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!
Back in the day there was "Lydia Pinkham Liquid Herbal Supplement for Menstruation and Menopause Support".
For the debilitating pain, I went to work with a heating pad on my abdomen. Used one arm to press the heat down. My men subordinates understood, they had wives, sisters, and mothers! The alternative was staying home in bed, which due to how often it happened, was NOT AN OPTION!
THEN they invented Ibuprofen. I was able to be functional in all environments without the heating pad, including in the field. I can't tell you how much difference that made! I mean for the symptoms, not the cause.
Get evaluated for: "Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant". The docs back then said that was an explanation for the pain!, but did NOT tell me it could affect fertility! and did NOT tell me there were treatments!
Hello!
I forgot to include in my OP that my GYNO had included extreme doses of Ibuprofen as a counter to the cramping and other symptoms I experience, and though I considered it I just wanted a diagnosis more than anything else.
I will start doing more research on diseases that target menstrual cycles and such too, endometriosis seems like a viable option but I won't know for sure until I see a doctor.
It's so sad you had to go through that as well, and I hope you see doctors who can give you more information! Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience.