Period Pain

[Angela1809]

Hi
I am new to mumsnet
My 16 year old daughter started her period when she was 11 and up until about a year ago coped well. Unfortunately now she has a period every 3 weeks and has terrible pains a couple of days before and 3 days in. She was prescribed mefeneric acid by GP but they are not really helping. She has to take time off school as she is so ill. She does athletics three nights a week so gets plenty of exercise.
She is starting her Highers in 2 weeks and we are really worried about how she will cope.
Has anyone any advice please

[donadumaurier]

This is me. Periods started at 11, pretty much had pain from the beginning but it got worse as I got older. Finally got so awful when I was about 17 that the GP took it seriously, I was put on mefenamic acid too and it didn't even take the edge off. I now have the pain more or less under control by taking Yasmin (tried lots of other pills, they didn't work), evening primrose oil, mefenamic acid the day before my period is due to start, plus regular painkillers throughout my period. I have suspected endo but my specialist won't investigate as for now I have the pain under control, but that's another issue.

The other thing that's made a HUGE difference for me is cutting down on dairy. Dairy rather than lactose- there are some studies that suggest a hormone in cows milk that some of the population can't digest is linked to awful period pain.

This link is really useful. www.larabriden.com/what-dairy-does-to-periods/

[MonsterINTHECupboard]

I started age 11, and used to suffer with terrible pains from about age 14-16. I'd be doubled up in agony, shivering with sweat pouring off me for hours, completely unable to move. I clearly remember sitting on the sofa not being able to move, covered in a duvet with my mum making me cups of tea. Then I'd be really weak and feel wiped out for a day or so. The Pill worked for me.

[justjuanmorebeer]

I really feel for her. I too started when I was 10 and have had horrific pain forever.
Dianette (co cyprindiol -sp?) Does help me a lot, especially taking the packs back to back so avoiding a period most months. I not on it right now so am suffering with an 8 day heavy, painful period every 26 days.

I am taking buscopan, ibuprofen and paracetamol, naproxen in the highest quantities per day. But it still does not touch it. Heat packs/hot water bottles and sleeping lots is the only thing that brings me relief.

She could look into the mirena coil as with lots of women it stops their periods altogether.

[specialsubject]

She wasn't that little ! The sugar pills worked on me for something different until I realised what I was buying : then they stopped working.

[Assumptaann]

As I say, now that she is 16, this is the first time I have bought a soluble aspirin and will try next month. Funnily when you said about the homeopathic remedies, this is the only thing that worked for her when she was little, not sure that a placebo effect would therefore apply, but it worked, so I suppose that it doesn't really matter how.

[specialsubject]

it does for me but I'm not your daughter - as I said we all have different body chemistries. And I've never gone through what she is suffering, poor kid. But if it is medically ok for her, perhaps worth a try?

[Assumptaann]

Hi specialsubject, thank you. Aspirin is the next thing I am going to try. Have you found aspirin to work when other painkiller didn't?

[specialsubject]

poor kid. Unfortunately body chemistries vary and painkillers do not work for everyone.

I hope there is a solution. BTW I see you haven't tried aspirin but if she's under 16 that's an obvious no-no. And please waste no more money on homeopathy, it is just water! It only works as placebo.

[Assumptaann]

Angela, my daughter also started her period when she was eleven, she has also suffered with horrendous back ache the day before her period and many days into her period. We have tried all sorts. She was put on the pill, which worked brilliantly as she took it back to back, however I do think that she suffered depression with it. She also started to have migraines with an 'aura' and therefore had to be taken off it. She has tried so many painkillers. From full on codeine, paracetamol, naproxen, ibuprofen, solpadeine max, mebervine, buscopan, paracetamol mixed with codeine, ibuprofen mixed with codeine. During one particular period, if she had taken all the tablets that she was allowed to take, as advised by a dr!, she would have taken something like 24 tablets in one day. We have tried acupuncture, herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, and at the moment she is seeing an osteopath. She is now taking mefenemic acid at a higher dose, which thankfully helps with the pain, but doesn't get rid of it. we are awaiting a laparoscopy to see if there is endometriosis there. It is a nightmare; the poor child has been in agony for years! If anyone has any suggestions, I would be grateful. Plus how can these painkillers not touch the pain? I really don't understand. Angela, I hope you get it sorted.

[gleegeek]

Agree the pill (Dianette) was the only thing that helped me. I used to faint and throw up and groan etc etc. Poor thing
Dd (12) hasn't started yet and I'm dreading it!
BTW any reason why a tens machine shouldn't be used when at home for period pain???

[lljkk]

Sounds like a good candidate for the pill, just to stabilise things.
Might all go away when she's older or has own kids.

[Kirjava]

Yep, going on the pill was the only thing that helped me. I used to throw up in pain. When I came off it 15 years later, my periods are SO much better. I hope your DD finds a solution as it's so miserable.

Mefanamic acid just gave me the trots.

[Strawclutching]

The pill was the only thing that helped me. For me giving birth was less painful so I have full sympathy for her.

[nerfqueen]

Sorry, should have said she gets a period every 9 weeks (3 packs of 21 pills back to back). Maths was never my strong point lol

[gpignname]

DD was recently at the GP for similar problem and was advised to try either Mefanic acid or the pill. She decided to try the Mefanic acid first. It is early days yet so not sure how it will go. With only two weeks to go till exams, if Mefanic acid isn't working for your DD all you can do is go back to the GP and see if you can have the pill prescribed (if you want to try it) asap. They will ask a few questions to see if she is suitable but otherwise should be able to go ahead. I don't know how quickly it would work though.

[nerfqueen]

Both my daughters suffer terribly (as did I as a teenager).

My eldest was also prescribed Mefanic acid and used paracetamol too. This helped somewhat but she was able to deal with the pain.

My youngest daughter also suffers, she was also prescribed Mefanic acid but this didn't help at all. She was then put on the pill but still suffered badly. She now is on a different pill which she is allowed 3 packs back to back, meaning she only has a period every 12 weeks. Plus she uses 2 types of painkillers as well. She still has pains but not as bad. Previously she would throw up with the pain and take time off school so this is an improvement.

Hope this helps x

[bilbodog]

I used to get bad pains as a teenager (many moons ago!) but eventually went on the pill which was a god send. Once i experienced child birth i often thought how helpful it would have been if someone had suggested breathing through the period pains which were quite clearly the womb contracting. Hope she find something that helps.