Horrendous period pains with vomiting - solutions?

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Hi all,

About 3-4 times in the last year, I have had a period so bad I throw up or nearly throw up. Sometimes it's at the same time as the cramps (which have always been really bad) but it's not always when I have cramps so I don't think I'm throwing up because of the pain. The vomiting part is on and off for about 3 hours and after it's finished I feel totally fine, just a bit drained.

In the other months I just have the cramps which are unpleasant but bearable.

Unfortunately the day I'm due next week I have a conference which I've both organised and am presenting at, so absolutely have to be present and on form and I can't do my usual of hiding in a side room and taking mefenamic acid or ibuprofen and riding it out.

Help! Has anyone else had this before and found a solution? (not the pill! I'm ttc and it's too late for this month anyway)

Thanks in advance.

You need to see your GP and ask for a referral to a gynaecologist for further evaluation. Mefenamic acid and the like may treat the symptoms to a degree but do not address the cause; its the cause here you need to determine.

I used to suffer similarly to what you describe and I was wondering if anyone has ever mentioned endometriosis to you. This in my case was the cause of my period pains. Pain like you describe is not normal nor is something you should have to put up with. You will need to be persistent in order to get answers.

Agree you need to find out the cause - was endometriosis for me too. Sorry not much help in the short term.

Can you take codeine? You can buy nurofen plus (ibuprofen and codeine) over the counter. It will be more effective than ibuprofen alone. I would try it first though before your conference if you haven't taken it before - it can make you a bit dopey. You can alternate this with paracetamol so you are always topped up with pain relief. Or take normal ibuprofen and alternate with co-codamol (paracetamol and codeine). Also buscopan can help with cramps. You could try otc anti-nausea meds too - I think cyclizine is available without prescription and/or motilium (domperidone). I find cyclizine excellent though it takes a while to kick in.

Ask your GP what you can take as a max combination as soon as it starts

I suffered this as a teenager. It would only happen if my period came in the night. Feminax (naproxen) was the only thing that helped. I haven’t suffered much as an adult as I have mostly been on the pill, with a Mirena coil or pregnant. Interestingly I experienced severe vomiting with both my labours. I think I must just get really intense uterine cramps. You can definitely get medication to delay a period as a one off .

I would push for finding a cause and agree it sounds like endometriosis. Have you tried buscapan? I also find travel sickness bands and boiled finger or mint tea allong with boiled sweets good for nausea. Does heat help your pain a stick on heatpad could provide relief.

Thanks for your suggestions, everyone.

Thankfully it came two days early so I was ok for the conference and wasn't a bad one in any case. But I hate dreading this every month!
Unfortunately codeine makes me feel really weird (ibuprofen, paracetamol and feminax are fine).

Just noticed all the adverts for ibuprofen all over this page!!

Also see buccastem for nausea. Behind counter at pharmacy. I buy it for migraine sickness

Def go to see your GP. I had very similar symptoms for years. Extreme pain, vomiting, loose stools, exhaustion. Felt better after being sick a few times but wiped out for days.

I found the best treatment was mefanamic acid. I had to start taking it a couple of days before my period was due, or it wouldn't have any effect. But if I medicated in time, my period was about 80% more bearable.

I was diagnosed with endometriosis (decades after I first started asking doc for help 😡), and had a few laparoscopies to take some of it away. But MF was my most treasured possession - the item I'd grab to save if my house caught fire!