Period AGONY!

Sehnsucht

So I'm at my desk in work and I'm suffering with the most painful period I've had in years. All I had to take was one neurofen and I can't leave here til lunchtime. Any suggestions of how to ease the pain before I puke on my keyboard? :(:(:(

Rayne

This'll sound silly but go to the loo and stretch your tummy muscles (lean back) Stretching and gentle exercise should help.
Or you could get an empty bottle and fill it warm/hot water and place it were you would a hot water bottle.
Maybe ask any female colleagues for feminax or ask anyone for another neurofen!
Maybe grab some chocolate from a vending machine if possible?

Its not fair! And it sucks. I felt your pain on Sunday! Its not good.

Feel better chick, hold in there!

Emme

Can you get someone to bring you a cup of strong coffee?

I used to have pains so bad that I would faint at my desk in school.

Try to get a female colleague to get you another nurofen.

smileysurfer

Id definitely recommend asking around for another neurofen, no need to be sitting there in agony. Good luck

kittenkiller

Pop a damp tea towel in the microwave for 30 seconds and when it's just warming up wrap it around your back or tummy.
The gentle stretching will help too.

You poor thing!
I've recently discovered feminax and I think they're the bees knees.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

jenga-jen

Acupressure!

Head into the toilet so your colleagues don't think you're a weirdo and put your two hands on your back level with your hips.

Feel around a bit and you'll find 2 'knobbly' bits either side of your spine level/lower than the top of your hips.

Place your two thumbs in soft flesh just below these spots and press in as deep as you would getting a massage.

You'll know you've found the right spot cos it'll hurt (sorry!) but just keep up with the gentle pressure and rub in little circles and it should start to ease, as will the pain hopefully.

It also works if someone else does it for you but prolly not an option in your office! Usually met with 'oh jesus' from people when you do it first and find the spots, it always seems to work though

Hope you get some relief

Ickle Magoo

If it's affecting your work then I can't see them having an issue with you popping out to get some more pain killers. In lieu of a hot water bottle, get a heat pack from the same chemist you pick up your pain killers and put that on your tummy.

Sehnsucht

Thanks everyone! I asked the girls in reception for Paracetamol and they've just started to kick in! Sometimes I wish I were a man!!

metrovelvet

600 milligrams of ibuprofin, thats three nurofen, feminax, or a double brandy.

Jemmy

metrovelvet wrote: »

600 milligrams of ibuprofin, thats three nurofen, feminax, or a double brandy.

lol double brandy...love it!

Feminax are great when they are that bad, and painkillers won't give you the ease you need.

metrovelvet

Double brandy works the best of the lot. Maybe not at work. For at home.

yenoBAYUB

Feminax wont work for me

Barracudaincork

Chocolate and coffee are two of the things that will make your pain worse, avoid them no matter how much you crave them.

The pain you are describing is not normal, have you spoken to your gynecologist about the pain you are in etc?

smileysurfer

Barracudaincork wrote: »

Chocolate and coffee are two of the things that will make your pain worse, avoid them no matter how much you crave them.

The pain you are describing is not normal, have you spoken to your gynecologist about the pain you are in etc?

Sounds fairly normal really. Alot of people suffer from very bad period pains, dont think its a cause for worry.

Sehnsucht

Barracudaincork wrote: »

Chocolate and coffee are two of the things that will make your pain worse, avoid them no matter how much you crave them.

The pain you are describing is not normal, have you spoken to your gynecologist about the pain you are in etc?

No it's not normal at all, I have PCOS so get v. painful ones. I was grand until like an eejit I took a month's break from my pill and am now suffering the consequences! Back on it today so, I've learnt my lesson

ToniTuddle

Never heard of Feminax.

I always make sure to have Nurofen in my bag.
Try and make sure not to pop too many though even though you want too!
The heat patches are very handy too.

smileysurfer

Sehnsucht wrote: »

No it's not normal at all, I have PCOS so get v. painful ones. I was grand until like an eejit I took a month's break from my pill and am now suffering the consequences! Back on it today so, I've learnt my lesson

If I carry on into the next pill packet without the 7 day break I get very bad pains also. Its not worth it :eek:

Try the heat patches actually, the ones you get for your back are the best and last for 8 hours, Have tried a lot of the othe ones for a back injury and none get as warm and last as long. Think there called Therma Care.

Barracudaincork

smileysurfer wrote: »

Sounds fairly normal really. Alot of people suffer from very bad period pains, dont think its a cause for worry.

Yup thats what Irish culture has led women to believe, period pain is NOT normal, discomfort is normal but pain isnt!! I have met so many foreign gynecologists that wish Irish women would in their words "wake up and realise that period pain isnt normal!"

Im not saying its something to worry about, but you dont have to be in pain.

