QuestionI am disgusted to say the least with the EMS services at my local hospital. I went to the hospital with heavy vaginal bleeding, having soaked three pads, and a pair of pants in a matter of 30-45 minutes; at that point, I was also feeling quite shocky/anemic with symptoms of dizziness, altered vision, and extreme nausea. At the hospital, I was asked repeatedly if this could be 'normal' for me, when was my last menstrual period, and could I be pregnant. Answers: NO!!!, Last week, and within the realm of possibility (unprotected sex 4 months ago). Blood and urine samples were collected, I was started on fluids, and then I was basically left to bleed for the next three hours. @7AM I was given an ultrasound; according to the Dr. on call, no abnormalities were noted. Meanwhile, I have bled through three more pads, two hospital gowns, and am now pooling blood onto a two 'puppy piddlers' pads, as well as down my back and legs. Dr. returns to room @8AM and says that my bloodwork from 4+ hours ago showed no abnormalities, that my US was likewise clear, my cervix looks normal, and that I was probably just experiencing a heavier than normal period due to either stress or diet. I asked Dr. if I could have been pregnant. Dr. says urine Preg test was negative. I ask Dr. about perimenopausal symptoms (I am 37). No comment. I am then given permission for discharge, and recommended a C/U with gyn. Nurses come to help me get dressed; I point out the blood, and ask why I am being discharged when my BP has dropped 40 points in the past 45 minutes. Nurses run off to find Dr. with 'puppy piddler' pads, which have now amassed between 1-2 pints of coagulated blood (hard to specifically ascertain as blood was EVERYWHERE). At this point, I am totally disgusted, thinking, "Gee, if I am going to bleed to death, I'd rather be doing it at home!" When I got up to put on the 'diaper' that I had requested (because no pad was going to hold back that flood for more than 10 minutes), I again got extremely dizzy, nauseous, and lost most of my vision. I crouched down to center my gravitation and nearly blacked out, but as I did so, two large blood clots 'popped' out (one nearly 1/2 the size of my closed fist, and the other about a 1/4). After vomiting everywhere, and then cleaning up enough to put on some clothes, I realized that for the most part the bleeding had finally stopped. When the nurses and techs returned, they were all at a lose to find the clots of the floor. One tech told me that I had basically had the equivalent of a miscarriage in terms of blood loss, but without being pregnant (?!?). I went home and slept for 36 hours; it's two days later and I still feel like CRAP!!!
What exactly happened to me?!? I've had no symptoms of being pregnant, did not test as having been pregnant at the hospital, and aside from the extreme bleeding, there was little to no cramping (pain) associated with the bleeding. I am beginning to wonder what kind of quack (Dr.) they hooked me up with at the hospital, because she tried to likewise tell me that there is no interrelationship between Iron and Vitamin C. I am likewise confused about the clots, because I've had late periods (i.e. early miscarriages) before, and the symptoms are basically the same, albeit with a lot more pain. Basically the uterus will cramp and bleed heavily until the 'tissue' is expelled, which is apparently exactly what likewise happened to me.
Ultimately, I am just curious as to your thoughts or comments on the matter. Do I need to seriously be worried, or just plan to stay away from that hospital should I have another medical emergency?
AnswerI see this a lot in the ER. It is hard to tell what happened... you may have missed an ovulation and the uterine lining overgrew and then shed with a very heavy period. With no sex in 4 months, if you were pregnant, it would have shown up in the urine.
The blood counts won't really help us right away with acute bleeding, because the blood doesn't dilute out for hours. One test I always do is to get a blood pressure laying, sitting and standing, and if there is a drop, then there is a significant blood loss. It sounds like you experienced that from your desription.
I would have given you some type of hormonal therapy to stop the bleeding, like IV premarin and observed you overnight in the hospital. I am sorry you got such superficial insufficient care....
Now, you should see your doc and have your blood count rechecked. The blood will have diluted out and will reflect how much blood was lost. I hope this helps.....
