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Original poster

Period pain relief

45 replies

PeloFondo · 23/10/2022 23:30

What works for you? I'm contemplating trying these and need other ideas!
https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/beyou-monthly-period-patches-5-pack/12949009.html

I've had dihydrocodeine, naproxen, buscopan, paracetamol all max dose, and a hot water bottle. Childs pose bizarrely is the only thing that's helping a little but I can't stay in that forever Grin

Any out there ideas or alternative remedies? It's like constant griping cramps all over my stomach and into the tops of my thighs

OP posts:
LeMoo · 23/10/2022 23:33

Ibuprofen and yoga for me but mine don't get too bad.

Did buscopan do anything?? Not head it used that way before!

Endpress · 23/10/2022 23:35

Glass of red wine

LeMoo · 23/10/2022 23:36

Brandy is meant to be very good

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FreezyFreezy · 23/10/2022 23:37

Dry weed vape

Original poster
PeloFondo · 23/10/2022 23:45

LeMoo · 23/10/2022 23:33

Ibuprofen and yoga for me but mine don't get too bad.

Did buscopan do anything?? Not head it used that way before!

It has helped before but not this time, seems to ease the griping cramp type

I did contemplate brandy but figured not on top of everything I've taken and possible not while I'm working tomorrow Grin

OP posts:
GarfieldsAunty · 23/10/2022 23:48

I take mefenamic acid which I get on prescription from the GP. About 4 years ago I started getting such horrendous pain I found myself screaming (quite literally), and unable to stand up, so going to work was a no-go. In short, it was severely impacting my ability to lead a normal life. Prior to the prescription meds, I'd taken far too much codeine during one horendous period, and knocked myself out only to wake up 13 hours later with the hot water bottle over my ankle, and a huge blister on my leg which has now left me with a scar and resulted in a trip to A&E and 2 subsequent nurse appointments to get the hole in my leg seen to. I felt that the burn was taken far more seriously than the pain from period cramps that caused it... And almost had to beg my (male) GP for something stronger, because quite frankly ibuprofen, paracetamol, codeine... none of it touched the surface of the pain.

Go to your GP and see what they can offer would be my advice. I do know there are risks with mefenamic acid, stroke being one of them, so I'm not suggesting anyone necessarily ask for those tablets, and I'm not a doctor!

Since then, I've also had the hormonal coil fitted last Dec and that has massively reduced my need to take the prescription meds, and I wish I'd had it fitted ages ago. I think the non hormonal coil can cause the opposite though, and can create more pain. But again, I'm not a doctor.

I think unless a person has experienced for themselves just how debilitating period cramps can be, it's impossible to convey just how absolutely awful they are. I ended up living in fear of my period each month, which is no way to live. Prior to this, I just had mild pain and to this day have no idea why they suddenly turned out to be so painful.

You will have options, so don't continue to suffer x

Original poster
PeloFondo · 23/10/2022 23:54

@GarfieldsAunty I've been twice and nothing suggested except the pill
I came off the pill as I don't do well with hormonal contraceptives. They mentioned I probably have endo but there wasn't much they would do for it except put me on the pill or mirena which I didn't want. And that was that Sad
I've had trans acid before and the other one but they didn't want me on it long term

Frustrating! I didn't realise it wasn't normal until I mentioned to someone about day 6 period pain and they were Confused because my pain is day 2 - day 7/8

OP posts:
Bigchanges2022 · 23/10/2022 23:55

Period pains are the worst. Some months it’s so bad that nothing seems to work for me. I have found that taking both ibuprofen lysine and paracetamol alternately seems to be the best combination for me. I also find that it works best if I begin taking them before the pain actually starts so if I know I’m due on then I will start tablets, this seems to stop the pain reaching unbearable levels for me. Also constant hot water bottle and heat patch.

Fifthtimelucky · 23/10/2022 23:56

I'm in my 60s so no longer have periods but I second mefenamic acid. It was the only thing I ever tried that made a difference.

chelle0 · 24/10/2022 00:00

The patches are fab for when you have to be up and about. I only have 2 day that's painful and they work brilliantly. My husbands uses them for his back too.

GarfieldsAunty · 24/10/2022 00:07

OP definitely go back to your doctor, change GP (hassle I know), or at least see if you can speak to a different one at the practice than before, if you don't feel you are being given help. Don't give up.

