Diva cup and really, really heavy flow

[rubytue]

I've seen people talk about needing to empty the diva every few hours. Up until last night, I thought the days I needed to empty 3 times a day was a lot.

TMI warning: Well, something weird is going on (big f-ing surprise with the meds I'm on *grumble*), and I have an insane flow right now.

So I woke up about every 2-3 hours last night bc I was leaking and overflowing. WTF?! The holes were fine. It was really just that much liquid. Ugh. Anyway, what do you super heavy flow ppl do overnight? I can handle it during the day, but normally I'd like to sleep through the night (last night was ok bc someone needed to check the pump).

And yay for power so I can wash the sheets like I'm 12 again.

[rubytue]

Will do that in the future. Don't have pads in the house and won't be getting them until at least later today. Not sure when the stores will open. We are under no- driving restrictions until at least noon. :-(

I guess that really is the only solution. Ugh. I hope this is a meds thing not a getting old thing.

[Deleted]

I wear a big pad and put down a towel. I had crazy heavy flow with the Paragard. So sorry!

[Kore]

Pre-Mirena, I'd wear an overnight pad & put down a towel. And get up to dump it at least once per night (it'd still overflow on the way to the bathroom). Sucked!

[rubytue]

Towel! Why didn't I think about that?! Oh yeah, it was 2am lol

Guess I'll be investing in pads again. Thanks!

[everam01]

On the second day of AF I have to wear a big pad with the diva at night.

[satama]

I agree, I would wear a giant pad as back up and put down a towel or one of those blue ones they use in hospitals and nursing homes. I think you can buy them at a pharmacy.

[womet]

Yup, giant pad and I get up 1-2 times at night. I hate wearing the pad, because it feels like a diaper, but it keeps me from leaking all over the bed.

[RitzyHeifer]

Same as all above - giant pad, towel, and get up 2-3 times a night to empty. 'Cause nothing goes better with an insane menstrual flow like sleep deprivation.

[rubytue]

Oct 30, 2012 8:55:41 GMT -5 RitzyHeifer said:

Same as all above - giant pad, towel, and get up 2-3 times a night to empty. 'Cause nothing goes better with an insane menstrual flow like sleep deprivation.

Seriously!

On top of that, I think I have a cold. Or something. Drainage and sore throat. I'd say a sinus infection from flying, but last time I said that I ended up with that damn orbital psudotumor lol

[Deleted]

You mentioned medication but have you discussed the heavy flow with your doctor and been checked out for that? I was in a few times complaining about heavy flow to my doctor (and my period not stopping) and they kept adjusting my bcp. Then I got the Diva cup and was able to tell them x oz at this time, x oz at this time, and total the amount I was bleeding in actual numbers. That's when he realized it might be something else and sent me for an ultrasound. I was diagnosed with fibroids, had them removed and my periods became normal.

Before then, diva cup and the Always infinity overnight pads together is what saved me (day and night). I had to change it often, but it was better than a tampon and pad.

Anyway, if you haven't had an ultrasound it may be worth bringing up just in case.

[mollz007]

Thank you for posting this, this info is helpful as I have been considering getting a diva cup but I also have a very heavy flow because I just got a paraguard.

[rubytue]

Oct 30, 2012 10:28:15 GMT -5 @randomcdn said:

You mentioned medication but have you discussed the heavy flow with your doctor and been checked out for that? I was in a few times complaining about heavy flow to my doctor (and my period not stopping) and they kept adjusting my bcp. Then I got the Diva cup and was able to tell them x oz at this time, x oz at this time, and total the amount I was bleeding in actual numbers. That's when he realized it might be something else and sent me for an ultrasound. I was diagnosed with fibroids, had them removed and my periods became normal.

Before then, diva cup and the Always infinity overnight pads together is what saved me (day and night). I had to change it often, but it was better than a tampon and pad.

Anyway, if you haven't had an ultrasound it may be worth bringing up just in case.

Its never, ever, ever been as heavy as it has been the past 24 hours. I discussed the bleeding forever last "month," but that was blamed on prednisone. No,I haven't called about the really heavy bleeding this time. Hurricane stuff had me more preoccupied (and the office was closed and referring everyone to 911 - which this isn't). I will try to keep track if it keeps up, and I'll call tomorrow.

eta: I do need to talk to my dr anyway. I'm not sure what to do with this cold I have b/c of the other meds. *sigh* So I'm just sitting here suffering. I made H make me chicken soup.

[SusanBAnthony]

I have one day of my period where i change it every 2-3 hours. But it doesn't flow that much at night for me.

No advice, sorry.

[Deleted]

You can't be blamed for being more focused on the hurricane. There's probably no rush, assuming you have a history of all clear paps. I had abnormal bleeding for 2 months before I was sent for the ultrasound, 3 months later I went in for the procedure (it was a day surgery, no incision though treatment plans do vary IF it's fibroids). They put me on medication that stopped the bleeding until then, although by the month before my procedure my back and pelvic pain went from a level 5 to at least a 10. So the only downside I can see to waiting to discuss it is potential discomfort. And that assumes you have something other than the prednisone.

And my doctor got a spreadsheet, I told him considering my job he should count himself lucky that it didn't come with a graph.

[Deleted]

Oh and also (sorry for all the online doctoring), if the bleeding is heavier and continues, talk to your doctor about testing your iron levels and possibly supplementing your diet with iron pills during your period. Over about a year my periods slowly got heavier and longer until they basically didn't stop and my bcp stopped regulating the bleeding. So I could have lived with the fibroid for a long time. However, in the meantime I nearly became anemic and at the worst of the bleeding I was taking 3 iron pills a day. As if I wasn't miserable enough.