Barracudaincork

Sehnsucht wrote: »

No it's not normal at all, I have PCOS so get v. painful ones. I was grand until like an eejit I took a month's break from my pill and am now suffering the consequences! Back on it today so, I've learnt my lesson

??? My post said it wasnt normal.

Stink you are in pain today, hope you feel better soon!

Sehnsucht

Barracudaincork wrote: »

??? My post said it wasnt normal.

Stink you are in pain today, hope you feel better soon!

Oh I know, was just agreeing with ya!

Thanks a mil, feeling much better now, exhausted but that's all!

Sehnsucht

smileysurfer wrote: »

If I carry on into the next pill packet without the 7 day break I get very bad pains also. Its not worth it :eek:

Try the heat patches actually, the ones you get for your back are the best and last for 8 hours, Have tried a lot of the othe ones for a back injury and none get as warm and last as long. Think there called Therma Care.

Ooh I'll give those a go, I'd never heard of them. The auld hot water bottle in the office would be a bit conspicuous alright!

smileysurfer

http://www.thermacare.com/

Above is the website address , just wanted to confirm I got the name right and also so ul know what to look out for. They have one specifically for menstrual craps too.

rainbow kirby

Feminax are the mutts nuts... paracetamol + codeine + caffeine + hyoscine (an anti-nauseant). Just took 2 here, unfortunately I'm in the same situation as the OP today but at least I'm at home now!

spurious

I can't believe so many women put up with a level of pain which is clearly not 'normal'. Just because a lot of women in Ireland have bad menstrual pain or heavy periods does not make it normal. It just means people are not getting to the bottom of it. A level of discomfort is to be expected from cramping, but not to the level that would make someone get sick - that is serious pain.

OP get it checked out and if the doctor says it's 'normal' go to another doctor.

Novella

I do some sit up's when I have period pain. Sounds a bit mental, but honestly, it works.

Lillylilly

The sit up thing isn't mental- the stretching thing works too!

I often find that if I've no access to hot water bottles or tablets, gently massaging my belly works. It feels wierd but you really feel the pressure ease with it

mia2

Men don't know how lucky they are! Periods are a bloody pain, and that's when they're not even painful. There are lots you can do for painful periods. See here for more details http://www.womenrepublic.co.uk/health/painful/ But sometimes i think you've just got to put up with it. Although it does give you an accuse to be extra moany to the man in your life.

Sehnsucht

spurious wrote: »

I can't believe so many women put up with a level of pain which is clearly not 'normal'. Just because a lot of women in Ireland have bad menstrual pain or heavy periods does not make it normal. It just means people are not getting to the bottom of it. A level of discomfort is to be expected from cramping, but not to the level that would make someone get sick - that is serious pain.

OP get it checked out and if the doctor says it's 'normal' go to another doctor.

Thanks for that! Don't worry I keep a close eye on it and I've a doctor who looks after me! I've been in hospital with cysts rupturing from the PCOS so my doc knows what the story is. I'm much better today though!

Danniboo

p

Danniboo

Barracudaincork wrote: »

Chocolate and coffee are two of the things that will make your pain worse, avoid them no matter how much you crave them.


It's been proven that chocolate releases endorphins and has the iron that we need when we have our period which is why we crave them.

lubie76

The new feminax , 'Feminax Ultra' are the business. Only problem is you can't buy them here as they contain naproxen which is a form of codeine or similar to it anyway. I always stock up when I'm up the North as they are so much better than the original feminax and you only take 3 a day.

Barracudaincork

Danniboo wrote: »

It's been proven that chocolate releases endorphins and has the iron that we need when we have our period which is why we crave them.

Just because you crave it doesnt mean its good for you! You can get your iron from others means and your endorphins too, its the caffeine in the chocolate that does the harm when you have your period, which is why avoiding coffee is recommened too.

krankykitty

Barracudaincork wrote: »

Yup thats what Irish culture has led women to believe, period pain is NOT normal, discomfort is normal but pain isnt!! I have met so many foreign gynecologists that wish Irish women would in their words "wake up and realise that period pain isnt normal!"

Im not saying its something to worry about, but you dont have to be in pain.

Really curious.. is there anything the foreign gynaecologists can actually do to help the pain, or do they just profess it's not normal but can't really do anything about it other than the usual, ie prescribe painkillers or the Pill?

McChubbin

when I first had my IUD in, I used to oll on the floor screaming with pain and most days, I could barely walk without gritting my teeth. My mother came up a rather straightforward trick: drink a pint of milk at the first onset of cramping.

I tried it and it works better than any painkiller I've, bizarrely enough.

rebel girl 15

lubie76 wrote: »

The new feminax , 'Feminax Ultra' are the business. Only problem is you can't buy them here as they contain naproxen which is a form of codeine or similar to it anyway. I always stock up when I'm up the North as they are so much better than the original feminax and you only take 3 a day.

