what to do for awful menstrual cramps?

Question

i get terrible cramps every month with my period. i also get this dime to quarter sized blood clots during this time. my cramps are so bad that i've passed out 3 times from the pain in the past. now i usually take ibuprofen/motrin, etc before and during my period. my period is not usually heavy. but sometimes, the pain wakes me up from sleep and i get sweaty and shaky. i just started on birth control pills to see if they will help.

has anyone had luck with anything else? i'm afraid of my period every month now. i don't want to pass out again.

i HAVE tried tylenol and midol - they don't work. ibuprofen is the only thing that works. but i have to keep taking it every 4-6 hours during the first two days of my period.

Answer 1

sounds like you have endrometriosis.Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects million of women world wide
It occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus (tissue called the endometrium) is found outside the uterus -- usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus; the area between the vagina and rectum; the outer surface of the uterus; and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Other sites for these endometrial growths may include the bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix, vulva, and in abdominal surgical scars.
What are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

Pain before and during periods

Pain with sex

Infertility

Fatigue

Painful urination during periods

Painful bowel movements during periods

Other Gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea.
In addition, many women with endometriosis suffer from:

Allergies

Chemical sensitivities


Diagnosis is considered uncertain until proven by laparoscopy, a minor surgical procedure done under anesthesia. A laparoscopy usually shows the location, size, and extent of the growths. This helps the doctor and patient make better treatment choices.

i have heard also that going on the pill will lesson the pain.

Answer 2

I suffered similar years ago and it's starting up again. The pain was so bad I had to miss school and work the first 2-3 days of my period and it was so heavy I soaked whatever sanitary item I was using within an hour. I also got seriously nauseated and vomited the first full day and usually the night before. After I had my first child, the pain was non-existent and my flow was super light. After my second child, the same. Now over 10 years later, I'm getting the bad cramps again with clots bigger than what you've described and it lasts a full week. Some of clots the size of a third world country on a map. I take prescription strength ibuprofen the night before my period is supposed to start and everyday it's heavy and it's just annoying irritating cramps or nothing when I do that. If I forget, whoa baby is is gut wrenching. I'm considering hysterectomy because I'm nearing 40 and I'm done having children. Taking the pill is getting to be old news and it doesn't seem to be helping with the cramps or flow anymore. I've been on the pill for almost 20 years.

Answer 3

I feel you. I used to have the exact same symptoms with my period. Get yourself of the pill, it helped me tremendously, don't get me wrong, I still get bad cramps but they are so much more manageable since I've been on the pill. Like I said, I do still get bad cramps but they only last a day or two instead of the entire duration of my period. What I've tried that works really well is a big dose of ibuprofen and one of those ThermaCare patches. Oh my god, those things feel sooooo good. I use one of those usually the first night of my period so I don't get woken up by the pain. The pill should help, if not, keep in constant communication with your gyno, she can work with you to find a pill that will work the best (I've tried several and Ortho Tri works the best for me). Good luck!

Answer 4

Ibuprofen has a clotting agent in it and will actually lessen your flow. Since cramps are caused by muscle fatigue and collections of latic acid building in and around the muscle, one of the best ways to deal with the pain is when you don't have your period. try building up a tolerence for lactic acid (and muscle tearing) by doing weights and staying active. This is why if you are laying on your back when you have cramps, your back will start to hurt as the lactic acid drips into your back. Your quads can start to ache aswell if you happen to be vertical. When this happens move about a bit and massage the areas to get the circulation up. Also, during your cramps, avoid drinking anything cold. As a holistic approach, raspberry tea seems to calm menstral cramps.

Answer 5

You can't stop the clots. When I get my period, I always have one day of my period I can count on to have clots like that. I get very sick and I even puke sometimes. I take ibuprofen as you do because that's the only thing that works for me too. But, you can buy these heat patches and take real warm baths. Not hot to where you start to sweat though and exercise. Stay active!! You might not think it helps but it does.

Answer 6

Have you been checked out for fibroids? They just discussed this very thing on Oprah today, along with other female stuff. You are now doing what was suggested for OTC (over the counter). They mentioned diet, exercise, too, but fibroids can cause the pain. Also your iron might be dropping too low. The dime to quarter size clots were apparently normal for most women. They said egg size ones (sheesh!) were the ones to be paid attention to.

Answer 7

Go to a doctor and tell them about it. They can prescribe stronger meds that can help with the pain. I think aleve (2-3 at a time) works best for really bad cramps. Also, try a heating pad on your belly when the cramps start.

Answer 8

Please see your Gyn. Passing dime size clots doesn't sound normal to me.
Painful periods, or dysmenorrhea (say: dis-men-oh-ree-ah), are not usually serious. However, sometimes painful periods can be caused by an infection or by ovarian cysts (fluid-filled sacs in the ovary). Pain also can be caused by endometriosis (say: en-doe-me-tree-oh-sis). This is a problem with the lining of the uterus.
Hopefully after you see the doctor your condition will be much better.

Answer 9

Take Aleve it works for 12 hours. Also take a long mens tube sock fill it full of long grain rice (not minute rice). tie the end sprinkle some water on it and microwave it for about 2 to 3 minutes put it on your lower abdomen. The moist heat helps alot with the pain. Be careful not to burn yourself. Hope this helps

Answer 10

I have horrible cramps. I mean like I could pass out they are so bad, but I find taking a shower or having something warm, like a cloth or gel pak, works great. I have an irregular menstral cycle and that is what causes my horrible cramps. I always feel better having something warm on my stomach. I think it relaxes the muscles or something like that.