OT - Calling women only please....

[Kallista]

I had an ablation in 2009 and haven't had a period since. It's awesome. I was a little sad about the loss of fertility, though. I wasn't planning on another kid, but after it was done, and I couldn't have another kid, I was sad about losing the option of changing my mind.

If you don't want to try an ablation, you could try a Depo shot. Birth control shots stop the periods of a lot of people, and totally stopped mine when I was using them.

(I was bleeding daily for 10 months. My doctor tried every birth control pill he could think of. An ultra sound showed a mass and he took it out and did the ablation at the same time. It was a benign mass that was producing hormones.)

 

[Alesia]

I am not trying to take away from you I promise, but I have been wondering about something similar... has anyone ever started to get cramps at WDW and how do you handle that?

The same way I do at home.

 

[DaniB]

For the past 7 years now. Luckily I have been a SAHM since as I'm also literally house-bound those times. I'm 42.

I ended up having a D&C about 2 years ago, but it didn't help. I considered an ablation but haven't really decided.

In the past 2 years, I discovered that for the week needed or so, an iron pill every night and an advil 3x a day works wonders for me. I can actually walk the 1.5 mile round-trip to school & back without worrying.

Last year I asked my doctor for a birth control script for a few months - just to ensure I did *not* have to deal/worry about this on our vacation.

 

[buffettgirl]

I am not trying to take away from you I promise, but I have been wondering about something similar... has anyone ever started to get cramps at WDW and how do you handle that?

I'm sure at one time or another, at least one of the 20,000 people who were at Disney got cramps at some point.

Pack some advil. Walk it off. What do you normally do when you get cramps?

 

[Octoberbabiesrus]

had an ablation, yes, even at my age of 27...had it on my birthday, nice eh? Its done OK... for me.I wouldnt call it triumph. But my cycles are lessened.

 

[Monknmom]

I'm sure at one time or another, at least one of the 20,000 people who were at Disney got cramps at some point.

Pack some advil. Walk it off. What do you normally do when you get cramps?

I honestly curl up in a ball and lay there! I am a baby when it comes to pain... But maybe I will just see how it goes! Maybe walking is good! I have a few more times to try some things out for how to relieve them! Thank you though!

 

[southern_redhead]

I had terrible, awful periods for years. I would bleed so badly that I would soak the sheets at night! Even through a tampon AND a pad (TMI possibly? Sorry!) My periods were also coming at shorter and shorter intervals. I also had terrible kidney problems exacerbated by the fact that my uterus tipped back and "over" so it laid on a kidney. I tried BCP pill couldn't find any that made me feel "right" or didn't worsen my acne. I also tried Depro Provera. It was FABulous - no periods, no acne! BUT I gained weight like crazy while on it and also had to up my anxiety and depression meds. So I came off that. My doctor said I had tried everything and offered me a hysterectomy. I was 30 and had 3 kids (and was DONE) so I took him up on the offer. So glad I did! When they did the post-op on my uterus they found a pre-cancerous stage patch on it. He said it was a good thing I went ahead and had the hysterectomy and had my cervix removed. Also, I feel waay better.

A friend of mine had fibroid tumors. First they did ablation and that helped her for a few weeks, maybe a month. Then she got bad again. She bled so much she was anemic. She ended up having a hysterectomy and is very happy with the results. She was 36 and had 2 kids, was also done having kids.

I wouldn't promote hysterectomy to someone who isn't 100% certain they were done having babies - I was sure but I still had about 2 weeks where I thought "Oh no! What have I done - what if I want another baby?!" Sort of the opposite of buyers remorse, I guess, and it went away pretty quickly. I would also recommend trying options before going for the hysterectomy. Try BCP or shots, ablation if it's offered (my doctor didn't because it wouldn't have helped with the tipping anyway.) But, if you try them and they don't work for you, don't be afraid of a hysterectomy. It isn't the end of the world at all.

I honestly curl up in a ball and lay there! I am a baby when it comes to pain... But maybe I will just see how it goes! Maybe walking is good! I have a few more times to try some things out for how to relieve them! Thank you though!

