I've been having irregular menstrual periods since I was still in college. I started out having periods for one month straight and none for 2-3 months straight. I thought it was normal because I started to take contraceptive pills back then (I don't really want to get into the details of that here). I didn't really consult my Nanay about it even though she's a Nurse and a Family Planning consultant. I just thought it was okay since I don't feel any pain at all. Alright, I'm scared of finding out I'm sick or something. What phobia is that? Never mind.
For the past 2 years, I've had the same menstrual cycle but most of the time, I experience really heavy menstrual flows. There were even days I had to wear overnight napkins because the regular ones just can't take all the flow. Still, I didn't have myself checked because I thought (alright, I was just looking for an excuse not to have myself checked 'coz I'm kinda scared of doctors) it was normal since I don't get my period for 2-3 months straight.
This year, it worsened. I've had really heavy menstruation since June. Nonstop 'til September. At first, I thought it'll stop by the end of July but it didn't. I started to feel anxious about what's going on but I didn't want to have myself checked in Cebu because I prefer my Nanay to be around (mommy's girl? LOLz) PLUS I don't want Mai's parents to shoulder all the expenses. I have my HMO card with me but I wasn't familiar yet with how to use it. Yeah, after years of being enrolled to different HMOs, I've never used any of them. Not even for teeth cleaning. Nada.Alright, it's not just about the expenses, my HMO and my Nanay not being around. The main reason was I don't want her to worry about me. I know her very well. She'll be sick worried if she finds out anything negative about my health when I'm too far away from her. I know her too well. So, just imagine her reaction when I told her about my nonstop menstruation since June. I saw how worried she was and she lost some sleep that day. I told her not to worry too much since we'll have a checkup soon.
So, Wednesday came and we went to Metropolitan. After getting in touch with our HMO coordinator in MMC, I went to see the OB-gyne first. I was scheduled for 2 checkups - 1 with the OB-gyne and 1 with an opthalmologist.
I met Dr. Eva Caroline Tecson. My nanay made sure she was there with me during the whole consultation. As soon as I told Dr. Tecson about what I've been experiencing, she told me that I might have Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome (PCOS) because she can see that I've got too much hair going on on my face and arms. Sheesh. And all this time, I thought I was just "balbon". LOLz. Plus the fact that I'm overweight.
Kidding aside, she scheduled me for a Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVS) and Complete Blood Count (CBC) to check my platelet count. She wants to make sure I have PCOS and to find out if there's any other reason why I'm experiencing heavy menstruation. She's really good. I love that she was thorough when answering my questions and explaining why she's asking me to get the tests. Before we ended the consultation, she did a minor checkup and proceeded to instruct me to get the tests and go back to her. My nanay also had herself checked and was asked to get a TVS, too.I went straight to the opthalmologist after my visit with Dr. Tecson. The Optha who did my checkup was Dr. Pimentel. He's also my tatay's doctor. I was wearing contact lenses at that time so he can't really measure my eyesight's grade. He just verified if I still have scars in my left eye. I told him about my plans on undergoing lasik surgery. Am I glad he was my doctor! He's actually one of the best opthalmologists in the country. He was even featured on TV. He is also teaching his specialty in UERM. He was also very accommodating and VERY thorough when he explained what will happen and the risks of lasik surgery. He even offered to include me to his list of patients for January so I can get a discount for the surgery. He's very warm so I love him already! He prescribed 2 eyedrops for me - 1 was an antibiotic and the other was an anti-allergy. He also mentioned that I shouldn't wear my contact lenses for 2 straight weeks before my lasik surgery so they can accurately get a reading of my eyesight grade.
By the way, I also found out through Dr. Pimentel that it's better for me to use disposable contact lenses than extended ones because of the dirt that accumulates on the lenses through time. Wow. And my previous optha (I won't name names) told me that it was better if I stick with extended ones and just make sure I clean them. Hah! Am I glad I'll be having lasik soon.
Anyway, after my visit to the optha, I hurried to get a CBC test and went to the 5th floor for my TVS. My nanay was with me during the whole test. I was praying the whole time. The doctor found MYOMA measuring 2 cm cyst inside my ovary. I looked at my nanay and she started getting worried. Good thing the doctor who was doing the test told us that it's just a small myoma and that we shouldn't worry too much. I was kinda scared, though, 'coz I thought I'd have to undergo surgery to have it removed. I couldn't wait to get Dr. Tecson's view on it. I'm glad we got the results of my CBC after 2 hours and my TVS in less than 30 minutes.
After my TVS, my nanay also had hers and she also found out she has 2 small myoma in her. They were smaller than mine. We were both worried at that time so we went back to Dr. Tecson's office. Unfortunately, she was out on a case - a patient of hers was giving birth. She told her assistant to ask us to wait for her and so we did.
When Dr. Tecson saw my CBC and TVS results, she said it's good that I don't have anemia even after months of heavy menstrual bleeding. And I'm glad she also said that the myoma found in me isn't something that I should worry about. She's not even going to have them removed. She said, though, that we'll be monitoring if it'll grow or something. So, she said I should at least get myself checked once or twice a year. Phew! Then, she prescribed Progesterone tablets (Norethisterone) that I should take 3 times a day for 10 days straight. She said that I should have regular menstruation after 2-3 days of taking the tablets. As soon as I get my period, I should start taking pills to help regulate my bleeding. It should stop within 7 days and if it doesn't, I'd have to go back and have her check me again. She also reminded me that I'd be experiencing discomfort, particularly with my breasts.
Because of the results of my checkup, my flight back to Cebu on the 19th was postponed. Mai and I had it moved to November 4 instead so I'll still have time to monitor my menstruation and go back to Dr. Tecson just in case. I am really praying and hoping that I wouldn't have to go back to her and that my menstruation will normalize. So far, my bleeding stopped. I'm on the 6th day of taking Progesterone so I'd know by next week if it worked. Please pray for my health. Thank you.
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I truly hope and pray everything works out for the best for you and your family.
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