To think period pain should not be this bad?

[ithinkiminhell]

I’ve been lying on the floor or doubled over since 9am. I rang 111 a few hours ago and was told they wanted to send an ambulance to assess/take me to A&E as they were concerned - groaning out loud in pain.

I refused as it’s not a 999, it’s period pain what can they do in hospital that I can’t do at home!, but it’s so so so sore it’s unreal.

I used to be admitted a lot in my twenties with the same, used to be given morphine and a couple of days of IV fluids. Back then thought it was endometriosis but never been diagnosed.

I’m losing my mind, I don’t want to go near hospital, I had to take a client to the same A&E recently and it’s like a war zone of people lying in trolleys everywhere - trollies parked outside WHSmith with people on drips. I don’t want to be lying on a trolley still in pain and bleeding.

Am I in my rights to plead with Gp for a hysterectomy? The only reason I’m having a period is because I get given northisterone every 3 months to cause one - or told I’m risking endometrial cancer, but this is awful.

These are the only ones that help me too.

Endometriosis, for sure. I was told for years I didn't have it.

Turns out I had stage 4 endo.

It's horrendous. Tramadol helps a little.

Believe it or not, buscopan. Helps me more than your typical painkillers.

There is a looooooooooong wait for any kinda procedure / surgery

So try get a referral asap

If you are in that much pain, i would go A&E personally

This is really dangerous advice!!

Not having periods regularly can result in the thickening of the womb lining which ultimately can become cancer.

How do I know? Because it happened to me. At the age of 32 and childless I had to have a hysterectomy and lost any chance of having kids.

Not having periods on at least a semi regular basis is not a good thing.

It was years before I found out it worked better if you took it 2-3 days before your period but it still wasn’t enough. Fish oil (Omega 3) helps some people but it made me throw up so I couldn’t take it. The only thing that helped was progesterone suppositories. OP, I was also told the same as you that I should have a period so had a few days off each cycle.

I would second this far more effective!

So much sympathy, the pain is awful.
I found a tens machine really helped when I was in a lot of pain.

I had stage 4 endometriosis and I had a laparoscopy and I didn’t have pain after that. Please keep pushing for answers and say that your quality of life is affected.

@ithinkiminhell I would try to get hold of naproxen if you can. I think it's available over the counter at a pharmacy now. Go to the pharmacy or order online.
On Monday get it on prescription! It's by far the most effective NSAID for period pain.

Another vote here for a tens machine because you can use it in addition to all the painkillers. When mine have been really bad it's an absolute game changer. Please do try it!

But also push for a referral to gynae - this needs investigating. Mine was caused by endometriosis.

it is truly awful pain and I am sorry ur going through it. I loved being pregnant as it was 10 days a month of hell for me ever since age of 11. Ignored by most I just put up with it. It wasn’t until I had a hysterectomy last year that they discovered I had serious Endo and the scaring was on my other organs. Spent 8 hours in surgery taking my womb out in pieces. So please pursue the endo route. Best wishes

Have you never had a scan or ultrasound to look for fibroids/ polyps/ endo?
I'd be demanding a referral from my gp

I found the mini pill helped for a couple of years before using the Mirena.

Couple of pain relief tips that helped me over the years. As other posters have mentioned buscopan helps as it is an antispasmodic.

Secondly (and this can make a big difference), take NSAID before your period and the pain starts. The pain breaks through once the prostaglandins hit a certain level and NSAID help damp down the prostaglandin build up. So if you take them earlier it can sometimes reduce the peak of the pain to something where you can still function. https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/pain-relief-endometriosis

See the link for the advice on taking NSAID early

ps I was one of the few women I know who was actively glad to go through the menopause.

I have, I’ve lost count of ultrasounds and have had an abdo CT and MRI, I’ve got a ‘functional cyst’ on one ovary, scarring on my bowel and the other ovary is attached to my bowel with that scar tissue. I was meant to be getting a diagnostic lap but because my BMI was 30 at the time I was refused. Frustratingly my BMI is now much higher, albeit I’ve just started weight loss infections.

I haven’t had an up to date scan in a while though so will ask for a new one and referral to gynaecology again to see if there’s anything they can do - the last time I saw them was around 2018 so quite a few years ago now!

Try taking evening primrose oil daily. I swear by them. I barely have any pain or pmt since taking them 3 years ago. They changed my life. I no longer suffer for days in pain curled up in a ball or a hot bath. My periods are lighter too.

Sympathies, my adult Dd is the same. She was literally on the sofa screaming like she was in labour one day last week. She also has only a few days gap between periods so is near constant for her. She’s had all investigations inc a laparoscopy to look for endometriosis (didn’t find any) and the gynae consultant told her not to come back to him as there’s nothing wrong with her from a gynae pov. 🤷‍♀️. She can’t take the pill due to a previous clot but she’s going to try mirena.

definitely agree that buscopan might help, or ask your gp about mefanimic acid. Also if your periods are heavy ask about tranzecamic acid.
Are you on the pill?

That’s terrible that your daughter has been fobbed off by her GP. My DD has suffered so much with gyne issues since early teens. When she was 16 she requested a laparoscopy to check for endo. Like your DD, was fobbed off and told its not possible for a 16 year old to have endo. Her pain was so bad that she did have a laparoscopy and was told there was no endo. She continued suffering so much and when she was 20 she went down the private route, met with a consultant and he arranged a lap for the following week and found endo on two places on her bowel which he removed.
My DD knew the first lap had only looked at her uterus and was so pleased that she didn’t just accept the diagnosis.

Your DD should ask for a second opinion and request a laparoscopy to rule out endo. My DD researched consultants who specialise in endo. She’s now back in the public system and has an amazing consultant who actually empathises with her. Nobody should have to suffer like this.

@ithinkiminhell if it helps, my hospital is operating on me and their BMI limit is 40