I've posted before about being basically anovulatory since before Christmas. Since then my periods have been basically non-existant. I had a 50 + day cycle at one point, and then on June 3rd I got a period that lasted for about 6 days with a medium flow until about the 4th day.
If you look at my chart, I believe this is the closest I've ever come to ovulating. I still can't catch my surge with OPKs.
Anywho, I'm excited because today is CD1 which means my last cycle was 27 days...about as close to normal as I have ever been.
My flow is INSANELY heavy. I am going through a tampon every half hour...like I have literally bled through every single one and I am clotting like it's no one's business (funny pun, huh?)
I'm freaked. I have had TERRIBLE cramps all day long. Literally making me nauseous and Midol won't even touch the pain.
Two questions here I guess...one...would you also be freaked, or would you think this is just normal? (I need to add that last cycle was my first one fully medicated with Metformin.)
Second question (kind of Newbish) now that I'm experiencing a heavy period does that correlate with ovulation?
(I only ask because I know very light periods especially with longer cycles are usually just breakthrough bleeding. I'm considering this one a full out AF though.)
Sorry if this is confusing. I'm sitting here cringing as I type! Oh the pain!
ETA: The tampons are Super Plus, too...damn!

Re: A tad on the "freaked out" side...
If you are in that much pain I would probably go to the hospital... I've had heavy bleeding before like going through a tampon every 30 minutes but I had been drinking at the time and so my blood was probably a lot thinner than it normally would be. Make sure you aren't taking aspirin or drinking if it's that bad.
I hope everything is ok!
Thanks so much for the reply! It definitely seems like a lot - you are right on with that one! Bummer to think I still might not be ovulating though
Chemical Pregnancy
Thanks for your concern
I didn't drink today and definitely didn't take any aspirin, so I'm okay there, but I am still worried about how heavy this flow is!
Chemical Pregnancy
Thank you so much! I am not sure about the Metformin! I've actually had it for two years (the prescription for it) but I was not being a good patient and barely ever took it. I made a promise to myself that I would take it regularly for this cycle to see if it would help me ovulate.
Chemical Pregnancy
Thats awesome that you hit a new period! But LAME that the cramps are so bad. I have only ever known bad cramps - I generally need to leave work to go home, pop some Rx (midol never works for me) and pass out with a heating pad. You might want to try some stretches, or sometimes if the pain is bad enough, and you have a DH that will go there... you could always BD - it does something with the contracting of the muscles (aka - beats them up so they stop freaking out). It won't do a ton, but it does help for me if it gets bad enough. The really bad pain is called dysmenorrhea, and it is a symptom of a larger problem if that is what it is - So it could be due to your PCOS.
I don't know much about the Metformin as I haven't had to take it - and I really don't think that a heavy period means you ovulated or is correlated with it. Your period is just your uterus shedding the lining that the egg would embed in if you did become pregnant. After your body sheds the lining, it immediately begins re=lining. If you ovulate, then some changes happen with the lining, but it doesn't mean that you did ovulate (you only really know by a temp shift) - have you been charting?
At least that is my understanding...
I hope you feel better and stop cramping!!!
Let me clarify - Awesome as in at least she is having/beginning to have a "normal" type cycle... not awesome that she isnt PG...
And if it really is terrible bad - can't move, nothing makes it better- you should call your dr...
Haha
I totally wasn't offended by your OP, I knew what you meant
You're so sweet. Thanks for taking the time to offer your insight!
I need to invest in a heating pad. I used to have to do that when I was younger (in High School).
I'm going to give it another day. If it doesn't slow down then I will be making a trip to the ER.
Chemical Pregnancy
Wow...I'm so sorry about the terrible cramps. I don't have a whole lot of helpful info for you, but it is possible that maybe this is an actual AF rather than breakthrough bleeding.
Good luck and hopefully the cramps go away soon
Okay..so I would definetly call your doc. I dont want to freak you out, thats totally not my intention. But, if your bleeding is that heavy and you have a lot of clotting it sounds really similar to when I had my early m/c. I started what I thought was my period four days early and had very heavy red bleeding with lots of clotting. It didnt go away by day 6 when i usually stop bleeding so I headed to the doc to get bloodwork and they confirmed for me that I m/c really early. My doc said if you are going through more then one pad or tampon an hour that is a concern. I am soo sorry if I freaked you out more, but it just sounds so similar to what I experienced so I had to share. I hope it is just a good old AF!!!!
I think you should go to the hospital. Bleeding that much can't be good...
GL with everything. Keep us posted with how things turn out!
This is in response to your question about if a heavy period correlates with ovulation...
I have very long cycles also. And I have had some ovulatory and some anovulatory. In all of my anov. cycles, I have a very light period with no cramps at all. With my 2 ovulatory cycles, I had a medium flow and very bad cramps the first day. So in my case, a heavier period and cramps correlate with ovulation. But just remember that everyone is different.
Also, I have never had bleeding as bad as yours sounds, and I don't think anyone would blame you for wanting to go to the ER to get checked out. Good luck, and let us know how you make out!
*creeping out of lurkdom to reply to this*
I understand you wanting to try this "wait and see approach", but I am an RN and can tell you that if you truly are going through that many tampons in an hour, then you need to contact either your nurse help line or go to your local ER. This can be a medical emergency and waiting until tomorrow night could be disastrous.
Also, if you are going to wait until tomorrow regardless of the "get thee to an ER now" advice, you should call your PCP to get in tomorrow---do not wait all day, bleeding and in pain and THEN show up to the emergency room.
I hope you feel better---and I like your pictures btw!
*backing out of the light back into lurkdom...*
I am completely anovulatory too, but every once in a while I would get what I thought was a period. According to my RE what I was having was most likely not a true period, and did not correlate with O. Mine were always really heavy, but not nearly as heavy as what you are describing. I'm not sure about whether Metformin affects your period or not. My advice would be to call your doctor, and just see what they think. GL!
ETA: I agree with PPs, if you can get in touch with your doctor right away, you should go to the hospital.
This. I hope you're okay!
We love you baby - m/c - 09/10/2011