WOMEN ONLY RESPOND PLEASE

snowbaby1492
snowbaby1492 Posts: 75
edited September 26 in Introduce Yourself
The past few days I've been rushed to the ER twice for being dizzy and sick from losing too much blood with my period. The doctors keep telling me I'm fine, and that I just have to switch my birth control pills. The problem is that my hormones are imbalanced. The problem with that is that I've always bled too much, even before I started taking birth control. Last night I was so sick and dizzy, I passed out and hit my head on the sink at work. They forced me to go home, and today I'm still sick in bed, unable to move without passing out. My period is now all clots, as well. I've had clots before, but these ones are huge and they hurt really bad. It's also making me dehydrated.
Does anyone else have this problem? What's going on with my body? I can't accept the diagnosis of "heavy periods". That's a symptom.
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Replies

  • atsteele
    atsteele Posts: 1,358 Member
    I hope that this website is helpful to you. I would be seeing an ob/gyn, if I were you.


    http://www.cemcor.ubc.ca/help_yourself/articles/very_heavy_menstrual_flow
  • mkennedym
    mkennedym Posts: 253 Member
    I know I'm not a woman, and I don't even know why i read this thread, but I think you should seek a 2nd medical opinion as soon as possible.
  • lucieluss
    lucieluss Posts: 34
    i had this heavy flow, returned home like no big deal either from the docs,,until i met one, who strongly suggest i would go on the pill, and ive beed wed to sat morning since, insted of 2 weeks changing pad hourly thing,, works for me,,,
  • Jillmgk36
    Jillmgk36 Posts: 14 Member
    You really need to see your gynecologist. I have adenomyosis which causes similar problems, but a D & C and new BCPs has kept it under control.
  • prov31ms
    prov31ms Posts: 62
    Of course check with your doctor, but I would recommend taking an iron supplement just before & during *that time* - I have had a problem with low blood iron throughout my life & it is worse during *that time* - plus I cannot exercise as strenuously during *that time* - hope this helps!
  • You definitely need to see a specialist. My friend was having the same problem except she had her period 2-3 times a month. They kept on telling her that she was fine but after a year of pushing to get an answer her OBGyn had her go to a blood specialist where she finally got a diagnose. Don't wait to get a second opionion. You should have someone drive you to the doctor's office if you are now passing out.
  • I saw three different doctors about this problem and they all had the same opinion, then they said, "we are a CATHOLIC hospital" etc. I don't feel like switching birth control is the answer. Is it possible I have endometriosis or whatever the spelling is?
  • Triquetra
    Triquetra Posts: 270 Member
    I had this a number of years ago and after 2 years of pushing my doctor he finally sent me for a pelvic uptrasound. He found out I had really bad endometriosis and also poly cyctic ovaries (PCOS) and within 2 months I had surgery to remove most of the endometriosis as well as my one ovary that was beyond repair and had an orange size cyst on it at the time. I am now on the pill to help control the growth of any new endometriosis. I would definitely push to see another doctor or at least get more testing done. Good luck!
  • m2purple
    m2purple Posts: 38
    I would totally agree with everyone who said get another opinion or go see a gynecologist. You're right, "heavy periods" are a symptom. I always had heavier periods and never knew that they were a symptom of uterine fibroids and that I had a fibroid on my uterus until I had an ultrasound during pregnancy. Once the fibroid was removed, my periods became lighter and more manageable. You might not have anything serious, but I would definitely get another opinion. Good luck!
  • LTRUITT3
    LTRUITT3 Posts: 205 Member
    I would start with a Pelvic and Endovaginal Ultrasound, and see what that shows....and you might wanna get ur head checked out from hitting on the sink I would have a CT scan done for that. I hope everything works out for you....
  • cris12
    cris12 Posts: 90
    Although you may think otherwise, I think switching birth control pills could be the answer, regardless, you need a new OB/GYN as soon as possible. If you're hormonally imbalanced it's important that you get the right birth control pill, some have higher concentrations of certain hormones and some have lower, so if you're getting the wrong one, you need to change it!

