Severe period pain misery

[DtPeabodysLoosePants]

I just want a virtual hand hold really and a moan! I have had endometriosis since at least 1996 when it was diagnosed but looking back probably since 1986 when my periods first started. It was fairly well controlled by the combined pill taken back to back but I'd gained weight, had dreadful headaches and felt my appetite was out of control. Having a history of anorexia and bulimia I wasn't coping with that so came off it a couple of months ago. I'm back to daily low grade to moderate pain.
My period started around 4am this morning and I feel like someone is carving out my pelvis with a large spoon and feel sick and exhausted. I take dihydrocodeine and paracetamol four times a day for the daily pain I have anyway and am sat with a cup of tea waiting for it to ease. I get dreadful pains down through my hips and legs and day 2 is always worse. Single mum of 3 with no help so I can't go back to bed.
The good news is that I'm 42 so only another 10 years of this before I hit the menopause although I think I might be perimenopausal anyway as my periods aren't as regular or predictable in length the last couple of years if I'm not in the pill.
Surgery is out of the question due to no childcare and no help afterwards while recovering. I can cope with the day pain although it's miserable but the first 3 days are a bitch.
I think I'm going to make another cup of tea, get a hot water bottle and watch whatever the LO is watching for an hour or so.

P.S. I can't take NSAIDs due to chronic gastritis and reflux. Nefopam didn't help much and nor did tramadol. Dihydrocodeine works best and still allows me to function. Thankfully I no longer need pethidine or morphine.

Hi OP

You have my sympathies. I am in the same boat as you. My periods are ruining my life. I'm on the waiting list for a hysterectomy as I can't take much more of this. I sometimes have two periods in a month and a mini period straight after sex. I'm on a cocktail of codeine 30mg ibuprofen and whatever else I can lay my hands on!

I was going to suggest going to your GP and see if there are any other options for you (such as mirena coil) or other medication such as Naproxen but I'm guessing you are at the point where you have exhausted all options?

Have you spoke to your GP about your situation as a single mum and whether there's any support whilst you have a hysterectomy? It does sound like it would be a way forward and waiting ten years or so for the menopause is a long time.

In the meantime look after yourself, have a bath, get dosed up and have a dvd day.

Thank you. I'm curled up on the sofa with the 2 dc who are still on half term. We are having a movie afternoon with lots of popcorn, cake, chocolate, and carbs in general which I find help. The hip and leg pain has started now so am resting while I can.
The thought of a hysterectomy scares the shit out of me. I'm full of adhesions and don't fancy more but if things get really bad then I'll consider it.

I am sorry to hear that you are so uncomfortable, it's horrible when nothing seems to help with shifting the pain. I am sure you have already tried this, but I find Buscopan can help take the edge off the cramps/general constricted feeling around the hips and pelvis - doesn't make it go away but does help a bit.

Are you suitable for Endometrial ablation? It’s done as day surgery and I think can be done with local anaesthetic which means you wouldn’t need anyone to stay with you overnight.

Also, I sympathise. Period pain is horrible.

Massive sympathy from me. I'm currently on day 3 of horrible abdominal cramps, pain, sickness and this is BEFORE my period had even started. If it wasn't the weekend I'd have missed work. I take codeine and paracetamol and a bit of ibuprofen when it's really bad - like you I can't take naproxen for gastric reasons. I don't have a diagnosis of endometriosis but I wonder if I have it - several gynaes have suggested it but it never seemed worth going through the pain of a laparoscopy given I won't take the pill. Big hugs, it'll be over soon
xxxx

Thanks for the responses. I'm not suitable for endometrial ablation. My periods aren't that heavy really. It's still a general anaesthetic with the risk of a hysterectomy if they damage my uterus while there. My endometriosis is splattered all over my pelvis so laser treatment wouldn't work either.
I can't take ibuprofen as that too is an NSAID and gives me dreadful gastritis.,it also makes me wheeze.
I get pain every day too, not just my period days. The bleeding lasts a week and the pain lasts for 2 at period level. The rest of the time it's fairly constant with random particularly bad days thrown in.
I just feel unwell with this one. The worst is over now as far as the bleeding goes but the pain is rubbish and I feel very sick this month.