Surely periods aren't this bad?

[Bzzzzzzz]

This is the worst one I've ever had in my life, if it is. I started bleeding on Monday which is the day the symptoms started.
I've had nausea since Monday, diarrheoa in its 4th day now. Zero appetite, I've barely eaten since Sunday. Every time I eat I feel sick, and I have no interest in food. I just want to lie down all the time.
Stomach has ballooned to look as if I'm 5 months pregnant.
I've never had symptoms this badly in my life, I thought I had a bug but then the bleeding started too.
I've had to take time off work as I just feel horrendous.
Surely this can't just be my period? I can't cope with this every month. I recently stopped taking the pill (around 3 weeks ago) so don't know if that has anything to do with it? It's unlikely that I'm pregnant

How long have you been on the pill?

What were your periods like pre pill?

Could you have picked up a bug?

You can get your period while you are sick with a bug. That’s probably what is going on tbh.

I was on the pill on and off for around 10 years but I stopped for good a few weeks ago.
They were very light on the pill, none of these symptoms and just very light bleeding.
Yes I must have some sort of bug. In a way I hope it is that and that this won't be every month from now on.

I think it is probably stopping the pill that's causing it. Sounds similar to where I was at before I went back on the pill to control my wild hormones.

You may find migraine does ibuprofen helps with the nausea.

You say you were on the pill for 10 years. Periods while on the pill are not proper periods so you cannot compare them.
If this is your first period since coming off the pill it could be your body adjusting.
Mine took a good 6 months to settle down and I too was surprised at my body’s reaction. It doesn’t mean it will be as bad as this every month.
Bloating,, nausea and changes in bowel habits are all common effects, especially if your body hasn’t had a ‘normal’ period for 10 years plus. You are now experiencing a surge in hormones - something that your body hasn’t had to deal with for a long time as the pill has controlled it over the last 10 years.
I suggest getting a period tracker app (lots of free ones - I use ‘Clue’). You can track all your symptoms and spot any patterns. It’s also useful to refer to if you need to see your GP. But I would certainly give it a few months to see if it settles down.

High prostaglandins can make you sick, I wake up feeling fine 10 mins later I can be retching or having a lie down on the kitchen floor because my blood pressures crashed.

Gp can give you tablets to lessen bleeding, I take them. I take two ferrous fumarate right before bed too so I don’t get anaemia.

I suppose it could be either, I just didn't expect to be having watery diarrheoa for 4 days in a row now. I'll just keep taking ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is great for periods but shouldn't be taken on an empty stomach so be careful if your appetite is minimal.

Ibuprofen won’t help with nausea, diarrhoea, lack of appetite or bloating. In fact, it can exacerbate stomach issues if taken on an empty stomach (the instructions tell you to take it with food if possible as it can irritate an empty stomach).
Try paracetamol if you are actually in pain.

It's coming off the pill that has done it. My periods were similar (around 3 times a year, but less so the rest of the time) before and after being on the pill for 30 years.

My first period was hell - long heavy bleeding and pain +++

They were all the same till I had a hysterectomy - by the end I was bleeding more days than not and needed two super tampons and a large pad to get through the night, and even still bled through the bed. And was in dreadful pain. Nothing structurally wrong, no fibroids - purely hormonal. Boy was I glad to get rid of my bloody uterus.

@PoptartPoptart the nausea and diarrhoea are caused by prostaglandins. Ibuprofen blocks prostaglandins and therefore can reduce both.

My period is like that. It is shit. I take ibuprofen with cocodamol for up to a week, usually only 3/4 days though. Used to be able to get naproxen over the counter but can’t any more which is just great. Some months are much better than others so yours may settle down a bit now as you’ve only been off the pill a few months. Doctors don’t care unfortunately.

@2reefsin30knots perhaps, but the op said she is not eating as she has no appetite. Taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach can exasperate stomach problems.
OP - maybe try to eat a little, some toast or a banana, before taking ibuprofen