    I used to have heavy (and really frequent) periods for a long time until the point of being anemic, my hemoglobin hit the floor and I got really pale, I noticed I would get pounding headaches every time I did the slightest bit of physical activity. I was started on iron supplements and it helped bring my hemoglobin and ferritin up (not sure how it's spelled, but it's a protein in charge of storing iron capacity), later on I was put on birth control to regulate my periods and so far I haven't had any problems again and my periods have gotten a lot more normal.
  • Thanks everyone!
  • atsteele
    atsteele Posts: 1,358 Member
    I saw three different doctors about this problem and they all had the same opinion, then they said, "we are a CATHOLIC hospital" etc. I don't feel like switching birth control is the answer. Is it possible I have endometriosis or whatever the spelling is?

    I understand but that doesn't mean you dont have issues that need to be addressed. And they can be addressed via methods that do not conflict with your morality. Didn't any of your practioners mention NaPro technology? NaPro technology isn't just for treating infertility but addressing the root of the women's problem... not just masking it with BC.
  • Sezmo83
    Sezmo83 Posts: 331 Member
    I agree with the others, get another opinion. And KEEP PUSHING the doctors if necessary. I was having major problems with my epilepsy medication, it took me 3 years and seeing god knows how many different neurologists before I found one who would actually sit down and listen to how the meds were affecting me instead of just fobbing me off with stuff they read out of a book that listed medications and side effects.

    It may be that switching birth control does sort the problem out for you, you don't know until you give it a try, but I know if it were me I'd still want an answer as to WHY this is happening.
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    I saw three different doctors about this problem and they all had the same opinion, then they said, "we are a CATHOLIC hospital" etc. I don't feel like switching birth control is the answer. Is it possible I have endometriosis or whatever the spelling is?

    I understand but that doesn't mean you dont have issues that need to be addressed. And they can be addressed via methods that do not conflict with your morality. Didn't any of your practioners mention NaPro technology? NaPro technology isn't just for treating infertility but addressing the root of the women's problem... not just masking it with BC.

    Agreed. If you have to travel to another town for PROPER MEDICAL CARE, it's worth it. YOU KNOW YOUR BODY. You know this isn't right.

    I had 3 doctors tell me that a pain and lump in my lower abdomen was simply scar tissue from my c-section. Told me it was tiny, the size of a pea. I told them it was golf ball sized and it hurt like Hades and it needed to come out.

    After 3 years of pain, I would become immobile for days after doing a 30 minute easy elliptical workout. (only tried that twice!) I would experience shooting pains that made me double over, as I sat motionless in my desk chair.

    When my doc finally performed the surgery, he found it was a golf ball sized mass of endometriosis and suddenly realized my pain was not in my head.

    (RANT: sometimes male doctors don't BEGIN to understand female issues. Like being a mechanic without having ever driven a car!)
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    I've had family and friends with similar issues who found some relief after a D&C. I think the BC pill you are on may not be strong enough.
  • clw_888
    clw_888 Posts: 157 Member
    I think you should definitely be working with a Gynecologist who knows how to help you. The heavy periods may not be a huge concern but your iron levels could be. Especially if you are passing out and dizzy. I would have your iron levels checked to make sure you are not anemic. I believe this is one of the nutrients you can track on this site too to make sure you are getting enough in the foods you are eating.
  • I would definitely see a OB/GYN Because just changing the BC is not going to help.
    KEEP US UPDATED hugs!!
  • igora_soma
    igora_soma Posts: 486
    Definitely see a specialist. It might be the pill. I had to go off of the pill because I was having super irregular periods with very heavy bleeding. It turns out I was having an allergic reaction. Definitely try to get blood work done as well as an ultrasound.

    The best thing I ever did was see a specialist. It's too bad you're not in Seattle or I would recommend her!

