Question:
Is it normal to have a period for this long?

I am on Cumidin because of blood clots in my lungs. I was started on Depo in May and bled non stop for 11 weeks mostly just spotting though. I had my second injection on 08-04-03, the day before my LAP RNY. I started bleeding again the day I came home from the hospital 08-07-03. I am having to change my pad about every 3 hours and I am having pretty bad cramping and clots. Has anyone else had this problem? And if so, what can I do? My gyno refuses to do anything to help, saying it is normal.~~~Amy LAP RNY 08-05-03 / -26 pounds    — AmyLynn B. (posted on August 29, 2003)

August 29, 2003
Hi, I am having horrible periods since surgery.. but they were pretty bad before also..the one thing I can take for pain is a liquid its called loritab and it is prescribed from my pcp... my Dr. told me its pretty normal to have heavy periods for the first 6 months after surgery.. so hang in there and talk to your pcp if your obgyn wont help.... I dont believe we should be so miserable during our monthlys and we should be able to function... I feel for you ....
   — Karen Wyatt

August 29, 2003
I bled forever, it seemed, after surgery. It got to the point where I was passing plum-sized clots EVERY time I so much as stood up. As soon as my surgeon heard that, he took me off the coumadin. If I were you, and your GYN won't help, I'd call your surgeon.
   — Dragon G.

August 29, 2003
Hi, Amy: I've been on the Depo shot for about 10 years now, and it caused me to quit having periods altogether. When I had my appendix out in 1996, I had a period, presumably because of the trauma to my body. So, I was fully prepared to end up having a period with this surgery also. Well, I'm 10 days out and so far, so good (knocking on wood) If you're clotting and cramping really bad, I would talk to your surgeon. Since you have blood clots in your lungs, it's probably not advisable to go off the coumadin, but perhaps he/she can prescribe a muscle relaxer, which SHOULD help with the cramping and clotting. Quite honestly, changing your pad every 3 hours sounds as if your flow is too heavy. Anyway, please call your surgeon and advise him/her, and see if that helps. Good luck, and God Bless! proximal lap rny 08/19/03, -17 lbs.
   — Moysa B.

August 29, 2003
Hi, I don't think it is normal to go that long with bleeding when you are going through a pad every three hours. I am a nurse, and have given blood transfusions to women who have had prolonged period. Don't let it go on much longer. You are already at risk for being anemic from having gastric bypass surgery, this will just add fuel to the fire. If you don't get any help from your gyn doctor ask your surgeon what he thinks, or get a new doctor.
   — Robin T.

August 30, 2003
I have always had a abnormal period but after surgery it just got worse i was just like you, i was ready to spend my day in the bathroom and i do have anemia which i had before surgery i got when i was 21. I too called my gyno and the surgeon and they both told me this was normal and i am i month post op and i spot some days and some days i dont ans some days i bleed slighty and i am on birth control and i am still bleeding right through it, i feel for you.
   — Purplerose12

August 30, 2003
Thank you for the answers everyone. I did talk to the surgeon's nurse and she asured me that it is from the Cumidin. She said it could go on for a while yet. It has slowed down somewhat today. I am only changing my pad every 4-4.5 hours now and they are not soaked through when I do.~~~Amy LAP RNY 08-05-03 / -26 pounds
   — AmyLynn B.