extreme cramps

[sweetpea03]

Every month I get severe menstrual cramps. I have been to the gyno a few times looking for what I can do, but seem to be at a loss. I am not allowed to use hormonal treatments to help with the pain, such as the pill, because of other health concerns and no doctor wants to risk putting me on a hormonal treatment. Though the cramping doesn't respond very well to the pain medication I've been prescribed. At times I feel like curling up in the fetal position and just crying. It wipes me out for the first day and the next couple days I'm still miserable. I am active and try to have enough potassium before I start. But it's still not working. Anyone have any suggestions as to help with the cramping???

[nkoch]

I don't know if anyone is still reading this.  BUt I too get MAJOR painful cramps.  It came to a point where I've tried every drug (naproxen, birth control etc) the doctor would give and I would end up in the hospital almost every month to get a shot of morphine.  THEN morphine was no longer strong enough.  I haven't been back to the hospital in 5 years since my gyno started me on Toridol.  It has a lot of concerning side effects for long term use but at least it's not a narcotic like percocet (sp?).  I do often take a GasX with my dosing of toridol (pill form) as a side effect is strong bloating.  But seriously this has helped the most.  I hope to get off it soon and find out why I have such bad cramps but it has kept me out of the hospital.  I still have some painful periods, some days I still need to have a magic bag and be in bed but it's much less painful.  
IF you ever have a fever try cold water with a splash of vinegar, soak cloth in this and hold to forehead, it somehow cuts the fever and it dissipates.  Also hot baths really help me.
Apparently milk can make painful periods worse fyi.
Nicole

[Dshell]

I had the same type of cramps you talk about.  Doubled up in pain that traveled  to the tip of my toes every month.  I missed a day of school, work for years before my doc gave me Naproxen 550mg.  A crafty pharmacist told me years ago that taking 3 over the counter Alive is the same thing (low does Naproxen when taken 1 every 12 hours).  Now I do that every month.  The key is tracking your period so that you take the medication before the cramps start.  It is much more effective that way.   Hope you get some relief!

[Babs1469]

I am not trying to be cheeky or anything but I have heard and have expiramented with using orgasm as a form of cramp relief. It really really works, and a gyno told me about it. I mean it is not the most oppurtune time to be trying to ummmm curl your toes......so to speak, but it really alliviates the cramping. Also, a muscle relaxant can be a woman's best friend once a month. Best of luck!!

XO
Babs

[bastet56]

I had severe cramps when mensing and found I had endometriosis. This can cause severe pain. As your dr.. I used to cramp so badly that I vomited. The only things I found that helped me was codiene and a long harley ride (vibration I think and as a passenger!)

[sweetpea03]

thanks so much. :) I'll be asking about that at my yearly check up.  

[sandee1818]

I would definitely ask the doctor about the vicoprofen. it was a miracle drug for my sister. it is a narcotic but she only takes it two or three days a month so the doc has no problem giving them to her for the pain.

[sandee1818]

The TENS unit may really help you. it cost around a hundred dollars w/o insurance but it has shown in studies to drastically reduce menstrual pain.
the medication you were given is not really going to be that helpful for the pain your having. tell your doctor you want to try something stronger. I know alot of my friends who have this problem take hydrocodone for a few days every month for their extreme pain.
make certain your doctor knows the amount of pain your in and how it does effect your life on those days.

[sweetpea03]

I was given Naproxen Sod, 550mg which is the generic for Anaprox DS. Not sure on exactly the names, just putting whats on the bottle. I take it at the first sign of the cramps even beginning and it still doesn't do much. I still get doubled over and am in severe pain. I do exercise regularly, drink milk, use heat pads, take extra vitamins. But I'm miserable. Every month I go through this "hell" as I call it. It takes out my whole first day I start and then I'm still pretty bad for the next couple days. I really wish I could just take the pill.

[sandee1818]

I forgot to add that a TENS unit is been found to help very well too.
Here are some other thibngs too:)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Magnesium

Low-fat diet

Vitamin E

Vitamin B1

Heat

Crampbark

Fennel

Aromatherapy

Massage

Calcium

Chiropractic

Exercise

[sandee1818]

What medication are you taking? It could be you need a stronger medicine. Also you should take ibuprofen if you can because it will help with the cramps. A very good medication would be vicoprofen, which is hydrocodone and ibuprofen. Ask your doctor if it would be something you could try:)