Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for help with pain relief for fibroids/endo - I can’t cope anymore

75 replies

WhatNextImScared · 22/09/2026 22:46

I’m waiting an op to remove a fibroid (44, had an op previously but regrown) but the pain for 4 days during my period is utterly unmanageable.

It’s like being 8cm dilated but with no gas and air and no respite between contractions - and four days in every 23.

Ibuproften, paracetomol and codeine all together don’t make the slightest difference. Naproxen does nothing.

Have just taken my first dose of mefenamic acid prescribed today but I’m not expecting much.

When it’s bad like tonight it’s my whole abdomen that hurts. I can’t urinate or eat or cough without pain. I feel sick now and probably won’t keep the meds down. I’ve got pins and needles/shKes from the nausea waves.

i feel like I’m dying for these 4 days. I have responsibilities I can’t just drop. Tomorrow I have to visit a school (though I won’t be able to if it’s like this in the AM. Nothing at all takes the edge off.

i think I might have endo too - the pain seems to diffuse for it to just be a fibroid.

This all started after I removed my coil in June (massive mistake) and when I have the op to remove the fibroid they will also refit a new one.

But can anyone help me in the meantime? If you have severe Endo pain or anything gynae, is there any painkiller at all that works?

I can’t go on like this. It’s awful. My husband works shifts and I’m often alone with the children and it’s not safe

OP posts:
JayJayj · 23/09/2026 00:13

I’ve not had fibroids but I have/had endometriosis. Unfortunately no pain relief ever helped. I had the endometriosis removed on a diagnostic laparoscopy, when they found it. It’s been about 7 years and the pain is just starting to creep back sometimes.

My sister used to use a tens machine for her pain. That could possibly help.

Original poster
WhatNextImScared · 23/09/2026 00:07

RandomMess · 22/09/2026 23:58

Diclofenac and naproxen are different. Naproxen is for less intense long term pain. Diclofenac is more potent and used for intense pain such as flare ups so definitely worth asking to try.

Also ask for something to protect your stomach with either!

Ok thanks, that’s good to know

OP posts:
BibbityBoppityTwo · 23/09/2026 00:00

WhatNextImScared · 22/09/2026 23:57

I agree. If it’s still this bad in the morning I’m going to a&e to ask for something

Show quote history

I was going to suggest as much. Sadly, this is what it takes to get your pain taken seriously. Be sure to tell them this is what it’s like for you every month and you need some effective pain management so you’re not back in A&E every month.

Random321 · 23/09/2026 00:00

I'm the same. Painkillers don't do a lot but mefenamic helps slighty if I start taking it 3 days before hand and keep taking it until period ends.

Lying stomach down on a hard cold floor (not carpeted) helps sometimes, especially with bowel/bladder delays.

I apply biofreeze spray liberally & frequently to my lower back & sides also. Not sure if it's a relief or a distraction. My gyn looked at me as if I was crazy when I mentioned it but it does help take the edge off.

For me applying cold works far better than heat.

Tens machine also but it's a bit hit & miss.

That said, I've had a laparoscopy and temporary chemical menopause which made a huge difference. Next step was hysterectomy but it didn't come to that.

Didn't cure it but stopped the three week long periods. I would recommend it before hysterectomy but I know I've been lucky with my surgery & it doesn't help everyone.

I rrally hope things improve for you soon.

RandomMess · 22/09/2026 23:58

Diclofenac and naproxen are different. Naproxen is for less intense long term pain. Diclofenac is more potent and used for intense pain such as flare ups so definitely worth asking to try.

Also ask for something to protect your stomach with either!

Original poster
WhatNextImScared · 22/09/2026 23:57

BibbityBoppityTwo · 22/09/2026 23:52

I personally think given it’s only four days once a month they should prescribe you some hardcore pain killers. Women’s pain is never taken seriously. It’s ridiculous that anyone should be shaking and vomiting with pain!

I agree. If it’s still this bad in the morning I’m going to a&e to ask for something

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatNextImScared · 22/09/2026 23:56

Zoflorabore · 22/09/2026 23:47

Have tried everything under the sun for fibromyalgia pain and Endo pain and 2 things that work for me are Dihydrocodeine and Nefopam, the latter I’ve only been taking for a week and the relief is huge. Never heard of them either but they’re brilliant.

also sending you a hug.

Thank you.

i had dihydrocodeine in hospital after birth and tolerated it well, so i will phone my GP tomorrow and ask.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatNextImScared · 22/09/2026 23:55

Chocolatecustardcreamsrule · 22/09/2026 23:35

When you tried naproxen did you try starting it the day before your period? Only I didn’t think it worked for me either but my friend who also has endo told me to start the day before and it helps me a lot now.

