His and Her Health

I am having issues of all sorts, and it is effecting my marriage and causing some major depression.<P>Before my monthly cycles, my gums and nose start bleeding. And when I start my cycle, it is very similar (heavy, etc.) to immediately after giving birth. I get dizzy and almost black out. It leaves me pretty incapacitated for close to two weeks. <P>On top of this, I have gone to drs who say they feel a cyst or fibroid, but by the time I get an US or sonogram, they aren't there, but my pelvic area is very painful. Sex has started becoming unpleasant because there is only one position that works well. I also have very little libido.<P>This has become worse and worse every month for the past three years. My husband and I have three girls, ages 7, 4 and 2... it is difficult to take care of them when I can't get up without blacking out.<P>I have had MRIs, gone to neurologists, 6 gynecologists, had blood work for prolactin levels, etc. and the latest is Von Willebrand's (still waiting for results). I have reached my mental limit and can't take it again.<P>Anyone hear of this or can give me a direction to look? Thanks for your time.

Well, I can do the obvious thing and ask about the BC pill. Personally, I have very heavy and painful periods, but my almost blacking out comes from the pain and not the bleeding. Now I'm on the continual BCpill (I don't take the week off), and I don't have a period anymore. I used to just take massive amounts of painkillers, but after years of that I got a stomach ulcer (not fun), and the meds were losing effectiveness anyways. So whatever potential side effects I may have from the continual BC pill (they say it's safe, but there are no real longterm studies), I'm willing to risk considering the pain and the damage I was doing to my body (with the painkillers) before this. For the heavy bleeding I saw something on TV a while back (and I believe something on another part of this website) about ablation (don't know if that's how it's spelled). What they do is insert something into the uterus and send an electric charge through. It effects the lining of the uterus so that not as much blood builds up there anymore. I'm not sure if you can have kids afterwards (I kind of doubt it), but if you're done, it might be something worth looking into. <P>I just did a quick search and it's called endometrial ablation, and it does cause infirtility. The thing I saw on TV, and the add I saw on this site was for a new technique called the Novasure system. I would post a link, but it would probably be erased. Just do a Google search on it and you'll find the information on it. It seems like a more reliable and quicker method than those previously used, but like all things it has risks that you should make yourself aware if you decide to try it. <p>[This message has been edited by Jen K (edited 18 June 2003).]

I'm not an expert but could the black outs be caused by low blood pressure ? That in turn would be caused by tthe extreme loss of blood. <P>Did this stuff happen before the children ? <P>Have you had an internal examination ? If not get one. Perhaps it is a rip or something.<P>Can't figure out a logical reason for the blood via gums - although if your blood pressure raises to high that also causes black outs and dizzy spells and I assume loss of blood. <P>Has the pressure been checked ? <P>Have they considered something to stop the periods ? I know that onlypartially stpos the problem but at least it might create breathing space.<P>Get to another Dr. if your are not happy with what they have done / are doing. <P>

MsSummer,<P>Hve they ever talked to you about endometriosis? Your symptons sound a lot like mine did when I was first diagnosed. The only way to truly diagnose endo is by a lap (surgical procedure) - and when they first found mine they removed it with a lazer at that time. I've had 2 surgeries now, and have been on depo provera for 8 years to stop the periods. (Although I do experience breakthrough bleeding - the periods and extreme pain via cramps had stopped, and is just now returning.)<P>I also have cysts that come and go. My endo has also returned - and I believe that may be the culprit. They are extremely painful - so I am really sorry for what you are going through.<P>I never related my bloody noses with the endo. They flare up from time to time for seemingly no reason. I've not had bleeding gums like you've described. But I bruise extremely easily - and am VERY slow to heal when it comes to cuts and scrapes.<P>I know I was extremely anemic before being on depo (now just borderline) - so my passing out and fainting was due to that (if it wasn't from pain.)<P>I'm not sure about the blood pressure that was suggested - mine has always been very low. Worth looking in to.<P>The answer is out there - I hope you find it soon. Please don't lose hope!!! If it is endo there are many online support groups that are so wonderfully supportive and informative.<P>Good luck in your search for answers.

My results for the VonWillebrand test were back two weeks... and I have been calling my drs office to no avail, no return call. Still waiting. We change insurance providers on the 30th, so I have two days to get in a see the dr. Three years of this is way too much.<P>Sorry I didn't reply to the post, but I started again. This time it wasn't as bad with the bleeding (only went through 45 tampons in 4 days instead of 80) but the pain was very bad. Also, it is like when you have a child -- it is very heavy, then lightens to brown... and I went to work out today (10 mins on the bikes, 10 on the elliptical trainer) and it started bright red. By the evening it was brown again, but sex was uncomfortable and again, started me bleeding bright red. <P>There is something wrong and it is so frustrating.