My period is destroying my life.

[babygrant]

I have major PMS....what I believe to be PMDD. I also have super duper heavy periods that are starting to feel unmanagable.

I've seen the doctor. I was perscribed effexor...but it was horrible. I felt so shaky, had major headaches, wanted to sleep 24/7. I quit taking it. That was about 2 months ago. The major PMS/PMDD starts about a week before my period starts. I seriously could beat the crap out of someone (never have) and it takes ALL of my energy to be decent to my husband and kids. My husband takes the brunt of my anger, I will admit. I get pissed off at him for teeny tiny things and it seems like my whole existance that week is to get him mad. I just cannot control my feelings. So I get him pissed off at me, baul my eyes out, then piss him off again. I'm a super bitch. As soon as my period comes and goes all is well until 2 1/2 weeks later when that bad PMS starts.

As for my period, the first 5 days my life is put on hold. When I wake up in the morning, I seriously have to tuck a towel between my legs and RUN to the bathroom hoping I get there before "the gush". The bleeding is so horrible and I don't know what to do. I do have type 1 von willebrand disorder (bleeding disorder) and I've seen the hematologist about it who didn't think that the vWD causes my heavy periods (????) so he referred me to a gynocologist. Her suggestion was to either 1) take cyklokapron and ponstan; 2) have an endometrial ablation; 3) hysterectomy. I hate taking drugs and the price of the two she wanted me to take would be $50.00 for one month (only taking the pills for 10 days a month) which we really can't afford. The endometrial ablation I considered but I was told it only lasts about 10 years and I'm only 28 years old. I don't want to be going back for embarassing surgery 3 times. The hysterectomy I seriously considered but I just had major surgery last June and I was so scared and I'm scared about the hot flashes, premature menopause, etc. My period generally lasts 10 days. First 5 days like I said, it's horrible. I have to change a pad every 1/2 hour - 45 minutes. Night time I have to wedge myself into a position on my side and I cannot roll over or sit up or else our bed looks like a slaughter house.

We had a camping trip planned with my kids. Very FIRST camping trip as a family. Picked up a tent, got the rest of the stuff at garage sales, etc. Today my period came early. So I can't go. The kids are upset, I'm upset. I hate it.

I've booked an appointment with my doctor....but I can't get in until September. There is a walk in clinic, but I hate the doctor and refuse to go see him. I don't know what to do.

ETA: I am about 60 pounds overweight. Whenever I start to lose weight my periods get even worse. The heavier I get the less severe they get. I don't know if that's relevant or not, but thought I'd put it out there. I desperately want to lose weight....but whenever I start to lose the periods get much worse.

[Punchy Kaby]

This sounds like a major health issue. Are you at all familiar with the weston price foundation? I read this article on their website several years ago. I don't know if it pertains to your situation, but there is a wealth of knowledge on their website (especially under womens health), maybe you can find some helpful info.
http://www.westonaprice.org/womens-h...-fibroids.html

[Teensy]

Wow. You need a second or third opinion.

If the ablation would help for ten years, I wouldn't discount that. Ten years is a long time (like, most of your child's childhood!).

I assume the regular BCP taken without the fourth week doesn't stop your periods and that Mirena isn't a useful option, but goodness!!, there's got to be something that can help.

No answers, but wish you well.

[Learning_Mum]

What about a depo shot to take away your period all together? At the very least, surely having depo would lessen the bleeding and maybe help with hormones?

[KimPM]

Have you done any reading in any of the John R. Lee MD books? He's all about balancing your hormones using bioidentical hormones. He's got several books out that explain hormone imbalance, estrogen dominance, use of bioidentical (natural) progesterone, etc. You can get natural progesterone over the counter , typically in a topical cream.

Here is one site, does this sound familiar:
http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.c...roiddrlee.html
Estrogen is stored in fat, so when you lose weight, the estrogen comes into general circulation and adds to the estrogen dominance you already have. Progesterone can help balance this imbalance. It's important to note that when he talks about progesterone he's NOT talking about the synthetic progestins found in birth control chemicals. He's talking about natural bioidentical progesterone.

Here are some books he's written:
Hormone Balance Made Simple
http://www.amazon.com/John-Lees-Horm...8939751&sr=8-2

What your doctor may not tell you about menopause
http://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Doct...8939751&sr=8-1

he also has what your doctor may not tell you about ... breast cancer and premenopause books as well.

HTH!

