Please tell me there's a cure for JA.

[chipscheesentomatosauce]

I know AIBU posting here, but there is where I first heard of it and know this board is busy.

Javelin Arse as I discovered it to be called on here. Which I thought was hilarious. Well, not tonight.

I've gone from diarumpus earlier, to the worst JA I've ever had, but nothing much else happening, other than pain and pressure in my stomach like there's something to go. After the JA pains I have pain in my stomach just standing up or coughing (and I have the cold). Any normal period cramps I get are really quite mild.

Has anyone been able to get rid of this? Or even know what causes it? I've had it every month for probably a couple of years now, but I'm 34, so it's relatively new. The pain takes my breath away, in those few seconds it's happening. Sorry if this is all normal and I'm being overly dramatic. Call it hormones.

[sparechange]

Where are you in your cycle?
Could it be ovarian cysts or an ectopic pregnancy?

Do you have a tilted/retroverted uterus? I do, and I get really bad JA (but I call it Arse Daggers after reading it on here!) a few days before my period which is my cramping womb lying on my bowel and causing it to cramp as well...

[chipscheesentomatosauce]

Thanks.

My period started properly this morning. How did you find out you had that? Nothing wrong with my uterus that I'm aware of and definitely no ectopic pregnancy.

[BadKnee]

I remember the first time I had this. I was about 15 and crossing the road on a zebra crossing. Suddenly the most excruciating pain shot through me and I stopped, doubled up and yes literally, it took my breath away. I was aware that the cars were still stopped.

I got it every month for over 35 years. So I never found a cure. But I thought I was the only one until I read it on here.

[chipscheesentomatosauce]

Yes, I've had it the odd time for seemingly no reason, but i always, always get it going to the toilet on my period. I thought it was just me til I eventually mentioned it to a friend, and she thought she was the only one!

[mellowfartfulness]

I feel better on all fours, though obviously that's not always practical or indeed dignified...

[PerspicaciaTick]

A hot shower on the small of my back, or a hot water bottle. Painkillers. Rocking gently and moaning (also dignified!). Getting my endometriosis treated surgically helped for several years.

[IPreferCatstoPeople]

I had that too. My cure was hysterectomy (but that might also have been the 7 year period, 12cm ovarian cyst and endometriosis). Not helpful I know, but I feel your pain.

[MichaelSheensNextDW]

A huge gin and tonic works for me, only if I'm not at work though

[Poppins2016]

I have endometriosis and have IBS symptoms that worsen around my period. I also get 'javelin arse', particularly in the early days of my period, only relieved by going to the loo. I've always assumed it's an endometriosis/reproductive 'thing'...

[hellsbells99]

I take solpadeine, ibruprofen and a glass of wine or G&T. And then practise breathing really slowly and calmly and try and relax .....easier said than done!

[hellsbells99]

I take solpadeine, ibruprofen and a glass of wine or G&T. And then practise breathing really slowly and calmly and try and relax .....easier said than done!

[pregnantat50]

I suffer with this post orgasm so I think contractions are partly to blame. you have my sympathies op, try a hot bath that helps me x

[chipscheesentomatosauce]

Thanks all. Do drugs actually help with the shooting pains in my bum though? Or is that for the sore stomach after. Sorry, I sound like an idiot. But the type of pain I'm talking about just doesn't seem like something painkillers would help, because it's there one minute and gone the next, if you know what I mean, mostly while attempting to use the toilet.

[chipscheesentomatosauce]

No, pregnantat50, you have my sympathies! That would seriously put me off sex, I think. I don't think I could do it knowing I'd get this after.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Try an anti-spasmodic like buscopan. It's an over the counter IBS medication. I had endometriosis and it did help. Additionally start taking NSAID like ibuprofen a day or two before your period as it dampens down the inflammatory reaction.

[PerspicaciaTick]

I know that I get JA on days 1 and 2 of my period (also mid-cycle during ovulation but that is harder to predict), so I usually make sure I take pain killers on those days regardless. However, I also get headaches and leg pain on those days so plenty of reasons to keep the pain relief topped up. I still feel most of my aches and pains, but they don't become incapacitating if I take pain killers.

[HashiAsLarry]

Wow, in all my name changey years on MN I've missed JA. I thought it was just me too!!!

I have had gynae issues though -polyps, fibroids, hyperplasia, etc- and since treatment its definitely lessened. Nothing I found helped until then

You have my sympathies if that helps

[NapQueen]

Can I ask, is JA basically like someone is ramming a javellin up your arse?

I often get the most excrutiating pain up through my arse and into my abdomen.

Is thatwhat that is!?

[chipscheesentomatosauce]

I've already been taking painkillers last night and today for my cold and sore throat, so they don't seem to be helping anyway. And I spoke too soon. Just had it while in the kitchen filling my hot water bottle, so not confined to the toilet bowl although still feel the urge to go, so something must be contracting.

[chipscheesentomatosauce]

Yes, NapQueen, pretty much.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

In my case it was almost certainly the endometriosis causing my guts to spasm along with the joyful bloating effect due to my hormones being haywire. Going to the loo was similar to being in labour.

[Evilstepmum01]

wow! javelin arse? first i;ve heard of it,but I get it too!
About the start of my period, in the morning, it feels like my bowel is going to explode. It has me bent double and gasping.
A quick trip to the loo for a relieving jobby does the trick.

Shall we start a 'Javelin Arse Survivors' thread?

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

Seriously try IBS medications like buscopan or colpermin. They help calm down the gut spasms.

[chipscheesentomatosauce]

Will do Chaz, thanks. Does this explain the fact i get the mix of diarrhoea and constipation?

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

It can do. It can also be hormonal in that progesterone tends to slow the gut down causing constipation. On the other hand the prostaglandins which cause the cramps and contractions are assumed to be the cause of the diarrhoea that some women get with their periods.
(I am not a medic but 30+ years of dodgy periods mean I have done a fair bit of research)