First AF

[Holly]

Finally got my first AF since my surgeries. Was kinda freaking out today because I had really bad cramps. They were so bad I had to take one of my perscription ibprofens. It has been kinda heavy, heavier than what a normal period would be, is that normal? I also feel so sore down there like someone hit me with a baseball bat. One other thing with the bleeding too, there is not a whole lot actually going onto my pad, it more or less is going into the toilet when I sit down to pee. Does everything sound kosher to you ladies? Hoping that this is the end to all of this tramatic stuff that I have been going through for the past 5 months. Please tell me I am on the road to being normal again...if there even is a normal for me.

[Becky]

Sorry Holly, first AF is always a tough one...both emotionally and physically. Pretty normal for AF to be different than usual for a few cycles. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[Kari]

Ditto to what Becky said. Probably a bit different since you had a bunch of stuff worked on
Hope this is getting you on the road back to "normal"

[Sharon B.]

Holly, I got my post-op "rest" cycle AF yesterday. Today it is WAY heavier than usual.

TMI: It was medium the first day, but made up for it last night. I had to get up at 4am to wash the sheets! I've had constant cramping for over 24 hours (and still going)! Typically I only cramp for 3 hrs the first day. OMG - I just checked and I filled a super-duper tampon (which I don't even USE normally) and half a pad in the past couple hours. Hmm. I go by the rule of filling one super pad an hour, call a dr. I guess I'm ok, but, YES, very different than normal.

I think I should bulk up on iron this week.

~S

[Holly]

Sharon I know what you mean...yesterday I finally started to think that the bleeding was slowing but I got up this morning and she was back full force....UGH....I know I said I wanted my period but can she just back off maybe a little bit? I have had the cramps too....they are a killer!

[Marissa]

All sounds normal to me. First AF after surgeries are usually not like your normal AF. They can be super heavy with some clots or really light. Its a crap shoot. Sorry that you are cramping so badly. Do you have a heating pad? I used to get such bad cramps that I would get the period heating pad thing that sticks in your underwear so you can wear it for like 12 hours. I think it was made by Pamprin? I dont remember...but go look for it!

[Sharon B.]

Holly, I am now spotting (phew). Did your flow lessen?

[Holly]

Sharon,
Yes, it has finally lessened. I think I am about done but I have been spotting on and off. I guess I will just have to be patient and let my body get back to normal. I started my birth control pills tonight so I imagine that those might mess up my periods even more now....I dunno......I just get so aggravated....glad to hear that you have slowed down too...