Third night up with period pain

[feelinggeriatric]

I've been up since the early hours for the third night in a row with period pain. This happens regularly.

I take tranexamic acid and ibuprofen regularly which for the main controls it enough during the day but it doesn't last through the night - which then has a knock on effect on my days when I have night after night of little sleep.

I used to find regular running helped greatly with reducing the pain (not during my period!) but have an injury and haven't run for months - hoping to get back to it eventually but it might be some time.

I've seen a gynae who suggested putting in the mirena during another procedure I'm having under GA but I don't want that because I wouldn't be able to tolerate having it removed without a GA and who knows how long that op would take if I wanted it. The thought of it not agreeing with me and then being trapped inside me makes me feel very panicky . I can't tolerate cervical smears - have had 2 this year and will not be having anymore unless I can have a local because the pain is way too much.

Is there anything else I can do to help manage things apart from a hysterectomy? I'm a single parent so this isn't really practical.

Late 40s so hoping this won't last too much longer !! I'm just exhausted and fed up.

Why would you not be able to tolerate a could removal?

I can't tell you how much of a life changer my mirena coil has been. I was referred to gynae after years of painful and constant bleeding. She talked my in to trying a mirena - I was sceptical but decided to try it for 6 months because the alternative was an ablation which I really wasn't keen on.

I have had it for almost 5 years now and I think it took about 3 months to settle in. No pain. No bleeds.

Because I can't tolerate a smear anymore - and I'm assuming a mirena coil removal would hurt as much ?

I've also had breast cancer. I did look into a mirena in my early 40s, but was told no due to my history. Current consultant says no risk but I understand any hormone intervention is a risk. I'd rather take hrt and get a wider range of benefits .

Mirena removal is a piece of cake,very quick and easy and much quicker than having one put in.

Starflower oil was the best thing I found for severe period pain,and I wish I’d found out about it 20 years ago. You need to take it every day not just at the time of the month.
Now I have Mirena I have no periods at all so will stick with it til menopause.

Honestly op, in the short term go to the gp and demand some proper pain relief. You could have naproxen or codeine (or both) just to get you through the worst nights of the month. This is what I was given although I have diagnosed endometriosis. Have you had any other investigations at all as that level of pain isn’t normal and is impacting your life way more than period pain should

I've got codeine , because I had a period from hell recently (not just the normal hell!). By the time I could walk to go and get it I didn't need it anymore but I'm glad to have it in my cupboard !! I suppose I should take it at night p'haps esp as it might help me sleep? The problem is that I get woken up and then as I'm taking ibuprofen I eat and then I'm basically wide awake - and it takes quite a while to work.

Does codeine act more quickly and can you take it on an empty stomach ?

Is the mirena removal less painful than a smear ? I'm hoping when I get my pre op phone call the nurse will be more helpful than the consultant was in sharing info

I'm having a womb biopsy, so perhaps if they remove polyps that will help. I agree this is not ok but consultant was not that helpful as focused on the biopsy which is fair enough- but I only want the one investigation!!

I’m surprised you’ve been suffering like this when you’ve codeine in the cupboard op! Have you been getting up in the middle of the night to eat specifically so you can take some normal Ibuprofen? You’re more diligent than me, I just pop the pills and plug my heat pad in .

If you don’t want to go for full codeine you could get cocodamol over the counter from the chemist. I find it pretty fast acting - it would probably be better not to take it in an empty stomach but I don’t think it will do you any harm for a few doses.

I’d also highly recommend a plug in heat pad (you can get them on Amazon or Lidl have a good silvercrest one on sale sometimes). I have it pretty permanently wrapped around me at my time of the month.

@MindatWork thank you so much! I will look for a plug in, both me and dd use hot water bottles continuously during periods and it gets so tedious boiling the kettle !

Yes I think I'd got in my head that the codeine was for when I occasionally get nearly passing out pain but I should use it. I've also remembered when I was a teenager I made extensive use of nurofen plus so will stock up!

I'm going to start taking my third transexamic dose just before I go to bed - plus a preventative nurofen with some toast at the same time.

Running really helped control it and it's floored me getting the pain back so intensely .

This is the one I have, it’s worth its weight in gold (it also has an automatic shut off after 90mins so no issue if you fall asleep with it on): www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stomach-Back-Heating-Pad-Stress-Pain-Relief-/154141586396?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

Honestly, there are no medals for bearing pain and codeine exists for a reason! Obv not ideal for long term use or for all the time, but if the pain is literally keeping you awake then you need it. I would dose yourself up before you go to bed, have your heat pad and then have some pills on your bedside table in case you need a top up in the night. Good luck, I hope you get some better sleep soon 👍🏻

Brilliant thank you so much will get that. Yes I think you're right I need to treat the pain more aggressively .

Sounds like peri menopause OP. I had horendously heavy periods where I could not stand up without flooding for first 2 days of each period and they happened about once every 21 days. I had transanemic acid too. It helped a bit. I had to have largest tampons made and change every 20-30 mins day and night as well as huge night time maternity pads too. I was doubled over with pain and it only eased when I lay down with hot water bottle and double ibuprofen. It went on for about 4 years as Nd was crippling. Then it stopped. Quite suddenly really. All eggs must have been fired out. Felt much better during menopause and since.

Really consider the mirena op x

@caringcarer thank you I've had this for about 5-6 years now but it's got worse since I can't run- and I had an awful period after a 6 months break. The 6 months break gives me hope!! Perhaps not too much longer now as I started periods young so if it translates to menopause I should only have about a year left

@Eloisedublin123 thank you, as I don't need it for contraception I think going to try with extra pain relief for a few more months, I'd try it if I hadn't had cancer but it does have a slight risk for me.

Really appreciate all these replies !! Cant believe I didn't know about plug in heat pads so hoping that might be a game changer along with codeine .