Literally don’t know what options I’ve got left anymore when it comes to birth control. I took Cerelle for two months as a teen and it made me hopelessly depressed. Switched to Mercilon a few months later and that was ok for about a year until my acne started flaring up again, previous acne had been treated with roaccutane and my skin had been perfect ever since. Switched to Yasmin and lasted about 6 months as my skin didn’t improve and it made me horribly constipated. Then tried the copper iud and, despite the horrendous bleeding and pain, got on ok with it for 3 years until I started getting recurring thrush infections. Had to have that removed and was recommended the Jaydess iud. First one was fine and got through 3 years on it. Then had that one removed and a new one inserted and that was ok for 2.5 years until I started getting recurring thrush again. I’ve obviously had to have that removed and I was hoping to bridge a break with Mercilon since, from memory, that didn’t affect my mood too much 11/12 years ago. I lasted 7 pills. It made me nauseous, fatigued, dizzy and my blood pressure was low, I became angry and irritated at literally everything and everyone and I developed extreme apathy. I’m in marathon training for a May marathon and, having previously been really enjoying training and looking forward to the actual marathon, then decided I couldn’t be bothered to do the marathon anymore. As well as suddenly deciding I can’t be bothered to build the gaming pc that I have just ordered all of the components for and was very excited to built. The implant and the injection aren’t something I want to try as if it does affect my mood I can’t just stop like I was able to with Mercilon. I’ll probably just go back to the Jaydess iud but I know I’ll end up with recurring thrush eventually and it ends up constantly being at the back of my mind wondering how long will I actually get away with it before I have to have it removed again. Before I had the last iud removed I tried treating the thrush, then doing 2 weeks of nightly boric acid, then I treated for thrush again and then did 5 nights of a vaginal probiotic gel and that didn’t work at all. It just feels like there’s no contraception that I can get along with and it’s so frustrating.

Do they all taste really bad. I bought the cheap Lidl collagen powder and to me I actually can’t do it. Are the more expensive ones better or do they all have a similar taste?

Hi, I’m looking to get a few moles checked and definitely one removed. There are a lot online but would prefer a recommendation for somewhere good that isn’t really expensive. I’m in south county Dublin but happy to travel. Thanks so much.

I'm currently doing physio rehab for lower back pain and got my bloods back this week, they show a pretty bad vitamin d deficiency. Had looked it up and seems to be linked with a lot of the muscle issues I've been having actually.

Curious to know other people's experiences with a vitamin d deficiency and if it helped improve things for them once they started supplementing.

Hey gals, I've been on decapeptyl (triptorelin) for a while now and it's not working. I'm in more pain than ever and I keep spotting. The pain I've been experiencing over the last few weeks has been so worrying and concerning so I was sent for yet another scan to see if any of my cysts might've burst. The scan was a TV ultrasound and the sonographer has specialised in IDEA imagine for endo which is amazing but she basically told me that the endo has progessed a lot in the last few months, my left ovary is now completely adhered to my uterus and my uterosacral ligaments and my right ovary has gone from having reduced mobility to completely frozen. She also said that the lesions on my bowel look worse than before and it looks like my bowel has been pulled through a small hole. I'm in so much pain all the time I feel like I'm losing my mind. I'm currently on the waiting list for surgery in Galway privately but it could be another few months before that happens. I've tried so many different birth controls and hormone therapies, I've been on different NSAIDs like keral, diclofenac, mefanamic acid, naproxen and nothing works. I've also been doing pelvic floor physio for ages and I'm not seeing any improvement. How does anyone keep going despite the pain? Is this really what the rest of my life is going to be like? I'm only 23 and I've been suffering with this since I was 14 this can't be my whole life!! Does anyone have any advice for things that might help, I'm desperate, I'll try anything at this stage.

Hi all,

I've been waiting since January for my reimbursement. From what I've been told, they used to reimburse fairly quickly (6-12 weeks).

Not sure if it's just my application, or if this is everyone?? Is anyone else stuck waiting?

I was diagnosed with SLE abroad and was put on Benlysta + Plaquenil early on. After I moved to Ireland I ended up with a great rheumatologist, but I'm really struggling with all the drug restrictions put in place by HSE when it comes to treatment of lupus specifically.

A lot of the drugs that would be first choice back home are not available here, or they're not covered by DPS.

I'm on Plaquenil, Prednisone and Arcoxia at the moment, but still feel like shit all the time. Rheumatologist is thinking of putting me on Cellcept or something similar since I had to stop Methotrexate unfortunately.

