Hi all. I was dx’d with BC two years ago and after surgery & rads started Tamox. I could deal with the hot flush, aching joints & night sweats but the depression and heavy, crippling periods were another matter. After 6 months, I started taking 40mg of Citalopram daily which gave me the strength to deal with the depression which I am convinced was Tamox related. However the period pain was so bad, I passed out. The doc prescribed Tranexamic and Mefanamic acid which reduced the bleeding and pain to about a 6 out of 10 for just over a year. However two months ago I was admitted to hospital with extreme pain and have had four periods in two months since. The bleeding is only heavy for about 24 hours before turning rusty but as well as severe pelvic pain, my back and stomach have pains which made me think at first that I had food poisoning. After a couple of days of sharp stabbing pains, they subside to pains that are like someone has kicked me in the stomach. My stomach is like a bowling ball for about 5 days. Given that this means I am incapacitated every fortnight, I am off to the obs/gyny tomorrow to ask for a laporoscopy - I had ultrasounds which identified a couple of cysts one of which was haemorrhagic and a slight thickening but nothing ominous. I think it sounds like endometriosis around tummy and bowel (I will not disturb you with the pain that gives!).
I am 45 and wondered if anyone else had experienced similiar. I have never known normal periods i.e. without pain but it was always bearable before.
I wish you all lots of strength and love
Cathy
Hello PCB
Whilst waiting for replies you may find it useful to contact our free helpline on 0808 800 6000, opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 – 2.00.
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Cathy, I am having something very similar and after having 3 natural births I can only describe it as advanced labour pains in which my lower back and hips join in. My periods stopped after chemo for 5 months then in March I had the pain as described and I was on my hands and knees begging for it to stop, I was ready to get in the car to go to a &e when bleeding started and I realised it was my period. Very confused I put it down to being on chemo etc but I’m having them every 2 weeks and sometimes if it goes longer its even worse. I’ve spoken to onc hoping she would tell me its normal after chemo and will stop but she sent me for a gynae referral, she mentioned endometriosis,anyway I’m going for an u/s next week. I also feel like one big walking raging hormone most of the time!!!
Keep me posted, Vicky xx
hi cathy
i have endimetriosis and it sounds like youre getting the same as i had.
i had a couple of admissions for leisions to be cut off, the endimetrium can leave the womb and join itself to other parts of your insides, which then causes severe pains etc. This sounds very very gruesome, but actually, the symptoms you describe were what i had before the surgery to remove the leisions, its a day job, in and out.
i am not trying to diagnose you at all. what i will say is get a referral and be insistant that something is done, it wont get better by itself. it does disturb thr bowels as well.
its been heaven having chemo and no periods! i had a mirena coil fitted which has been good, but i expect further problems with all the hormonal treatments i have to come in the future.
hope this helps, if you want to pm me with anything, thats fine
angie xx
Oh Vicky and Angie
I cannot tell you the weight that has lifted from my shoulders reading your replies - thank you both so much. Vicky from what I have read, a laparoscopy is the only way to dx endo - angie may know better than me having been through it - so if you draw a blank on your u/s, don’t let them stop there.
Will definitely let you know how I get on.
Thanks again
Cathy xx