menstrual cramps... but i may have an ulcer?

[CMSliwa]

Is there an OTC pain reliever that I can use for my menstrual cramps while I am experiencing ulcer-like symptoms?

If not, what are the best alternatives?

The first 2 days are always just awful, and before I usually took 6 advil gelcaps throughout the day for the first 2 days.

Thank you!

[Jess_werth]

I have this problem too. All the NSAIDs I was taking to treat my horrible cramps actually caused me to have an ulcer. My cramps are so bad that I can't walk, I experience episodes of profuse sweating, excruciating pain, I've even fainted from it. This started just in the past year. I have been having to take ibuprofen and Tylenol every 3 hours for the first two days of my period, even having to wake up in the middle of the night to take it. Now on top of all of that, I've been experiencing nausea and burning/acidic feelings in my stomach. The only solution is to stop taking the ibuprofen completely, only take Tylenol, heating packs, and I having been taking birth control for the past two months. That is supposed to get rid of the cramps but so far it's only intensified it. Anyway I wish you the best of luck. I totally feel for you. If you've figured out a better solution, please let me know!

[MrsKarla81]

Omg, I thought I would never find anyone else who has cramps that feel like labor as I do. People would think I was "faking"... wow. Now I am thinking it maybe caused by stomach uclers, I was told last year I COULD be in a "pre-ucler" stage because of my chest pains I always have, but not really in my chest, but below my breast area in the middle. I was also told to take prevacid or prilosec and told to stop taking naproxen.

[catisme]

My Dr. put me on prilosec for gastritis and possible ulcers. I also get very bad cramps, that feel like labor Ugh!. I would normally take naproxen for the cramps but since my stomach is.not well... They are very harsh on the stomach lining and was told not to take them. I called the pharmacist and he told me to take tylenol. I had to take quite a lot for 2 days. I would try the prilosec or something over the counter and see if it helps. Prilosec, zantac, pepcid.

[sandee1818]

I am sorry I meant prilosec. You can get it over the counter cheaper than scripts and it is the same thing. I take it daily. Also Tuck is correct the advil is rough on your stomach. Tylenol would be the better choice.
Sorry for the mistake bad day!

[Tuckamore]

Hi,

You have posted a great question.  Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is extremely hard on the stomach lining.  Any NSAID can cause stomach distress/pain, especially if you believe you may have an ulcer.

Pepcid, though good for heartburn and gastric distress is not usually ordered for true ulcers. Ulcers are generally found to be from a bacteria infection and are treated with an antibiotic and proton pump inhibitor such as Prilosec, Prevacid or other medications in that category.

Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. We will be looking forward to your progress. Please take care, Tuck

Any medication that is absorbed in your small intestine (an enteric coated drug) should not cause you stomach distress. As always you should consult with your physician. Mollyrae is correct that if you suspect an ulcer you should see your PCP. You do not want to erode your stomach lining and cause a possible GI Bleed.

[sandee1818]

Advil is fine and you can also take pepcid for you ulcers. If you need something srtonger for either then you will need to see your Dr.

[Mollyrae]

Hello. This is a great question for the Pharmasist. They will know better what to take for your discomfort. I do know that if an Ulcer is involved, you will NOT want to take Asprin or products containing Asprin as they will make matters worse if you have an Ulcer.

Have you consulted a Physician for this? If not then do so as soon as possible. Ulces can be dangerous, even life threatening if they start to bleed.

Take care and good luck,
Mollyrae