I bought Nurofen Period tablets when over in Australia, worked better than the Feminax or any other tablet for me. Took two at the very start of my period and I'd be able to cope. All out of em now so Nurofen has to do.

If I'm ever up North, I'll have a look for em! Though for very bad pain, you can take Nurofen and Parcetamol together safely according to my mothers doctor since they contain two different active ingredients.

doctor evil

McChubbin wrote: »

when I first had my IUD in, I used to oll on the floor screaming with pain and most days, I could barely walk without gritting my teeth. My mother came up a rather straightforward trick: drink a pint of milk at the first onset of cramping.

I tried it and it works better than any painkiller I've, bizarrely enough.

Cold milk or warm?

Anything cold makes my cramps worse.

McChubbin

doctor evil wrote: »

Cold milk or warm?

Anything cold makes my cramps worse.

Room temp works best for me, though warm milk would probably work better.

shionnach

Sehnsucht wrote: »

No it's not normal at all, I have PCOS so get v. painful ones. I was grand until like an eejit I took a month's break from my pill and am now suffering the consequences! Back on it today so, I've learnt my lesson

Whats PCOS, i get very bad period pains, can't walk want to puke, vision gets blurred and i just want to roll up in a ball and die, i have been to my doctor many times she just gives a different pill and another perscription for ponston, the ponston doesn't kick in till i have taken the third one of the day, before i start taken the pill my period pains started from the day i ovulate till the 3rd day of my period, thats only 9-10 days free of pain.

i don't think my doctor is very good or she hasn't had a period pain in her life so any suggestions are very welcome, tommorrow is D-day and the next three days are going to be hell

RachPie

Small sips of water. Even if you look like a madman, rock gently back and forward. Hot cup of tea and hold it to your tummy under the desk, heat helps. x

taram

shionnach wrote: »

Whats PCOS, i get very bad period pains, can't walk want to puke, vision gets blurred and i just want to roll up in a ball and die, i have been to my doctor many times she just gives a different pill and another perscription for ponston, the ponston doesn't kick in till i have taken the third one of the day, before i start taken the pill my period pains started from the day i ovulate till the 3rd day of my period, thats only 9-10 days free of pain.

i don't think my doctor is very good or she hasn't had a period pain in her life so any suggestions are very welcome, tommorrow is D-day and the next three days are going to be hell

I think perhaps go to another doctor? Mine is a godsend, but have heard of friends being fobbed off with painkillers and 'oh, exercise a bit' for period agony when they really needed better care.

jildwy

You really should look for a good doctor. It may be a genuine medical problem.

serenacat

kittenkiller wrote: »

Pop a damp tea towel in the microwave for 30 seconds and when it's just warming up wrap it around your back or tummy.
The gentle stretching will help too.

You poor thing!
I've recently discovered feminax and I think they're the bees knees.Hope you're feeling better soon!

+1 on feminax this is brillant and i'll add that calmomile tea is great as well

serenacat

Barracudaincork wrote: »

Just because you crave it doesnt mean its good for you! You can get your iron from others means and your endorphins too, its the caffeine in the chocolate that does the harm when you have your period, which is why avoiding coffee is recommened too.

you could take green and blacks with 70-85%cocoa this is yummy and a source of iron, it has only a small amount of caffeine

vicecreamsundae

lubie76 wrote: »

The new feminax , 'Feminax Ultra' are the business. Only problem is you can't buy them here as they contain naproxen which is a form of codeine or similar to it anyway. I always stock up when I'm up the North as they are so much better than the original feminax and you only take 3 a day.

i saw those when i was last in bristol, but i didn't recognize naproxen and thought it must be a milder form of feminax haha. funny it's not allowed here, seeing as Feminax has codeine though. when i was in canada i was always handing out my Feminax [i brought a years supply] -i think it's tougher to get OTC drugs with codeine in them their.

when i was younger my period pains were the WORST. lots of vomiting and lots of tears i had a prescription for Ponstin [sp?] but they wouldnt work for me. Feminax was a god send. but now im on the pill i actually have a normal life and sometimes can get away without taking anything.

i always find soup helps, though it could well be a psychological thing :P

ColaBeDamned

shionnach wrote: »

Whats PCOS, i get very bad period pains, can't walk want to puke, vision gets blurred and i just want to roll up in a ball and die, i have been to my doctor many times she just gives a different pill and another perscription for ponston, the ponston doesn't kick in till i have taken the third one of the day, before i start taken the pill my period pains started from the day i ovulate till the 3rd day of my period, thats only 9-10 days free of pain.

