Best painkillers for very painful period cramps

[loopyloou]

My periods have become more painful with age (now 49 years) and are heavy on days 1 and 2. I've tried Boots period pain relief and Feminax but they don't touch the pain.

Does anyone use painkillers with codeine and which would you recommend?

I'm aware that codeine is addictive, but would only be taking them for 1 or 2 days. I'm very wary of the side effect of constipation, as my IBS causes this anyway, but think it may be worth a try, as I am unable to work when the pain is so bad.

[MrsMac86]

I use cocodamol for mine. Also ibuprofen, alternately every couple of hours. I get pain in my tummy, back and all down both legs and its agony.

[fieldfare]

Go to your GP. I take mefanamic acid and transexamic acid for pain and the heaviness and paracetamol during the day. Once I've sat down of an evening and before bed I take co-codamol. Mine are 30/500 so quite strong. Because of having to drive and the job I do I don't take them during the day.

It's definitely worth having a chat as we shouldn't have to put up with being housebound!

[gamerchick]

I use cocodamol as well. They are fine to take for a few days.

[ANormalOne]

As MrsMac said, don't buy branded though - it's a waste of money. None branded stuff contains the exact same ingredients, does the exact same thing at a fraction of the cost.

[ScooseIsLoose]

Feminax works for me I have horrendous periods

[usualsuspect]

Nurofen always worked for me.

[summertimeandthelivingiseasy]

I take 2 neurophen plus (ibuprofen and codeine) on the morning of the first day before the pain starts then 1 to keep it topped up every 4 hours. I then make sure I eat sensibly (low GI) and regularly and drink plenty during the day. That is what I learned when coping with bad periods in my late teens, and it still works for me.

[loopyloou]

Thanks. I have mefenamic (sp?) acid, the specialist prescribed it, but after reading up on it, it seems you need to take it before your period starts, but mine are irregular, so I never know when to take it. Also have read that it doesn't work for a lot of people, but has worrying side effects. Consequently I haven't tried it yet.

[loopyloou]

Just been to Boots and bought Nurofen Plus. Will try that next week when my period starts. How far in advance do you take them? My period is quite weird these days (sorry, tmi!), it sort of starts and stops a bit. I get a bit of bleeding, then it stops, but will probably start properly (with cramps) in the next couple of days. When would you start taking the Nurofen Plus?

[summertimeandthelivingiseasy]

Normally, mine starts in the evening, is heavy the next morning and I am in need of pain relief by lunchtime, so I take it that morning.

I would take it at the first niggle if I was not sure.

[loopyloou]

Ok, thanks. I'll take it when the heavy bleeding starts.

[missbopeep]

isn't Nurofen Plus just ibuprofen and codeine ( which costs 20 times less as a generic drug). You could buy each separately- Nurofen is a complete rip off.

[usualsuspect]

I couldn't spell ibuprofen,that's why I said nurofen

[loopyloou]

Tbh at this moment in time I don't care what it costs as long as it works!

[pombal]

I have endometriosis and always find a combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen good for bad period pain x

[Iheartcrunchiebars]

Two paracetamol and two norofen taken every 4 hours even through the night. Lifesaver.

[loopyloou]

I have tried taking ibuprofen and paracetamol alternate every four hours, but when the pain is really bad it doesn't touch it. I literally am doubled over with pain and can only bear it with a very hot hot water bottle curled up tight in bed - not ideal for work!

[missbopeep]

On a completely different note there are some simple yoga poses which are supposed to help with cramps. I can't begin to try to describe them and know you can't do them in an office setting but if you google you'll prob find them.

[loopyloou]

Thanks missbopeep, I'll search for them

[nannyafrica]

Trying taking the Paracetamol and Ibuprofen at the same time, not one then the other 4 hours after, this working for me.

[loopyloou]

Is that safe, Nanny? I will give it a try

[nannyafrica]

Sorry not been on computer for a few days
www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/857.aspx?CategoryID=73&SubCategoryID=103
NHS says you can and I do.

[loopyloou]

Thanks TOTM started Monday and I took 2 ibuprofen and 2 paracetamol at the same time every 6 hours and kept the pain under control Much better than last month.

[VenusDeWillendorf]

Take mefanamic acid, or Ponstan as its branded.
It's an anti proglandins iirc, so should stop the clotting and cramping.

OTC stuff is ok, but I think you should have an appontment with your GP and gynae, to rule out other disease, like endometriosis, or anything else nasty.

[orangeflutie]

You could talk to your doctor if pain is really bad. I've been prescribed codeine sulphate and paracetamol for endometriosis. You absolutely have to take movicol alongside the codeine to avoid constipation and your doctor would probably prescribe this at the same time.