why does AF have to be so painful on top of everything!

[nellie02]

Apologies for the grumpy thread, but I'm just so fed up that not only does AF come rather than me getting pregnant, but it hurts soooooo much. Trying to focus at work this afternoon was almost impossible whilst doubled up in pain (whilst in formal meeting and interviewing so trying to stay alert and upright was a challenge in itself).

Feeling pretty fed up with everything today! Especially as this AF means it's now been 10 months we've been ttc. Grrr.

I did have some good news yesterday, a good friend who has been ttc for years and had a miscarriage is 12 weeks now :) Best news I've had for ages. Seeing her in a few weeks and hoping some of her pregnancy vibes will rub off on me! :o

My sympathies. Hit her over the head with ibuprofen, co-codamol, and heat. I recommend the deep heat patches or Boots equivalent. You can wear them for 8 hours, just stick them on and go. It means the difference between me being able to walk and not during cd1&2. Here's hoping we both get our BFP soon.

nellie02 and haveyourself,

Has this type of pain happened before?. Any pain that is cyclical in nature and or becomes worse up to and including menses must be checked out properly by a gynae to see if endometriosis is present. This can cause the types of pain you describe.

Exactly what I was going to say Attila, I suffered for years from horrendous periods and in April this year finally went for a laparoscopy. The gynae found a lot of endometriosis which was lasered off and I have been a lot better since. I also have a prescription for mefanemic acid (Ponstan) which dampens down the cramps and also reduces flow.

Im having infertility investigation at the moment. I've mentioned it in my appointment and to the GP and because my periods are fairly light - use a mooncup and only lose about 20 mls no-one has ever felt it was indicative of endometriosis. My hsg was normal too. The infertility appears to be a male factor issue.
I used to take mefanemic acid but in the last few years NSAIDS have made me wheezy so I'm reliant on co-codamol alone with heat patches.

My symptoms of endometriosis were:

• Pain 3 to 4 days before my period starting, escalating until day 2 of my period when I could hardly move
• Dragging pains down my legs
• Sharp pains in my lower abdomen, particularly when going to the loo
• Diarrhoea and vomiting & dizziness

I would say my periods are 70% better now than they were then. I never had particularly heavy bleeding, just very very painful.

Hi all, thanks for the lovely responses, makes me feel better! Am abroad for work so struggling on, on day 4 now, and just about coping :( I can't really take strong pain killers as I need to focus in meetings, but after years if painful periods I can cope, just!

Thanks for the suggestion of deep heat pads, going to try them out next month.

Sorry, posted too early! can't work my phone...

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've already had a lap and diagnosed as having endometriosis :( had it aged 24, so comfortable with diagnosis. I always knew it would take me a while to conceive, so we started before we're married (or even living together!). I'm hoping still to get pregnant before the wedding, only two more cycles to go! If not, we've agreed that we'll ask for a referral once married which will be a year of ttc. I really don't want to have another lap though, it too me ages to recover from the last one and I was younger and fitter then. Sigh.

Haveyourselfafaithychristmas - I hope your investigations get you some positive news soon.