Period pain... Is anyone around to tell me this is normal

[PotterLottery]

Really sorry to not post in health I just know this may get seen a little more..

Lying here in agony with a type of period pain I've never had before. It's a shooting stabbing pain and it honestly reminds me a lot of contractions. It's every few minutes or so and such a sharp pain it's making me wince and take a deep breath in. I'm having an awful period and this is just too much now! Taken paracetamol and ibruprofen but it's not doing anything. Any suggestions? Thank you. I feel really panicky 😔

I’ve had this. Much more when I was younger.

hot water bottle across abdomen or a bath would give me relief.

How old are you?

I have endometriosis which gave me excruciating pain, was hospitalised a couple of times for ketamine/morphine pain relief

Hot water bottle helps or heat pad. Co codamol if you have it and your earlier paracetamol doesn't take you over the daily dosage limit

You have my sympathy!

I'm 37.

Was wondering about a hot water bottle but honestly I wouldn't know where to put it. The pain isn't in my back or abdomen but it's like shooting right down to my bottom almost?! I know that sounds ridiculous. Thank you for the replies.

I've had this before- poor you! Try not to panic- unfortunately there's a huge range of 'normal' when it comes to period pains. Doesn't make it any the more pleasant. Hot water bottle, painkillers, bath, lying still. Worth trying to speak to GP about a longer term plan when you can- either referral to gynae and / or stronger painkillers.
Mirena coil was a total game changer for me, but I know it doesn't work for everyone.

I've had this and it's just awful so I feel for you! I use cocodamol and neurofen plus when it's really bad, usually only need one dose and it knocks it on the head when nothing else has helped, so one box usually lasts me a few cycles atleast. I wouldn't be without them! Hope you get some relief soon

If you can go to the loo it can help

Have you got a heated blanket to wrap yourself up in?

It can definitely be normal as PPs have said, but do see and tell your GP as this is the kind of pain I get when I have ovarian cysts. Even they are really nothing to worry about and most resolve on their own but always worth getting checked out.

Pain like this is 'common' rather than 'normal'. Periods should not be painful as such - bit crampy perhaps, but not sharp pain like this. Have you noticed any changes to the flow compared to how they usually are?

Any chance you might've been pregnant? I had contractions with an early miscarriage.

I've had a ultrasound scan of that area this week because I was having heavy periods. They only found a 'thickened womb lining' no cysts or anything like that. I have a GP appointment on weds to discuss. In the meantime I've come on (yesterday) and this pain is unlike anything I've ever had. Honestly feels a bit like labour! I feel sick.

Defo not pregnant, I did a test the day before my ultrasound scan just in case! So there were no surprises 🙈

A thickened womb lining could be adenomyosis, similar to endometriosis and also extremely painful. So sorry you’re in pain. Definitely speak to your GP again.

OP please get checked for endometriosis, don't let GP fob you off with nothing seen on ultrasound (it's very rare for it to be seen on an US).

Hot water bottle
Stretches
Sit on the loo with your feet up
Painkillers (cocodamol & naproxen)
Drink plenty of fluids
Lie on your side with a pillow between your knees

Female pain is horrid and massively downplayed 😞

I started having really painful periods about your age too. Get a prescription for Naproxen if you cam. It's a game changer and one/ two tablets are enough.

The only time I had this was during peri menopause when I had a really heavy period, I think that there can be a back of blood and clots pressing down on the cervix, and having to be passed through. It was horribly painful with really heavy bleeding. I went on HRT shortly afterwards, but in my case my periods pretty much tailed off after that.
You are a bit young for that, so your GP will advise further I imagine. I think there are various options to stop the lining building quite so much, eg the Mirena.

Thank you sirvix I think that sounds very much what was happening. Thanks so much to all the comments it made me feel a lot better. They tailed off around 2am but they're back now 😔 might ring the gp today.

I have adenomyosis. I get pain randomly throughout the month just not on my period. It's through my muscle and can't be removed. It's hell.
If your pain is unbearable and your not able to walk straight, go to A&E. If you can get into GP today then go, if the pain is bad enough they still might send you to A&E. They'll give you something better for the pain at least.
Get a good gynaecologist.

I get this and have suspected endometriosis (haven’t had it diagnosed as TTC).

Sometimes nothing at all helps me but a wheat pack and Nurofen Plus can take the edge off. It usually lasts around 45 minutes or so for me and then eases off. As a PP said going to the loo can help.

Hi PotterLottery,

I think it’s a good idea to call your GP if the pain has been that intense. Sorry you have had a horrible night of it.

How are you feeling now?

Thanks everyone. Been to the GP who has prescribed me with some mefenamic acid (?) and referring me to gynaecology.

Feminax should help. Try a warm bath or hot water bottle on your tummy.

If it's not normal for you, you might want to have it checked out. 💐

You can buy it from the pharmacy without a prescription.
Go and chat to a pharmacist.
Game changer!!
I have hellish periods, I took 2 this morning and it's just an "awareness" rather than cramps and pain now. Some days I used to struggle even alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen.
I now order in bulk from an online pharmacy.

@mrsmacmc ..how do they check for endometriosis?

I had an internal scan and she said she couldn't see anything out of the ordinary but her scan doesn't show everything