After Lovebug was born, I only had one period. I had a few other times that I spotted, but that was really it. I wasn't concerned. I was breastfeeding afterall.
In December of 2009, I had decided that I would begin Vitex and EPO (evening primrose oil). I had taken them prior to getting pregnant with Lovebug. And I was sure that they had helped my uterus get into optimum condition!
So, on New Year's Eve. I started taking it. 6 days later, on January 6th 2010, I started bleeding. Now, more than 8 weeks later, I'm still bleeding.
The Vitex was stopped a few weeks after I started bleeding. The EPO was stopped just this week. Other medications have come and gone to stop the bleeding. Or to at least make me feel better and not so drained. Unfortunately, nothing has been working. Two rounds of Provera (one is still going on) and other herbs have done nothing.
I decided more than a month ago, it was time to see the dr. I called Dr. 2's office and was basically told that I couldn't get in. They were booked and I would have to wait until my appointment in April (that I had made in December) to be seen.
Obviously, this did not thrill me. I told them the situation again. The only thing they offered was to call my Primary Dr. If my Primary Dr. thought it was a big deal, then they could send a referral and "try" to fit me in.
So, I went to see my Primary Dr. When I told her what was going on and the situation with Dr. 2, she was floored. She put me on Provera (round two that I'm still taking) and some other medications to help me deal with the blood loss. She then told me that if I was still bleeding in a week, I would be "rushed" for a D&C.
This past Monday, I was still bleeding heavily and put a call into my Primary Dr's office. They called back Tuesday (after I had set up an appt with Dr. 3) letting me know that they would create a referral for both Gyns (Dr. 2 and 3). Whoever could get me in first, is who I'd see.
At lunch time, I was called letting me know that Dr. 2 would see me that day at 4. It was emergent, and I needed to be seen because of how long I'd been bleeding. Well, Duh!!
Because I'd been told I would be rushed for a D&C by my Primary Dr., I called my husband to come home from work early. Once he was home, we left for the office. Where we waited, and waited, and waited some more. They were sure treating it like the emergency, huh?
Once I finally got into the room with Dr. 2, I recapped him on everything that had been going on. I let him know, clearly, that I was still breastfeeding. So whatever he did would have to be safe for me to continue. He acknowledged what I said (or so I thought).
After I finished talking, he told me to stop the Provera. He was going to put me on a very high dose of birth control. Dr. 2 said it would definitely stop the bleeding in just a couple days. It would "reset" everything, and then we could go from there in treating my PCOS.
Yup, he said PCOS. I asked him if I had it, since he had said I didn't when I first saw him. His answer? Was that I have it, and always have.... Hmmph. Thanks for telling me otherwise before.
After I processed that, I asked again to make sure that such a high dose of birth control was safe while breastfeeding. Guess what he said? "You're breastfeeding? That changes everything." Apparently, it was NOT safe, and he was NOT listening when I told him I was breastfeeding.
He basically had no other options for me then. He said I could still have the D&C, but only if I wanted it. He didn't offer another explanation on why I'm bleeding, or what to do to stop it. A D&C would be a temporary solution to the problem, according to him.
The only thing I did come out with, was a script for Metformin, which I started yesterday. This should help me with my PCOS, and hopefully make my cycles more regular. Dr. 2 stressed that it won't stop the bleeding though.
So, I'm pretty much in the same position. I thought about it though, and I'm going to see Dr. 3 next week for a second opinion. Dr. 2 can pretty much do nothing else for me, so I think I'm done with his office.
The only issue is that Dr. 3 is an hour away. If she has ANY suggestions at all though, the drive will be worth it.
I'm hoping that Dr. 3 can help me, and I look forward to her suggestions next week. If she doesn't have anything to add- I may go ahead with the D&C (and lap to check for endo). But, it probably won't be with Dr. 2.
So I guess there is a part three coming, you just have to wait until next Wednesday for it.
"As a parent, you want to do the very best for your little one. And one of the best things you can do is guide him on the road to good nutrition and healthy development. But how do you know you’re making the right decisions? For moms throughout the United States, the answer is the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy™ Nutrition System—a trusted resource you can rely on to help you choose what’s best for your child’s nutrition."