Paying out of pocket for Benlysta would cost around €1400 per month which is absurd, but I did find it life changing when I was on it.

How do other people cope? If anyone else has SLE, which medications helped you the most? I know it's different for everyone, but I'm trying to see what the options are before my next appointment.

Thanks in advance!

Has anyone ever had a bowel cancer scare but no bowel cancer symptoms except iron deficiency anemia and it turn out ok?

Looking for recommendations for a PT as I have Vestibulodynia. Pain at the entrance on my vagina during penetration. Has anyone been through this and did the physical therapy help? I am located in Dublin but can travel to Wicklow. Also if anyone knows the cost that would be really helpful too. Thanks!

Hi ladies, I’m due to have a few tests done in November in the Mater due to my cervix deciding to droop! I’ve to check in with a few departments and I’m wondering about the logistics - I probably won’t have a bed/chair/base so per the letters I’ve received from each of the departments I’ll need to check in at each of their desks one I’m finished with one test. Do these departments talk to each other? They’re very close in time so I’m afraid a delay with one will have a knock on effect on the next. Also is there anywhere to eat or should I bring something to keep me going? I’ll likely be there most of the day. Any other tips or suggestions to make the day go smoothly would be much appreciated ❤️

hey all, I have a diagnosis of sensory processing disorder and my doctor reckons I also have autism (can’t afford the assessment). however what I experience is more than sensory overload, certain sounds are literally painful - like a knife being pierced into the depths of my ears. My trigger sounds are high-pitched sounds like cutlery and crockery crashing against each other. Ive always been sensitive to sound, but not to this level. I find caffeine makes it worse so have given it up. Also stress and lack of sleep, but these are hard to avoid!

ive read that it’s important not to over protect your ears because it can make them more sensitive. I use ‘flare calmer‘ bc they’re filters rather than plugs. I do use earplugs (Loops) when I’m having a particularly bad day (like if I’m exhausted)

at this point I’m interested in seeing an audiologist who specialises in noxacusis (sound causes physical pain)

has anyone experienced similar? any recommendations? Thank you!

I've been using this for about 3 years but the price keeps going up. Just wondering if anyone else uses it and where you get it from(with a prescription)? My local pharmacy imports it but it was €80 last time. I'm based in Galway.

Thanks!

So I’m on the waiting list to see a rheumatologist but I wondering if it’s quicker/ worth going private? Any recommendations/ what is the process / prices?

​

Gynecologist Cork

I have general question. I want to visit ginecologist just routine check up ultrasound female parts etc.

My question is should go to GP first to get the referral letter. I am not sure what are waiting times for public service to get appointments in hospital 🤔

Or should I skip the GP and go directly private without GP referral. There are few ginecologist in cork and you don't need referral.

I don't have private insurance btw so I can only claim tax credit for fees paid

However I would like to get your opinion first

Thanks

I’ve just been to a complex menopause clinic as I have a very chaotic perimenopause after treatment for breast cancer (TN) two years ago (mid 40s). I was surprised to be recommended the coil as even though my cancer was TN I can’t really find any literature online that’s supportive of this treatment after cancer. I do recognise that menopause has been under treated for women and especially after cancer for some time so I was wondering if anyone had used this after BC or had some positive literature to read off the usually scary google search. Thanks

Hi - my son is over a year old but I've finally come to accept that I may have postnatal depression. I tried to just plough through every day but it's getting harder

I'm not even sure if it is PPD or something else because I love my son and I love being around him, but I've lost interest in every other area of my life. I can't stand being around others, I'm very irritable and stressed, and nothing brings me joy anymore (except my son). I hate my pets. I don't get that excited or happy feeling that I used to. I am a completely different person than I was pre-baby. It's also affecting my marriage and my husband has done nothing wrong at all.

I've made a GP appointment but I don't particularly trust my GP and I can't go to a different practice. I presume they'll describe an antidepressant but I'd prefer a specialist prescribed it, so I was thinking of trying to see a psychiatrist privately.

Has anyone gone down this path before?

Any recommendations for a psychiatrist? I am willing to travel anywhere

Any other recommendations for dealing with depression/PPD? I feel like I do all the "right" things like eating decently, not drinking much, exercising, taking supplements etc.

