I'm hoping that someone out there may be able to give me some pointers on what to do next or share similar experiences with me...
4yrs ago I stopped taking Depo Provera injections as I was admitted to hospital 3 times with suspected thrombosis; on the 3rd visit a vein in my leg had "popped out" and had to be surgically removed. Since I stopped the DP I got really heavy periods - soil a tampon and pad within 1hr :( (sorry for the graphics)
Anyway, almost 2yrs ago I started suffering with anxiety "panic attacks" for no reason at all - I went for counselling, seen a psychiatrist and also went for CBT. I took some anti-depressants on the advice of a GP but these sent me over the edge altogether and as I result I am now afraid to take tablets :(
When I started the CBT I started to keep a diary to kind of track what was happening to me and 2 yrs on a clear pattern has emerged - I get panicky for 3 out of every 4 of my "cycle" weeks. I am only "normal" the week after my period. For these 3 weeks I cry, am moody, am anxious, feel dizzy, experience severe cramps, nausea and am very tired no matter how much sleep I get, I never feel "rested". The blood flow has reduced significantly but I bleed for 7-9days.
When my period arrives I usually end up spending the first 3 days in bed with sever cramps and am extremely weak - need help to get into shower; which means Ive missed so much time at work.
I have had a pelvic ultrasound which was "normal"; I also had hormone blood tests - the doc said they were ok, but didn't give me any indication of their actual readings (like getting blood from a stone talking to him - please excuse the pun!)
The last time this happened (Oct 08) I went to my GP (male, bit of a caveman) who just told me to get on with it, that every woman has periods etc... I cried the whole way home.
When I first experienced these symptoms I had blood tests, the doc thought there was something wrong with my thyroid. The only poor result was my iron, which had a reading of 11 on a scale of 20-300, yet they say I wasn't anaemic. He recommended iron suppliments, which I have been taking for a week of each month since I came off DP.
I was absolutely "floored" with the tiredness in August 08, so I went and had some more bloods done, again I was told to take iron suppliments (when I have been taking every day since June 07) as my score was 25 (again on a range of 20-300).
My CBT therapist works in conjunction with the top medical university in Ireland and has told me that there is a direct link between iron deficiency and anxiety; I have yet to find a doctor who won't just throw anti-depressants at me - honestly I am not depressed, but I won't go out socialising/ to eat in case I get another dizzy spell/ panic attack so I am now developing agoraphobic tendancies - fear of the "panic attack".
I need to nip this all in the bud right now and get my life back - I've even had to move back in with my folks as the pain/ weakness/ tiredness has left me bedridden a number of times.
Has anyone had similar to this/ offer me any guidance on what I should do next? I am willing to sell my house (which I haven't lived in in nearly 2yrs) to pay for whatever is necessary to get me back on track. :(