Severe Period Pains

Our daughter who has FA (16yrs) started getting severe cramps when she gets her period about a year ago. She started her periods when she was 11. She & her brother were just diagnosed with FA in Nov 22.

She's previously passed out with the pain from cramps & mentioned severe shooting pains traveling up her rectum too.

She's been prescribed Mefenamic Acid to take when pre- menstral but this relies on her having some warning symptoms first. Which has worked when she gets warning.

However, Today, her period came suddenly & has severe pain from cramps, vomiting, loss of colour & shivering. The Dr has come round & given her an injection to stop the Cramps, one to stop the sickness & another to stop the pain. This is the worst I've seen her. This is truly awful.

The Dr suggested the pill or the coil to help regulate her periods. However to be honest her periods are regular it's the severity of the cramps that's the issue.

Has anyone else with FA experienced anything like this? I just want to check. This is the first time I've asked a question.

Many thanks in advance 🙏

[wobblybee]

I’m so sorry, having to cope with that is awful..

If you want to contact others with FA..

There is a Friedreichs Ataxia UK Support Group on Facebook

[Hidden in reply to wobblybee]

Oh thanks so much I didn't know that. Yes, I'll do that. 👍

[Pie1]

Has she been to a gynaecologist? This sounds like endometriosis and a seperate condition to FA

[Pie1 in reply to Pie1]

nhs.uk/conditions/endometri...

[D1DG3]

awful to read. I was 12 at the start of periods, very painful, heavy, irregular, nothing would ease the pain. Umpteen visits to a Gynaecologist until age 15, put down as dysmenorrhoea (cramps, severe pain) i remember given no medication for it just painkillers given by my Mum. Age 15 i had a D and C done, also cervix opened a little. All under general anaesthetic. Didn’t make a difference. Age 17 i went on combined pill which regulated period only like clockwork. The day i was due on i took Co codamal before any sign of bleeding the effect was minimal. The only thing that eased everything was when i had a vaginal birth. Periods after were pain free ( not for your daughter) if you go down the road of contraception, not that it happens to everyone the combined pill i got a DVT from age 26 (after 9yrs on it) the coil i had an ectopic pregnancy. I remember my neurologist saying every thing medical thats happen to me was due to FA. If you do go further with your daughter please be cautious of any suggestions. A Gynaecologist appointment if your daughter hasn’t seen one would be good, or get an appointment at one of the Ataxia Centres, they will probably help more. Your daughters doctor can refer her.

[DrSayani]

I think she is suffering from endometriosis.. any tests were done?