My period makes me want to kill myself

[KevinTheDinosaur]

Hello
I realise I'm not exactly your average MN poster, but here we go.
I'm a 14 year old girl who's been having my period since I was 12. It started off alright, but soon after my cycle settled down I started getting period pains, mood swings, the standard. Soon after I turned 13, I had a period where I started TMI alert projectile vomitting and suffering from diarrhoea, culminating in me fainting and having to go to hospital, where I was diagnosed with dysmenorrhea.

Since then, I've been having tranexemic acid for the blood loss, mefenamic acid for the pain, and cyclizene for the nausea. Luckily, I haven't experienced a period that bad since then, apart from fainting in school a few times from blood loss and pain.

My problem is that now, my period seems to be having an effect on my mental health, as well as my physical.

The seven days I have my period, despite the medication and the aid of Buscopan, paracetamol, and ibuprofen, I am always in intense pain. On days two and three I cannot get out of bed without collapsing on my bedroom floor, even though my bleeding is about average, I get through a pack of pads per period. After my period finishes, I get a couple of days pain free, then I start getting pain above my hips, on either side, for about 5 days. Then for about another 5 days I get cramps, shaking hands, headaches, etc. Then, for 2 or 3 days, I'll get crippling pain, where I'll have to get by on paracetamol and buscopan. My eczema also flares up horrendously these days, resulting in bleeding and weeping. My mental health also becomes less than ideal. I cry at the smallest of things, and begin contemplating suicide. It's not even big things which set me off, just little things, and I end up sitting in lessons thinking that if I jumped out of the classroom window, my classmates would probably have a party. I haven't actually tried to commit suicide, I've only got as far as finding out how many pills of my other medicines I would need to take to kill myself. Then, the next day, 2 weeks after the first period, I'll start again.

I suppose I'm asking, what techniques do you have for dealing with the effect of your period on your health, and would you mind sharing them with me, so I can take back control of my life from my period?

Thank you for reading this, and I'm really sorry for the essay.

[dementedpixie]

Has taking the contraceptive pill ever been suggested? Have you had gynae investigations?

[ButtMuncher]

I don't have any advice as I've not been in your shoes but I didn't want to read and run. Poor you OP, sounds horrific

If it's any consolation you sound remarkably intelligent and self aware for 14, wish I'd been as eloquent! Good luck finding help x

[Digestive28]

This feels like a conversation you need to have with health professionals supporting you not randoms online. When speaking to you right gp about physical effects of period talk about mental effects too

[TooMinty]

I don't think you need tips, you need to go back to your GP and get proper medical help.

Hope you get this sorted soon x

[Lottie991]

Do you have a decent doctor, Can you not be reffered for more tests to look further into this, This sounds extreme, You need to reach out for as much help as possible, Do you have any parents or elder adult you can confide in about this also? You need to reach out for as much help as possible, Especially when it involves your mental health also, You can confide in a Dr, Do you have councillors at your school you can confide in? Xx

[shouldnthavesaid]

Have you ever had a review by a gynaecologist? I've had periods like you since day 1 - projectile vomiting and dirreha that I'm sometimes incontinent with. Fevers , hallucinations and all sorts. I'm now age 25 and have been hospitalised 5 times in the last year to be given IM ondanestron/cyclizine , morphine and monitoring. I've missed work , university exams, Christmases , birthdays all sorts .

All my scans (about 10/15 transvaginal scans), swabs and smears and examinations are clear apart from obvious severe tenderness all over my uterus and ovaries. They have found some scar tissue (adhesions).

I've got severe depression and anxiety, don't cope well and often bed ridden during a period.

I've been told there's a high chance I've got endometriosis and waiting on surgery to see what's there and what they can do. The doctors keep telling me my pain and feelings aren't normal and whilst the process of being referred for help seems to be taking a very long time they are going to do something.

I wouldn't just keep putting up, go and see your GP at the least and get a referal to a gynaecologist .

[AwfulSomething]

Huge sympathy OP, I had terrible periods. Started at 10....immense pain and an emotional disaster. I did try the pill...but it wasn't until I was 16 and went on to Depo provera injections (every three months) that I found salvation! No periods at all, and I have stuck with it since as I have never wanted children.

[BroomstickOfLove]

What you are describing isn't normal, and it can be treated. Go to your GP, and don't let him or her fob you off. It sounds as though you might have PMDD - there are various support groups around if you want to find out more.

I found that my teens were absolutely the worst time, and things got better as I got older, and I don't need medication to feel ok these days, or even to plan my life around my periods.

[KevinTheDinosaur]

Thank you all for your replies

The pill hasn't been offered, no.
Digestive28, I have been going to my GP for this since I was 12, but nothing really has come out of it, tbh.

