Epsom salts for pain relief...? - Endometriosis UK

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Epsom salts for pain relief...?

jelleytots10 profile image
20 Replies

Hi all, I’m really suffering today. I woke up at 5:30 with my usual unbearable period pains. Had a hot bath, refilled my hot water bottle about 10 times and took some naproxen but I’m still in a lot of pain. I have my first internal scan on Tuesday with a gynaecologist that specialises in Endometriosis, so I will hopefully get some answers. However can anyone tell me if they’ve used Epsom Salts and does it help? If anyone has any other natural pain relief remedies as well I’d be grateful to hear them. Thanks x

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20 Replies
princessk09 profile image
princessk09

Hey, I’ve tried Epsom salts and they didn’t work for my period pain. As soon as I got out of the bath, the pain hit me again.

My next step is to try a TENS machine next month and see if that helps at all as I have constant pelvic pain

jelleytots10 profile image
jelleytots10 in reply to princessk09

Hey thanks for replying, according to my sister I didn’t put enough in the bath. Apparently my brother in law uses half a bag of the dead sea salts i think it is in each bath for his Psoriasis. I hope the TENS machine works for you and you find some sort of pain relief xx

princessk09 profile image
princessk09 in reply to jelleytots10

I used half a bag for one bath, so 1kg lasts 2 baths pretty much xx

emmaquinny profile image
emmaquinny

I’m sorry you’re suffering, I regularly use hot baths and water bottles on top of my painkillers, and I recently tried Epsom salts-I can’t say that i felt they made me any better than just a hot bath. I would say though that I think the idea is you use regularly which I haven’t and your body absorbs the magnesium.

Maybe worth a try? They are on offer in home bargains at present if there is one near you.

jelleytots10 profile image
jelleytots10 in reply to emmaquinny

Yeah hot baths, hot water bottles and naproxen are usually my steps to being able to stand for longer than 5 minutes but this weekend it was just unbearable. So my sister told me that my brother in law uses half a bag of dead sea salts in his bath each time for his psoriasis, so i definitely didn’t use enough. Thanks for replying :) x

KatyAyesha profile image
KatyAyesha

Epsom salts haven’t helped me, and if anything they make me sore down there afterwards! Speak to your doctor or Gynae they can prescribe mefanamic acid or tanxanameic acid which help. I find that naproxen doesn’t work at all! Good luck and hope it al goes well xx

jelleytots10 profile image
jelleytots10 in reply to KatyAyesha

Hey, thanks for the advice but I’ve already tried tanxanameic acid but i haven’t tried the mefanamic acid i will do some research about it! Naproxen usually works well for me but this weekend the pains just seemed different but i wonder if its because I’m worrying about my appointment tomorrow. Thanks for replying xx

maaf profile image
maaf in reply to jelleytots10

Morning jelleytots10, I’ve been on mefanamic acid for about four months now. It’s so much better than taking codeine as it doesn’t mess up your stomach like codeine does. I’ve had a bad month where I had to also go back to codeine, I would say it’s worth a try though as you don’t have loads of side effects like nausea and constipation x

jelleytots10 profile image
jelleytots10 in reply to maaf

Hi thanks for your reply. I only used the epsom salts for a few weeks as i found they didn’t work for me so i resorted back to naproxen and my hot water bottles. I started taking Zoladex injections at the end of September last year and had my excision surgery on the 30th Jan so I’m recovering from that, they found a lot more endometriosis than they thought there was but successfully removed it so I’m not currently in any pain other than from the operation... hopefully it lasts! Thanks for your message x

lisams88 profile image
lisams88

Hi , Mefanamic Acid is probably the only thing that works for me hun, it also slows the bleeding which helps the cramping. Alongside a hot bath and water bottle. I’m still in pain but it makes it bearable. Epsom salts didn’t do a thing, I think it’s just the heat of the bath. Xx

HTee profile image
HTee

I love my Epsom salt baths,I have them 3 times a week and they've become a ritual for me. I use essential oils in them too. Even if they do t help with the pain I think they are relaxing and help me sleep better. My periods seem less heavy since I've been using them too xxx

Minchoo profile image
Minchoo

The only thing that works for me is ibuprofen around the clock - hot water bottles. I could not have a bath with period pains. I just manage a 10 minute shower the first two days. Heat pads when you are out and about.

jelleytots10 profile image
jelleytots10 in reply to Minchoo

Hi, can i ask what Heat pads you use as a lot of them say on the back of the pack ‘not to be used with period pains’. Its hard to carry a hot water bottle around with me at work! X

foursimplewords profile image
foursimplewords

I use strap on wheat bags that I can microwave at work x

foursimplewords profile image
foursimplewords

I think the magnesium from the epsom salts can be absorbed transdermally and help with the muscle cramping; but its about using enough and tolerating the bath for long enough! It may not work for some people too of course, as with anything :)

I have deep adhesions on ligaments that affect my back and legs, causing eye watering pain and annoying jumpy legs. Been using salt baths for about a year now and find they help relax the leg issues but don’t take the pain away completely. It gives enough relief and relaxation to help sleep when it is really bad. Also see a chiropractor and sports massage therapist regularly.

Haven’t used the baths for period pain so can’t comment on that though sorry. Usually hot wheat bags and lots of tramadol are the only things that help!

jelleytots10 profile image
jelleytots10 in reply to

Hi thanks for getting back to me. Truthfully i only used the epsom salts for a few weeks as i found they didn’t work. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis last July and put onto Zoladex injections later that September, i had my excision surgery on 30th Jan so I haven’t really had much pain other than from surgery. Hopefully it lasts. Hope your back and leg pain eases up soon x

in reply to jelleytots10

Glad to hear you got sorted with the surgery. I have just started zoladex and looking at total hysterectomy later in year as all other treatments haven’t controlled this damn disease.

jelleytots10 profile image
jelleytots10 in reply to

Sorry to hear your having a rough time, if you have any questions about the Zoladex I’d be happy to try and answer them. Your welcome to private message me x

Dogrosie profile image
Dogrosie

I find epsom salts really good. I do use huge amount though! I think part of the help is not just the heat but that also when the pain gets very bad my back, hips and legs get incredibly tense and tight too, and I think the epsom salts are helpful relaxing those muscles.

Can't hurt! I bought 10kg on ebay so I can use them with gay abandon.

That plus all the painkillers plus hot tea plus a hot water bottle after.

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