Thinking of going to the GP about period pain

[namechange27]

I'm thinking of going to the GP about my period pain. I get really bad back ache, I have to take ibuprofen and paracetamol constantly (alternating between the two every two hours) for the first 2 days. The ibuprofen can take 2 hours to kick in for me, I don't know why. When I am waiting for the painkillers to kick in the pain is really intense, it brings me to tears. It is a strong, constant pain that lasts for several minutes before maybe a few seconds of relief and then back to the pain. I have fainted maybe 5 times in 10 years from the pain. I also just feel completely drained and exhausted but I am not anaemic. I always cancel plans during those days if it's possible.

However after those first two days I am completely fine and don't need to take any more medication which is why I have never been to the GP about it. Then I forget about it until next month rolls around and I am in pain again.

What kind of things would the GP suggest? I am reluctant to go on the pill as I worry about the mental health side effects. Can they prescribe stronger pain killers or anything else that will help?

I just thought I should add that my periods are not heavy, I would say they are probably average. They are very regular but every 34 days.

You should see GP. If you have period pain that stops you from carrying one as 'normal' it's reasonable to ask for your options. Maybe you have endometriosis? But get it checked out

I agree, that needs investigating, poor you. In the mean time have you tried a hot water bottle on your tummy? It helps my daughter lots.

Speak to a pharmacist first. As an example, ibuprofen lysine works in half the time ibuprofen does, and is available over the counter.

When I was younger I had very painful periods and fainted several times. I was prescribed Ponstan Forte (mefenamic acid) which was brilliant. I only needed to take 2 or 3 a month and I took them for about 10 years. They were a real life-changer.

I didn't need them after having children.

Definitely have it checked out as it could be endometriosis (especially the combination of period pain and back pain).

I really sympathise with you Op - I also suffered from extremely painful periods since I was a teen...doubled over in pain agony, sweating, vomiting, feeling faint. I even got carted off in an ambulance once.
I didn't see a doctor till I was in my late 20s about it though, not sure know why I put it off. You should definitely go. It's hard to make people understand how painful it is and you have to take time off work for it. I genuinely don't think alot of people can imagine how painful it is.
Doc mentioned endometriosis, but thankfully I did not have that. After other tests , he said I was just 'unlucky'. Some of us produce a hormone which makes the cramping VERY strong.
The pain has got somewhat less painful over the last couple of years and since having my first baby last year, my periods haven't come back yet.

Just to add - my periods were also very regular and not particularly heavy, like yours. The Doctor gave me prescription for a stronger pain killer that took the edge off.

Just wanted to double check your painkiller use as have recently had this exact conversation with a friend. She was using paracetamol every 4 hours both day and night and therefore inadvertently overdosing as she didn’t realise that you can only take 2 500mg tablets four times a day.

And the ibuprofen can only be 3 times a day. (Sorry I know this isn’t really what you asked for and I may have misinterpreted but just wanted to make sure you weren’t doing what my friend was)

Yes absolutely. I had a laparoscopy procedure this year after 22 years of being fobbed off at the dr. They tried me on mefanemic acid which although helps others did nothing for me, I've been prescribed codeine etc etc. It wasn't until I went and absolutely said I wouldn't leave until they gave me something stronger, combined with the fact I couldn't get pregnant that they did anything.

Eventually they prescribed dihydrocodeine which paired with other painkillers does take the edge off. I may be an extreme case though and you may not need something that strong.

What I'm trying to say OP, not very articulately is absolutely go to the GP and if they try to fob you off keep going back until they give you something that works for you.

Thank you all so much for the replies. I definitely will go to my GP I think. My DM had the same issue when she was younger but it stopped after she had children. I just did a bit of research and I won't be able to go onto the pill because of a health condition I have so that is one option I can't pursue.

I will ask about mefenamic acid and stronger pain killers though.

@peachaay thank you for the reminder, I forgot that ibuprofen can only be taken three times in 24 hrs. Luckily I haven't gone over that.

@namechange27 and if you do have mefanamic acid prescribed you can't take at same time as ibuprofen ( which I didn't know and developed an ulcer!) as it's in the same drug class (nsaids). If you are taking lots of different OTC drugs for the pain it's really easy to midsize yourself. I fe,t like a pollock but I am sure no one told me. It was actually a pharmacist in France who asked me what I was taking when I bought some ibuprofen while on holiday

Misdose obviously

I just wanted to give an update in case anyone stumbles upon this thread on Google or something.

I contacted the GP and was prescribed mefenamic acid. It has been amazing! It kicks in within around 20 minutes and gives me around 8 hours of pain relief. For the first time in years I have been able to carry on with normal day-to-day life on the first two days of my period. I also felt in general a lot more "normal" rather than sluggish like I usually feel but that may be because I didn't wake up in the middle of the night in agony.

I can't believe I suffered for so many years.