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Original poster

Period pain management - any tips?

66 replies

itsgettingwierd · 31/05/2021 10:16

I have menstrual issues and have been referred to gynae after failed attempt at mini pill and 2 expelled coils.

I'm on northisterone long term but have to take a break when I have breakthrough bleeding - which I waited 2 weeks for as mentally have to prepare myself and half term so won't be off work as off anyway!

The pain is unbearable. It's akin to labour pains.

I'm using Mefanamic acid, 30/500mg co codamol and 500mg of paracetamol. It makes it just about bearable but makes me feel like I'm floating around space!

Anyone else had such severe pain and had a better combination of pain management?

I'm facing a 32 week wait for initial appointment and so need something to help me get through the next 8 months as the pain is really affecting my MH.

OP posts:
Silhillian · 31/05/2021 10:21

My GP prescribed codeine for me. Unfortunately does still cause the spaced out feeling, but the pain is unmanageable without it. I take in combination with mef. acid, paracetamol and hot water bottles.

Original poster
itsgettingwierd · 31/05/2021 10:28

Is codeine the same as the co codamol?

(Sorry if that's a stupid question?!)

OP posts:
MrsFin · 31/05/2021 10:32

Alcohol helps. It relaxes your muscles.

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HumunaHey · 31/05/2021 10:37

I usedto suffer really bad period pains. I changed my diet (less refined sugar, carbs and more sources of iron acouple if weeks before each time I was due). This made a massive difference.

PinkPlantCase · 31/05/2021 10:42

A tens machine really helped me, I already had one for my back but you can get them in most pharmacies.

Also are you sure you HAVE to take a break? If you don’t you might still have breakthrough bleeding that is less predictable but it’s worth questioning your GP on this further.

Re co-codamol it is a mixture of codeine and paracetamol, so the 30/500 means 30mg of codeine and 500mg of paracetamol. So please please don’t take extra paracetamol on top of this!!

Original poster
itsgettingwierd · 31/05/2021 11:03

@MrsFin

Alcohol helps. It relaxes your muscles.
I don't drink but it's possible I could be persuaded if it's an actual solution Grin
OP posts:
Original poster
itsgettingwierd · 31/05/2021 11:06

@PinkPlantCase

A tens machine really helped me, I already had one for my back but you can get them in most pharmacies.

Also are you sure you HAVE to take a break? If you don’t you might still have breakthrough bleeding that is less predictable but it’s worth questioning your GP on this further.

Re co-codamol it is a mixture of codeine and paracetamol, so the 30/500 means 30mg of codeine and 500mg of paracetamol. So please please don’t take extra paracetamol on top of this!!

I can take 500mg of paracetamol with 30/500 co codamol as I only take 1 co codamol and you can have 1g of paracetamol.

I'll look into TENS machine.

I was told I had to take a break if I had breakthrough bleeding. I did wait 2 weeks but I'm ringing GP weds am for telephone consult to ask for advice.

That's why I was asking what others have done for pain as I may have been able to ask for something else

OP posts:
maddiemookins16mum · 31/05/2021 11:23

Always have a warm shower straight after taking your painkillers, it relaxes you and your body absorbs the drugs quicker.

NotAnotherPushyMum · 31/05/2021 11:25

Take two co-codamol tablets.

cantblockitout · 31/05/2021 11:26

Take two of the cocodamol - it does make you sleepy but it might help . GP used to give me cocodamol, breakthrough dihydrocodeine and buscopan . That combination worked well, but made me very sleepy - used to lose four or five days in bed each month ...

Everyday21 · 31/05/2021 12:06

A company called BE YOU do period pain essential oil patches, obviously with your level of pain it wont go away completely but might help. I love them

Original poster
itsgettingwierd · 31/05/2021 12:14

@Everyday21

A company called BE YOU do period pain essential oil patches, obviously with your level of pain it wont go away completely but might help. I love them
I'm willing to try anything! Thanks for suggestion.

I really cannot take 2 co codamol unfortunately. I can barely function on 1 and I'm a LP and my ds is disabled. I need to be able to function at at least a minimal level!

OP posts:
goingtotown · 31/05/2021 12:19

A wheat bag to relax the muscles.

LaBellina · 31/05/2021 12:22

Hot water bottle.
Taking a nice warm bath or shower.
Camomile tea.

