will have a good talk to her today. I have never believed in taking hormones for myself and have never taken them before that terrible episode and ended up on them for 12 days. Thank you for answering, I was just wondering what your concerns were, if they were similiar to mine

Hi Girls....I just got home from my appointment with my gyno. As soon as we started to speak she told me she doesn't want me on Primulot or any other medication, she said my body is too sensitive and she doesn't want me having problems from them.....she has suggested an MEA (Microwave Endometrial Ablation)....she said it works straight away and either have no period or very light one. I have an appointment to discuss it with the Dr who will perform the procedure on the 18th April. I just hope it works. I know I can't take the anxiety that I'm going through after the experience I had a couple of weeks ago.

Dear Aussie

I'm glad to hear that things went well with the visit to your GYNO . I too am interested in an ablation procedure, because of the bleeding and anemia, and have an appointment to discuss this alternative with my GYNO on Thursday, although I'm not sure which type she will suggest. Could you let me know how you get on with the microwave ablation? By the way, what is DVT?

LadyB....DVT (deep vein thombosis). I'll let you know how I go after talking to the Dr, that will be on the 18th of April. My gyno said I should be able to have the MEA because my lining was 10mm thick when I had the polyp and fibroid removed and she also said that my lining was of normal thickness. I could have had the MEA performed at the same time of my polyp and fibroid procedure and it would have been all over and done with, but at the time the polyp and fibroid was thought to be the cause of my problem, the hormone problem had already kicked in when I had the op, but never mind, one step at a time. I hope you go well with your appointment, let me know please.

Aussie,

That sounds very promising - let us know how it goes!

I know nothing about this procedure, and am sure many other P-S'ers don't either.

Maybe you could start a thread about your experience with it?

Thanks,
Jacquie

Hi Aussie! I should have guessed what DVT stood for! I'm so sorry to hear that you have the risk of that to deal with as well.

I've just been to the GYNO and after a long discussion we have decided on the MINI PILL (no estrogen, no problems for breast cancer, often prescribed for "older" women like myself - age 45). I still have my doubts (as I said, I'm wary of all hormones at this stage), but am willing to give it a try for a period of time. I did not want the hormone spiral again (which she first suggested) as I tried that in my thirties and I broke out in pimples!

Of course, you are wondering - why did we not go for the ablation? My GYNO's argument was that it would be better to start with a less invasive procedure (Swedes are by nature very cautious) and see how I feel before going straight off for a very invasive procedure (which she considers ablation to be). I must say that, after listening to her, I am persuaded, although not totally committed because I have to see how I feel after I've tried it for a while. So, I am still interested in hearing about your experience with ablation since, for all I know, I may still end up going for that in the end.

By the way, has anyone had any experience with the mini pill?

Hi JollieJacq.....the actual procedure only takes 3 to 4 minutes apparently. Starting a thread about it is a good idea. Thank you. It might be helpful to others who are having a very bad time with flooding.

Hi LadyB....I so wanted to go through menopause naturally, but I need some help, I can't go through what I went through a couple of weeks ago, it's just too dangerous, too risky. My blood dropped from 134 to 95 in three days and a blood transfusion was suggested. I'm just so, so frightened after that happened. I started having heavy periods about 6 years ago, but since last June things have been really bad. My gyno said I could reach menopause in the next 3 months then again it could be a year or more, although she seems to think I'm only a few months off. For me medications are not a good idea. My feet and ankles are still swelling, but not a bad thank goodness, legs still ache, ect. from taking the Primulot, although I had very heavy doses. I have to do something with the bleeding, she thinks the MEA is the best way to go for me, I hope so, I will feel better about it when I speak to the Dr who is going to perform the procedure. As I understand it, the actual procedure only takes 3 to 4 minutes. If successful, no more bleeding or very light. I think you are doing the right thing trying the mini pill first, you may find it helps you and you can tolerate it well. Short term use of hormones is very safe I've been told, depending on your history. Go for it.

I wish you the very best for the procedure Aussie! And I would be really grateful if you could let me know how you get on, as I may also have to have it done.
Have a good week-end!

LadyB....I will keep you updated and I hope medication works for you and sees you through the bad times. I hope you have a good weekend too.

Hi,

My sister-in-law went through what you are going through for several years. I kept trying to get her to go to the dr. because her flooding was so bad every month and this went on for several years mind you. She looked unhealthy, pale, hair falling out. Finally last summer her family was on the way to Canada on vacation which I begged her not to do because she had been in bed right up until they left the flooding was so bad. Long story short---she ended up in a hospital in Minnesota her hemoglobin was down to 8 I think, never made it to Canada.

Turns out with her she had a huge benign tumor that dr. said had probably been growing in her for at least 10 years and that was causing the flooding someway. They turned around came home and she had a hysterectomy and removed the tumor. She had not had a pap smear since her son was born and he is 18yrs. old.

Wish you the best in finding what is causing yours.

Deb

Deb123......your sister-in-law would have been in terrible condition. The hysterectomy would have saved her, thank goodness she is alright. I had a large polyp and a fibroid removed, but it seems that hormones have kicked in also giving me even worse problems. Thank you for your kind words. I hope everything is going well with you.