Going to A&E for period pain?

[Faraway11]

Going to the ER for period pain?

Hey guys, I’m just wondering if anyone here has been to the ER for severe period pain. My periods can be pretty painful but I usually manage with codeine and a hot bath. Two days ago I started up with cramps, by the time I was in bed I was literally doubled over. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t think. My stomach felt like it was BURNING, it felt like my insides were being ripped out. I’ve never felt pain like it, and I’ve had pelvic inflammatory disease before. It was an intense dull ache but sharp shorting pains continuously. Hot water bottle did nothing, maximum dose of codeine did nothing. The pain died down a little but continued throughout the whole next day. Again today I am in agony, maxed out on codeine, hot water bottle and a tens machine. i haven’t had one moment of relief no matter what i do. I tried having a bath yesterday but ended up having to get out and shower because I turned the bath water yellow with the amount of blood that was flooding out. This period is the worst I’ve had. I seriously considered going to the hospital couple nights ago and this morning because I couldn’t cope with the pain. Has anyone ever gone to A&E for something like this?? It’s getting excruciating.

No, but you have my sympathy.
Mine were so excruciating they’d make me vomit, I couldn’t stand up straight and bleeding was so heavy I was flooding through superplus tampons and thick pads ever 40 mins….tranexamic acid and mefanemic acid were useless. Gynae were also useless and I had to suffer for over a decade like this. I then spent 5 years begging for a hysterectomy.
Turns out I had endometriosis. 🙄

By all means go, but they will do very little from what I see. I file A&E reports and they tend to just do obs and say take painkillers and discharge with a ‘follow up with GP’.

You might be better speaking to your GP and requesting an ultrasound and referral to gynae, or going private if it’s affordable. The gynae waiting lists are horrendous.

You are not unreasonable to seek help- you need help. You won't be turned away from a&e but I think all they'll do is give you standard pain relief and send you home, after a long wait.

What you need is a gynae referral. Make some notes about your symptoms: flow heaviness, duration, pain and other symptoms. Rate your pain on a pain scale. Detail how it affects your day to day life and impacts your mood.

Just saying you take codeine and use a tens machine may not be enough. What does it stop you doing? How have you adapted your life to cope with it? Details like the bath water are helpful - good luck!

If this is not normal for you then yes you should go as there might be something else going on

Agree with the others. I went to A&E whilst waiting on the Gynaecology pathway, as pain was so sharp I was worried something had burst inside me. Eventually diagnosed with endometriosis around 9 months later.

Nothing had burst thank goodness - but they wouldn't give me anything for pain relief other than the codeine I arrived with. And after 6 hours on those uncomfortable chairs, I was in so much pain I was literally unable to walk. Kind nurse saw me staggering around and got me a wheelchair.

What you need is a referral from your GP to a gynaecologist. If finances permit I would also try and see a gynae as a private patient for an initial consultation given the waiting lists are so long.

I also thought endometriosis when I was reading your symptoms. A and E may direct you to gynaecology after a long wait but a gynae appointment is what you really need.

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I would ring 111 and see what they suggest. You might get an OOH appt rather than A and E.

I'm irregular. I can go a few months without. But when i get them I've always thought I need to go to A&E. Then a few days it does down and a few months go past and it's back again! I always think to go to the GP cause I'm literally written off for at least 2-3 days. I will call in sick, I will vomit from pain. My back and my hips hurt to bad and I cry for a good few days before it starts and after.
Period are awful.

I really sympathize with you. Just rest as much as you can. Make a GP appointment.

I don’t blame you going to A&E. That sounds excruciating.

Somebody called an ambulance for me once as the pain was so bad I fainted. The paramedic prescribed me mefanaemic acid which took the pain away within half an hour. After years of badgering the GP and being told that period pain is normal I suddenly had a solution, it was amazing.

Maybe an emergency GP appointment would be better as I can't imagine waiting hours in a and e in that much pain.

Is the pain one sided at all, higher up or in your back? I would be worried that there is something else going on and it just happens to coincide with your period. I would also want to be checked for an ovarian tortion. I think you should be seen by someone medical today

That's a very good point about an ovarian torsion.

If pain can’t be controlled with analgesia then seek help. Maybe try 111 first and get an out of hours GP. I have found them really good.