severe menstrual cramps- HELP

irisa · 01-12-2009, 04:06 AM

ok, so here's what happened. I've always had an irregular period. I've gone years with out one, my RE said i don't ovulate so i don't get one unless i take something.
After a year without a period (last one was in sept 2007), i finally got it in november. I hadn't been taking any meds so it came naturally. The first thing that was really noticeable were how strong cramps were.
In december i didn't have a period, but on the 30th i started cramping. Really strong cramps, that even made me cry. They were on and off for 2 days and then went away.
Then this past thursday i start cramping again, so bad i could barely walk. but this time i did get my period. The thing is, even though i've had cramps with my periods, it's never been this bad. I want to assume that my hormones are balanced because i"m not taking any meds right now and i'm getting my period But i can't stand the severe pain that comes with it. I started taking 500mg of ibuprofen every 2 hours, a heating pad, a bath and NOTHING!! I was off from work thursday and friday because of the pain. I called my dr friday and they gave me pain killers. They did help when i starting taking them every 4 hours though the pain didn't completely go away and make me really sleepy and if i go longer than 4 hours the pain comes back. Pain that doesn't let me sit or walk because it so strong.
Has anyone experienced this before? Should i be worried?
I'm starting to think there's something serious going on.

brooke22 · 01-12-2009, 06:38 AM

I used to get severe period pains when I was in high school, so bad that I would double over in pain and nearly even pass out. Thats when was first prescribed BCP's to help with the pain. Im pretty sure it can be completely normal but if your worried about it then go back to your doctor.

Lucy1806 · 01-12-2009, 01:15 PM

BCP's are the only thing that help my periods.

You could try and double up on the pain relief - by taking 2 ibuprofen then 2 co-codamol two hours later and alternating through the day like that.

ms_tara · 01-12-2009, 08:52 PM

You might want to talk with your doctor about endometriosis. I have always had very painful AF but it got much worse this year. Painkillers didn't touch the pain I was in...

I went to my doctor about it a few times and she decided to give me a laparascopy to look for endometriosis. It turns out that I did have it and ever since the surgery and removal of the lesions, my AF is tolerable again.

Good luck! I hope you get relief soon!

afwifek · 01-12-2009, 11:00 PM

I get horrid cramps too. When I was in High School I would have to miss school because of them. There are several home remedies that work great. The one true and tried...will work every time is put an electrical heating pad on your cramps. I know for a fact it will ease the cramps and make you way more comfortable and probably even just get rid of the cramping. Also, two shots of Jack Daniels will ease the cramps but I don't recommend this if you have stuff to do. That remedy has been handed down in my family. Try the heating pad. It works I promise.

CantonKMK23 · 01-14-2009, 05:15 PM

I have the opposite problem. I would get my period about every 6 months so only twice a year from the time I started my first period at about 14 till I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 17. Even when I would finally get my period I wouldn't have any PMS signs except maybe a new pimple somewhere on my face or a slight headache. When I started BCPs for my PCOS I actually started getting PMS symptoms. I would get really bad headaches on the last week of my active pills. I would also get more acne and extremely bad menstrual cramps that I have never experienced before. I would be doubled over on my bed crying and my mom wouldn't know what to do. I have been wondering if the bad cramps may have been from my birth control or is my body just weird?

DiamondInTheRough · 01-14-2009, 05:21 PM

That kind of pain is never normal. If you've gone this long w/o a period, it could be bursting cysts, it could be endometriosis, it could be other conditions of the uterus. Whatever it is - you need to find a doctor who cares and is willing to do tests and rule things out.

irisa · 01-15-2009, 03:06 AM

Thanks for all the replies ladies.
I'm doing much better now that my period is over but i do still have some pain. A friend of mine also suggested talking to my dr about endometriosis, i'm starting to think she (and some of you) has a point.
My other problems are frequent abdominal pain, constipation and painful bowels, which have been really bad the last few months just like my menstrual cramps. My friend said it could all be connected.
My stomach issues got really bad a few months ago, my regular dr got xrays and found my intestines were full but laxatives weren't working. So she sent me to a gastrointerologist, he found a hiatial hernia but he didn't find a cause for the pain & constipation so he just gave me stronger laxatives. I'm still having those issues and no idea what's causing them.
Anyway, I've been writing down all my symptoms to take to my next RE appointment and hopefully i'll get some answers. I know they have to do a lap do diagnose endo, so i'm not sure my dr would do that just yet. Plus i wouldn't want that done until there is a big suspicion of endo.
what do you all think? Do u think my friend is right, could it be endometriosis?

