Women only .... that time of month

[Allisoninoz]

Hi ladies (well, men can read too but they won't be much help!).
I'm due for valve replacement surgery on Feb 22. As I'm 42 and not on the pill, my period has been a bit haywire of late - anywhere between 21 and 40 days. It hasn't particularly worried me BUT I don't relish the idea of having my period while I'm in hospital. Things will be yuk enough!
I'm not sure I want to go on the pill just for a few months (but if I do, I know I could avoid having my period). Has anybody been at that time of the month in hospital - and if so, is it annoying or is it no big deal?
Thanks for any advice!

 

[bdryer]

What did you do before the pill? Thats your clue, see guys can help and thats why I am single!

 

[Luana]

Years ago when I had endocarditis, I was in the hospital almost 3 weeks. I got my period, and it really was no big deal. Bring some undies and supplies from home so you're prepared, though if you forget or are surprised, I'm sure the hospital will be able to accommodate you with supplies.

 

[Jkm7]

I was past having cycles when I had both my OHS but the younger women have often commented that even though their cycle shouldn't have been a period after their surgery, they got it unexpectedly post op. This surgery is such a trauma to the body that it is very common for body systems to be out of sync immediately post op. Don't worry about it. The nurses are so used to this they handle it just fine for you. That is not something to be concerned about IMO and certainly not to start a birth control pill just for the surgery.

You really won't care much about such in the early days post op. It's all we can do to breath, walk, sleep and eat.

 

[ottagal]

but the younger women have often commented that even though their cycle shouldn't have been a period after their surgery, they got it unexpectedly post op. This surgery is such a trauma to the body that it is very common for body systems to be out of sync immediately post op. Don't worry about it. The nurses are so used to this they handle it just fine for you. That is not something to be concerned about IMO and certainly not to start a birth control pill just for the surgery.

You really won't care much about such in the early days post op. It's all we can do to breath, walk, sleep and eat.

This is exactly what happened to me...surprise, surprise in ICU! In the big scheme of things it was not a big deal (more of a nuisance). The nurses were informed and they found 'something' for me. If you are worried about this, bring some 'extra's with you to the hospital . Try not to worry about this. It really should be the least of your concerns.
The nurses said that is wasn't unusual for this to happen after surgery and were used to it.
Take care,

 

[kfay]

When I was 17 and had my first surgery, the nurse woke me up in ICU and asked me if I was on my period, I told her no. It was not "that time" but my body had decided otherwise. They took care of it, I was totally unaware, and it stopped a couple of days later. I think they are very used to dealing with issues like that and it's no big deal so I wouldn't worry about it one way or the other.

Kim

 

[malibu82]

I had my period May 7th as normal. My surgery was on May 21st. I got my period May 22nd in the hospital. I was like what the heck!?!? They had to get those big pads from the maternity ward. I thought that was strange, that they didn't have any laying around closer. Anyhow, I guess it is normal for that to happen... when your body goes through such trauma. I didn't get my period again for the next 3 months! Now I am back on schedule

 

[Allisoninoz]

I had my period May 7th as normal. My surgery was on May 21st. I got my period May 22nd in the hospital. I was like what the heck!?!? They had to get those big pads from the maternity ward. I thought that was strange, that they didn't have any laying around closer. Anyhow, I guess it is normal for that to happen... when your body goes through such trauma. I didn't get my period again for the next 3 months! Now I am back on schedule

Hmmmm. I was kinda thinking that female bodies will just do whatever they want at the most inconvenient of times. And seems to be what happens! Even trying to stop it with the pill probably wouldn't make any difference!

 

[malibu82]

lol yes im sure it can find its way around the pill! maybe just schedule it 2 weeks away from your normal menstrual date and give it a try!

 

[CATDOG]

It's possible the surprises and later delays were instigated by prednisone or other meds that you were given in the hospital. I think it can mix up the normal hormone levels.

 

[Jkm7]

Is prednisone commonly given at OHS? I'm not aware of a fraction of the drugs we are given and wonder if that is one often administered.

 

[kfay]

Is prednisone commonly given at OHS? I'm not aware of a fraction of the drugs we are given and wonder if that is one often administered.

I wasn't given Pred until I was about to leave the hospital after my first surgery and developed pericarditis. I didn't get it at all during my second surgery. To my knowledge, it isn't commonly given unless you develop a problem that calls for it, but I could be wrong.

Kim

 

[njean]

Well I'm trying to think back to 35 years ago when I was only 24......nah, no luck! But I'm sure that if I did have a period then, it was handled by the nursing staff. They are used to seeing everything and anything, so I wouldn't worry the least bit about it if I were you!

Here's wishing you the very best with your upcoming surgery! We will be thinking and praying for you!

 

[Jkm7]

I wasn't given Pred until I was about to leave the hospital after my first surgery and developed pericarditis. I didn't get it at all during my second surgery. To my knowledge, it isn't commonly given unless you develop a problem that calls for it, but I could be wrong.

Kim

Thanks.
I was sure I had not received prednisone either of my OHS but then though maybe I had forgotten. I'm sure I wasn't prescribed it.

 

[ottagal]

I had my period May 7th as normal. My surgery was on May 21st. I got my period May 22nd in the hospital. I was like what the heck!?!? They had to get those big pads from the maternity ward. I thought that was strange, that they didn't have any laying around closer.

LOL...Malibu, I too was given the big pads from maternity. Thank goodness my siblings came to the rescue with some normal pads that I had packed away in my hospital bag.

I did get prednisone , but only after I developed pericarditis (like KFay) and that was week two post-op. I don't think it is the norm to get prednisone after OHS.

 

[kfay]

Well I'm trying to think back to 35 years ago when I was only 24......nah, no luck! But I'm sure that if I did have a period then, it was handled by the nursing staff. They are used to seeing everything and anything, so I wouldn't worry the least bit about it if I were you!

Here's wishing you the very best with your upcoming surgery! We will be thinking and praying for you!

Oh come on Norma, if I can remember that long ago, you can too! Really, the only way I remember is because at 17, I was MORTIFIED!!!!

 

[Mileena46]

Yep. More than likely you will get it anyway. I did.

 

[Michelle D]

I was only two weeks out of my period and after OHS in the hospital I went right back into it. I've never had them that close together. So I don't think there is much you can do, but do bring your own overnight pads, you'll probably be kind of anemic and bleed a lot and the pads at the hospital are horrible.

 

[ski girl]

Hi Allison-

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who was concerned about this!! I agree the hospital can handle such a calamity but for me I wanted one less thing to worry about, so I kept taking the 'active' pills so that I scheduled my period for the week before surgery. No guarantees I guess but at least I wasn't worried.

You can take Levlen ED for as many or as few days as you like in order to control the timing of your period, so that might be worth a shot, see what your GP thinks!!

 

[dfelder]

Unfortunatly, I was on my period in the hospital for both my surgeries. The nurses were great and it really was no big deal. My problem was restarting my cycle after surgery. It was about 4 1/2 months after surgery before I had another one because of the shock to the body from surgery.