That sounds like how I used to feel. I literally felt like my uterus was going to drop out. I can understand how you would worry about being on vacation when it hits. Motrin and Advil did nothing for the discomfort I had. Are you on BCP? If so, you could skip the "off" week that month and save your sanity. If you aren't - try explaining it to your doctor and see if he'll write you maybe 4 mos worth. Start at least a month before, if possible, and skip the "off" week if it falls over your vacation. Good luck, I understand your pain!

 

[plazajane]

I had increasingly heavy periods after I turned 40. I'd always had heavier than normal periods. But was on BCP for years. After birth of 3rd child and approaching 40, DH had a vasectomy and I went off BCP. Then the periods began getting worse and worse. Some days really couldn't leave the house. Terrible cramping also. Sonogram showed a tipped uterus as well as an incredibly thick uterine lining. Dr. offered the IUD or ablation options. Since I was done having children I went the ablation route. That was 18 months ago and it has completely changed my world for the better. I highly recommend it if the dr offers it. It wasn't cheap, but so worth it.

 

[andymattmom]

I had heavy periods also. When I was 42 I went to the doctor wanting to do ablation as all I have heard is how wonderful they are. Prior to doing it I had to have an ultrasound. He said I had fibroids and wasn't a candidate for ablation. At that point I wanted a hysterectomy but he said he had to try D&C first...guess it was insurance. In November I had a D&C...a month later I was back at office with heavy bleeding. I had a hysterectomy in January 2008---the best thing ever! I kept my ovaries. I had an easy recovery --I had a large uterus and they had to do an incision--know some people don't have to go this route. I knew I was done having kids. I had lived with heavy periods for years and seemed EVERY VACATION I was bleeding. It is WONDERFUL now...we can go whenever. I would check every option and make sure if you do the hysterectomy you have help---the recovery was easy but took time. I would still get tired after 4-5 weeks but I never felt bad ....just tired.

Good luck....amazing how many of us have this issue.

 

[nicjude]

Had an ablation (NovaSure) in 2009. No periods or cramping or bloating or anything for that matter. I have had a tubal ligation prior to that and that is when my periods got really heavy. I am all for the ablation. Most people that I have talked to have had similar results. Good Luck!

 

[tlbwriter]

I had fibroids and extremely heavy periods that were controlled by BCP until last year, when all hell suddenly broke loose. I wasn't a good candidate for ablation because my uterus was enlarged, so I had a hysterectomy and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Ablation is a good first choice because it's less invasive (my doctor even offers an in-office version) but it's not an option for everyone.

 

[jj0plin]

I am 33 and have been dealing with this since I stopped breastfeeding in 11/08. I started taking Lysteda last month and it was amazing but not something I want to do all the time, they kind of scare me! I have an extremely thick uterine lining for no determined reason. Had a D&C last year that didn't help at all. I had a biopsy done and it's not cancerous. I had the option of an ablation or a hysterectomy, but with my history of ovarian cysts and endometriosis I am 90% sure I am doing the hysterectomy after Disney.

 

[akgluvsdisney]

I had an ablation in Oct of last year (hydroablation) at the age of 39 and so far I am very pleased. It was my only option other than having a hysterectomy. Due to not being able to afford six weeks off work it was really the only choice for me. I put it off for a year and tried hormones, and d&c and neither worked for me. The d&c didn't help at all within a week I was bleeding heavily again and as far as the hormones go I tried different combinations and it didn't help at all. The doctor told me I had a hormonal imbalance, duh I could have told them that apparently my body just kept trying to shed the uterine lining continously and I was bleeding heavily all the time. Another plus for me is I hardly ever have any hot flashes maybe one or two a month instead of several a day.

 

[Elmo888]

I would find a hormone specialist and see what is out of whack before doing anything permanent. Find either a hormone specialist (mine is actually a PA that works under family physicians) or a homeopathic doctor that will test all of your hormones. And check out a book "What your doctor may not tell you about" by John Lee (there are different ones - menopause, premenopause, etc. and most of them have the same info). In a nutshell, many women today have too much estrogen and taking some progesterone will balance this. Even if you don't get tested, you can experiment and see if that helps (progesterone creams can be found at health food stores, and the book recommends some quality brands).

