Period pains so bad I vomit..............

[redrubyshoes]

So taking painkillers is a waste of time. Anyone else get periods that bad?

The only thing that helps is a hot bath but I am at work.

Any tips on how to cope with the pain?

suppositories painkillers?

Mefanamic acid aka Ponstan? Worked for me but only on prescription.

Large glass red wine (no idea why it works)

Extra hot hot water bottle

Lie on back with knees up

?

have you been to the doctor? Think there are some contraceptive pills that can reduce the pain?

I had this as a teenager, it's awful - the only thing that helped was taking the painkillers before the period pain started and then keeping on taking them. And then ultimately - going on the Pill (have you tried that?)

Go home!

Have you thought about getting a Mirena coil fitted?

Maybe your hormones are not balanced. I used to get bad period pain until I started taking supplements. I would recommend a book like:
www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Pms-The-Natural-Way/dp/0749926279/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_9

I get a bad one like this about three times a year so I am reluctant to go down the coil/contraceptive route. The suppository painkillers sound like a solution.

I have my hot water bottles at home - one for the back and one for the stomach so will be using them this evening as well as a hot bath.

Going home is literally not an option today, my cover is on holiday this week.

I swear if men had periods if would be a three week working month and Tampax would be free on the NHS.

I used to get this first day or two of my period every month. The only thing that worked for me was having a baby!

I used to be like this every month...(for about 10 years).I should have had my head examined that I put up with it. Turns out I had fibroids; using the contraceptive pill to reduce them meant I got a life

I was like this from when I started. The only thing that made any difference was going on the pill aged 13.
Sorry probably not much help but I do sympathise

Go to the doctor. Mine were getting so bad that I was having to have a sick day every other month (always damn well coincided with work rota...). And failing at ttc.

Turns out I have cysts and endometrioma. Now booked in for surgery.

Something can be done. Even if it is just prescription painkillers that allow you to function.

Out of interest, what age are you? Its just that the older I get (mid 40s) the more frequently I get painful periods.

I tend to use hot water bottles on my front and back as the pain is often equally bad in my lower back. Also, although its an effort, I find getting up and walking helps sometimes.

My GP said to take nurofen for two days before my period starts and then I take diclofenac sodium twice a day without waiting for pain to kick in. Acupuncture also helped.

I used to get periods that would make me vomit if not treated. Awful.

Trick was to take the mefanamic acid the first moment I got a twinge AND I used to take it on a nearly empty stomach; not supposed to, but needs must. GP wanted me to start taking mefenamic acid the day before period due but period wasn't that predictable & didn't want to be on MA 1 week/month. I only ever needed 1 or 2 doses, anyway.

I needed cold, too; anything hot just made me feel much much worse. Ice and stripping all clothes off was best.

Much better now I've had DC, only get bad twinges 3 or 4 x/yr.

I am in my forties and yes it is true they got worse as I got older, I sailed through them when I was younger.

Last year it terrified me that I nearly passed out whilst driving and had to pull over to be sick. I take evening primrose oil, exercise five times a week, watch my diet etc etc. They are also so heavy that I have to change practically every hour for the first day and it also means I will be soaked in sweat tonight and unable to sleep.

I mentioned it to my practise nurse last month and she said it was quite normal for women in their forties to experience painful and heavy periods.

When I am at home I can cope but at work it is just dire.

I was like that every month - used the pill for years which reduced it, then went on to Depo jabs.

Have you tried a tens machine?

Buscopan

You get it over the counter and it's largely used for IBS but it was originally used for and is still marketed as a period pain pill.

It's not a pain killer but an anti spasmodic. Ie it stops the cramps that are making you vomit.

I was like you and at one stage didn't think they made a painkiller strong enough. I mean they were like giving birth my periods.

But I take 2 buscopan the MINUTE I feel a twinge and 30 mins later, I can barely feel a thing. Then I keep taking them for a day or so till I am out of the woods.

Revolutionised periods for me. I sometimes take feminax too (the naproxen one).

Do try and go to the doctor, it's affeccting your quality of life and they should address it. I second what the above poster said - get checked for fibroids, my mum had the same problem.

Thanks for all your replies some very good advice. Pain that bad is not normal and I have tried a TENS machine to no effect.

Fox

Would I just vomit up Buscopan? Is it gentle on the stomach?

The only thing that worked for me was the the pill. I endured the vomiting from 12-15 then was on the pill for 20 years. I came off TTC and first bloody period it was back. I went to GP - pretty unhelpful. Thank god I got pregnant the next month. I did use liquid paracetamol and ibruprofen
rather than tablets.

Shit times though.

Agree with everyone else saying that this is not to be 'borne', so back to docs for you...

It's not the answer, but as you like hot water bottles at home, have you tried those heat patches? They offer a bit of relief, might help take the edge of things just slightly?

Redruby, it's v gentle. But take it the MINUTE you feel the hint of pain/cramps. Like literally the first sign of any pain (so before you get to the vomiting). It takes about 30 mins to kick in.

It is designed for IBS so by its nature gentle.

I used to get exactly the same symptoms as you. Did you vomit in labour? I did with both of mine and apparently it's a reaction to the hormone that produces those cramps! I used to vomit and pass out before I took buscopan. But you do need to take it quickly to have its greatest effect.

Also get some naproxen too (the over the counter feminax - make sure it isn't the ibuprofen one). Naproxen is not kind on the tummy (it's an anti inflammatory) but I keep it in reserve for taking at night if I am feeling particularly awful and am worried about the buscopan wearing off in the night.

Buscopan not actually a painkiller. It's an anti spasmodic so it doesn't 'hurt' the tummy like anti inflams like nurofen etc do.

I used to have this as a teenager and vitamin B6 seemed to help me. Once I was on the pill it was no longer an issue.