Mefanemic acid and Tranexamic acid - what's the difference? Which is better?

[GinBunny]

I'm totally confused!

I took tranexamic acid a couple of months ago and thanks to Dr Google thought you couldn't take it with ibuprofen, my go-to AF pain relief. It was hell.

A friend has recommended I try mefanemic acid so went to GP yesterday who informed me that Dr Google was wrong and I could take ibuprofen with tranexamic acid, but I couldn't take it with mafanemic acid. Fine, at least I know. He gave me a prescription and told me it was up to me which one I took as they work differently.

I'm not sure what to do now - try tranexamic acid again with ibuprofen or try mefanemic acid. Has anyone experience of either/both? I need them for heavy flow and the most god awful cramps.

TIA.

Mefanemic acid will help with the bleeding and the pain

Tranexamic acid will only help with the bleeding so you can take it with the ibuprofen

I can't comment on which will be better

Have you had the reason for your heavy bleeding investigated?

No Eldon and despite a long chat with my GP yesterday nothing was suggested. It never is and I've had this problem my whole life. Just throw drugs at it seems to be the answer.

I would suggest you ask for a gynae referral
Most hospitals will run a Menorrhagia clinic (Clinic for heavy periods)where they can check for any causes etc

I've been prescribed mefenamic acid for excruciating periods. I told the GP I didn't think I would get on with them (I can't take ibuprofen, upsets my stomach quite badly) but the response to that was that I should expect to put up with the side effects as the benefits would outweigh them.

Well, they haven't: they take two hours to touch the pain and make me feel dreadful, and indeed physically unwell. I'm back at the GP next week and am expecting a battle: they just don't seem to care. I was scanned for fibroids a month or so ago and that was clear.

GinBunny (and manchestermummy)

You need to establish WHY this is happening, many GPs are simply not up to speed at all when it comes to such issues and simply prescribe such tablets instead. It does nothing to address the root cause and its like putting a plaster on an open wound.

Endometriosis can cause both heavy and painful menses to arise.

The most common cause of painful periods is endometriosis and its NOT picked up on ultrasound scans. (Fibroids do not cause such levels of pain either). If your GP practice does not care MM then I would suggest you change GP practice; its no point at all in dealing with them after next week. Insist to them that you need a referral to a gynae and do not take no for an answer!!.

Thank you Atilla. I have a form for the only other local practice which I will be filling in if I don't have any joy next week.

I've read the NICE guidelines and it I have a feeling they will next insist on hormonal contraceptive. I really, really don't want that. I've tried about 6 types of pill over the years and they don't suit me: I can't deal with acne or low moods or weight gain. Especially low mood. I'm off antidepressants atm and would like to stay that way.

I have suffered with painful, very heavy periods since they started at 15. I will say mefenamic and transexamic acid did nothing for me. I survived on nurofen plus and hot water bottles.

Please push for a gynae referral as it's the only real road to solution. You are right that they will offer hormonal options first, I have family history of cancers and problems with hormonal treatments, but still had to go through trying a few different options until they gave me very expensive hormone pills, they have very few side effects and was the only thing that worked.

The main thing the gynae did was give proper painkillers so I could function again.

Feél free to PM me if you wish. I gave been through nearly every possible solution for periods, and I've had children too, do can comment on lots of things they might suggest!

Pickle

I have suffered similarly since onset on menses; your description made me wince in recognition. The cause of this in my case was endometriosis.

I would certainly concur with your suggestion to obtain a gynae referral.

Did anyone ever mention endometriosis to you as a possible cause?.

Very painful or heavy periods are not normal. Agree that a gynae referral would be ideal.

I have had surgery twice for endometriosis, third one due soon. Drugs is a constant battle. I can never get a decent concoction. The most powerful one I have is tramadol. But either it does work but I feel so high I can't do anything, or it makes me vomit repeatedly and doesn't touch the pain. So I don't bother.

I have a certain position that if I lay in it and fold the duvet under me just right, it makes things manageable, such that codeine and ibuprofen at two hour intervals is just about enough. But that's no way to live really.

I plan on having a complete hysterectomy, ovaries and all, when I have had children. Which is harder, thanks to endometriosis

Thanks Atilla, I do indeed have endometriosis. I kinda missed that put in my info didn't I! I was diagnosed at 19 and have had 3 surgeries to help.

Hormonal treatments have had limited success as they have to be extremely careful which hormones to use with my family medical history of female cancers.

I ám currently pregnant (very!) with my second child and after this one my gynae and I are making a plan for ablation in a few years. I'm not allowed to do it right away in case I change my mind about more kids.

Thank you though for saying something, as a society we not teach girls what to do if you periods don't match what the magazines say. So thank you.

I saw my GP this morning (we can book mega early appointments!) and I had a bit of a job, but she did agree to a gynae referral. She did say that she wasn't sure what they would be able to do to help, but I'd sooner someone who is more of a expert in that area make that judgment...

manchestermummy

Am very glad you got a gynae referral.

Would suggest you keep a daily pain and symptom diary if you do not already do so. Your very painful periods are being caused by something that is very real.

Do let us know how you get on.