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Tablet recommendations for severe period pain

6 replies

Madmog · 01/07/2013 14:58

Just wondering if anyone can recommend some tablets which really help with period pain. I have a friend, who is from a different culture and doesn't know how to help her daughter who is getting really bad period pains. She's got nowhere with the doctor - I half suspect he just fobbed her off as he said it doesn't last long and will ease each time. I suggested we go and look at tablets together (she can't read English very well). It would be good to know if there are any tablets that help more than offers so I can point her in the right direction.

OP posts:
delasi · 01/07/2013 15:29

In terms of OTC, my general idea would be to escalate from: Paracetamol > Paracetamol + Ibuprofen > Naproxen. It depends on if she's tried any of these so far, but when I used to get very bad period pains the Naproxen were the only ones that helped (at the time I bought Feminax).

I have relatives that get them so severely that no OTC painkillers will help; they take the likes of cocodamol or naproxen to take the edge off, but have been prescribed other medications such as the pill to help regulate and reduce the periods. They are also being examined for other possible problems.

This latter point is most important IMO. If they've very bad, then there could be an underlying problem that can't be diagnosed just by looking at her - she may need an ultrasound, for example, I believe this is part of how they diagnose endometriosis (never suffered myself but had a friend who did, she also had a biopsy done for ovarian cysts).

Frankly, she needs to go to a different doctor if he's not checking her over or treating the problem. If the issue is a language barrier then would you be able to help her arrange for an interpreter (unless you also speak the same language so could also help)? Perhaps someone better informed will come along with NHS-specific info, but there are various charities out there that will provide interpreters free of charge for appointments.

Heat pads and hot water bottles in the meantime can also help with the muscle pains/contractions, I used these in conjunction with naproxen as they would cause me terrible back pain.

delasi · 01/07/2013 15:31

NB: the periods caused me terrible back pain, not the naproxen!

eurozammo · 01/07/2013 15:31

Mefemanamic (sp?) acid. I had it on prescription for years. It was the only thing that worked for me. The over the counter stuff wouldn't touch it.

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 01/07/2013 15:44

The thing that I always have to have on me during periods is ibruprofen + codeine (own brand or nurofen plus) as apparently it has an anti-spasmodic effect, i.e. it doesn't just dull the pain but also ameloriates the thing that's hurting in the first place. I was put on the pill for it as well and it definitely made a HUGE difference although not without its side effects.

Second advice to change doctor - my mum got me a female doctor when I was a teenager as she rightly thought I'd find it easier talking to her about this kind of thing.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/07/2013 17:44

I would advise your friend to see a different GP at another practice (re-registering is a lot easier these days). Some GPs are not good at all when it comes to such issues and your friend's DD is in danger of being fobbed off.

Ultrasounds and the like do not detect endometriosis if it is there; it is usually only diagnosed through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy.

The CAUSE of the pain needs to be properly established however and not just managed with pills. I sincerely hope the root cause of her period pain is not endometriosis.

Mamf74 · 01/07/2013 18:14

I would recommend Buscopan on top of OTC painkillers too, they are cheap and really help mine.

As pp have said it's important your friend's daughter gets attention for the cause of the pain, I have endometriosis too and was fobbed off for years before I found a Dr who helped sort me out.

In addition to painkillers I would get her to complete a pain diary, with details of location and severity of the pain - it can be hard for Drs to ignore this as easily and can also help show if there is a pattern to the pain. Plus if there is a pattern your friend's daughter can take painkillers pro actively; ibruprofen etc work cumulatively so if taken earlier can reduce the pain from the start.

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