serious problems and vacationing doctors

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
serious problems and vacationing doctors
2
Tue, 07-22-2008 - 6:59pm


I have been having really bad problems with bleeding due to fibroids. Basically it is all got very complicated 2 months ago when I had a Pulmonary Embolism. I got put on anticoagulants and when me period started I haemoraged badly, my blood pressure got out of control and it all resulted in me having a stroke. I stayed in the Gyne ward for almost 3 weeks trying to get me stabilized and basically I was considered at too great a risk now for a hysterectomy and some of the other procedures. They almost did a Uterine embolectomy; the gynecologist was game, the radiologist was okay but the anesthesiologist refused me as too great. They wound up giving me a shot of depo-provera in hopes of stopping my period through hormones. Flat out it didn't work. I have been bleeding heavy for 3 weeks and the anticoagulant can't be discontinued. A week ago Saturday I had to have a transfusion for blood loss and the said see my gynecologist on the Monday. Guess what he is on vacation until the 29th!
and here we go again- I am bleeding and feeling worse all the time and I think the blood pressure medicines is really really making things worse with my blood so low. I tried to call my family physician --he is away for the rest of the week and doesn't have a partner. Okay I tried calling the internist that saw me at the hospital and is supposed to be coordinating my case. She won't be back until August 13th and the receptionist says patients are to see their family physician.

I am so frustrated right now and sooo very tired.

I am recovering moderately well from the stroke but I am not really able to make good use of the physiotherably because of the health issues.

It is so difficult too get everything balanced.

Linda

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2006
Wed, 07-23-2008 - 1:06am

Hi Linda, welcome to the board.

In my opinion, putting you on the Depo shot was one of the riskier things they did to help you. I was put on the Depo shot once, since I was bleeding a lot from a different form of birth control. And guess what? I ended up with way worse bleeding. Also, just one shot of Depo can screw your body up for up to two years, even if you have no more shots. One of the things that they can do to offset the Depo shot is to give you a low dose form of estrogen therapy (commonly comes in a patch that can be put on your skin). Since you have a problem with fibroids, and they can be estrogen receptive, I'm not sure if this would be an option for you.

I think you should really consider going to the E.R. while you're still able to get yourself there, because you can't keep going on like this until your doctor comes back. If you are getting more and more tired, your iron levels are obviously on a slippery slope downhill, and you could very well need another transfusion very soon.

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Wed, 07-23-2008 - 5:29pm

I think you are right about the depo. And my internist had a fit when she realized that was done. Depo is absolutely contraindicated with blood pressure problems and with a history of blood clots let alone in the middle of the PE crisis. However bleeding that heavy and no surgery aren't exactly good options either. They discussed estrogen when I was there for the blood transfusion and it was not okay with the other health concerns either. I'm going to get a hemoglobin level and the clotting rate tested tomorrow morning. I should be able to get the results late in the aft. I will see about emergency then. Good advice to go while I can get there on my own steam.

Linda