You poor thing Flowers

Rosebud21 · 31/05/2021 15:11

Try a different antiinflammatory naproxen (Feminax Ultra) instead of mefenamic acid, & another over the counter medicine that might help is buscopan, an antispasmodic

Original poster
itsgettingwierd · 31/05/2021 15:17

I'm going to try buscopan. Numerous people seem to suggest it so I'm thinking it's a way to go.

The pain is eased by opening my bowels (marginally!) so I'm thinking there could be a relationship between period pain and also bowels.

I've tried ibuprofen lucine which is a generic form of period pain ibuprofen. I'll have a look at naproxen.

OP posts:
NotAnotherPushyMum · 31/05/2021 15:27

A high dose of ibuprofen works well if you take it consistently for a couple of days beforehand and throughout. You can’t miss a dose though.

MissMaple82 · 31/05/2021 15:32

Are you taking co codemol as well as paracetamol??

2021mumma · 31/05/2021 15:34

Hi what you are suffering from sounds very similar to what I was going through I have endometriosis and adenomyosis. When I was on my period the pain was like labour pains and bowel pain horrendous- my bowel and uterus was fused. I’ve had a laparoscopy and defused and endo removed. Whilst I was waiting on the operation I was prescribed Diclofenac suppositories - completely non drowsy would pop one in at night and the pain disappeared they were amazing. I don’t wish that pain on anyone I hope you get seen and sorted as soon as you can.

HelloViroids · 31/05/2021 15:39

I have severe endometriosis - this is what works best for me:
Prophylactic ibruprofen in advance and throughout, as well as cocodamol.
Heat from either beanbag or bath or shower.
Alcohol in small amounts, particularly gin.
Buscopan.
TENS machine from Amazon.
I also take the pill back to back and only have 6 breaks (so 6 periods) per year.

Things other recommend that didn’t work for me (but might be worth trying) - mefanamic acid, dietary changes, cammomile tea, sage, evening primrose oil, switching to mooncup, gentle exercise. Flowers

Original poster
itsgettingwierd · 31/05/2021 15:46

@2021mumma

Hi what you are suffering from sounds very similar to what I was going through I have endometriosis and adenomyosis. When I was on my period the pain was like labour pains and bowel pain horrendous- my bowel and uterus was fused. I’ve had a laparoscopy and defused and endo removed. Whilst I was waiting on the operation I was prescribed Diclofenac suppositories - completely non drowsy would pop one in at night and the pain disappeared they were amazing. I don’t wish that pain on anyone I hope you get seen and sorted as soon as you can.
Yes they think endo and adenomyosis.

Have had adominal scan which showed bulky uterus and patches.

My concern is this is something that gets more and more painful and it's horrendous now. I have approx 32 week wait to see the gynae (referred last month) and then god knows how many months after that for further treatment.

It's really affecting me to think I could have another 2 years of this

OP posts:
newtb · 31/05/2021 15:48

A friend at uni had problems and was referred to a physio who gave her exercises.

2021mumma · 31/05/2021 15:49

If you are on Facebook there are some great support groups. If you can afford it - why don’t you pay for private consultation when get added to the list for further treatment. You may skip a lot of waiting time etc. Private consultation about £150

Original poster
itsgettingwierd · 31/05/2021 15:50

@HelloViroids

I have severe endometriosis - this is what works best for me: Prophylactic ibruprofen in advance and throughout, as well as cocodamol. Heat from either beanbag or bath or shower. Alcohol in small amounts, particularly gin. Buscopan. TENS machine from Amazon. I also take the pill back to back and only have 6 breaks (so 6 periods) per year.

Things other recommend that didn’t work for me (but might be worth trying) - mefanamic acid, dietary changes, cammomile tea, sage, evening primrose oil, switching to mooncup, gentle exercise. Flowers

Thanks so much.

I'm thinking I'll keep northisterone going and have breaks during school holidays.
The northisterone doesn't like me but it manages pain enough ibuprofen works and means I just spot daily.

Use wheat bags - one in front and one on back.

Lots of great advice here which I'm going to try.

Would appear it may be some endo fused to my bowel which would explain the bleeding I've had occasionally.

OP posts:
Original poster
itsgettingwierd · 31/05/2021 15:52

@MissMaple82

Are you taking co codemol as well as paracetamol??
No don't worry!

I game 1 x 30/500 co codamol and 1x 500 paracetamol.

This is because I can't cope with 60mg of codeine but you can have 1g paracetamol.

GP said this is ok when I had co codamol for migraines.

OP posts:
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