Hi Laura, 

Thanks for offering your support/advice and sharing your story. I haven't been diagnosed nor has anyone confirmed my worries but I am worried. I have struggled with sleep issues for as long as I can remember, there have been jokes that I have sleep apnea (I've been tested and haven't got it) narcalepsy and just sleep my days away ! Recently, this has felt worse, I can easily sleep 10hrs+ and wake up tired, I then nap at y given opportunity.I have three kids, two toddlers so I have put it down to them exhausting me. Before having my middle child I was on the mini pill for around 8years, before that I've never had regular cycles, after my middle child I went on to a pill that was safe when breast feeding, I never saw period in over a year (normal when breastfeeding) I then fell pregnant with my third child and breast fed again so no periods. When I finished breastfeeding over a year ago the periods started up again, my cycle was irregular, very heavy and painful. I had my bloods done and was very anemic (due to the heavy flow) I had the coil fitted and have since been taking 2 iron tablets a day along with b12. I am still exhausted, and was told the bleeding would eventually stop altogether. The bleeding has mostly stopped but a year on I still bleed only slightly, and I have brown blood like discharge. I sometimes feel pain during sex (depends on position ) and have sometimes bled after sex. I had a smear test last year which came back normal. 

I worry because I know people who have had cancer festering away that has been masked with other illnesses. I worry that the coil is (mostly) stopping my bleeding and masking something more seriously, I also dare not have it out because I am too tired to cope with more kids  

Sometimes I feel so tired that I think I am dying. I know it sounds dramatic but I can literally sleep sat up, I defo suffer with chronic fatigue and I can't see past the worries. 

I wonder if a smear can give a false result?  How do I know if my cervix is abnormal? 

I should add that I take antidepressants, I suffered quite badly after my third child, my husband and I almost seperated (thankfully we worked through it) during that time I lost alot of weight and presented with bruises up and down my legs, absolutely covered, my doctor put this down to stress. When my hubby came home and we began working on things the weight came back on and the bruises cleared up, I still get the odd random bruise but I have always bruised easily. 

Any advice welcome please. 

Xxx

Hi,

I think you probably should ask for a complete blood work-up to see how that looks. When I was being treated for cancer that is the first thing my chemo doctor looked at, the numbers on my bloodwork.  There is so much that can cause us to feel weak, tired and hopeless that aren't cancer! It sounds like you have a full plate, so to speak, with your family, no wonder you're tired. Maybe you could see about talking to a professional therapist to help you understand how your body can react to stress. I had to do that because of my severe health anxiety issues. I found out that the more I worry, the more my body aches, gurgles, twinges and tires me out.  Good luck and keep us posted on how you do.

Laura xx

Hi,

I think you probably should ask for a complete blood work-up to see how that looks. When I was being treated for cancer that is the first thing my chemo doctor looked at, the numbers on my bloodwork.  There is so much that can cause us to feel weak, tired and hopeless that aren't cancer! It sounds like you have a full plate, so to speak, with your family, no wonder you're tired. Maybe you could see about talking to a professional therapist to help you understand how your body can react to stress. I had to do that because of my severe health anxiety issues. I found out that the more I worry, the more my body aches, gurgles, twinges and tires me out.  Good luck and keep us posted on how you do.

Laura xx

Thanks Laura, 

That's the reason I stated I am on anti depressants, I know how easily it is to trick my mind

I will head back to the doctors and try and speak to the nurse there, i have had my bloods done many times, is that what you mean by a complete blood work up? 

I will keep you updated, and thanks for being a support to me and others in the group 

Best wishes

Hi,

I just meant bloodwork that shows your white and red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hemacrit,platlets, etc. My oncologist checked that stuff every week, before I could have chemo.

Laura xx