Can't take this (period) pain any more!

[tummymumsie]

I have just had a 'bad' one and I've never felt pain like it. I woke up this morning and it hit me like a train, I was bent double walking to the loo, shooting pains taking my breath away. Then going for a wee/poo... ouch!!! I was retching and sweating, I nearly passed out. If I have any gas it triggers the pain again. It's awful and terrifying and there's literally nothing I can do except try and survive until it subsides (which it generally does after 24hrs).

THIS IS NOT NORMAL, RIGHT??

Background: Since having DS2 (2yo) my periods have been agony, and they're getting worse. I had a CS and bf-d for 14 months, then my periods began again. I expected them to be painful, as they generally were before DC and also were bad after DD1, but they gradually got better (manageable anyway). This is getting worse.

I've been to the GP several times and first they tried the pill (disaster, as I always react badly to it... long story), a coil (another disaster... long story) and now Transexamic Acid (sp?) which does the square root of f-all!

Seriously considering a hysterectomy, can you just ask for one?!

HELP ME, PLEASE!!!

You need to be referred to a gynaecologist. This sounds horrendous.
I hope the pain is beginning to go now.
Please ask to be referred. I'm sure there are steps before a hysterectomy.

You have lots of symptoms of endometriosis. Get checked out and request a laparoscopy

Thanks for the replies. I'll try my best but it's like getting blood out of a stone (excuse the pun)! 😩

I'm scared. The pain is back this morning, albeit not as bad. I can't evening look after DC when it hits

I totally understand your pain.

I've passed out in the past from the pain. I've had a baby with no pain relief so I understand pain and this is as bad as labour pain.

I get panicky too as I just don't know where to put myself.

Like you the pill was a disaster, I now have the coil and have limited success. The pain isn't as intense but it's there

I'm now booked for a laparoscopy and Myomectomy on fibroids to see if that helps.

Like you I wish they would just take the lot out. I'm 45.

Sending you sympathy. I think women who suffer as intensely as us are far and few between so it's not understood. People say "oh yes I've got period pains too" and I don't think they get it.

@MissWimpyDimple god I know. My mum says the same "I used to have bad period pain too" but I just know this isn't "bad period pain" this is horrendous! She just doesn't understand how severe it is.

My body doesn't know what to do with itself when it strikes. I can't bear it anymore. I just want it all out. I'm 33, have 2DC and my husband has had a vasectomy. I'm done. So so done.

Been there with those symptoms as well sadly.

This sounds like endometriosis and that is a common cause of severe and ongoing pain. Infact I would put a crisp fiver on you having this.

You need a referral to a gynaecologist and I am somewhat surprised (though not completely surprised sadly) that you have not been referred already. This is also a problem well outside a GPs general remit and many of them are simply not up to speed when it comes to such matters. At the very least now you need laparoscopic surgery to see and treat and endometriosis that is in all likelihood present.

A hysterectomy if endometriosis is present however, may not be the answer either. Pain can persist with endo even post hysterectomy. If the endo for instance is also sited on the intestines this is not going to address that problem.

Would also suggest you keep a pain and symptom diary if you do not already do this because this will also give the gynae clues. Note pain on a scale from 1-10. This is also a very good website

www.endometriosis-uk.org/

If your GP is unhelpful see another within the practice or consider changing GP practice.

Have you tried the mini pill as that has totally changed my life. Had major issues with the combined pill. I now don't have periods at all and it's bliss

The cause needs to be determined and the mini pill if OP can actually take this could simply mask the symptoms. It is not going to address the cause of the underlying problem.

@AttilaTheMeerkat oh lord. I'm going to try and push the GP. I'm determined after this month because the pain was worse than it's ever been. If it was 'normal' period pain I am pretty sure it would be improving not deteriorating after 2yrs pp.

How did they treat you?

@nutellalove this was their first suggestion but sadly the mini pill REALLY affects my mood and I get super angry (amongst other things). Sounds trivial, but it's awful, and not the solution for the rest of my days!

I was undiagnosed for many years with endometriosis and it was only discovered when I was having difficulties in trying to conceive. I now realise that my problems relating to periods began upon onset of menses at 14. It was only by laparoscopic type surgery that the endometriosis was seen and removed via laser treatment.

Do push for a referral and ask the gynae straight out during your discussion if they feel that endo is the root cause. Do keep a pain and symptom diary if you do not already and push for answers. You will need to be persistent in order to get answers.

My pain has got a LOT worse after my CS with DS2. I can't help but feel like the CS has damaged something that is causing this pain. But then I don't have pain in between periods. It's so strange.

I'd see gp again.
Did you try different pills or just one? There are variations in the ratio and "type" of progesterone and oestrogen in the different brands so it is often a case of trying a few to get the right one. You could try that while waiting for investigation or gynae reviews.
In meantime for the pain add buscopan into pain relief regime. You can buy it over the counter.
You need to take it and some ibuprofen or Co codamol regularly, so two four times a day.
Don't wait until its that passing out type pain.
Hopefully it will help while you wait for gynae

Thank you @theredjellybean unfortunately I cannot take the combined pill because of my migraines. I wish I could! I was on it as a teenager and it never affected me.

