Period pain hell: Does anyone have any... - Endometriosis UK

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Period pain hell

Gemma1986 profile image
13 Replies

Does anyone have any advice for handling periods, mine are becoming unbearable! Diarrhoea, bloating, feeling sick, being sick, back pain, stomach pain and very heavy, I'm at an absolute loss at what to do, I'm not on any contraception due to trying for a baby, the only pain killer I've been prescribed is ibuprofen 600mg I just don't know what to do 😥

Thanks xxx

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Gemma1986 profile image
Gemma1986
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13 Replies

Hi I would recommend naproxen if you go to your GP they can prescribe it for you it takes a while to kick in but then it eases the pain a bit x

Gemma1986 profile image
Gemma1986 in reply to

Thank you! I'm in hell xx

in reply to Gemma1986

Your welcome!! I know it's the worse thing 😞 I also find pushing hard down on my stomach helps with the pain, just putting a bit of pressure on it! I hope the pain goes away soon and you can sleep well tonight! The best feeling is when the pain eventually starts to go down and you can sleep!! xx

Gemma1986 profile image
Gemma1986 in reply to

Thank you, I have a hot water bottle and it's easing off, you just get so sick of constant pain xxx

in reply to Gemma1986

Good 👌🏻 it's mentally and physically draining by the time the pain has gone down a bit you just feel exhausted! But I just keep telling myself it could be worse xx

Em97 profile image
Em97

I second naproxen, started taking it last month and it really helped (haven't been diagnosed with endo but suspect I have it). I take Vimovo, it's slow release naproxen with a stomach protector - unlike regular naproxen, you have to take it at least 30 minutes before eating x

Em97 profile image
Em97 in reply to Em97

Forgot to say, if your periods are regular try starting to take it one or two days before you are due to come on x

poppy75 profile image
poppy75 in reply to Em97

Yes, I found a day or 2 before not sufficient so advised to start taking ibuprofen 4-5 days before. Definitely helps me. Still no walk in the park as still need to take prescription codeine and stay in bed with hot water bottle during the worst times but it generally seems to help to block the prostaglandins, dampen down the inflammation so more bearable.

Anytime it's getting bad but hasn't hit horrific levels I'd recommend a bath with Dead Sea salts/Epsom salts. The heat and the magnesium helps to relax the muscles. I'm not convinced it specifically does anything for the Endo but it's certainly very relaxing and makes the area calm down (if that makes any sense) so feels like less tense muscle pressure around the abdomen for a few hours after. It helps ease mild to moderate Endo pain while in there so at least I get a break. Impossible for me to physically get into the bath when pain is very bad tho. You can google relaxing essential oils to add to the bath too which also helps me. Don't do it while you're feeling sick or dizzy as it will make you feel worse. I try to do it nightly for a few days before period due. Makes me feel stronger and more relaxed so in a better position to deal with the pain.

I take loperamide for the diarrhoea although it's not a patch on Diocalm which has been discontinued. Prescription anti-sickness pills from the dr. If you're trying to conceive you'll obviously have to speak to your gp about these drugs. Some people find ginger helps the nausea and sickness. I don't but when it's starting I find sipping fizzy drinks, nibbling on plain biscuits/crackers and having a small bowl of Caesar salad (god knows why. Lettuce is meant to be a mild sedative so maybe relaxes the stomach? It helps me thats all I know!). Small portions of slightly spicy veggie meals seem to keep the nausea at bay longer for me too. Xx

handbag67 profile image
handbag67

For relief - particularly to get sleep - I've used cocodamol 30/500 that the GP prescribed and it was brilliant for the worst few days. Worth noting for me no pain between periods, which think is an important factor in what might suit you best. Take care x

Ardenrose profile image
Ardenrose

I use heat pads and take omega 3 fish oils as they are anti-inflammatory. Just be careful about taking ibuprofen if you are trying to conceive as they are not generally recommended in pregnancy. Xx

Lulububs profile image
Lulububs

Ive had same for about 15 years and my dr has just put me on tranexamic acid that u only take as soon as u come on period and they have been a blessing for me...

They stop u bleeding so much, plus no clots so pains not so bad, i then just take cocodamol 30/500mg, and a hot water bottle.... hot baths...

I find gentle yoga (don't you just hate those people who tell you yoga and exercise are the cures for everything????) helps with some of the pain, there are certain positions to help ease the pain and while it's not pratical a lot of the time, it can help relieve pain when you want a little bit of a break. Other than that I just take regular painkillers every 4 hours, hot water bottle and lying with my bum in the air on the toilet floor haha! x

Lulububs profile image
Lulububs in reply to

Oh yeh i love my toilet floor!!!

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