Women on the forum:
Hello! I'm new to the forum and have been browsing for a while. I have noticed people sometimes provide advice for medical situations with no cure and want to give it a shot. I'm 18F and have had practically unbearable period pains since I started my cycle around age thirteen.
Symptoms of these periods include:
- moderate to extreme abdominal pain and cramping
- vomiting multiple times within 30 minutes of starting the cycle
- stomach trouble i.e. constipation, diarrhea, severe food sensitivity
- numbness from the waist down
- muscle spasms and physical shaking from pain
- headaches and/or migraines following vertigo spells
- stiffness and swelling in arms and legs after medication
Symptoms I don't experience:
- irregular or unpredictable period cycles
- heavy or uncontrollable bleeding
- periods that last longer than seven days
- no clotting or random spotting outside of the cycle
For more background info, yes, I have talked to a doctor and seen a gynecologist. Both suggested FIVE different forms of birth control as the only solution, otherwise toughing it out of course. I am unvaxxed (no vax since 1st grade) and don't take any other medication for my cramps besides Midol. In general, I practice healthy habits in my eating and exercise frequently and nothing seems to make my periods any different.
Almost every month is terrible, with the occasional month of peace where my period is "normal" and no extreme symptoms are present. No family history other than my grandma who also had terrible periods, but she passed away and I wasn't able to ask questions.
When I start my cycle, it can be so debilitating to the point of being bedridden all day. I've had to miss work and school for my periods and am desperate for some kind of aid to put a stop to these symptoms before I begin a long-term career. Sometimes during my cycle, I've been known to throw up blood as a result of the vomiting and stomach acid build-up solely because of cramps.
Friends and family are familiar with my issue but no one I know can come up with or recommend any diagnosis or possible solutions. No other medication I've tried besides Midol will subside the cramping, but now the Midol is giving me adverse reactions.
Though this post is aimed at women who menstruate, I ask that anyone with any possible answers, advice, or recommendations comment and leave their two cents. I'd love to read and research anything left below. Thank you for reading!
Your situation looks quite complex and at 18 very few gynea are going to want to actually help you.
What I would suggest to try immediately is to get on a non-hormonal BC and skip the sugar pills. IE: don't go through a period at all. This will buy you time to figure things out and actually have a bit of a life during the process.
To give perspective: I've had excruciating periods since they started that necessitated in me hyperventilating and going hypoxic and passing out in order to actually sleep. I've had multiple surgeries without any sort of guarantee that anything will be solved. The worst thing you can do is remove your gynae organs, because if it results in you still having a gynae condition without the required organs, a regular internist won't do anything for you. This is why so many women who receive hysterectomies put themselves in very perilous positions.
It would be best to just put a pause on your periods so that you can buy yourself time. Stopping my periods has been the best thing I've done. No pain, no bleeding, no disease progress.
Hi!
I do agree my situation seems super complex, and it was clear my gynecologist was hesitant to diagnose me with an actual disease.
Reading your comment, it sounds like you had a tough time with yours as well and I'll take your recommendations to heart. I can see why putting a pause on your periods is your best option as well, but I haven't found any non-hormonal BC in my research yet. I'm honestly nervous to start BC as I've heard horror stories about women never getting their period back after usage, but if my symptoms worsen that may be the route I must take.
Thank you for sharing your personal experiences with me, and I hope you continue to get the care you need as well!
Hi Aqstof10
I am so sorry that you're having to deal with something so difficult so young, but there are new developments all the time and it seems that you have a research mind to find a solution, which will serve you well.
I see that you haven't received a diagnosis yet, but would recommend a facebook group to you: nancy's nook endometriosis. It is a research board with vetted doctors and surgeons. It talks about various diseases and how to find a doctor who can actually help. It could be a good resource for you.
I understand your fears. Making a choice, is it the wrong choice? What will the consequences be? And being right at the beginning of your life, these decisions carry a heavy weight and can preclude you from some life paths. You sound like you already understand the weight and significance of choice so I would just give you a hug and remind you that you are your best advocate.
Message me any time if you need. xx
Hello! Thank you so much for understanding my situation! I do fear the possibility of making the wrong decisions when it comes to my menstrual cycle and overall health, but making this post has helped me a lot to not only cope with my symptoms but work to find a way to control them. It is better to try than to give up, even if I'm a little scared. Thanks for the recommendation of the Facebook group, I'll be sure to check it out. I hope it will help as much as the forum has helped me!