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Original poster

Has anyone had any experience of using Mefenamic Acid to help with period pain?

28 replies

GothicRainbow · 11/12/2014 13:20

I went to the doctors this morning as I have been suffering with terrible period pain since having my DS. Each month the pain has gotten worse until this period just gone where my DH had to take the day off work as I was unable to look after my DS or function at all.

My doctor has prescribed me Mefenamic Acid to take only during my period to help with the pain. Has anyone any experience of taking this? Has it helped?

OP posts:
Womble1975 · 11/12/2014 13:41

Yes I was taking it alongside tranexamic acid for heavy periods and period pain and it really helped. Make sure you take it with or after food though. Smile

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 11/12/2014 21:57

I hate it. It doesn't help the pain and gives me horrible stomach upsets.

JimmyChoosChimichanga · 11/12/2014 21:59

Worked like a charm for a while but I then had a Mirena fitted and that was the end of all my problems.

Sparklingbrook · 11/12/2014 22:00

I used it for really heavy periods and it worked a treat.

drinkyourmilk · 11/12/2014 22:02

Worked brilliantly for me. Don't need it anymore though- hurrah!

poisonedbypen · 11/12/2014 22:07

Didn't really help DD. Ideally you have to take it a day or so before your period starts. The pill sorted her out (& me at the same age). Life changing.

Damnautocorrect · 11/12/2014 22:07

It's amazing! Do treat it like nurofen (so take with food), it does make me sleepy so I only take half.
Also works on period related migraines

minklundy · 11/12/2014 22:08

Worked for me

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 11/12/2014 22:10

I had that as a teen I believe (Ponstan forte - think that's what's in it?) but it seemed to do little or nothing. Pill worked for me too though.

hedwig2001 · 11/12/2014 23:34

I had it as a teenager. Worked reallyvwell.

Original poster
GothicRainbow · 11/12/2014 23:36

Thanks everyone, some mixed reviews then. Will definitely make sure I take with food and my periods are pretty regular so will be able to pre-empt the start of them.

I did discuss going on the pill but I have had so many different types in the past and they all didn't really agree with me so I thought I would go down the painkiller route first.

OP posts:
GermanHouseCat · 11/12/2014 23:47

Doesn't work for me and makes me very nauseous. Hmm

DorisIsABitPartialToSprouts · 11/12/2014 23:52

Please post back about how you get on! I tried tranexamic acid but found out that you couldn't take it with Ibuprofen - my default pain killer. I didn't get off the sofa for about 4 days, it was hell. Never again. I'd be interested in trying this though, hope it works for you Thanks

AttilaTheMeerkat · 12/12/2014 08:04

GothicRainbow

I would be asking your GP for a referral to a gynaecologist as endometriosis may be the root cause (any pain that is cyclical in nature and gets worse up to and including menses should be checked further by a gynae to see if endometriosis is present). GP should refer you anyway, this is often a problem outside a GPs remit.

Such tablets only treat the symptoms, the cause really does need to be determined properly.

Pooka · 12/12/2014 08:09

I tried taking it.

First month peeked seemed to coincide with horrible vomiting bug.

When had the same second month, read the contraindications and visited the doc and we decided that I'm someone who has the adverse vomiting reaction unfortunately.

She prescribed tranexamic acid instead but said that entirely possible I would have the same reaction to it and I've bottled actually trying it because there never seems to be a good time to factor in a 2 day vomiting spell. :(

Original poster
GothicRainbow · 15/12/2014 23:42

Do you really think so Attila? Endo didn't come up at all when the GP was giving me his thoughts. Can it be something that occurs after pregnancy?

Tbh I thought the pain might just be worse because of my c-section scar or something!

The vomiting and nausea don't sound very pleasant, I won't need to take them until the new year but will definitely come back with an update. Im really hoping they work as the pain was so awful Confused

OP posts:
123rd · 15/12/2014 23:52

I'm on both trans-acid and mefenamic acid. Some months it works ok. Other months it's uselessHmm. I'm now due to have another scan etc to see if anything else is going on.
My gp has mentioned going on the coil. I too have tried lots of types of the pill but didn't get on with them. The could scares me though

ladybird69 · 15/12/2014 23:54

I take it along side transemic acid they both worked really well for me.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/12/2014 07:47

Hi Gothic Rainbow,

Re this part of your comment:-

"Do you really think so Attila? Endo didn't come up at all when the GP was giving me his thoughts. Can it be something that occurs after pregnancy?