    Feel better and DEFINITELY get your head checked out. You don't want to miss a concussion, they need to be taken care of.
  • nickyevans
    nickyevans Posts: 216 Member
    I used to have heavy bleeding and nearly pass out through the pain of the cramps, I ended up having a mirena coil fitted. Everything has settled down nicely now.
  • I had the same issues before when i was younger, I would defiantely go see a OB/GYN doctor they are a little bit more experienced versus a ER doc. I hope this helps..
  • SWEETNESS60
    SWEETNESS60 Posts: 24 Member
    It sounds to me like you may have fibroids.... I use to bleed very heavy for 15 days straight, and always clots and my blood count was very low.
    You should ask to be checked for fibroids.:frown: I hope you feel better soon.
  • tyienna
    tyienna Posts: 39
    Go back to your OB and explain to him or her what is going on and let them know that this is starting to cause you problems with being able to work. There has to be something they can do to help you.
  • Nanconet
    Nanconet Posts: 35
    Keep going to as many doctors as you have to until someone actually takes the time to look at your case in depth and actually does tests! Don't stop at a second opinion, if that second opinion doesn't satisfy you! If you have to go to ten doctors....so be it. My friend was unsatisfied with doctors regarding her birth control pills, hormone imbalance and extremely heave periods so she tried going to a Naturopathic Doctor...and she has been fine ever since!
  • You may need to visit another ER for some IV hydration and possibly a hospital that has OBGYN services. I would also schedule a follow up appointment with your obgyn doc asap. ER doctors are good for one thing--acute injuries/problems they are not specialists. You need a specialist.
  • HolleeERL
    HolleeERL Posts: 313 Member
    I saw three different doctors about this problem and they all had the same opinion, then they said, "we are a CATHOLIC hospital" etc. I don't feel like switching birth control is the answer. Is it possible I have endometriosis or whatever the spelling is?

    Go to a OB/GYN with a different affiliation. You most definitely could have endometriosis...or a ovarian cyst...or something else. There are many options other than just changing your B/C. Sometimes you have to insist that passing out during a period is NOT normal. I certainly don't. If your blood clots are dark, I don't think there is much cause for alarm, but if they are bright red you should note that to a doctor. MAKE THEM LISTEN to you!! I went to three doctors before I could even get someone to take my IUD out because it was causing me so many problems (wild mood swings, acne, cramping, etc) The two before just told me it was in my head. (just moved, in different climate, etc. yadda, yadda, yadda) If you KNOW something is not right...be persistent!

    As another poster recommended, iron supplements might help and be sure to drink plenty of fuids during that time of month.
  • I went to a doctor with heavy bleeding and he said I just needed to lose weight (180). I told him I had already lost over 100 lbs and the problem just got worse. He put me on birth control pills and the heavy bleeding stopped. But so did the weight loss. I had been losing 10 lbs a month without dieting, just portion control. After that my weight started going back up and even after dropping the pills I still can't get my hormones back to normal. My advice? Find a good ob/gyn. If you don't like the one you have, find another one. You know your body better than any body and you know something is wrong.
  • Rebeccasluckyduck
    Rebeccasluckyduck Posts: 168 Member
    My sister-in-law had the same problem. Her hospital is also a Catholic hospital, but the fixed the problem for her because it was not done as a sterilization process but as a health process. I forgot what the term is, but the cauterize the inside of your uterus. She said it was pretty painful, but well worth it. She went about 7 years with no period. She's just now had them start again.

    This can only be done in women who do not have an IUD, and are not planning any more children. It's not a sterilization thing, but they can't tell you if you will ever get pregnant again. If you're interested, message me and I'll find out what it was called.
  • Jentorres8814
    Jentorres8814 Posts: 121 Member
    I bleed pretty heavy as well but never had what your goign threw. My grandmother, for years, around the same time as her period she would get dizzy. turns out she had an inner ear infection that was only really induced when her hormones changed. This was causing her dizziness. Go figure. Go to your reg Dr and get a full exam and include eyes, ear and throat.
  • Good luck! I would say add plenty of iron. I do it myself and it helps so very much. I agree, always see a specialist.
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