really bad menstrual cramps?

Question

I have always had bad cramps, so it is nothing new. I was wondering if anyone knew of the strongest OTC drug(s) I can get? Because everything I have tried so far does not work. I am headed to my gyno in two weeks to get on the pill to end this disaster. I have finally had it with a disrupted life every month...I just have too much going on now with work and college class's etc... I am pretty sure I have tried every rapid/extra strength what ever super over the counter drugs their are. But goodness does it suck when i have to skip work and classes for several days because I am stuck curled up in so much pain to the point where my legs and sometimes my toes hurt!!!! Yeah I am well aware that I have dysmenorrhea..thanks to my GP's comments when we were talking once. Thanks to him we both think it would be best for me to end this menstrual hell. So in the mean time of this hell week I am having and untill I see my gyno, does anyone have any good 'drug me up' suggestions? Any good remedies?

Answer 1

Although certain natural remedies show some promise, there hasn't been enough research at this point to conclude they're effective. Here are some of the more popular natural remedies for menstrual cramps.

- Magnesium
- Acupressure
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Low-fat diet
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B1
- Heat (such as a heat pack, warm bath/shower)
- Aromatherapy
- Massage
- Calcium
- Chiropractic
- Exercise

I'm glad to hear that you already have an appointment with a gyno, because if painful cramps during your period are so bad that it interferes with your daily activities or causes you to miss work/school because of it, that you definitely need your gyno to further evaluate the situation further, as painful periods can sometimes be caused by conditions such as endometriosis which can sometimes cause severe pain from an early age (although the pain typically gets worse as the disease does more damage with each monthly cycle). Other causes can include fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease and sometimes a narrowing of the cervix.

Hope this helps. Good luck :)

Answer 2

I had endometriosis, so I know how you feel. Aleve was the only thing that attempted to help, and it's the strongest anti inflammatory you can get OTC.

Warm baths and heating pads seemed to help, but nothing ever made pain go away. I still get bad menstrual cramps, but they're manageable with these tactics.

If the pain is that bad and it IS just bad menstrual crams, there are stronger RX antiinflammatories your gyno can prescribe. Mobic works AWESOME.

Just a suggestion: you should ask about endometriosis. I had to go to like 9 doctors before anyone would consider that I had it because usually it's associated with middle aged women, not college aged so they don't think of it as a possibility. I also had dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and horrible cramps that kept me home from school. Once they figured out that I had endo and I got treatment, I never had pain that bad again.
Good luck.

Answer 3

I end up much the same way, and it's hell! In fact, going on the pill didn't help me in the slightest! What I have to do is have a hot water bottle or heat pack (I can't use those stick-on heat pads, I'm allergic to the glue stuff) on my lower belly and I take one rapid release 500mg paracetamol tablet followed by a 200mg ibuprofen tablet and keep doing that every 4 or so hours. Warm milky tea also helps, but stay away from coffee because of the amount of caffeine in it! I also heard that eating bananas helps, but I'm yet to test that...

Answer 4

I get such bad cramps that I wonder how much more labor is.
I double over in pain and feel the need to be in the fetal possition. My legs, calves and ankels hurt. My doctor once perscribed my vicodin. It worked like a charm for 8 hrs. But it made me feel overheated, and people gave me grief about taking vicodin. I know take excedrin back and body. It takes 1 hour to kick in and only lasts for 2 hrs. Therma-Care heat wraps are nice. So is a pillow to hug. A cat, dog or lover is also nice to cuddle up with. I sometimes will rock back and forth.

Answer 5

Well, I have the same problem but midol always does the trick for me. Other than that taking a very hot bath, and letting the water soak on your belly/back stops the pain, also putting a hot water bottle on soar spots or a heating pad will stop it.
Try leaning to your side, sort of like a side crunch for a little while, as if you're picking something up that is on your side without bending down.
I feel for you, good luck!

Answer 6

i don't know about any drugs to take but you may want to try one of those heating pads or something....they have them at wal-mart, and wal-greens made especially for the lower abdomen. the heat should help relax you some, and if that doesn't work, then take a warm bath. I hope the gyno can give you something that will actually work...I've had some pretty bad cramps so I sorta know how you're feeling. good luck, and hope you feel better. and please don't take alcohol with that medication like Jersey girl said....it's dangerous to mix it with alcohol.

Answer 7

Girlfriend, I understand and you have my most sincere condolences.

Best OTC product to take is Aleve. Take two initially. Then you can go down to one. You will need to eat with it, I've found it hard on my stomach. They are good for twelve hours of relief but don't wait until the twelve hours is over, at ten hours take another dosage.

When I was at home, not driving, I'd have a drink too. Alcohol seems to help.

On a positive note..........childbirth will be a snap for you.

This will not help immediately, but try taking the supplement "Evening Primrose Oil" it gave me a great deal of relief when taken regularly.

Answer 8

I used to get 3 days straight curled in bed crying amd screaming with pain going thru an overnight pad every hour.... I feel your pain.

I took ibuprophen 800mg OTC every 6 hours.

Ask your doctor if can do continual rather than monthly packs.... I do it that way and I get 4 periods a year well for the first few years now I get a cycle every couple of years its FANTASTIC!

hope this helps

Answer 9

There are therma-care heat patches you can take and also Midol works well for me. I get cramps to the point where I am doubled over and that helps me. I have had to miss school before too.

Answer 10

Ketoprofen, which is sold over-the-counter, works better for me than Naproxin or Ibuprofen for menstrual cramps. You'll find it near the aspirin in your pharmacy.