Passed out with period pain. Wtf?

[Spudlet]

I’m lying here on the sofa with a hot water bottle after passing out earlier with the pain. Fortunately DH was at home - he is usually at the office on a Monday but changed his schedule around this week by sheer chance. Came around completely disoriented and frightened and am now in pain but no longer in agony.

What the fuck is this? I used to be like this as a younger woman but since having DS, my periods have been significantly better. I felt rough this morning but two ibuprofen did the trick, but then this evening the pain came back worse than it has been for years. I’ve just turned 40 - could this be an early sign of perimenopause?

I don’t know what to do - I took the combined pill quite happily for years but I get migraines with auras so I’m not allowed that any more. I had the mini pill for a couple of years too, but then I had a bout of depression and anxiety which seemed to ease when I stopped taking it. Are there different types of mini pill with different strengths, like the combined pill? My GP at the time was not good at discussing these things and was very dismissive, but I’m with a new practice now - is it worth going back?

Im just so fucked off, I thought this shit was a thing of the past for me. And scared too, I was driving with DS earlier, and the pain was starting to ramp up then. What if we’d stayed out a bit longer? I could have fainted at the wheel. Fucking hell, but who’d be a woman?!

Ok, I meant to post this in chat, wtf.

Have you been checked for endometriosis? That can cause passing-out level pain. Definitely go back to your GP and don't let them fob you off, you shouldn't have to live with that degree of pain.

I once had something similar, absolutely excruciating, couldn't stop myself from passing out, low blood pressure and ended up in a and e which felt mortifying for period pain but I couldn't stay conscious!

Think it was a burst ovarian cyst in the end, it was bloody awful.

Agree check endo

my friend has recently had op to have remobal
and it’s changed her life

took her 20 years to get diagnosed

@PlaitBilledDuckyPuss I’ve had various investigations, including a ?laparoscopy under GA. Endometriosis is not something that’s ever been mentioned. But does it not seem weird that it would go dormant for so long (DS is 7) only to return so suddenly? Not that I know a lot about it tbh. But hence thinking hormonal changes. I’ve been having more lumps and bumps show up in my breasts as well (had them all checked at the hospital just last week).

My first thought was endometriosis. I've had that and also an ovarian cyst.

@ItsOnlyNovember There is no ‘only period pain’ - believe me, I know how agonising it can be. Nothing to be embarrassed about at all there! I hope you’re sorted now x

Hormones do influence endometriosis, yes - oestrogen levels have an impact. It's certainly something to rule out. It can cause ovarian cysts (endometriomas) - as a pp mentioned, they can also cause severe pain.

Other things to rule out are adenomyosis and fibroids.

Endometriosis caused my frequent blackouts from pain. Had op to remove endo multiple times and had Milena coil fitted which was brilliant at solving the issue. (Took years for a go to listen to me and get diagnosis btw - apparently they wanted to ‘see me pass out from the pain’ to believe me….)

Please go back to your doctor. My periods were absolutely horrendous - whole body ached particularly down my legs, flooding, godawful cramps and back pain. I'm early 40s. It came to a head when I pretty much passed out from the pain. I'm on mini pill now and it's helped so much - although I know this didn't work for you. I've had breakthrough bleeding since, went back to GP and had a scan, which showed a large mass of fibroids, so the likely cause of my gynae issues. Please insist that they investigate. No-one should be expected to put up with it.

Op- could you be pregnant?

I take mefanamic acid for this and it makes a big difference.

It absolutely sucks that we have to go through this complete and utter bullshit. I feel for you. Please go back to a doctor of some description (good luck with that!) and try and get it sorted. 💐

@Ohreallyisit No - very unlikely. We use condoms and really are scrupulous about them.

@BrutusMcDogface Hah, it might take more than luck! My GPs are good but getting through to them is not for the faint of heart. But I’m going to try [limbers up dialling arm]

I’m so sorry for all of us who have to deal with the bullshit. It fucking sucks (and makes me very sweary)

@Ohreallyisit Also up until tonight my cycle has been just as expected - bit of spotting a few days ago, feeling a wee bit stabby with it, started this morning, few cramps then fine. Then suddenly tonight - BAM. Hello to the floor…

I recently had an ovarian cyst burst which left me very close to passing out. It was absolutely excruciating.
GP fobbed me off as having gas!
Paid for a private consultation & scan and she confirmed there was a large burst cyst.
Since then I've also started taking more care over my diet and having acupuncture(partly due to IBS) and my periods have been a lot more manageable. Reducing dairy has big affect on my periods and clotting - and I've cut out gluten.
I also take ashwaganda which helps a lot of things I reckon.
I also stopped taking Ibuprofen and stick to paracetamol .. I find it really messes with my stomach.
Hope you're feeling better soon x

p.s the ovarian cyst came out of no where as I had had a few ovarian scans & investigations due to secondary infertility in the year preceding it

This thread is putting me in mind of the Father Ted quote:

Mrs. Doyle's Friend : I swear I won't tell anyone, and if I do may I be struck down by every disease a middle-aged woman can get, which as you and I know is a hell of a lot of diseases.

What a bunch of buggery bollocks this all is! But I hope the quote raises a smile… sorry if my tone seems a bit off btw, I’m not quite fully with it 😳

This happened to me last week. The pain was so bad I fainted and was sick. It’s happened loads of times before but only when I don’t take painkillers just as the pain starts. If I leave it too long I end up passing out. Hope you’re okay now

Your day sounds almost identical to my yesterday and I have endometriosis and fibroids.

I would be shocked if you didn't have either or something simliar.

Mefanamic acid takes away the real sharp pain for me. It doesn't cure it but it dulls it slightly. Lying on your stomach on a hard floor as helps slightly.

You really need to be seen by a gynaecologist.

I also collapsed with an ovarian cyst, which was apparently twisting, which is why it hurt like fuck.

to you OP.

My aunt struggled terribly with period pains. She had finished having children and eventually had endometrial ablation which fixed it completely.

Spoke to my lovely GP today - we have an interim plan of mini-pill to start immediately and coil as soon as I can get an appointment. If that works, great. If not, further investigations to be done. But I have a plan for right now, so hopefully that will hold it in check.

I really hope the coil works, the idea of no periods with fewer side effects than the mini pill is pretty damn awesome tbh 🤞