I'll definitely try the buscopan though. Thanks! I do suffer from IBS, so it would prob help anyway!

PS. The other issue I have is that the pain sort of 'builds up' overnight, so the morning is the worst part (before I can even get to any medication).

tummy

I noted you being diagnosed with IBS here. Some women have been misdiagnosed as having IBS when infact endometriosis is the root cause instead.

I did not have pain between periods either; it mainly occurred in the day up to and during menses.

Would suggest you see the GP again and insist on a referral to a gynae. To my mind at least a referral is what you need now because such problems generally are outside a GPs general remit. You need a specialist.

The CS may have caused adhesions to arise; these are sticky strands that can tether organs together and cause pain. Do push for a referral as this is also affecting your day to day life.

And it's an interesting thing, that some of the more sympathetic GPs I have seen have been men, whereas you'd expect greater understanding from another women. Don't let them fob you off.

Hello again. I guess I am just needing support tonight.

My period just started and I'm feeling that familiar sense of dread for what tomorrow (& the next day) will bring. After last months pain I am verging on slightly panicky!

The good news is that I found a sympathetic GP (yay) who said this has gone on long enough, and that I def need to see a Gynae if I want a diagnosis), etc etc. So I'm booked in in a few weeks...

but that doesn't help me today. I just hope and wish for a 'better' time this month 🙏🏻

@AttilaTheMeerkat quick question. With a Endo, does the pain fluctuate month-by-month? Ie can one month the pain be awful and another it's slightly better? It's always linked to my bowels, but every month is slightly different. But it seems to have gotten progressively worse since CS with DS 2yrs ago.

Pain not kicked in properly yet. Just waiting and dreading the next 12hrs

@tummymumsie I could have written this list of symptoms myself. It is an actual fear of the pain, and it's so horrible, I'm just through 3 days of torture myself. I have been prescribed naproxen and this works if you start taking it before the pain builds, the day before really, which can be tricky. I'm getting a laparoscopy investigation this week, as we're having ttc issues. But I'm just assuming they'll find (& hopefully remove) endo lesions. It's too sore to be normal.
Hope you get the pain under control. I was pain free on Cerelle (minipill) and depo injection, but as we're trying for a baby I'm having to suffer this.
Good luck.

@CNizzle I just want a hysterectomy. I've got 2 kids and I'm happy with that (DH has had snip). I've just been through 24hrs of sheer hell. I can't move, talk, do anything (let alone look after DC) it's beyond hideous, and getting worse month-by-month.

It is starting to dawn on me that it is all related to CS, the pain is localised to the scar area and deep within. It is also aggravated (to put it mildly) by bowels/bladder activity. I dread to think what's gone on in there. I had a very long recovery (and slight infection) and it was agony for me (when I know others have sailed through). Something must be happening with the scar tissue and it's affecting me beyond words.

I'm tempted to go back on the mini-pill (even though it doesn't agree with me) just until I can see Gynae. I can't do another month of this, I just can't.

My endometriosis was less painful some months than others but there was always pain involved, just varying amounts of it. Sometimes it seemed to have no start, middle or even a proper end; it was just there.

You probably have adhesions as well arising from the CS and these are sticky strands that tether organs together.

I would have long and detailed discussions about hysterectomies before you do go ahead with it. If there are any endometriosis deposits on your intestines a hysterectomy op would not address that. All this needs to be talked through with the gynaecologist.

If you are due to see a gynae in a few weeks time it may be worth calling them every few days to see if there is a cancellation appointment available beforehand. I hope you are seen sooner rather than later.

Oh I'm so sorry you are going through this...and I could write the same set of symptoms. It's so debilitating. I get so hot too and feel like I'm going to pass out.

I am 45 and finally went to my GP 4 months ago as days 1&2 of my period were horrendous (& 2 days beforehand).
My GP was wonderful - sent me for a gynae apt and scan. They discovered a large ovarian cyst, a fibroid (not unusual in any woman of a certain age!) but the thing diagnosed that was causing my pain was adenomyosis. Caused by the healing of the inside of the uterus as it shrinks back after child birth-the sides of the uterus sort of sick together in places, which traps the blood trying to be released which is why I only get pain prior to my period and for the first few days.
The solution was Naproxen-I take 250g every 6hrs from when I feel the pain. I set an alarm to wake me in the night so I can take it in order to be able to function in the mornings. I can take up to 500g but I find that makes me spacey!
I hope that you find your cause very soon too. It's so awful. I feel for you 💐

@HoppyHop and does that painkiller really get rid of the pain?

I can't imagine any painkiller taking my pain away, or even dulling it. Maybe morphine... 😩