Women's Problems!

[Boo]

Okay yes it's a women's problem question, sorry guys.

I'm really suffering lately. Whenever I come on I am so weak it is unreal and have really heavy flows for about 8-9 days. I have had numerous blood tests to see if i am aneamic etc but they always come back clear.

It is getting so bad now that I am having to take time off work and uni as a result and my training is put on hold.

I went back to the doctors today as I had to leave work early with being so weak and I was told to go for ANOTHER blood test as with being vegan it was probably low iron levels. This is my third test now and no doubt it will come back normal. My hormone levels have also been checked and they are fine.

I'm then given the whole you're probably just unlucky and this is how your body works, and then told to go on the pill to help it.

I don't want to go on the pill! I want to know why my body is not working correctly and i feel like a bag of shite everytime I come on! Is that too much to ask of a doctor?

Sorry for ranting, but I am getting fed up of being fobbed off and being told I am fine when I'm obviously not!

[moggy]

I gave up battling 15 years ago and have been happy on the pill ever since.

Years later when I saw an endocrinologist for something else (but linked) he reckoned my doctors should have taken more notice many years ago and not just fob me off with the pill (which has worked out well though)

I cant see why they are testing for iron- other than you might get anaemic because of whats going on, but its your hormone levels more likely to be the cause. I would have thought you needed tests like thyroid and other endocrinological tests.

Once on the pull, as long as I felt okay I was never worried about implications for future fertility problems because I've never wanted kids.

Its tough because doctors are pretty inhelpful at times, but tell him you want such things as PCOS, thyroid, other hormones, endometriosis etc ruled out.

[moggy]

And I really know what you mean by weak- I used to not drive when bad because I couldnt keep hold of the steering wheel whilst trying to turn corners! Also slurred speech and loss of coordination.

[downhillingdemon]

I was on the pill for 15 years before coming off it a couple of years ago. Since then they have been getting worse and worse and I am in agony for three days and bleeding for 7 days every three and a half weeks. Three days before I come on I want to kill either myself or someone else and have absolutely no energy.

The doctors never have anything more useful to offer than having nasty bits of plastic stuck in me or oral hormones, all of which change me as a person.

I suspect I've got endometritis like one of my sisters, but there is no way I'm going back on the pill so have decided to just suffer it as best I can.

[Boo]

It's horrible to hear that women including myself are suffering so much and yet people including professionals dont seem to take it seriously.

I wish people would realise it's not just having a few cramps.

I drive for a living and have to do a lot of heavy lifting and like today i just couldn't do it. I couldn't drive properly and lifting was out of the question. When I was cycling home I didn't think i was going to make it, it was horrible. I think when these results come back clear i am going to demand to see a specialist and see about having some scans done.

I can't keep suffering like this and my job and degree are at risk the way things are going.

More awareness needs to be raised at the severity of some cases.

[moggy]

I really feel for you Boo- its 15 years ago since I was bad and so I can (almost) laugh (better than crying) at how inbelievably ridiculously bad it was. At the end I was only 10 days off then 10 days flooding. No way could I have kept up with that any longer. I know just what you mean over your worries over your job and uni.

Take care driving, and good luck.

[mabli]

Hey Boo

I used to have problems years ago. A friend of mine who was learning to be a herbalist practised with different concoctions on me and eventually raspberry leaf tea did the trick. It tastes disgusting, but its realy high in iron and fantastic for all "women's problems" including pregnancy etc.

Might be worth a try... as I say it tastes disgusting.

[Catt Queen]

Have you tried Starflower (Borage) oil?

http://www.vegetarianvitamin.com/store/catalog/Vegan-Borage-Oil--Cold-Pressed-157.html

[Boo]

Well I am heading past the herbal shop today so I could look for some raspberry leaf tea, not sure if they would have borage oil though, but it is worth a look. Anything that helps has got to be better than nothing.

I'm at work tomorrow so it is going to be a busy day of driving and lots of heavy lifting so need to get myself right for then. At the moment I'm still feeling rough.

[Tammy]

THANK YOU !!! for posting this topic...
I do take chasteberry for a few years and it does help with the mood swings, but I have been looking for something for my weak legs and back pain. I do not like taking regular over the counter medication.

Thanks again.

Tammy

[Boo]

Well I've had my blood results back today and everythig is fine thankfully. My doctor was suprised i wasn't aneamic though!

He had decided to put me on the pill and even though I am not keen on the idea I thought I would try it and if it doesn't work go back and seek further investigation.

I would demand further investigation, but my training, work and uni life has really been affected lately and I cant afford any more problems so need a quick solution. Hopefully this will work. I'll also look into herbal teas as well to help with mood swings etc.

[vegieburger]

sorry to hear about your probs. I'd be interested to hear how the pill works out for you as I have nearly the same problem, although my period doesn't last so long its just crazily heavy as in cannot leave the house for the worst day or to because nothing will stem the flow. I also get very fatigued especially around that time of month but several blood tests over the last yr have all come back perfect. I've also been told the pill is my best option and well I don't like the idea, like you my family, uni, work life is suffering as a result so I will probably end up resorting to the pill.

Goodluck and I hope things improve now.

[spike]

sorry to hear about your probs. I'd be interested to hear how the pill works out for you as I have nearly the same problem, although my period doesn't last so long its just crazily heavy as in cannot leave the house for the worst day or to because nothing will stem the flow.

Have you tried a menstrual cup? There are varoius brands and sizes but some of them can hold twice as much blood as a super plus tampon.

Also, has your doc not suggested the option of a IUD that has hormones which will reduce the flow? or tranexamic acid, again to reduce the flow. Both these have side effects too btu are potential other options.

[Boo]

sorry to hear about your probs. I'd be interested to hear how the pill works out for you as I have nearly the same problem, although my period doesn't last so long its just crazily heavy as in cannot leave the house for the worst day or to because nothing will stem the flow.

Have you tried a menstrual cup? There are varoius brands and sizes but some of them can hold twice as much blood as a super plus tampon.

Also, has your doc not suggested the option of a IUD that has hormones which will reduce the flow? or tranexamic acid, again to reduce the flow. Both these have side effects too btu are potential other options.

Do you mean the mooncup? I have used it before, but found that I was too heavy even for that. Plus if you work outdoors like me, gaining access to wash facilities when using the loo can be hard so it's not really practical. I wasn't informed of any other option, was just told to take the pill and go from there.

[vegieburger]

I'm in the same boat, I will look into menstral cups again but when I first did I couldn't find one that seemed like it would work as a super tampon honestly lasts a few minutes on my heavier days. Part of the probelem is that it is huge clots (sorry if this is to much info) but a moon cup would be a viable option towards the end of my period and would lesson waste. I'm also going to ask about and iud as I hate the idea of having to remember to take the pill the same time everyday.