Yes I did. Was very good this month and tried it two days before. No difference. I feel like nobody really cares or understands the severe pain I’m in. My gynae is very business like and didn’t listen when I was explaining that it’s not just my uterus but my whole abdomen that is distended and cramping, affecting stomach, bowels, even my urethra hurts. Standing/moving is the only bareable position. I really want some sleep but there’s no position that doesn’t seem to pressure on my abdomen and make things worse

OP posts:
BibbityBoppityTwo · 22/09/2026 23:52

I personally think given it’s only four days once a month they should prescribe you some hardcore pain killers. Women’s pain is never taken seriously. It’s ridiculous that anyone should be shaking and vomiting with pain!

Zoflorabore · 22/09/2026 23:47

Have tried everything under the sun for fibromyalgia pain and Endo pain and 2 things that work for me are Dihydrocodeine and Nefopam, the latter I’ve only been taking for a week and the relief is huge. Never heard of them either but they’re brilliant.

also sending you a hug.

Chocolatecustardcreamsrule · 22/09/2026 23:35

When you tried naproxen did you try starting it the day before your period? Only I didn’t think it worked for me either but my friend who also has endo told me to start the day before and it helps me a lot now.

QueenOfAccountability · 22/09/2026 23:31

Why don't you ask if you can try codeine to see if that helps. And there is Oramorph too as well, but that comes with it's own problems.

Original poster
WhatNextImScared · 22/09/2026 23:30

IAmCrazyMostOfTheTime · 22/09/2026 23:14

The only thing which helps my endo pain is a tens machine designed for period pain - my husband saw an ad for it years ago and thought it was worth a try. My pain is also like labour contractions. Depending on how bad they are it sometimes makes them disappear completely and other times takes the edge off enough so that I can function. I have been known to go to work with it on. I would say definitely worth a try.

edited to add I have just been referred to the endo surgical team with the hope of gettting a hysterectomy after 20 years of this pain - hopefully a permanent solution.

Edited

Thank you, I might try that.

i am supposed to have the fibroids removed and a coil fitted before Xmas and see how that goes but I will definitely be asking about a hysterectomy if not. I’ve had my children and I cannot live like this.

OP posts:
notwhingingjuststatingfacts · 22/09/2026 23:28

WaitingForMojo · 22/09/2026 23:12

No, it isn’t. Voltarol is diclofenac. There is a gel, just as there is ibuprofen gel, but it’s also an oral medication. It’s a NSAID, but a stronger one than ibuprofen.

Show quote history

Not stronger than naproxen though! Diclofenac isn’t as effective as naproxen which the op has already said doesn’t help

Original poster
WhatNextImScared · 22/09/2026 23:26

Just vomited with the pain which a don’t usually do. It is particularly severe this month, but I wonder if it’s the mew painkillers?

OP posts:
IAmCrazyMostOfTheTime · 22/09/2026 23:14

The only thing which helps my endo pain is a tens machine designed for period pain - my husband saw an ad for it years ago and thought it was worth a try. My pain is also like labour contractions. Depending on how bad they are it sometimes makes them disappear completely and other times takes the edge off enough so that I can function. I have been known to go to work with it on. I would say definitely worth a try.

edited to add I have just been referred to the endo surgical team with the hope of gettting a hysterectomy after 20 years of this pain - hopefully a permanent solution.

RandomMess · 22/09/2026 23:13

@notwhingingjuststatingfactsthe tablets prescribed are at a much stronger dose than the OTC gel

WaitingForMojo · 22/09/2026 23:12

notwhingingjuststatingfacts · 22/09/2026 23:07

Voltarole is a gel ibuprofen that’s hardly going to help! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

No, it isn’t. Voltarol is diclofenac. There is a gel, just as there is ibuprofen gel, but it’s also an oral medication. It’s a NSAID, but a stronger one than ibuprofen.

notwhingingjuststatingfacts · 22/09/2026 23:11

I have been where you are now OP. Ultimately the only thing that resolved my pain was a hysterectomy.
what did ease it at the time was heat. I had a heated under blanket on my back and heated pad on my tummy. I also at times used a tens machine. I was also prescribed oramorph which at times I was taking 4hrly.
movement helped, going for a gentle walk or a swim was sometimes helpful.
it’s a tough road. I hope you get some relief soon

BunkBedsArePeopleShelves · 22/09/2026 23:08

Weed. Not joking, it's the best thing for it.

notwhingingjuststatingfacts · 22/09/2026 23:07

Voltarole is a gel ibuprofen that’s hardly going to help! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

Original poster
WhatNextImScared · 22/09/2026 23:04

I don’t know, I will ask. I am shaking with the pain. It’s just like Labour. It’s not fair that I suffer like this without help

OP posts:
RandomMess · 22/09/2026 22:52

20 years I was given something for horrific afterbirth pain, I think it was voltarol, I know it can’t be used post birth these days whatever it was 🧐

RandomMess · 22/09/2026 22:49

Is voltarol an option these days?

Original poster
WhatNextImScared · 22/09/2026 22:47

Before anyone says it, yes during previous episodes I have been to a&e and anything other than gynae was ruled out. It’s how I got my gynae referral. And it only happens on my period .

OP posts: