Painkillers for period pains whilst TTC

[eurochick]

What do you use?

I have always had evil period pains. Mefemanic acid kicks them into touch very well and I have used it sparingly for about 15 years. However last month, whilst v bored waiting for a plane, I read the accompanying leaflet for the first time in about 15 years and it mentions not taking it while TTC, so I have resisted taking any more. I have also read that ibruprofen is not advised either while TTC. I have taken paracetemol today and it has helped but not to the extent of my beloved mefemanic acid. This month it is fine as I only over ever get one or two days of bad pain and they will fall over the weekend so I can just lay on the sofa and not do too much to get through it. But I am worried that if they fall on work days in future I will find it much more difficult to cope.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your answer. The leaflet with my tablets just has a blanket advice not to take it for people TTC. But that makes sense.

eurochick,

Sometimes endometriosis is actually the underlying cause of such pains, particularly if they are either long standing or cyclical in nature. Mefanemic acid and such like are often prescribed in these types of cases. Also many GPs are frankly ignorant when it comes to endometriosis (another problem with endo is that it is usually only diagnosed through keyhole surgery and some GPs just don't consider it as a possible cause).

I would go all out to establish the underlying cause of the pain and asap.

I had a laproscopy years ago to see if that was the cause of the pain. It wasn't. The pains have been of the same type and level for 20 years (i.e. before the lap).

Lots of people just have painful periods. My mother used to pass out from the pain.

Hi eurochick

I have had painful periods since starting menses at 14 and periods should not be excrutiatingly painful or make you pass out due to pain. Painful periods more often than not have a defined cause. I actually feel quite strongly about this as I suffered similarly for many years in ignorance (my mum nor GP at that time had no idea what was wrong with me, I was dx'd with endo at 31) and would not want that to happen to anyone else. In my case the cause was endometriosis and it can be passed down the generations as well. Have also passed out with the pain too.

Sometimes endometriosis does not present in either a typical fashion or within the uterine cavity and a general gynae can too easily miss it (endo deposits are very small). A lap done years ago is not sufficient to rule endometriosis out; you need up to date results. Period pain that is cyclical in nature and/or gets worse up to and including menses should be checked out further by a gynae to see if endo is actually there because it is a very underdiagnosed disease.

Something you may want to consider doing now is to keep a pain/symptom diary for say 3-6 months. That could give a gynae some clues as well. I would seriously consider seeing such a person.

You will need to be persistant in order to get answers because the mefanemic acid is but a short term solution to a long term problem.

Thanks for your advice, I am sure it is well meant, but I have had this issue investigated extensively and I am happy that the investigations were sufficiently thorough. I don't need to keep a pain diary - I get period pains for the first two days of bleeding every cycle and have for the last 20+ years. My question was simply about alternative painkillers that are safe when TTC.

Ok, think you realise I was only trying to help as have had similar problems.

Re painkillers, do try and avoid anything with codeine in it as it is very easy to become physically dependent.