Question for the women

Hello ladies, I just had to ask this question, b/c it's something that's been bothering me. My periods have always been out of whack somehow, but since the day I had surgery it hasn't stopped. I mean literally, I've had about 7 sporadic days period free. This is really depressing and frustrating at times, you know with all the constant cramping, leg and back pain and bloating. It's just so irritating! No amount of birth control pills can stop this thing either. I've been to my midwife a zillion times and she pretty much shrugs it off as being overweight and the changes I'm going through.. just take pills every day of the month. Still, nothing's working. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had similar problems and if there's any relief in sight?? I'm sure I'll have to be patient and wait for the weight to come off and the hormones to settle down. Also, my PCP mentioned the Depo shot, but I'm concerned that might slow things down in the weight loss dept. I might end up needing the Depo shots in my hips (for hip bursitis) anyhow. Well.. just curious.. b/c you are all a bunch of knowledgable and down to earth women, always with good advice to give. Thanks for listening, Michelle

Michelle: You are on the pill and your periods are like this? NOT NORMAL. It's not a good idea to shrug it off and blame it on weight or changes your body is going through. No way! My advice - find a new Gyn! Mine have been HEAVY - thinking I am going to bleed to death. But they last .. yanno .. a normal amount of time. Double check with another Physician, okay? Lemme know what happens... Tara

Michele- no offense to you midwife, at all...but you probably should get yourself to see an OBGYN. PCPs are not the most knowledgeable on BC methods and techniques for regulating periods. Depo (DepoProvera) is an option. I took it pre surgery and post and had no problems with weight loss. But, it's not the only option out there (and it does have some issues). You could try the patch (depending on how your weight is doing...even if you don't meet the guidelines, it could work for controlling your period) or Seasonale or an IUD or Nuova Ring or...well, I could go on...but an OBGYN will be able to better advise you. Bleeding that regularly is not normal, no matter what your weight loss is creating havoc with. You should be able to find something to control it so that you don't have to suffer. It doesn't surprise me that oral hormone BCP's are having no effect on you. Malabsorption is a bi$#$ with hormones. (honestly- take it from me, I'm having a doozy of a time with hormones for fertility) Anyhow, I think yu might have a type-o about needing Depo for bursitis. I'm sure you mean that you are going to have to take a steroid or something of that sort. Depo is a progesterone product (synthetic) not a steroid. I'm sure the steriods will have you nervous about weight gain too. That's a tough situation. Good luck to you Lisa C P.S I'm sure if you don't have a OBGYN, the good ladies of this board can refer you to a great one. Mine is Woodland Women's Health in Hartford. The group is great. I see Dr. Maria Ellis.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into seeing someone else. I do like my midwife, but she seems to keep giving me the same answer. Maybe I just don't want to believe that I'm going to have to deal with this forever. Also, Lisa, my PCP and orthopedic Drs. both suggested Depo shots, in the bursa if my hips didn't get better. I said "what?" at first too, but they really do use the shots in your hips for the bursitis. I can't remember the exact reason they gave me though. I'll still ask about the Depo as an alternative. I just want this to stop already! Thanks again, Michelle

Michelle, I just wanted to let you know that I use the Depo shot currently since surgery and in the past as well. In the past, I stopped getting periods all together for 3 years until I went off them to try to get pregnant. It was great, but also, I had infertility issues afterwards. I think it was mainly my age and weight, I had multiple miscarriages, and failed artificial insemination. BUT, it took several months off the depo shot to start getting a period again. So, if you plan on having children (or more children) you may want to think about this. However, I am back on it again, because the pill never worked for me, always made me crazy with mood swings (same as the fertility drugs did that Lisa mentioned). I have only had only shot so far, and I have only had a small amount of break through bleeding. I love the depo shot! I have had no side effects, and my weight loss seems comparable to others. (67 pounds in 12 weeks now). So I would suggest definitely getting checked out by an OB/GYN and then getting info on the Depo shot as well as other methods people mentioned and finding the one that best fits your needs. Good luck. Anne

Michelle -- I'm with the other ladies -- a new doctor is definitely called for. When they just give you the same answer without looking into it further, it's time to move on. You need a real answer. It must be very frustrating to deal with almost all the time -- it's bad enough 4-5 days out of the month!! Maybe you could ask your WLS doctor for advice on this, and perhaps he/she knows of a OB/GYN who might have experience with our kind, if you will. Good luck!!!!!! Kathy F.

One more thing I forgot! My surgeon told me he does NOT recommend the pill because of our malabsorption issues...may not be as effective. Anne

Hi Michelle Staying out of this one. LOL. I would follow what they are all saying. Sorry. Luis

Michelle, I had a midwife during my first pregancy and she was wonderful but it really sounds like you need a second check on things. I am like Tara my are so HEAVY I can't stand it and last longer then before but Im done after 9 or 10 days. Anyways good luck and let us know what you find out and how your doing Kim

Hi, I had a problem very similar to this, turns out it was my thyroid. It was not functioning. When I saw my gyn she said that there are 2 reasons why this usually happens. first the thyroid, second its the beginning of menopause. our bodys start to go a little crazy. one thing I would be concerned with in your case is not just the bleeding but also your iron level. mine was practically non existant. the other ladies are right, you need to see a new gyn and get a full blood work up as well, including a thyroid panel. Good Luck Lauren