Not having to go through the trauma of the pain each month will give you a new lease of life, I promise!

wifeofaclosefriend · 24/10/2022 00:11

Mine don't sound anywhere near as bad as yours but I take ibuprofen and I agree with a PP that I try to take them a day or two before my period is due and these seems to lesson the pain and bleeding somewhat

HK171 · 24/10/2022 00:24

I've found CBD tampons from Daye amazing for period pains. Stops them almost instantly and I can tell when it's getting to 4 or 5 hours since I changed the tampon as the pain starts to return.

mrsmacmc · 24/10/2022 00:26

Please please please OP go back and get a second opinion and push for a gynae referral. I've got endometriosis and painful debilitating periods aren't normal ❤️

Ballsaque · 24/10/2022 00:31

The one thing that I eventually found which helped my horrendous pain was Starflower Oil. I wish I’d known about it from day one! You need to take one every day not just on your period. It literally changed my life!

Not always the case @mrsmacmc Like my Mum I always suffered with very heavy and painful periods. No issue was ever found,I was just unlucky and had to get on with it.

I now have a Mirena so no periods at all for me anymore.

Onynx · 24/10/2022 01:16

Ok - longish post but... I was exactly the same as you, cramps so bad my whole body would just go rigid, pain so bad that genuinely I didn't realise I was 5cm dilated with my first baby because it just felt like a period. Ponstan fort (mefac) plus paracetamol and hot water bottle went some way towards helping. Fast forward to age 44, my mum had been urging me to go to the gp as she felt I was menopausal as she was 38 when she was in menopause. Gp agreed to put me on hrt after doing bloods to rule out thyroid etc- but she wanted to send me for a scan first. Scan revealed Adenomyosis, thickening of the lining of the womb and some other issues. All of my pain- that I thought was 'normal' because it was for me was unnecessary. Had my previous gp listened to me & referred me for a scan years before I could had avoided years of agony. I had a hysteroscopy, endometrial ablation, d&c & biopsies under GA - biopsies all clear thankfully but honestly for me the ablation has been life changing. They say it won't work for everybody and the adenomyosis my return but the last six months have been almost pain free for me - plus no haemorrhaging either. My advise would be to find a sympathetic dr if you can and insist on a referral for an abdominal scan.

Original poster
PeloFondo · 24/10/2022 01:18

Ok so my plan is
Start pain relief before period (I take dihydrocodeine daily anyway)
Buy some of the patches
Find some free time to go to the GP. I have had a kidney scan and they randomly found an ovary cyst but that's gone now (vanished on its own)
Do have hashimotos so on thyroid meds
Mum also had horrific heavy painful periods

OP posts:
RiverSkater · 24/10/2022 01:26

Exercise helped me, running up the stairs 2/3 at a time. Sadly I can't do that anymore!

Ibuprofen regular doses before the pain starts and ponstan (I think it was called? ) on prescription.

PackedlunchofRishiSunak · 24/10/2022 01:27

Have you tried a tens machine? I got my daughter one specifically for period pain called an ‘oovi’ - (or something like that - you may have to Google it, sorry). She still needs to take pain killers but it certainly helps and makes the pain more manageable. Good luck.

DutchessOfMuck · 24/10/2022 01:34

Aspirin and a hot water bottle is the only thing that helps me.

suzyscat · 24/10/2022 22:00

Pine bark extract - pycnogenol has been life changing for me.

Exercise is really good too, esp abs work outs and certain yoga poses but it's helpful if I've gone to the gym before I start because it helps with the pain but if I leave it till I'm in pain it's hard to do it.

suzyscat · 24/10/2022 22:00

Hot water bottle uk my jumper too.

babasaclover · 24/10/2022 22:12

These look bloody brilliant thank you!

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 24/10/2022 22:14

Regular ibuprofen and orgasms.

Heat patch and buscopan helps too.

Augend23 · 24/10/2022 22:21

Have you had all the children you wish to have, if you want to have children?

If so, look at endometrial ablation. It was totally life changing for my relative. She used to be in utter agony from her periods and it got rid of them entirely.

I think if not I'd be prepared to have some more goes at different options for hormonal contraceptives - one that suits one person doesn't necessarily suit someone else. I am lucky that they agree with me but they are life changing. I used to have to max out on ibuprofen and co-codamol, and it used to be incredibly heavy and could last weeks. Once I was in a regime that suited me I arranged to run the packets together so I only have 4 a year. They still hurt somewhat but 4 a year is much more manageable.