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[Nikjay51]

Hi all
I’m a new member.basically I have been going through various stages of menopause for a few years. I am 51 now and finally my doctor is taking notice! Only because I may have a blood clot.  my periods which are still occurring are debilitating. Excuse me as this may sound disgusting but each month I am having to wear massive incontinence nappies as it is the only protection that works. The clotting and bleeding is like a murder scene! Anyway , long story short, the doctor prescribed me proverna to help with the bleeding , it didn’t really and then when at work, I was so embarrassed As it was through my clothes, I was having to clean the toilet floor, and having to change the incontinence pad every 5 minutes. I phoned the doctor crying and also happened to mention that my left leg felt swollen and sore. The next thing I’m straight at docs then sent to hospital to see a dvt specialist. Blood tests showed a blood clot but scans don’t so back on Wednesday for another scan.  I cannot cope with the fatigue and the panic attacks. My mind is working overtime, thinking that something more sinister is wrong. I feel like I have been battling with my docs for help for years now.  All they seemed to offer me was anti depressants which I do not want as I am not depressed, it is the changes in my body I am struggling with not my mind. Now I am referred to gynae as doc wants investigations and has suggested possibility of fibroids but due to covid has warned I may wait over a year for an appointment. Basically guys, this is horrendous and I don’t know about all of you but I feel pretty let down by the medical professionals. Only now that I may have a blood clot are they stepping in.  Doc mentioned red clover as an alternative medicine to help . I am sterilised and he also suggested the Moderna coil which I am reluctant to have and not sure I could get anyway as my ovarian tubes are clamped .

[jaypo]

Hi there and welcome to the forum,you're in the right place for help.
Firstly and sadly,many MANY Drs have no clue about menopause and ADs seem to be the first point of call for them.
Re the bleeding, I know EXACTLY how you feel,this was my situation also,firstly they tried an ablation,which worked for all of a month or two,then finally a hysterectomy as I did indeed have fibroids.They can remove the fibroids depending on where they are but they can grow back which means the whole process just repeats itself. I was very anaemic with the blood loss,clots the size of a big steak (sorry) and like you,the mess I'd leave,was terrified to leave the house. It's unacceptable you're being left like this,you can either push for a hysterectomy and get on the list or try finding a menopause clinic in your area.Hysterectomies can be done vaginally,which is what I had and I was only in hospital two days,felt fantastic afterwards and was the best thing I ever did.

[Nikjay51]

Hi Thankyou so much for your reply. Everything you have said is exactly like me, including the steak lol! It is reassuring to hear that your life has turned around since the hysterectomy . My doctors wouldn’t even take bloods to check if I was in menopause I had to buy a test from Amazon. I’m now on iron since yesterday, so I’m hoping that helps with my fatigue .
It is good to talk on here and know that you are not alone. It is a terrifying time as suddenly after being fit and well, you feel like you are being run over by a Truck every day .
Glad you have gotten through it
N

[CLKD]

Welcome and so sorry that your GPs aren't listening!  If this happened to a man ............ 

I would opt for referral to both a gynaecologist as well as a menopause specialist. If you opt for hysterectomy a gynaecologist would be the first specialist.  Do investigate the HRT that you may require if you have surgery.

 

For many years I bled ......... huge clots, double pads at night as well as laying on a bath towel.  That was 'normal' for me as well as intense pain.

There is another drug to ease intensive blood flow.  In the mean time, ring the secretary of the gynaecological dept to find out exactly how long the waiting list might be.  R U able to take a cancellation or 'no show' appt.?  Explain your situation and see what is on offer.  GPs may off the tops of their heads believe that there are long waiting lists as that is what is being stated in the Press.  I would check ;-).

Let us know how you get on.  Do you have an HR Dept or Company Nurse available - anyone employing more than 250 full time staff have to allow access to a nurse, either on site or called in. 

Your GP should be doing clotting tests, VitD and thyroid function tests rather than a menopause blood test, which re reliably unreliable 

[jaypo]

Please let us know how you get on,this REALLY shouldn't be happening to you,there are solutions to your problems,a hysterectomy doesn't necessarily mean they take your ovaries,mine were left. I was put on ferrous sulphate as I could barely get up the stairs,breathlessness was awful,anyway,push for some answers,tell them you've joined this forum,most good Drs recommend menopause matters,good luck

[Nikjay51]

Thankyou everyone. I asked for full bloods to be done especially to test my thyroid as I am always tired and can’t seem to lose weight, but I was met with there’s no point at this stage as it’s probably menopause ! I’m at my wits end now as I’m sure something else is there causing these problems . I work for the government so will get on to employee assistance programme to see if they have a menopause nurse . I’m back at hospital Wednesday for an ultra sound in my leg, i don’t understand why they can’t also just scan my womb and tummy at same time .
Once again though thank you all

[Nikjay51]

Hi Rach. I’m the same trying to manage it all myself as my docs were uninterested  but my body has now decided otherwise so I’m demanding the help we are entitled to . It’s a horrible time but good to read on here that there is light at the end of the tunnel x

[Postmeno3]

So, what is happening with the DVT? Can you stay on your HRT? 🤔

[Nikjay51]

Hi Rach I’m not even on hrt .my docs wouldn’t give me it because I am still getting periods although irregular . The tablets they gave me were only to reduce the bleeding but now I have to wait for results of blood clot investigations before they decide to continue with these . I honestly feel like docs write you off .

[CLKD]

If the GPs are that worried you should have been fast tracked by Ambulance directly to the appropriate Dept. 

Usually GPs act the other way round  - it's not menopause  .  Of course, what many do not realise is that menopausal upheaval may have a huge impact on thyroid function.  Do U have an endocronoligst appt. soon, if not ask to be referred.  GPs tend to take 'within normal limits' thyroid function when often the patient is still suffering symptoms!

How is the bleeding?

[Nikjay51]

Hi I was sent to hospital the following morning and received the tests . Bloods and scans contradicted one another so back tomorrow for another scan on my leg. I have no endocrinologist appt arranged and doc has pretty much said iron tablets , and to await gynae referral and this marena coil which I don’t want . At my telephone doc appt next week I will say I want the endo appt

[Mayflower]

I think it's really important to take the iron tablets your Dr prescribes as they are stronger than over the counter tablets, I was taking ferrous fumerate for 3 months twice daily as well as B12, for some reason low ferritin levels (low iron stores) can cause heavy bleeding and clots which then leads to anemia if not caught in time.