u/Downtown-Mission7956

I was diagnosed with H Pylori in December 2025 after being put on two different antibiotics and PPIs for other suspected issues. Eradication confirmed in February 2026. I took probiotics for 10 weeks. My symptoms were all over the place. Some felt more alarming, like pressure in sternum area, heaviness between shoulder blades, left arm discomfort, wooziness, mild shortness of breath, burning in epigastric region, and jaw pain, all of which are generally red flags but my ECGs were clean. They resolved with time but relapsed, then resolved and have once again flared now. I know this is gas and possibly silent reflux but I cannot remain unbothered by them. Have you experienced something like this? How did you find relief?

25F

Context: PCOS with prolonged bleeding. Started metformin in January and had my first normal period in a long time in April but with a moderately heavy flow. History of H Pylori.

[Not in the US]

My serum iron is 39, Ferritin 32 (CRP 16), and Hb 12.1. I have been constantly low on energy, feeling irritable, anxious, woozy, drowsy, and 'heavy' all over. I also have muscle aches, occasional headaches, occasional air hunger, and brain fog. Sometimes I want to cry.

I was treated for Pylori in December and started ferrous ascorbate in January. My serum iron went from 38 (Jan '25) to 39 (Apr) and my symptoms haven't improved at all. I thought there might be an absorption issue and hoped for a change in meds or maybe an infusion if needed. My B12 and vitamin D improved with supplementation but iron didn't.

My GP and gynecologist both said I shouldn't worry about my iron because my hemoglobin is normal. When I mentioned feeling sick with the above, my GP suggested Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for brain fog alone, and my gynecologist suggested seeing a psychiatrist because it is psychosomatic. They did not order additional tests even after looking at my CRP level.

I read that inflammation can mask iron stores, and that at this rate, my true iron stores could be significantly lower (Ferritin/CRP ratio is 1.93).

I have been feeling the same for over a year, and worse after the recent period. I am honestly sick and tired of feeling this way. I am unable to bring myself to do the things I love or even go for a walk. I feel drained. I am unable to study for my professional certification, haven't been able to for over a year.

Is this really psychosomatic? What do I do now?

25F

I have PCOD and haven't had a normal period in a long time. My periods are usually days of spotting with clots > actual flow for a day or two > spotting > flow, etc., till it ends with spotting again about 20+ days later. It would skip a month or two in between too.

I've been on metformin since January this year with 3 months of inositol too, and my periods have been slightly weirder. My last period (in March) was basically all spotting for 7-ish days.

For the first time in a long time, I had spotting for two days (increasing in intensity) and actual moderately heavy flow since day 1. Today is day 4. Flow has decreased.

However, my symptoms are all over the place.

\- Significant increase in anxiety (esp Health Anxiety)

\- Mild recurring headaches

\- Muscle aches

\- Not wanting to eat because food makes me feel weird and nauseous, like I'm full

\- One-sided neck and head pain from the right sided base of skull (not severe, no stiffness)

\- Wanting to cry due to fear

\- Feverishness but normal temp

\- Mild dizziness

\- Gas, diarrhea, bloating and increased sensitivity to wheat

\- Sudden waves of low mood which make me feel like my body is suddenly super heavy and also floaty at the same time

\- Dry mouth and throat

\- Occasional mild cough

\- Feeling like my body is fuming and hot

\- Waves of fatigue and malaise.

All of these are new to me. And none of them are constant.

Today, on day 4, I told my mom how I felt much better only to have a sudden wave of heaviness, weakness, and aversion to food hit me right before eating lunch. It was my favourite too! I don't know what's going on. According to the internet, I'm supposed to feel better by day 3 but I feel the same and sometimes worse. My anxiety has gone down a little though.

Additional info, if relevant: On 1st April, my serum iron was 39, ferritin was 31 (but CRP was 16, so false elevation is a possibility), and hemoglobin was 12.1 (lower end). Flow on day 1 and 2 of period was moderately heavy. I also had larger clots.

Went to my gynecologist yesterday and she basically told me to see a psychiatrist. Did not elaborate on the symptoms.

Is it really a mental thing?

25F

I have PCOD and haven't had a normal period in a long time. My periods are usually days of spotting with clots > actual flow for a day or two > spotting > flow, etc., till it ends with spotting again about 20+ days later. It would skip a month or two in between too.

I've been on metformin since January this year with 3 months of inositol too, and my periods have been slightly weirder. My last period (in March) was basically all spotting for 7-ish days.

