I have had severe menstrual cramps with my periods since I was 14 and they seem to be getting worse by the year. I was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 22 and had surgery done to remove it and my gyno said it was all gone at the time but my periods didn't change at all. I haven't been able to get pregnant and my husband and I want a baby so I can't just go get a hysterectomy. My doctor put me on Naproxen and I take about 6 pills a day (which is equal to about 17 Aleve) and I use a heating pad but to get any relief I have to put it on my bare skin which in turn burns my belly. My gyno says I am have the worst case of menstrual cramps that he has ever seen. Has anyone had any relief with any other kinds of medicine? I could really use some help.
2007-09-30 11:05:16 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Women's Health
Get a second opinion from someone who specializes in endometriosis..
2007-09-30 11:09:00 · answer #1 · answered by DrB 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take a bath as 'hot' as you can get it when you have cramps. Get in while the water is being poured and it's 'cool enough' and then turn the water up to as hot as you can get it ... 120-140 degrees. I had terrible cramps and that was the BEST thing to get them to 'let up' to give me a little relief. STOP taking the Naproxen (it doesn't help 'menstrual cramps' at ALL) and ask your doctor to give you some Darvon (5mg) that you can take up to four times a day ... that's not an NSAID but it does help the 'pain' and the 'cramping.'
Also, try taking 'magnesium sulfate' (400 mg) every day ... that helps cramps, too. Also eat bananas starting three days BEFORE your periods, for the potassium, and have a glass (4 ounces) of orange juice every day starting three days before and going until your period ends. Sometimes doctors 'don't know everything' and sometimes only another woman can 'help' ... and you may not have kids, but then again you may ...
2007-09-30 11:17:00 · answer #2 · answered by Kris L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As far as pain relief the only thing that works for me is a narcotic pain med-Naproxen never put a dent in my pain. I've heard some women swear by natural progesterone cream-you can buy it a health store. I havn't tried it myself. I would assume bc pills arn't an option as your trying to conceive but if they do become an option I would suggest a monophasic bc pill that you take continuously so to not have a period. Honestly, since your trying to get pregnant and havn't had any luck, I would look into having another lap by an endo expert. I don't know how long you've been trying but it sounds like the endo may be hindering it. If you went in for another lap with an endo expert, not only would you be able to have the endo removed-thereby giving you pain relief, but you could also find out if your tubes were blocked or if the endo was hindering you conceiving in another way and then possibly get that taken care of during surgery thereby giving you a much better chance at being able to get pregnant. Good luck.
2007-09-30 23:56:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you told your doctor that the naproxen isn't working for you? I probably have endo too (haven't had surgery to diagnose) and I just started taking 600mg of Ibuprofen, four times a day, and Ultracet tabs, 3 times a day. Ultracet is a narcotic painkiller that is similar to codeine and doesn't make me that drowsy. So far (one period) this combo works pretty well for me. Point is, there are lots of different painkillers out there to try. And not every medication works for everyone. I tried Ponstel, an NSAID supposedly the best for cramps, and it felt like taking no pain meds at all.
Also, are you aware that endometriosis is one of the leading causes of infertility? If you haven't been able to get pregnant for over two years (one year if you are over 35) you should see a fertility specialist.
2007-09-30 11:16:06 · answer #4 · answered by jellybeanchick 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My friend has this problem too. However, she doesn't have endometriosis. She is now on a birth control pill and it is helping her greatly.
I know you said you want to have a child. Some people are more fertile if they get on the birth control pill for a few months and then go off and try to conceive right away after stopping it.
2007-09-30 11:11:14 · answer #5 · answered by anonymousenlightenedgirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's actually some research that Motrin (ibuprofen) doesn't even work in women, so that's a scratch. Try Aleve (naprosen), which works directly on smooth muscles. Take two or three to start, then two every four hours as the pain lasts. That's the prescription dose. She must take something like Pepcid (an acid reducer) while taking Aleve, otherwise the Aleve with cause stomach pain. Just take that as instructed, usually one every twelve hours. In future, the Aleve will work better if she takes it as soon as she knows her period has started. And get her to a good gynecologist when you can; starting on the pill can greatly lessen period pain.
2016-03-15 04:23:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had the same problem.
I've used Naproxen and ended up having to use various other pain killers.
What I would suggest for you is to get on a birth control called Lybrel.
I'm on it. You take it the sunday you got your period, like if you got your period Friday, take it that Sunday, if you got it on Wednesday you take it that Sunday.
You continue taking it and you don't have a period. You do, but no bleeding and no cramps (unless of course you stop taking the pill, then your cycle returns).
It has helped me so much and has also cleared up my skin so ask your doctor or Gyn about it.
2007-09-30 11:10:06 · answer #7 · answered by ♪Msz. Nena♫ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
eat less salty foods
2007-09-30 11:08:21 · answer #8 · answered by mishkin 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
go see a doctor. you may have rabies.
2007-09-30 11:07:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 7⤋