[shouldnthavesaid]

Oh my God just seen you're only 14 - honey go and see your school nurse , talk to your mum , anyone you can who you trust, this isn't fair for you at 14 when you should be having fun with your friends and starting relationships , school work etc. I really hope someone can get you started on some good treatment soon. When I read your post initially I didn't see your age, you write in a very mature way

[leighdinglady]

The pill worked wonders for me. Mine were seriously heavy (filled tampon and through to pad and jeans) and lasted about 10 days. I would faint too. Also as I've gotten older they just got lighter and shorter.

You need to force this with your gp for checks. It's not normal. Can your mum go with you to put some pressure on

[shouldnthavesaid]

Is there a family planning clinic near you ? Like Brook or an NHS sexual health centre? Sometimes they can help with this sort of thing - totally confidential . There's all sorts of medications beyond buscopan etc , they won't want to start you on strong opiates at your age but maybe they can pop you on the mini pill (less risks associated).

[DeleteOrDecay]

You poor thing, please to do back to your GP and don't take no for an answer. Ask your mum to support and speak for you if you feel you can't do it by yourself.

I had awful periods as a teen but nowhere near as bad as what you describe. It sounds hellish, but there are things that can be done. Don't give up

[SueGeneris]

I'm not surprised you're struggling mentally considering the amount of physical pain and illness your cycle is causing you.

I think you must try and get better treatment and more investigation - you shouldn't have to cope with this and it looks like you're doing everything you can at the moment but it's not helping you enough.

Do you have a mum or aunt or older sister who can come with you to appointments and help/support? I wouldn't want my daughter to go through this, having had similar physical issues at your age, though nowhere near as bad.

[SueGeneris]

PS I was also helped by going on the pill as a teenager, before I needed it for a contraceptive.

[FlissMumsnet]

Hi There KevinTheDinosaur,

We're sorry to hear what a tough time you're having. We hope you don't mind, but when these threads are flagged up to us we usually add a link to our Mental Health resources - here. You can also go to the Samaritans' website here, or email them on [email protected].

Support from other Mumsnetters is great and we really hope you will be able to take some comfort from your fellow posters, but as other MNers will tell you, it's really a good idea to seek RL help and support as well.

Sorry for hijacking your thread and we really hope things start to look up for you soon

[Patchouli666]

Definitely ask your GP about the mini pill (they are progesterone only) and there is a coil available which had progesterone in it and it slowly releases the progesterone it lasts for five years. There is one called the mirena and there now is one which is the same thing but is just smaller and easier for younger women and girls who haven't had sex yet and even for those that have but haven't had kids. It's called Jaydess.
There is a new one too called skyla It certainly worth getting an appointment as what you are going through is awful and is changing how you can live.

[Ktown]

I had shocking Pmt as a teenager and it was treated
I am pissed off that it is diagnosed as a mental health issue
It isn't and the treatment is strsightforward
Girls are will end up feeling like they are totally misunderstood

[GingerLemonTea]

Could it be PMDD?

[Patchouli666]

Oh and a referral to a gynae as mentioned by other posters and what will really help is tracking your cycle. There are some really good apps you can download. Have a look and see which you like. And then start recording daily. You need a period symptom and mood tracker.

[Happicuppa]

Your poor thing.
Mine are nowhere near as bad as this but I do get terrible debilitating pain and I know how exhausting (physically and emotionally) it can make you feel.

My only advice would be to see the GP, and keep asking for help if there's no improvement

there's also a great text/email support service for girls your age known as TESS (you can google it). its like samaritans but just for young girls and you can text them. their main focus is self injury but you can talk to them about anything you like if you feel down.

[Patchouli666]

Pmdd is certainly an option I had it and am now recovering from a hysterectomy because of it. I am in my 40's though.
Most women with pmdd are made worse by progesterone so it would be more sensible to try the mini pill and not commit to the coil until you know how you are going to react to the hormone.
There are also really good Facebook groups. Search pmdd uk on Facebook. You'll get lots of help. Even if it doesn't end up being what you have itmay help.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

Why aren't your parents helping you op? Don't they believe you, or something? I would be staking out my GP surgery with my dd if she suffered as badly as you.

[Bleurghghghgh]

Bless you. Please ask your GP about birth control. I'm on certraline and although I had spotting for 6 months (but none of the other period symptoms) I've not had a period for over a year. And when they do come it's just the bleeding - none of the other crap. It's different for everyone but it's changed my life.

Have a look into walk in clinics in your area - these are much easier to get specific advice on these issues IMO. it's disgusting that your GP hasn't already suggested a pill but then mine didn't either. I get it from there now but only having started at a clinic.

Good luck x

[ScarlettDarling]

Kevin can you talk to your mum about this? It would be best if you could go to the gp with your mum and discuss trying the mini pill. If this isn't effective you really need to be referred to a specialist because you are living in constant pain.