Mefenamic acid

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Hi. Anybody know anything about this?

I've been prescribed it alongside tranexamic acid, for v heavy and painful periods. It does seem to be helping, but I'm having pretty horrible stomach problems with it.

Not sure if I should carry on taking it, or go back to GP, or what?

I took it as a teenager about 20 yrs ago for the 'floods' as I was housebound for a while with my periods.

It did the job. Mum took it for quite a while, Dsis too. Don't recall any of us having tummy problems with it.

I'd def go back to the GP to see if they can manage the side effects, if it's helping your periods.

Thank you. Will phone the doc - again. I have seen the doctor more times in the last year than in the rest of my life put together, I think!

oh you poor thing

Thank you. It's getting v frustrating! :)

I found just taking the tranxemic acid worked fine so stopped the mefenamic acid. I also take the tranxemic acid at a much lower dose than prescribed and it is still effective.

I had it for very painful periods as a teen 14 years ago. It did nothing. So went on the pill 6 months later which sorted everything out.

Thanks, both. I've tried the tranexamic by itself, and it helps with the flooding/heavy flow but not at all with the pain and cramping (which ordinary painkillers just don't touch).

You need to establish the underlying cause of the both v heavy and painful periods. Endometriosis cannot be ruled out here because of the pain you're having and this can also cause heavy bleeding. Also fibroids can cause heavy bleeding.

This is not normal and you should not have to put up with it and be on pills; they are but a short term measure and does nothing to address the CAUSE.

Given what you also write about the pain (noting that ordinary painkillers do not touch it) I would still think there is a possibility that endometriosis could be present.

I would insist to the GP that you are now referred asap to a gynaecologist for further evaluation. In the meantime I would also suggest you keep a daily pain and symptom diary to show the gynae. This may all seem a tad drastic but many GPs are simply not up to speed at all when it comes to such problems.

Thank you. You are right and I've already told the GP that I want to be referred. I have fibroids, but apparently only a couple of small ones, so the GP doesn't seem bothered about them. I also have anaemia, and I understand that, whilst that is caused by the heavy periods, it can also make periods heavier, so is a bit of a vicious circle. I'll go back to the GP.

Good luck. Have you tried codeine for the pain?