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.

[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.

If you research the psyiology (sic) of a muscle cramping, you will see that having any sort of NSAID- I would go generic, I am pretty sure Walgreens sells one, prolly CVS, too, in your body BEFORE the pain starts helps tremendously. My doctor told me if I was dealing with the pain THEN taking something, there wasn't much relief to be found.

While all the natural remedies are great, if your cramping is like you say it is, it isn't going to do too much in your situation.

And, I dealt with this for years, until I went on the BCP. I missed at least one day from school, had vomiting, diahrea, headaches, etc. There wasn't anything more serious wrong with me...I just had a heavy cycle.

I would, next month try taking something ahead of time, and see what it does.

[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.

[ramanth]

I have Endometriosis, so I sympathise with abdominal cramps.

I take Evening Primrose Oil the week prior and during my period and it helps quite a bit. A heat pad also eases the pain at times.

[borzoimom]

I have given these comments alot of thought. At the risk of sounding like an alarmist- I think its time for an exam. I also had severe endometriosis- scheduled finally jan 3rd for a hysterectomy after two failed procedures- only to have "things" rupture- causing an emergency full abodominal hysterectomy on the 26th of December.
My guess is I am older than you are. However- starting with the exams may help " head this off at the pass" so to speak. Could even be something as simple as a cyst or more serious as fibroids- only the doctor knows for sure.

[CathyBogart]

Yes, a lot of women don't have this time while they have a Mirena IUD.

What works for me with the rice sock is to lay in a fetal position with it tucked up against me. Sometimes I do that anyways just because it feels nice.

[mugsy]

I have Endometriosis, so I sympathise with abdominal cramps.

I take Evening Primrose Oil the week prior and during my period and it helps quite a bit. A heat pad also eases the pain at times.

I was thinking that she had that too Kimmy!

[Catty1]

MEFENAMIC ACID

Sorry to "yell", but I just remembered this name today. That is the generic name of one of the anti-prostaglandins mentioned earlier in my mini-Bio lecture!

See your doctor, and ask about this. If you have endometriosis, not sure if it will help; I have read that RU486 does, but it's known as the "morning after pill" and I think is outlawed in the USA.

Or ask someone at Planned Parenthood, or a women's shelter - they might have info, or know of low/no-cost resources.

GOOD LUCK and take care of yourself!