Tbh I thought the pain might just be worse because of my c-section scar or something!"

Many GPs do not know very much about such issues and may not recognise endometriosis if it is there. You should really be referred to a gynae for further evaluation, I would be asking for a referral rather than the GP keeping on giving you pills. C section scars can sometimes cause pain internally because of adhesion formation; these are sticky strands that tether organs together. Drug treatment does not touch these once formed; these have to be removed surgically.

Such pain has a cause and it is certainly in your interests to find out what is causing this. I would also suggest you keep a daily pain and symptom diary as that can give clues as well.

123rd · 28/12/2014 23:07

Hi All. Just wanted to add that I have had one of the worst "periods" of my
Life. I came on two days ago. Not much pain , normal bleeding. I woke up at 6 am this morning with strong pain. I took mef acid and trans acid. 3hrs later I was still writhing around in complete agony. I actually threw up at one point. My DH said it was worse than watching me during labour. Not good is it? Roll on the ultrascan. I can't go on like this.

Original poster
GothicRainbow · 05/05/2015 13:17

Not sure whether I should be resurrecting an old thread or starting a new one but I just wanted to give you an update.

I've been taking the mefenamic acid for the past few months and as long as I take it correctly (starting as soon as I get my pre-period spotting) then it seems to be working.

I took Attila's advice and asked my GP for a referral, he referred me for an ultrasound but has yet to refer me to a gynaecologist. I had my ultrasound done today which was normal and my blood tests have also come back normal.

My next step is to go back to my GP and ask to see a gynaecologist - it all feels very long and drawn out!

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 05/05/2015 15:08

Thanks for the update Gothic.

Not totally surprised to see the ultrasound and bloods did not show anything; if endometriosis is there it will not be seen on either.

Also adhesions can cause pain to arise; these are like sticky strands that can tether organs together.

Whatever the cause (and there is a cause) it needs to be properly determined and for that you need a gynae referral. In the meantime keep a daily pain and symptom diary if you do not already do that as this will give the gynae clues.

Keep us posted, I hope you get a definite answer soon.

Original poster
GothicRainbow · 17/05/2015 08:01

Right so I saw my GP on Friday and after abit of pushing I got my referral.

He is still wanting me to go on to the pill and has said that this is likely to be what the gynae suggests I do first too. I have told him this currently is not an option for me as I have a pre-existing medical condition that could be aggravated and I don't want to risk it.

I got the distinct feeling he thought I was being awkward but he humoured me!!!

From the reading I've been doing on endo my symptoms do fit but the doctor also said my periods could have just changed since having my DS.

Does anyone know if endo can appear after having a baby??

OP posts:
Pandsbear · 18/05/2015 19:22

Yes! In my painful experience you can have endo cause symptoms for the first time after having a baby. After I had my twins my periods & cycle changed completely and were incredibly painful.
I did ask female GP no. 1 about the problems and was fobbed off with 'ohh some women are unlucky and their periods get worse. Have a mirena coil.' I didn't have a coil for various reasons.
After another couple of years of increasing problems I saw male GP no. 2 (the morning after I had collpased in pain) and he was initially thinking possibly pregnancy (no). I was sent off home and told to go to A&E if it happened again or I felt worse.
A few more months went on and I finally saw another female GP no.3 who listened and said 'ovary problems' and referred my for an ultrasound.
The week after my ultrasound at the hospital I was admitted to hospital via A&E because I collapsed again.
Long story but it was endometriosis and I had no symptoms/pain at all before I had children. Hope your referral date comes through quickly.

MrsHooolie · 19/05/2015 23:53

Hi,I have suffered all my life with heavy,painful periods. I have been on and off hormonal contraception to deal with it. In August I decided I wanted to get off the hormonal stuff and try and deal with the pain some other way. After looking at herbal recommendations by googling I read about Starflower Oil (borage oil). I have been taking 1000mg a day and it has changed my life. I don't even need a paracetamol anymore. They are still really heavy but I can just about deal with that if not in agony. I still get bloating and feeling like my bits are falling out BUT none of the awful cramping/sharp pains and diarrhoea.
A few friends have tried it with success too.