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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Anyone suffer with nightmare period pains??

24 replies

BoJingles · 13/12/2006 13:51

Does anyone suffer with nightmare period pains? I seem to start with period pains a week before period, they gradually get worse and worse until period eventually arrives and then after the first day they then settle down. GP said it may be hormones from stopping the pill, but after 9months off the pill now I'm doubting this. Anyone know what this could be - is it normal?

OP posts:

MammyMto3kids · 13/12/2006 14:00

What were the pains like before the pill? The pill makes your pains better generally, it could just be, that this is the normal, non-chemical you! Sorry! Don't take the pain, you can buy co-codamol over the counter, (paracetamol, mixed with a much stronger codeine) be careful with it though, it's strong stuff, also, see your GP for stronger painkillers, you can take mefemnic acid also known as ponstan, or I've heard evening primrose oil capsules can help when taken in the weeks leading up to your period. Good luck! It stinks doesn't it?!

USAUKMum · 13/12/2006 14:07

I am the same though it is much better since I've had the children. But on the peak day it is often so painful it is difficult to do anything (e.g. walk) before I get dosed up on painkillers. Ibruprophen (sp?) works better than paracetamol, if you don't want to go stronger. My OB in the states said that it is hormones, but is just the way my body is nothing to do about it (except the Pill, which did help). But do try the things Mammy suggests. Don't take the pain.

MerryMellowmas · 13/12/2006 14:09

This is the reason I am still on my depo injections. I become really ill when I get my period. Not just pain in tummy but feel absolutely drained and ill!

On Depo I have none, thankfully.

I think I was supposed to be a man

nutcracker · 13/12/2006 14:11

Me and they seem to be getting worse not better.

I am on the pill but even that now doesn't stop me getting the pains. I end up not even being able to stand sometimes. I have been given Ponstan for the pain which sometimes helps and sometimes doesn't.

Original poster

BoJingles · 13/12/2006 14:21

I'm TTC so the GP won't give me ponstan, so I dose myself up with ibuprofen and paracetamol. But always a bit reluctant to do this before period actually arrives incase I'm pregnant. Do you all find the pain starts a week before? I've always suffered with bad period pain and life was bliss on the pill, but don't remember having pain a whole week before, usually just started when period did. On EPO but again stop after ovulation just incase I'm pregnant.

OP posts:

Original poster

BoJingles · 13/12/2006 14:22

Just out of interest do any of you get ovulation pains? Mine are painful and last for 5 days - wonder if there is a connection between this and painful periods?

OP posts:

MerryMellowmas · 13/12/2006 14:26

Oh yes get them too. Well I did when I was ttc and off pill depo etc. Used them to time it correctly

Original poster

BoJingles · 13/12/2006 14:51

Thats comforting to hear Merry. Thought my body was going a bit crazy with all these pains. I've got to remember the plus side of ovulation pains is that at least I know when I ovulate. Hopefully we'll be successful soon

OP posts:

Original poster

BoJingles · 13/12/2006 14:51

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 13/12/2006 14:52

Bojingles

I would get this checked out by a gynae - endometriosis is a common cause of severe period pains up to and during the period. Any symptoms that are cyclical and that get worse during menstruation may be due to this. If the problem is long standing as well it is best to get this checked out by such a person.

Some GPs are very ignorant when it comes to endo so it is best to get a referral to a gynae specialist.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 13/12/2006 14:53

Ovulation pains should certainly not last for five days. Would think that such pains need further investigation.

MerryMellowmas · 13/12/2006 15:20

I used to get these pains for roughly 3 days (ovulation ones)

USAUKMum · 13/12/2006 17:23

My pains start about 3 days prior. And don't get ovulation pains. On the upside -- have given birth 3 times without any drugs as that pain doesn't seem so bad . My OB/GYN suggested that it was because my body was more prepared because of the monthly pains. Anyone else similar?

Original poster

BoJingles · 13/12/2006 18:08

USAUKmum - ouch!!
Attila - thanks for the advise. I went to the GP 2 months ago and harrassed her more investigations and she sent me for Ultrasound scan to check for POS. This has come back -ve. They can't spot any problems with endo this way can they? I'm going back to see her again in Jan to harass further.