[tylerdylan]

Have you had an ultrasound? Sometimes fibroids or polyps in the uterus can cause the heavy bleeding and those are treatable (somewhat). That wouldn't explain the severe PMS though.

And a hysterectomy won't cause premature menopause if they leave the ovaries in since it is the ovaries that produce the hormones that run our cyles.

Sometimes going on the birth control pill can help a lot with both the heavy bleeding and the out of whack hormones. You might want to start with that.

[babygrant]

Originally Posted by Learning_Mum

What about a depo shot to take away your period all together? At the very least, surely having depo would lessen the bleeding and maybe help with hormones?

Yeah, I won't do the depo shot. Gyno and I agreed it wasn't for me.

Originally Posted by KimPM

Have you done any reading in any of the John R. Lee MD books? He's all about balancing your hormones using bioidentical hormones. He's got several books out that explain hormone imbalance, estrogen dominance, use of bioidentical (natural) progesterone, etc. You can get natural progesterone over the counter , typically in a topical cream.

I just requested this book through a intralibrary loan...so hopefully I'll have it in the next few days.

Originally Posted by tylerdylan

Have you had an ultrasound? Sometimes fibroids or polyps in the uterus can cause the heavy bleeding and those are treatable (somewhat). That wouldn't explain the severe PMS though.

And a hysterectomy won't cause premature menopause if they leave the ovaries in since it is the ovaries that produce the hormones that run our cyles.

Sometimes going on the birth control pill can help a lot with both the heavy bleeding and the out of whack hormones. You might want to start with that.

No ultrasound. Gyno said that the von willebrand disease defenitely DOES cause heavy bleeding, but hematologist said no. Very weird.

I tried birth control pills and everything got worse. I had breakthrough bleeding and everything.




Yesterday was the day from hell in terms of panic attacks. It was the first true day of my period and it felt like I was goign to have a heart attack for most of the day. Ugh. No fun.

[KimPM]

Originally Posted by babygrant

I just requested this book through a intralibrary loan...so hopefully I'll have it in the next few days.



No ultrasound. Gyno said that the von willebrand disease defenitely DOES cause heavy bleeding, but hematologist said no. Very weird.

I tried birth control pills and everything got worse. I had breakthrough bleeding and everything.

I also have von willlebrand's. Hormonal levels cause fluctuation of the von willebrand factor. The vwf is at its lowest during the time of your period, so I would expect the von willebrand's to factor into the heavy menstrual bleeding. However, that's not the only factor. It's also likely hormonally driven - the estrogen-progesterone balance. Taking birth control adds synthetic estrogen (bad if you are already estrogen dominant) and progestin (also a synthetic, which does NOT act the same way as the bioidentical hormone at all). So I would pretty much expect birth control pills to make it worse. Plus, if you have a fibriod - that's an extra whammy for getting lots of bleeding.

Anyway, I'm glad you are getting the book, and I hope something in there really helps you!

[2xy]

Originally Posted by tylerdylan

And a hysterectomy won't cause premature menopause if they leave the ovaries in since it is the ovaries that produce the hormones that run our cyles.

Leaving the ovaries in would only solve the bleeding and not the PMS.

[babycarrier]

I'm sorry you are going through this. I had the ablation and it has made a remarkable difference. My doctor has told me that not lots is known on younger women (I was 31 when I had it) and after 5 years slight increase in bleeding but nothing concerning.

Candida can effect bleeding and PMS - I would explore that connection first if it were me. Also, Evening Primrose Oil is so helpful with PMS.

[AllisonR]

OMG OP - are we related!!! (OT: How do you get notices about a post?)

OP - for sure get a scan for fibroids. Did you have a full blood test? Have you considered Pre-Menopause (can start in 40s I am 43).

Warning TMI: My periods have gotten so heavy and out of control - like 80ml a day, not a week, blood running down the legs and huge clots falling on the floor only 20min after I changed to a pad (nigh time ones of course). I can use a nigh time pad in 30 min and still ruin the bathroom floor and my clothes.

OP - this may be the same with you - I think the blood loss is creating imbalances. So much blood loss and your iron and other vitamins and minerals go way down - which then cause depression, anger, panic attacks.... You can't eat enough broccoli to make up for this blood loss.

I'm trying to get further with my doc - going slowly.

This is what I've done so far - test for fibroids (negative). Prescribed anti-blood loss pills (Cyklonova - tranexamsyre ) on the heaviest day of my period - which help. It reduces the blood loss by maybe 50%, which I think then doesn't deplete all the vitamins and minearals in my blood, when then keeps my hormones a bit better (but not enough).

