Question for the LADIES. :p Sorry guys!

[Sevaede]

Guys, you can read but I doubt you'll want to...

Ladies,

I need pain relief help. A certain unwelcome relative has decided to pay me a visit.

It is excruciating. It is to the point where I have sat straight up in bed (being a VERY heavy sleeper, that's odd) and cried. I am usually left holding my stomach, moaning, crying, the whole bit. The obvious answer would be to go to a doctor but I do not have insurance.

I was hoping that some of you might have some helpful suggestions? I use Midol (another big deal because if you've ever met me, you know that I refuse to take a pill. One reason being that I have a stomach that upsets easily.) but the pain usually, for lack of a better term, "breaks through" the relief, making the med minimally effective at best.

This happens every time this darn relative visits and it usually has me layed up on the couch for a couple of days like I have the flu. THAT is weird because I am healthy as a crab and never get sick with anything.

I tried potassium (as a muscle relaxer, per mom suggestion which she got from her doctor) and it doesn't do anything. I've tried keeping my stomach warm and it works for the first few seconds but it's nothing super effective. I've tried Aleve, acetaminophen, etc. I am just hoping there is something left to try!

Sorry if this grosses anyone out. If it needs to be deleted or moved, that wouldn't bother me.

[Lobodeb]

Ouch, I feel for ya! You've tried everything I would have suggested. The only thing would be to try something stronger, but you don't like taking pills because of your sensitive stomach.

Have you tried those heating patches?

[Cataholic]

The trick is to stop the pain before it happens. You are feeling cramping, and you need to have something IN your system before it happens.

So, next cycle? I would begin taking some sort of a NSAID 2 days before you begin your cycle.

[Husky_mom]

I was gonna say what you use.........I too refuse to take pills at all costs but I wet through just what you described........and too used Midol.......and it worked for me.......luckily I don´t have to now because I don´t get what I used nowadays........(my visitor either comes in in tennis shoes or something......LOL)

there is another one i used but that made me threw up so if you have a sensitive stomach i don´t think it would be a good idea, anyway its called Buscapina.......not sure if its the same there.........

you can also take some Tylex forte or something........they gave me those when my kid was born and i used half pill (smashed to dust of course) and worked wonders........

many muscular pian killers or ibuprofen will do as they relax the muscles........

[CathyBogart]

I've had those days where I'm just curled up in a ball sobbing on the floor because I can't move...

My best friend is a tube sock stuffed with rice that I microwave for a few minutes, but if heat packs don't work for you...The only other thing that I find effective, strangely enough, is yoga. a LITTLE bit of LIGHT stretching over a few hours seems to help a lot.

You might also ask your doctor about a mirena IUD. They release a small amount of progesterone and are supposed to do WONDERS for uh....smacking down old aunt flo.

[dab_20]

My best friend is a tube sock stuffed with rice that I microwave for a few minutes, but if heat packs don't work for you...The only other thing that I find effective, strangely enough, is yoga. a LITTLE bit of LIGHT stretching over a few hours seems to help a lot.

That works for me, too. Hope you figure something out... total bummer.

[animal_rescue]

I use to do yoga and let me tell you, those were the best days of my life(even if it was suppose to be my worst lol) but it really did help around that time!

[Queen of Poop]

If you can find it in your local health food or drug store get Dang Quoi. It is a Chinese remedy and works wonders. I would get so cramped up that I'd be throwing up each and every month - until I started using Dang Quoi. It is truly a miracle.

[TFTpwnsYou]

You could try taking a B-complex. I started taking that a little while ago, and it really seems to help with that and the flow itself for some reason. I was on birth control for 7 yrs., and that girly problem was a breeze. When I stopped taking them I got back to the way they used to be and cursed myself....lol. But after I started taking the B-complex things got lighter on both the issues. I hope you find something that helps, cause I know we all feel you on this one. Gotta love being a girl. lol.

[Catty1]

Dong Quai.

Prescriptions - ask for a type of med called an "anti-prostaglandin"

These have been around since the 70's - an early one was called Ponstan. Here's the theory:

1. The hormone that tells the uterus to contract is a prostaglandin.
2. Women who have too much of this hormone get cramps, as the uterus over-contracts.
3. ANTI-prostaglandins cut down the amount of this hormone.


It was a LIFE-SAVER!!!!!

They MIGHT be over the counter by now, but there are several kinds. Maybe a phone call to your doc and you might get some free samples to try? You have to take it as your period (or cramps, whichever come first) starts, so you might have to wait a month.

If your doc is a male, he doesn't get these cramps...so chatting up his nurse might get you further!

I never had to take more than three, right at the beginning.

Good luck!

[lizbud]

These are all good suggestions that you're getting here. But really, if the
pain is intense pain every month, you should go see a Doctor. There are
procedures that can help overcome this. It's never a picnic, but it should
not cause such pain.

[Logan]

I agree with what Lizbud said. Please be careful about self medicating.

I have suggestions, but I sure would like you to hear them from your own physician before you try anything. Heat does help and that certainly doesn't have to be prescribed. Also Ibuprophen works for me. But I take an increased dosage, suggested by my doctor.

Poor dear. I hope you will feel better soon.

Logan

[borzoimom]

Okay- first of all- get some b complex- you can get this at walmart etc in the vitamin aisle- and it helps the hormone system function. If its really bad, you can take two a day at 12 hour intervals.. Second- avoid caffeine like the plague- caffeine tightens the uterine wall... Not sure of your age- but you can also take " Estrovan". Although made for menapause, it also helps regulate the hormone system.
As far as pain- I use to use pamprene- or 3 advil ( 600 mg) every 6 hours.. Another thing I used was a hot water bottle- and no- this is not a heating pad-... lol.. But try the other things I mentioned first...

[catnapper]

Take it from me, someone who hates to go to the doctor because our medical insurance stinks (we would be better off without any at all) please get yourself to the doctor. If you are young and a student, or low income, you should be able to qualify for government insurance, have you tried looking into it?

[RedHedd]

If you can find it in your local health food or drug store get Dang Quoi. It is a Chinese remedy and works wonders. I would get so cramped up that I'd be throwing up each and every month - until I started using Dang Quoi. It is truly a miracle.

I think she means Dong Quai. Also try calling your local Planned Parenthood. They have low cost assistance for times like this.