i don't think my doctor is very good or she hasn't had a period pain in her life so any suggestions are very welcome, tommorrow is D-day and the next three days are going to be hell

shionnach- PCOS is polycystic ovarian syndrome. Like others are suggesting here, I think it would be a good idea to visit a different doctor.
In the past I've tried Kapake (just for a little while), also Ponstan Forte pain killers, didn't find Ponstan F. effective so I used to rely on aspirin for years. I only seemed to get relief with aspirin towards the end of the day and nearing the maximum dosage per day, which wasn't ideal as I experienced some side effects from this.
Thankfully I decided to try Nurofen Plus tablets and I haven't regretted it since.:) These contain ibuprofen and codeine, so they're strong but work well. I find I only need to take 3-4 per day for a few days, they get me through the worst of it and I can manage with paracetamol for another couple of days if necessary. However, you say you have pain over many days (something you should not have to put up with) and codeine is habit forming so painkillers containing it should only be used for several days at most. I'm going into too much detail now and there's a lot that needs to be discussed, so it really is best to be doing this with a new doctor! And preferably someone who's recommended by other women/girls where you live. Perhaps some on boards could suggest a good doctor if you say where you are.
Good luck

BluesBerry

serenacat wrote: »

+1 on feminax this is brillant and i'll add that calmomile tea is great as well

Chamomile tea is good
Rose hip tea is good to you should try that

(I remember a few years ago Lilets brought out a cream with lavender and chamomile that you rubbed on your lower stomach it was fantastic
Im not sure if they still make it but maybe there is an alternative cream out there you could use its worth a try)

tweety_bird

have a hot bath, warm pjs, bar of galaxy and a good comedy

not to mention a hot water bottle!!

sarah achill

Hiya I suffered from horrendous period pains until I was 27. I went to numerous doctors and was put on all sorts of medication, but it didn't help at all. Finally when I had totally given up, I was pushed to go and see a herbal doctor, I to be honest thought it was all nonsense, but he gave me capsules to take which I did, and after a month I experienced my first painless period. When I took the capsules I could taste chili powder, the funny thing was that whenever I was coming up to my period I would have a craving for curry's. Well since then I have really hot curry's, which I make myself, whenever I am about to have my period. If you don't like curry's then you can eat a bowl of bran or eat salads. Not as a diet mind, just add them on to your usual meal. I hope this helps, I really do feel so sorry for anyone who experiences period pains because I do not how horrible it is.

Merrilady

shionnach wrote: »

Whats PCOS, i get very bad period pains, can't walk want to puke, vision gets blurred and i just want to roll up in a ball and die, i have been to my doctor many times she just gives a different pill and another perscription for ponston, the ponston doesn't kick in till i have taken the third one of the day, before i start taken the pill my period pains started from the day i ovulate till the 3rd day of my period, thats only 9-10 days free of pain.

i don't think my doctor is very good or she hasn't had a period pain in her life so any suggestions are very welcome, tommorrow is D-day and the next three days are going to be hell

It doesn't sound like she is that good, I had symptoms like that andnI had endometriosis, am not saying you have that, but there was a reason for it and I got treatment.
Pregnant now, haven't had a period for 8 months, and don't miss them

confuseddotcom

I'm alarmed to see that peeps are taking up to 4 painkillers, my p.o.v. would be that it's just out of habit to reach for the painkillers but fact is, period is going to occur every month anyway!! I'd generally try to stay away from painkillers if I even have a headache (I'd try a while with a cold compress / cloth on my forehead first,) never mind for any other pain, mainly just Anti-biotics whenever as required on a daily basis.

My trusty companion used to be as was mentionned earlier;
Lil-lets Relaxing Rub.
Think it was packaged slightly different in Ireland. Until one day, they sneakily came along, and without reason took it off the market and didn't give us any explanation for doing this or any replacement for it. That little tub was heaven so it was. It was cold though but only for a minute, maybe not to everyone's liking as it's kind-of messy, but rubbing it all over the tummy area got rid of all the cramps.

I remember being told before about something called Mrs. Cullen's Powders that all the ladies used to take for cramps back in the olden days. No idea what this is or how it is used or where it can be got......

Have suffered with nasal and throat issues for the last endless few weeks and have found an enthusiasm for oils and all that stuff. Olbas Oil is supposed to be good for the muscles I think, I'm not quite sure how you would apply it (applicate?) to the body though! I must look into it! I think the main ingredient in that Lil-lets Rub was Lavendar.....

I did actually try Feminax one time but didn't think it worked. Might give them a try again.

My new Confidante is this lil Tube of magic;
Emerita Menstrual Comfort Cream.
Same thing as the Lil-lets Rub. It is pretty dear though, wish I could source it somewhere for cheaper.

HotWaterBottle when at home does such a fantastic job at easing cramps.