For the first time in a long time, I had spotting for two days (increasing in intensity) and actual moderately heavy flow since day 1. Today is day 4. Flow has decreased.

However, my symptoms are all over the place.

- Significant increase in anxiety (esp Health Anxiety)

- Mild recurring headaches

- Muscle aches

- Not wanting to eat because food makes me feel weird and nauseous, like I'm full

- One-sided neck and head pain from the right sided base of skull (not severe, no stiffness)

- Wanting to cry due to fear

- Feverishness but normal temp

- Mild dizziness

- Gas, diarrhea, bloating and increased sensitivity to wheat

- Sudden waves of low mood which make me feel like my body is suddenly super heavy and also floaty at the same time

- Dry mouth and throat

- Occasional mild cough

- Feeling like my body is fuming and hot

- Waves of fatigue and malaise.

All of these are new to me. And none of them are constant.

Today, on day 4, I told my mom how I felt much better only to have a sudden wave of heaviness, weakness, and aversion to food hit me right before eating lunch. It was my favourite too! I don't know what's going on. According to the internet, I'm supposed to feel better by day 3 but I feel the same and sometimes worse. My anxiety has gone down a little though.

Additional info, if relevant: On 1st April, my serum iron was 39, ferritin was 31 (but CRP was 16, so false elevation is a possibility), and hemoglobin was 12.1 (lower end). Flow on day 1 and 2 of period was moderately heavy. I also had larger clots.

Went to my gynecologist yesterday and she basically told me to see a psychiatrist. Did not elaborate on the symptoms.

Is it really a mental thing?

25F

I have PCOD and haven't had a normal period in a long time. My periods are usually days of spotting with clots > actual flow for a day or two > spotting > flow, etc., till it ends with spotting again about 20+ days later. It would skip a month or two in between too.

I've been on metformin since January this year with 3 months of inositol too, and my periods have been slightly weirder. My last period (in March) was basically all spotting for 7-ish days.

For the first time in a long time, I had spotting for two days (increasing in intensity) and actual moderately heavy flow since day 1. Today is day 4. Flow has decreased.

However, my symptoms are all over the place.

- Significant increase in anxiety (esp Health Anxiety)

- Mild recurring headaches

- Muscle aches

- Not wanting to eat because food makes me feel weird and nauseous, like I'm full

- One-sided neck and head pain from the right sided base of skull (not severe, no stiffness)

- Wanting to cry due to fear

- Feverishness but normal temp

- Mild dizziness

- Gas, diarrhea, bloating and increased sensitivity to wheat

- Sudden waves of low mood which make me feel like my body is suddenly super heavy and also floaty at the same time

- Dry mouth and throat

- Occasional mild cough

- Feeling like my body is fuming and hot

- Waves of fatigue and malaise.

All of these are new to me. And none of them are constant.

Today, on day 4, I told my mom how I felt much better only to have a sudden wave of heaviness, weakness, and aversion to food hit me right before eating lunch. It was my favourite too! I don't know what's going on. According to the internet, I'm supposed to feel better by day 3 but I feel the same and sometimes worse. My anxiety has gone down a little though.

Additional info, if relevant: On 1st April, my serum iron was 39, ferritin was 31 (but CRP was 16, so false elevation is a possibility), and hemoglobin was 12.1 (lower end). Flow on day 1 and 2 of period was moderately heavy. I also had larger clots.

Went to my gynecologist yesterday and she basically told me to see a psychiatrist. Did not elaborate on the symptoms.

Is it really a mental thing?

Hi. My periods have been irregular and weird for a long time now. I have been on metformin for 4 months and for the first time, my period started on it's own in a 'normal' way: spotting on day 0 and actual moderate flow from day 1. Today is day 2.

I have observed that my health anxiety has been significantly worse from day 0. I feel my heart racing say every sensation in my body, my stomach feels warm, hot feeling all over, my throat feels tight, mouth is dry, body is shakey, hands are tingly, and I feel nauseous and want to vomit. It's driving me crazy. I want to cry. I'm scared.

My serum iron was 38 and Ferritin was 31 (CRP 16) on Apr 01. Hemoglobin 12.1. My GP said "don't worry about iron because your Hb is normal. As for the symptoms, lose weight."

I have lost 15 kgs. I'm sick and tired. This is my first normal period and I'm not happy. At all.

Is this normal? Should I consult a gyn? I feel weak and lost.