PixieChinchilla · 01-15-2009, 03:45 AM

One thing I've found helps when my cramps are really awful is gently massaging my abdomen where it's cramping. It helps to relax and take away some of the pain. At least, for me it does.

afwifek · 01-19-2009, 02:09 PM

Really painful menstrual cramps are very "normal" for me. So you can have extremely painful periods and it be normal. I have also learned that regular exercise seems to help a bit.

Kirrrcat · 01-20-2009, 08:46 PM

When I was in high school I couldn't even move due to the intense cramping. Mine were so bad that the smell of food would make me nauseous. I want to put a vote in for the heating pad remedy with a couple of advil. I have also heard that aleve has been prescribed for menstrual cramping.

Also, in reference to the cramping without the period...one of my first doctors described that as the cyst popping.

*living in hope* · 01-24-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PixieChinchilla

One thing I've found helps when my cramps are really awful is gently massaging my abdomen where it's cramping. It helps to relax and take away some of the pain. At least, for me it does.

hiya

i have to agree with your advice re massaging abdomen when cramping occurs... this often helps me too.
i also suffer from pain/discomfort when i don't have a period, it's like dull period pain but without the peiod. i rely on things like ibuprofen for this, and for period pain during my menses.

i will state that i also have IBS so i'm used to cramping of one kind or another!
learning some deep breathing exercises can really help alleviate the pain for me with my IBS cramps/pain, and this also helps when i get period pains too. it may sound like a rather hippyish thing to suggest- deep breathing, but it does relax you, and works once you get it right and allow yourself to relax. it is easier said than done, but practice makes perfect as the saying goes.

and regarding your bowel issue... many people with PCOS have bowel issues too such as IBS (Irritable Bowl Syndrome). I was diagnossed with IBS when i was 14, 2 years after i started my periods for the first time...at age 14 is when i knew in myself that there was something not right with my periods and weight gain, many many years before the doctors or Gynae had a clue as to what was going on with my body... probably would have helped if they'd actually offered to look into my issues for me ?(which i've found they never do without a giant nudge in the right direction!)

i get severe issues with my bowels sometimes, i have mainly the diahrea aspect of IBS, but i have had many complications over the years with it such as severe bowl bleeding etc. having what seems like a period out of your arse is less than amusing! (sorry TMI)!

good luck with your health, and if you ever want to chat, please message me

take care

s-j xx

bettylanguage · 02-04-2009, 06:15 PM

i get pretty bad cramps every month on the 1st day of my period...but a couple times of year i get the REALLY bad ones. the ones where i start wondering if i should go to the ER. i'm quesy, have diarrhea (how on earth do you spell that?), light headed, think i'm going to die, etc... =) i usually take some medicine and then get in a tub of shallow, warm water, so that my back is in the water but my belly isn't--i have no idea why this works? but it does, it just takes awhile.

several years ago i started getting these really bad cramps and went off caffeine and started taking vitex, which really helped. i've just started taking vitex again and hope it will help.

for mild-er cramps, the homeopathic remedy, mag phos helps...i take it when i first start to feel them coming on or to take the edge off while i wait for the pain killer to kick in. i've also read that taking motrin a couple of days before your period can help, too.

whenever i've mentioned this to a doctor, they just act like i'm complaining and it's normal...blah.

Darlow-babe · 02-05-2009, 09:14 AM

I know what your going through with the cramps i havent had af since sept 08 and my gp gave me norethstrone to help force a period, just waiting for af to grace me with her presence, but in the meantime since last thursday ive been getting really bad cramps.