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!
MAGNESIUM - I highly recommend Magnesium oxide 400 mg - 1200 mg. Take it daily, forever. I do. Period cramps are often a symptom of magnesium deficiency. Lower back pain, constipation, leg cramps, spasms, restless legs are also from this deficiency.
ENDOMETRIOSIS - Also get yourself checked for endometriosis. This is a possibility and should be known about if you have it.
EXCEDRIN FOR HEADACHES/MUSCLE PAIN - If Midol used to work, but doesn't now, try Extra Strength Excedrin. This has worked for me for muscle pains, but especially headaches like nothing else.
WEDGE PILLOW SAVES THE DAY - You may have some spinal issues that may benefit from chiropractic treatments or deep tissue massage. The numbness and spasms may be due to pinched or compressed nerves in your neck or lower back which may stem from improper sleep positioning. Seriously. One cheap fix that helped me immensely when I had some chronic pinched nerves that caused my entire body to be paralyzed while sleeping and also a long-time ulnar nerve compression and also a knee issue. ALL WERE COMPLETELY CURED when I realigned my back while sleeping. Just purchase an inexpensive 'wedge' pillow at Walmart. If you have any spinal misalignments and pinched nerves, sleeping flat on your back with head elevated with the wedge pillow for a period of 2-3 weeks may completely restore everything back to normal. You must remain straight on your back with head facing forward. No side or face sleeping. Arms may be above head or down. Legs may be bent or straight but hips must not be twisted. Trust me. This was a miracle.
CASTOR OIL - Another old remedy that you can try is the CASTOR OIL treatment from Edgar Cayce who was a famous clairvoyant from over a century ago. He received important information 'from beyond' that he shared with the world. My mother used his remedy successfully back in the 1960s and I still use it myself, today.
Here is what it does:
"It improves assimilations, eliminations and circulation (especially of the lymphatic system) and in particular breaks up adhesions of the lacteal glands. Although this therapy may seem unusual, it is one of the best documented. It was recommended, as part of a holistic approach, for epilepsy, gallstones, scleroderma, constipation (and other intestinal conditions) – just to name a few."
How to do it:
Obtain a piece of clean, natural fabric (he recommended flannel or wool) and after folding over a few times to approximate a 1 ft by 1 ft piece, soak thoroughly in 100% pure cold-pressed Castor oil. Place this 1ft x 1ft fabric on your abdomen and cover with Saran wrap and then overlay with a heating pad. You can make more than one and place one on the lower back and one on the abdomen to use simultaneously. After placing the heating pad on top of the area, allow the heating pad to remain on low for 30 minutes. When done, remove the oil-soaked fabric and place in a Ziplock bag or Tupperware-type container to use again. Do not wash! You may reuse over and over. It is not recommended to share with anyone else.
Here are his actual instructions: https://content.edgarcayce.org/media/10822/castor-oil-pack-instructions.pdf
Good Luck!
Hello!
Let me start by saying thank you so so much for the detailed explanation of each of the recommendations and tips! I am so grateful for your suggestions.
I will seriously start considering starting magnesium soon, since not only is it a main ingredient in my current medication MIDOL, but it seems to be the leading tip out of all the comments with your explanation being the most detailed so far. I had no idea that this supplement could help with more than just the cramps and period in general, but with the other symptoms too. Additionally, I will consider investing in a wedge pillow as when I experience cramping, it is so hard to feel comfortable and stable in a normal bed. I use normal pillows for support but never considered using one of those for my back pain.
To add on, I bought some castor oil in the past via a family recommendation for a different health issue but was told to consume it rather than apply it bodily. I'll dig it up and look at the instructions soon since it's one of the solutions I actually have on hand.
Thank you so much for your tips again! I appreciate it greatly and hope to let you know what works in the future.
Of course! I hope they help you.