I would just go with a hysterectomy as your last resort. Some women need it because the alternative is worse (I did), but I would still check other alternatives first (I did). Those organs are making a lot more than just estrogen. With the hysterectomy, I'm taking more than just estrogen to replace what I need. (I had and still occasionally have those feelings of "I can't have another baby", but I couldn't have another one for other reasons in any case!)

It seems like heavy periods, hormones out of whack, etc. is a common problem among the late 30s/early 40s set. (And for some younger ones, too!) Ahhhhhh, what your mother never told you...

Good luck!

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Thank you all very much for all your input & personal experiences... I actually don't feel alone anymore with this issue. So often I feel as though no one understands!
I went to my Gyne on Friday & my blood level was low (11.8) and was told that 11 & lower is anemic, so I was close. She said she would do anything that I wanted - but really wanted me to give the Depro Provera shot a little longer to work & see if that helps. I bled for 18 days straight, 7 of it was heavy flooding. I had just started the birthcontrol pills & she added the Depro Provera shot to try & stop me. So I have been & still on BOTH for now..... praying for no weight gain!
A little history: I'm 38, only have 1 child (I would like more, but hubby doesnt), have had 2 D & C's - last one was Dec 2010 & only changed throwing large clots to flooding. My mom had endometriosis which makes me more likely to have it. Have been on & off of birth control for the past 10 years with no "oops's" so don't even know if I can get pregnant, have thyroid issues (had masses on it & 1/2 removed after my c-section). Have had a history of hemoraging cysts and polyps too, and recently told after the latest D & C that I have an enlarged uterus. And severe Migraines - which once the woman in my family go through menopause or have a hystorectomy they finally get rid of them.
I am just to the point of saying "I am done" and taking the easy way out & having the hysterectomy.
So again - thank you everyone for your opinions & personal experiences .... its nice to hear your not alone & what others have had done & what worked & what didn't. So thanks a million guys!!!

 

[proud_canadian]

I had an ablation when I was 29 and while it made my periods less heavy, I was still having bleeding every single day. Had a hysterectomy at 30 and even though I had some complications after, it has been the best thing I ever did. I have my life back!

No way could I have done disney when I had my period before surgery, lol. I would bleed through a super plus tampon and a pad in under an hour... now how would I wait in line for TSM hahahaha.

I just feel so much healthier now.

Granted it was a hard decision, but I couldn't be on anything hormonal, so my options were limited.

 

[tlbwriter]

Have had a history of hemoraging cysts and polyps too, and recently told after the latest D & C that I have an enlarged uterus.

I was told that I wasn't a good candidate for ablation because of my enlarged uterus. Just FYI.

 

[msmith3405]

My friend had an ablation. Very light, almost non-existent periods for her.

My friend had this too & I might ask my dr about it

 

[justbishop]

Haven't read all 3 pages, so someone may have already mentioned it, but have you tried switching from tampons and disposable pads to cloth? I know it sounds odd, but I've found my velour topped cloth pads SO much more comfortable than anything else I've used, and I have noticed a significant change in the volume of blood and length of time. I did not have overly heavy periods by any means, but I did go from 7-8 days (w/ 3-4 heavy days at the beginning) to 4-5 days (w/ 1-2 heavy days at the beginning), and my cramps have pretty much completely gone away.

I've been using cloth for almost a year now, I think, and the change has been consistent since about month 3 or so.

 

[Disney71]

I honestly curl up in a ball and lay there! I am a baby when it comes to pain... But maybe I will just see how it goes! Maybe walking is good! I have a few more times to try some things out for how to relieve them! Thank you though!

If you know you might have cramping take advil from am to pm....that is what I do. Yes, it is not good for the liver, lol.. but I too get serious cramps - so if I know that my chances are high, then I go in ready for it. Also - they sell those disposable heat pads that stick to the inside of your undies - those help take the edge off too