i want to hear from women with chronic menstrual problems

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I've been e-mail buddies with Dr. Steve for a while on this topic.

Basically, I can't stop bleeding.

Ironically, I'm WORSE off since my doctor prescribed Provera. I didn't have any pain or any trouble; I just bled. NOW I have constant cramping. bloating, overall pain, AND my bleeding has increased.

Awesome.

I've had to call out sick A LOT since I've been prescribed the Provera. I stopped taking it but I suppose it has to work it's way out of my system until I feel the need to KILL decrease.

Any woman with this problem?? Any advice would be GREAT!!!!!

[~Katja~]

Are you on the Depo Provera or just provera?
I know ever since I had Implanon put in place I can never say when and how strong it will be and it is a bit annoying, so maybe if yo are on the Depo shot you have similar side effect?

Have you ever used just a mini pill? they tend to regulate and minimize these issues a lot.
Loestrin 24 Fe is one that suggests to shorten periods all together, maybe it would have positive side effects on your chronic issue.

[Bigtchrist]

I've been e-mail buddies with Dr. Steve for a while on this topic.

Basically, I can't stop bleeding.

Ironically, I'm WORSE off since my doctor prescribed Provera. I didn't have any pain or any trouble; I just bled. NOW I have constant cramping. bloating, overall pain, AND my bleeding has increased.

Awesome.

I've had to call out sick A LOT since I've been prescribed the Provera. I stopped taking it but I suppose it has to work it's way out of my system until I feel the need to KILL decrease.

Any woman with this problem?? Any advice would be GREAT!!!!!


My mom was having that problem... turns out it was fibroid tumors in her uterus.... she had to have a hysterectomy.

[Marc with a c]

pwqeiufn-2eun

[epo]

i don't

Liar.

[Marc with a c]

well i tried to edit it

[IMSlacker]

Liar.

Yeah. You'd assume he would, what with the eight vaginas...

[Skellington]

I have severe endo and fiberoid cysts. My life revolves about cramps and.... the joys of endo's idea of a period. Have you had a laproscopy yet? If you are on gmail chat, hit me up: owmyspleen at gmail dot com if you want to talk details, as i'm trying to save R&F buddays from the details of the true meaning of a crimescene in the pants. In any case, take care of yourself and beg your doc to change that med. It just doesn't sound right.

[drjoek]

I tried everything in my power NOT to click on this thread and now I'm posting in it..


That is all.

[nukinfuts]

I had similar problems a few years back until my doctor diagnosed me with polycystic ovary syndrome which kind of blew me away because I have children, most people with PCOS do not, and I had somewhat regular cycles but they were very painful as in couldn't get out of bed and actually had to call into work sick on several occasions because of it. Other methods of birth control that I tried gave me similar results to what you are experiencing. I have been taking Seasonale (birth control) for almost 3 years now so I only have a period every three months and now that I have been on it for so long I really don't have one at all, this eliminated the every month misery that I would go through even though I don't need the pill for the birth control part because I can't have any more children (nod to the gods). There are a lot of people that don't think these kind of birth control pills are safe I guess dr. steve can weigh in on that subject and I am going to have to stop smoking this year cause I am moving into that don't smoke and take birth control when you are 35 or older range next year. I know people who don't have children probably also should be concerned about the kinds of birth control they are using and how it will affect them if they decide to have children. Sometimes you kind of wish men had to go through this crap to prevent from getting pregnant or at least experience some sort of discomfort or cyclical bleeding. Hang in there..I would definately go back to the dr and see if there is something more there that they aren't considering.

[Dr Steve]

Just a li'l info on polycystic ovary syndrome:

http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=71120&highlight=polycystic

[Dr Steve]

I've been e-mail buddies with Dr. Steve for a while on this topic.

Basically, I can't stop bleeding.

Ironically, I'm WORSE off since my doctor prescribed Provera. I didn't have any pain or any trouble; I just bled. NOW I have constant cramping. bloating, overall pain, AND my bleeding has increased.

Awesome.

I've had to call out sick A LOT since I've been prescribed the Provera. I stopped taking it but I suppose it has to work it's way out of my system until I feel the need to KILL decrease.

Any woman with this problem?? Any advice would be GREAT!!!!!

Provera alone is generally not the prescription for health in "dysfunctional uterine bleeding".

First they need to make a diagnosis if they can. I hope they've checked your hormone levels, including a thyroid panel. The good ol' endometrial biopsy (a drinking straw, essentially, is inserted into the cervix and tissue is removed by suction...sounds bad, generally it's only worth a cramp or two) will tell a lot.

