They’re horrible! How can I help?

[flyingtnx]

DD18 is currently in bed balling her eyes out and we’ve tried everything. She’s never had periods that are too bad however they are irregular. She’s now spent the past 5 hours running too and from the bathroom, she says the cramps are excruciating to the point where she is crying, it has also given her side effects of diarrhoea and vomiting as well as hot flushes and dizziness We’ve tried everything this morning such as nurofen, paracetamol, hot bath, hot drinks, herbal tea, bananas, hot water bottles etc but isn’t budging

Does anyone have any remedies or can anyone tell me if this is abnormal for a period? I hate to see DD like this

TIA

[Pollaidh]

Not a pharmacist, but... I know for a fact you can combine nurofen (ibuprofen) with paracetamol, or paracetamol + codeine. Working together they have more effect than the sum of their parts. You can pick some 8mg codeine/500mg paracetamol up from pharmacist (over counter). Just make sure the ibuprofen isn't mixed with paracetamol too, as taking with cocodamol (codeine+paracetamol) would give too high a paracetamol dose.

A TENS machine can also help, but that's probably overkill if this is the first time ever.

Avoid caffeine, which can make cramps worse, try camomile tea. Hot water bottles, but you've already tried.

If it gets really bad call 111 for advice. I had endometriosis and it got gradually worse before one month being so bad I collapsed. I didn't want to trouble the hospital, but had various GP prescribed painkillers which weren't cutting it. 111 heard me in the background and sent an ambulance. Took IV morphine + gas and air before I was even comfortable. Felt like I was abusing the NHS but the doctors and paramedics said for excruciating pain like that a hospital admission was needed. Don't think your daughter is quite there yet, but be aware that the pain can become unbearably bad. (Vomiting, shaking, collapse on floor, cramps like giving birth - and I got through 3 days of labour with nothing but hypnotherapy.)

Longer term - see GP, possibly referral to gynae to check for endometriosis or similar. This amount of pain isn't clinically normal. Usual treatments are taking the pill, usually without stopping for withdrawal week, which suppresses periods.

GP/consultant will also be able to prescribe stronger painkillers, like stronger dose codeine/paracetamol, and an NSAID. Some NSAIDs are particularly good if taken in the few days prior to a period, as well as during. Mefenamic acid and Naproxen come to mind.

I think a pharmacist is your first port of call today, then a GP appointment.

[flyingtnx]

Her last period was 7th October she said (had a diary app on her iPhone), had a chat with her about it with a couple of tears but she’s waiting for boyfriend to discuss with him too then they’re going to speak to someone. Thank you everyone as this was something that never crossed our minds but now just fingers crossed this isn’t the issue as I don’t think DD would take it easily along with me currently being 12+4 weeks pregnant

[Pollaidh]

Having just seen what you've written about trying for a baby I think you should get an OOH appointment ASAP. Could be a mc, or could potentially be an ectopic pregnancy. Is there any referred pain up to shoulders? That's an indication of bleeding into the stomach cavity IIRC (wilderness first aid training).

Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and pretty difficult for a lay person to identify.

Symptoms could easily start v early in pregnancy, and with irregular cycles you don't know anyway.

[Pollaidh]

Call 111 and explain whole story inc. possibility of pregnancy. That's pretty important. They'll probably suggest an OOH appt or going into A&E or gynae depending on local arrangements - she will prob need a scan. Maybe do another pregnancy test. Don't leave her on her own at all.

[lljkk]

GP never heard of mefenamic acid.
She was only 18 in October.
Recent history of juggling depression, anxiety and bulimia.
I guess she gave up on the A-levels & Uni plans for 2018 start?
Certainly not one to shrug at a challenge, I suppose.

[endofthelinefinally]

If you tell 111 that he last period was early October I am sure they will advise hospital. Better to be safe.

[flyingtnx]

DD is still doing a levels, she isn’t putting plans on hold for something that could take years

[flyingtnx]

Thank you everyone going to wait and see what’s being said

[Timetogetup0630]

Any news OP ?

[hollowtree]

Endometriosis? My diagnosis changed my life

[flyingtnx]

Hi all, thankfully not a miscarriage! Had an out of hours appointment and was referred for an internal scan this morning, possibly endometriosis but will know for sure tomorrow as she has an appointment to discuss (luckily she was given priority with appointments). Relieved that it wasn't the worst but after being made aware of infertility problems some women face with endometriosis DD is taking the chances hard especially as her and partner were TTC

[Pollaidh]

Glad to hear she's ok, I was worried about an ectopic / endo. If it's any comfort to her, I was diagnosed with stage 3/4 endo (i.e. with chocolate cysts and multiple adhesions) aged 28 or so. I went onto a continuous course of the pill, IIRC it was 3x usual dose or similar, to be absolutely sure I didn't ovulate though that sounds a bit weird, looking back. They told me my chances of conceiving naturally were very slim. After a few months of continuous pill I stopped taking it and got pregnant 2 weeks later... Think it's called rebound fertility, sometimes taking and then stopping pill can temporarily increase fertility, as well as decreasing the endometriosis.

Periods have been much much better since having DC1.

[hollowtree]

OP I thought it might have been. I have chronic endo and pcos but just had my first baby naturally... No problems at all.

But seek help for the pain of endo, it's so debilitating