I had a small blood test and iron / cell count was extremely low. So I took a lot of extra iron supplements, and a multi-vitamin for 2 months, and had a full blood test - and now the scores are almost normal. Now I take supplements less often, but always during and right after my period because of the blood loss.

What I want next is referral to a hormone specialist (what are they called?) to see if it is pre-menopause and if estrogen-progesterone therapy or natural therapy would help. For me, the mood swings, anxiety attacks, insomnia and memory loss that are the worst.

[Amanda L]

I have type 1 Von Willebrands as well. It definitely makes my periods worse, and the nasal spray (Desmopressin) I was prescribed to help is a joke. Right now I am breastfeeding, and it helps a lot with balancing my hormones and giving me a lighter flow. But I so dread going back to the "Am I just going to bleed for the rest of my life?" days . . .

I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and offer some been there done that sympathy. Let me know if you find something that works!

[KimPM]

Originally Posted by AllisonR

OMG OP - are we related!!! (OT: How do you get notices about a post?)

OP - for sure get a scan for fibroids. Did you have a full blood test? Have you considered Pre-Menopause (can start in 40s I am 43).

Warning TMI: My periods have gotten so heavy and out of control - like 80ml a day, not a week, blood running down the legs and huge clots falling on the floor only 20min after I changed to a pad (nigh time ones of course). I can use a nigh time pad in 30 min and still ruin the bathroom floor and my clothes.

OP - this may be the same with you - I think the blood loss is creating imbalances. So much blood loss and your iron and other vitamins and minerals go way down - which then cause depression, anger, panic attacks.... You can't eat enough broccoli to make up for this blood loss.

I'm trying to get further with my doc - going slowly.

This is what I've done so far - test for fibroids (negative). Prescribed anti-blood loss pills (Cyklonova - tranexamsyre ) on the heaviest day of my period - which help. It reduces the blood loss by maybe 50%, which I think then doesn't deplete all the vitamins and minearals in my blood, when then keeps my hormones a bit better (but not enough).

I had a small blood test and iron / cell count was extremely low. So I took a lot of extra iron supplements, and a multi-vitamin for 2 months, and had a full blood test - and now the scores are almost normal. Now I take supplements less often, but always during and right after my period because of the blood loss.

What I want next is referral to a hormone specialist (what are they called?) to see if it is pre-menopause and if estrogen-progesterone therapy or natural therapy would help. For me, the mood swings, anxiety attacks, insomnia and memory loss that are the worst.

Even if you see a hormone specialist, I also recommend you to read the same books, so you understand what is going on:
Hormone Balance Made Simple
http://www.amazon.com/John-Lees-Horm...9116098&sr=1-1

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause
http://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Doct...d_bxgy_b_img_c

[KimPM]

Originally Posted by Amanda L

I have type 1 Von Willebrands as well. It definitely makes my periods worse, and the nasal spray (Desmopressin) I was prescribed to help is a joke. Right now I am breastfeeding, and it helps a lot with balancing my hormones and giving me a lighter flow. But I so dread going back to the "Am I just going to bleed for the rest of my life?" days . . .

I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and offer some been there done that sympathy. Let me know if you find something that works!

I'm not sure the desmopressin helps much for menstrual bleeding, because the lining of the uterus builds up over time. Desmopressin works for a very short-term bleeding situation only and not for continuous bleeding (ie continuous buildup of the lining of the uterus and weeklong or more menstrual flow).

As vwd is hormonally modulated, you might also benefit from reading those books.

[midnightwriter]

Are you taking B Complex? My issues were never as severe as yours, so this might not be relevant at all, but I thought I'd mention. Taking B Complex for just two weeks so far has helped the PMS / bleeding dramatically.

[A&A]

Originally Posted by Teensy

Wow. You need a second or third opinion.

If the ablation would help for ten years, I wouldn't discount that. Ten years is a long time (like, most of your child's childhood!).
.

[KimPM]

Originally Posted by midnightwriter

Are you taking B Complex? My issues were never as severe as yours, so this might not be relevant at all, but I thought I'd mention. Taking B Complex for just two weeks so far has helped the PMS / bleeding dramatically.

This is good advice as well!

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/hormoneimbalance.html

"Increase your intake of vitamins B6, B12, and the entire B complex as deficiencies in these nutrients are associated with high levels of estrogen. Also helpful for the liver in its job of inactivating estrogen are vitamins C and E and the minerals selenium and magnesium."