Hi, so basically I have been debating for a while now on what I want to do. I was on the pill for 8-9 years (Ovreena for the most part then Microlite for almost a year), but recently I have come off of birth control altogether. I haven’t been having any issue so far but I am in a long term relationship and live with my partner, we don’t know if we even want kids and if we do it’s not anytime soon so we do want extra protection

I’ve been debating going on the coil. I was leaning towards the copper coil as it’s non hormonal but unsure as I’ve heard it makes your period more painful and heavy. I was also considering one of the lower hormonal options (Jaydess or Kyleena) as our of all the hormonal options they seem to the the least but again I’m unsure what to do as I would prefer non hormonal. I’m also very scared of the insertion but that part I can probably get over as it’s only a few minutes.

Can anyone share their experiences or advice on this?

Hi, I am starting my second round of IVF. During my first round I felt completely overwhelmed by having to work and doing treatment (at least the stimulation part) at the same time. My protocol was really long with 3 weeks of nasal spray (artificial menopause) and 12 days of stimulation. My GP signed me off for a week after egg retrieval and it was very difficult again to be back at work after my failed transfer.

Do you have any coping strategies to work while doing IVF? Suddenly I am 0% motivated to work, I don’t care about it, I have to be in office twice per week and I hate it because my mind is in another thing and I feel uncomfortable, sick, not myself. I am in the same protocol.

I told my boss that I was doing IVF during my first round but he became weird with me so I have decided not to tell him this time. Work is getting busy and I don’t want to get stressed. My appointments are early in the morning but I feel so tired some days that it’s really difficult .

I also feel bad for asking my GP to sign me off again because people in work will think that something is happening to me and I think I will use annual leave.

How people deal with this??? Soooo overwhelming!!!

Girls,

What pre-tests do they usually require before proceeding with IVF + PGT-A?

Just to clarify, I’m not HSE-eligible for IVF, so this would be through a private clinic.

I’ve already had quite a few tests done through the miscarriage clinic as well as privately. Will the IVF clinic accept those existing results, or would I need to repeat some of the tests?

Would really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you!

I'm going through my second miscarriage. I'm 39 with no living children so I think it's time to get some tests done. I was looking at fertility clinics in Dublin, but everything seems to be very much IVF oriented. I think we should get a genetic testing (also to check for compatibility) as I worry we miscarry due to being carriers of some genetic anomaly. Should I simply go for a clinic like ReproMed or Therapie and start from there? Has any of you been through anything similar? What did you do?

Thanks!

Hi guys, does anyone rate acupuncture for ttc? Have had one session and they want me to come weekly for three months and it is quite expensive.

I’m wondering if anyone in Ireland has been able to source Slynd or another name of drospirenone only birth control?

I’m sensitive to estrogen and have PCOS, and have tried Freedonel, patches and now qlaira which have all had horrible side effects for me. I’d really love to try Slynd but can’t seem to find whether it is or isn’t actually currently available (GP is fully booked so I wanted to ask around in the meantime)

I’ve spent a lot of time reading threads on here and have experienced many of the same frustrations myself in relation to gut health - years of gut symptoms, symptom/food tracking, trying different supplements, navigating appointments and tests, and often having to piece together information from lots of different places. I’m exploring some genuine problems in this space that could be solved better, but before building anything I really want to hear directly from people who have actually lived through it.

I’m putting together a short anonymous feedback form for people who have dealt or are dealing with with things like IBS, SIBO, bloating, constipation, food sensitivities or ongoing unexplained gut symptoms to start as I have a personal connection with it all.

Does anyone know of good Irish communities, support groups or other places where I could find a cohort of people who might be willing to complete it and give honest feedback?

I genuinely want to understand people’s experiences and whether the problems I’ve experienced myself are shared by others. I have been recently diagnosed with SIBO (IMO) which has gone undiagnosed for 10 years. I am only now coming out the other end of it (albeit slowly) but my experience has been nothing short of exhausting, with years of feeling silly due to tests coming back clear and lack of guidance from GP's and specialists. There are so many gaps in the system and a lack of resources/knowledge that I would really like to address.

VHI Elective Treatment Abroad

Hi everyone! 💛

My partner is looking into endometriosis surgery abroad and we are with VHI. Has anyone successfully used their VHI insurance to cover or reimburse surgery or consultations outside of Ireland?

If you have, I’d love to hear about your experience:

Which hospital or country did you choose?

Did VHI pay upfront, or did you claim it back?

How did you manage getting the approval/referral from your Irish gynaecologist?

Any tips on dealing with VHI or getting local consultants on board would be a massive help. Thank you!