Horrific periods - Any advice?

[TheDevilWearsPrimark]

I'm not sure if this is worth seeing my G.P about so would appreciate some advice.
My last two periods have been beyond awful. I have had nausea and diaorreah, cramping so bad that I almost double up, back pains, headaches and dizziness and flashing lights in my eyes, almost like migraine symptoms.
I had very similar sympoms with my periods in my early teens and then they just suddenly got much easier, and I have no idea why this has started again.
It is making life looking after my two babies very difficult.

hi DEvil

god that sounds like a nightamre

have you tried hormones? liek the mirena coil or the pill?

sorry if that is too obvious

my periods were great pre babies, light and short, since dd2 they have become painful and heavy. i cant take hormones like the pill cos i had a DVT when i was 21. i now take EPO VitB6 and calcium and magnesuim supplements (mainly for pmt) and Postan for the pain

ponstan

not postan

I have the exact same problem with the pill! I had a DVT whilst bed bound with SPD in my first pregnancy. We are using condoms as we are not ttc at the moment, and I don't want the coil as I'm sure it could just worsen my periods.
My mum has a history of severe endometriosis, which has spread to her bowel and I am terrified it may be the same for me. Especially given the diaorreah. (sorry I'll never lern how to spell that, lol)

so you cant have the mirena coil? they can stop your periods i have heard, or just as good as

worth mentioning to gp

i recommend the ponstan for pain btw

What is ponstan?
I've just been taking asprin, but it doesn't toch it.

Devil, its a prescription -only non steroidal anti inflammatory

like brufen but not iyswim

reduces inflammation and pain, IDEAL pain killer for periods

also called mefenamic acid

I can also recommend paramol. It really helps with period pain, headache etc.

How old are your dc? My periods were appalling for about 15 months after I had ds2 and seem to be very slightly better now.

Roll on the menopause.

Thankyou Naily!. I think I will see my GP, it's just crazy how it has changed so quickly. I miss my periods where I had barely any pain and it was so light I could just use panty liners

I have very similar symptoms Devil & every 21 days, I take regular paracetamol/Ibuprofen (one of each) & it helps though is by no means a total remedy!

Apart from getting pregnant again (lol) I can't suggest anything. I know what it's like to some extent but I was never that bad. You poor laydee!

Primark

Did you see the GP?.

If you haven't already done so I would see a gynae asap to confirm or rule out endometriosis. Your GP should refer you. As you are no doubt aware its often only diagnosed through a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy.

Taking pills is just a short term measure and does nothing to address why this is happening in the first place.

Am not unfortunately very surprised that this has happened again: endo can easily recur over time.

Poor you

You can also take paracetamol with the ponstan. Cutting out all caffeine helps me a lot too* (and would agree with Nailpolish re the calcium). But if they have been that bad you really must see your GP.

• Please note this also includes chocolate

Hi all, thanks again for the advice and sympathy (wish my bloody DP could have even half as much)
I have been to the GP this afternoon, needed a check up on DS's excema so it was a good two in one.
He has sent a referral for a laparoscopy, he thinks it sounds a lot like endmetriosis, as I have had the diaorreah and a quite swollen stomach. There is of course the family history too.
I bloody hope it isn't I saw my mum go through hell, and it led to an early hysterectomy for her.

Treatments for endo have moved on a little during the last few years.

Hyst is actually not recommended for many cases of endo these days. If endo is in the intestines as well then a hyst will not cure the problem; also endo can recur after a hyst operation particularly if the ovaries are not removed during the hyst.

www.endo.org.uk is the website of Endometriosis UK (formerly the National Endomtriosis Society) and its a website well worth looking at. I have in the past found them to be very helpful with regards to my own diagnosis of endometriosis.

HTH