ESTROGEN will stop nearly any uterine bleeding; problem is, estrogen alone over time increases the risk of uterine cancer. Therefore, they'll mix it with a li'l provera-like hormone to make it safe for long-term use.

If you're over 35 and smoke, you really can not take estrogen-provera combinations. The risk of clotting problems is just too high.

Go see your OBGYN and tell him/her that you're now more miserable than before. They'll go to plan B, which generally will make your life better.


keep us informed!



steve

[DarkHippie]

Startin to worry about you fuzzy. I hope the doctors figure this puzzle out soon.

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Hi Dr. Steve,

I'm sorry, but I couldn't keep our correspondence a secret ANY LONGER! I'll NEVER LET GO!

I took the GENERIC Provera (10 mg; NOT Depo-Provera) for a total of 3 weeks. On the third day I had chest pains and went to the ER. They couldn't pinpoint what was causing the chest pains (I think it was stress from my neighbor). They told me to STOP taking it, but I didn't since IT STOPPED MY BLEEDING. For a week. A GLORIOUS WEEK!!!!!

I finally stopped taking it EXACTLY THREE WEEKS later. I had been in SO MUCH pain. It felt like my right side-ovary wanted to explode. That's the best I can describe it. I missed some days from work and I don't want to ruin a gig that pays my bills and is a 10-minute drive from my house.

I ALSO don't want to take HORMONES. I was a MAJOR CUNTY CUNT when I was on Provera. I work mostly with guys and I have GREAT relationship with them. WHY RUIN THAT and my bread and butter?

I'm FINE with a hysterectomy [insert,"Rip it Out" by Ace Frehley]. I TRIED BC pills when I didn't have insurance. I was on them for 6 months and it was great for the first couple of weeks, then it was like I wasn't taking anything at ALL; I bled constantly AND I was a cunty bitch. (NOT QUITE a cunt)

I read where they can basically NAPALM the inside of my uterus. Yeah, I'd be willing to do that. I CANNOT take hormones. They do NOT work and only ruin my already *perfect* personality. Plus, I HATE answering a question with a PUNCH.

It's SO much much better 6 days after my last dose of 10 mg generic Provera.

Dr. Steve, what do you think and should I tell my doctor what I just told you????? I know insurance companies want to go through certain steps. As I said, I can't deal with BC pills. And my entrometrial biopsy, transvaginal sonogram, and blood tests (thyroid AND iron) all came back NORMAL.

XOXO,

Petrina

PS-- I don't think I have PCOD. I was screened for that in my early 30s... when I was MUCH thinner. Ummm, I kept a week's worth of my first morning urine in my fridge. In a bottle. YEAH, I was cleared of that. Like my mom, I just have screwed up periods. Unfortunately I don't know more than that. I DO KNOW she had trouble carrying children and had 7 miscarriages.



Provera alone is generally not the prescription for health in "dysfunctional uterine bleeding".

First they need to make a diagnosis if they can. I hope they've checked your hormone levels, including a thyroid panel. The good ol' endometrial biopsy (a drinking straw, essentially, is inserted into the cervix and tissue is removed by suction...sounds bad, generally it's only worth a cramp or two) will tell a lot.

ESTROGEN will stop nearly any uterine bleeding; problem is, estrogen alone over time increases the risk of uterine cancer. Therefore, they'll mix it with a li'l provera-like hormone to make it safe for long-term use.

If you're over 35 and smoke, you really can not take estrogen-provera combinations. The risk of clotting problems is just too high.

Go see your OBGYN and tell him/her that you're now more miserable than before. They'll go to plan B, which generally will make your life better.


keep us informed!



steve

[Dr Steve]

Dr. Steve, what do you think and should I tell my doctor what I just told you????? I know insurance companies want to go through certain steps. As I said, I can't deal with BC pills. And my entrometrial biopsy, transvaginal sonogram, and blood tests (thyroid AND iron) all came back NORMAL.

The fact that your tests all came out normal is excellent. And yes, I would simply go to my OBGYN and say "we're not leaving here until we have a solution". Tell him/her everything you've told us here and see what they have to offer. If everything is stone-cold normal, the syndrome is called "dysfunctional uterine bleeding" and it is indeed an indication for hysterectomy, if everything else fails or is contraindicated. Obviously, I'm not recommending surgery (or anything else for that matter)...I'm just some internet nut, but I'm rooting for you to get the treatment you need so you can come visit us in the studio October 18th and not bleed all over the place. Oh, and so you'll feel better, too! :-)


PS-- I don't think I have PCOD. I was screened for that in my early 30s...

I didn't think so either...I posted that link for someone else who mentioned it.

good luck, and now that our conversation is public, let us all know how it turns out!


your pal,


steve