OP posts:

MammyMto3kids · 13/12/2006 18:56

I think, although not sure, that endo also causes very heavy periods. I also get ovulation pains, but they only last a day or so tops and not every month, well, I've had 3 kids in 4 years, so periods are a rare visitor!!! Totally agree with USAMUM labour pains are not so bad when you've suffered like this, although, did need gas and air!!!! I used to get so bad at school that I'd vomit, pass out and just take to bed for 2 days a month!!! Not so bad now, but am annoyed they're not better, so much for get's better after kids!!!

MammyMto3kids · 13/12/2006 18:59

Sorry, totally forgot, paracetamol is safe to take when pregnant, and, although I'm sure some people will disagree, opiates, such as codeine are safe to take, don't quote me on that, but I've known a dr to prescribe morphine for a lady in the first trimester and said it was safe to do so and was also told during last pg if pain (muscular) was really bad I could take codeine. (morphine in same 'family' as codeine) I wouldn't worry too much if you felt the need to take something stronger and then found out you were pg. anyway, a good old hot water bottle sometimes does the trick!

USAUKMum · 14/12/2006 12:04

But the last one was out in less than an hour, so no time for any pain stuff anyway

lovelymoo · 14/12/2006 12:41

I saw my GP fo rthe same thing i was in so much agony i could only sit in the bath for what seemed like hours, no pain killers worked. She said it was due to muscle spasms and i could either have a baby to sort it out or she could give me some really strong painkillers (methamellic acid i think). I opted for the pain killers took them as soon as i started to feel the signs they were amazing!!!! got me life back as was not dreading the days before i was due on and could plan to do stuff as i new i was going to be fine. Only needed them for a day.

I now had two DD's and haven't needed the pain killers since.

babylove123 · 14/12/2006 23:25

Hi,

Oh yes i know what thats like! used to have 3 days off a month with pains! couldnt stand, walk and was being sick everywhere! In fact, when i sat my GCSE's, they put me on the pill for 2 months and made me take 2 packs 2getha so i wouldnt have 1!!!!

I came off depo because of all the weight i gained but they did stop the periods, has been a shock getting back into the routine of them! My doc used to give me tranxamic acid as mefanamic didnt touch mine, they were wonderful! Doubt you cld take when pg tho.

TwinkleInSantasEye · 14/12/2006 23:33

For a couple of years my periods went haywire and I was in real pain for around two weeks of every month - especially in my back and legs. Kept going back to the doctor (was also ttc) who's response was "oh, no one knows what causes pelvic pain in women, just take paracetemol". I was in tears after that. But suddenly it just seemed to improve - still lots of pain on the day itself but not so much beforehand. Still waiting to find out what it'll be like now I've had DS. But how ever bad my period pains are USAUKMum that labour pains aren't as bad!! Still did it with only g&a though.

3Ddonut · 14/12/2006 23:42

labour pains are worse than period pains obviously, imho, you're more able to cope with it, if you've been through horrendous period pain though!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 15/12/2006 06:55

Twinckleinsantaseye,

Oh god, did your GP really say that?. Hmmm, many GPs are ignorant of causes of cyclical pelvic pain; however, one possible cause is endometriosis. Pregnancy and birth can improve symptoms associated with endometriosis if it is there but post birth the symptoms of this can recur.

Would push your GP for a gynae referral if you feel you need one.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 15/12/2006 07:32

Hi Bojingles,

You are correct in saying that if endo is there it cannot be spotted on an internal ultrasound scan. I have had more internal u/s scans than I can count and they never saw it on those; the endometrical deposits are very small.

I had one ignorant GP tell me that endometriosis was not common - soon put him right on that point. Its the second most common gynae problem seen in women after fibroids. But how many other women know that?.

Having suffered excruitiating period pains since 14 (pains in legs, buttocks and pelvis due now I know to endo) I feel very strongly about this. My periods were actually very light sometimes yet not others and the pain was ever present. The lightness of the period in my case was due to PCOS.

Do school as a matter of interest tell teenage girls that severe period pains are not normal and they should not have to put up with it?.

www.endo.org.uk is a very good UK based website (its the website of Endometriosis UK formally known as the National Endometriosis Society) to read.

babylove123 · 15/12/2006 08:15

hi attilla,

im 20 so only came out of secondary school 4/5 yrs ago, altho they covered periods, there wasnt any mention of things like PCOS or endo, quite crap really! I went to an all girls school too so you'd think they'd be even more hot on it but no.

I reckon labour is gonna be a sinch compared to my period pains!!!!

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