Manage pain

[CutsieM]

Hi everyone! I’m currently being investigated for endometriosis. I’ve had severe pain everywhere for a few years now. I’m 24 this year and it all started at 17. After waiting 9 weeks I had a trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal ultrasound. It showed I have a 2.5cm cyst on my right ovary and a small amount of free fluid in my abdomen. Does anyone know what the free fluid could be? I know you can get some after ovulation but I don’t ovulate as I’m on birth control.

I’ve now been referred to Gynaecology but the GP said it will be a long wait due to COVID. He’s given me Naproxen (which does nothing at all). I’m just wondering if there’s anything else I can do to manage my pain? I’m an NHS worker and the pain is really effecting my work - which I can’t allow it to at a time when I’m needed so much. I use hot water bottles at home but obviously can’t take that to work! Any suggestions would be amazing.

[Hidden]

Hi,

One idea might be to speak to your doctor about these:

- Buscopan can relieve painful abdominal cramps

- Mefenamic acid, taken a few days before period, and during period can help to reduce pain

They may or may not be right for you, but you can ask your healthcare provider about them.

[CutsieM in reply to Hidden]

Brilliant! Buscopan is a good suggestion thank you. I’m taking tranexamic acid for the fist few days of my period (not sure if this is the same as mefenamic acid) and it works whilst I’m taking it then the pain comes back with a vengence! My periods frequently last 12 days or more but I’ve been told I can’t take tranexamic acid for more than the first four days.

[Hidden in reply to CutsieM]

Transexamic acid is different from Mefenamic acid. A gynaecologist summarised it for me:

- transexamic acid helps to reduce the blood loss during a period

- Mefenamic acid helps to reduce the pain when taken slightly before and during the period. It also helps to reduce the blood loss

As always, check with your doctor (I am not a health expert, this is only my understanding from what I have been told).

[CutsieM in reply to Hidden]

Ohh okay! My pain is every day not just on my period - although it is worse when I’m menstruating. Can it be taken all the time do you know? Or just during my period? X

[joniblue]

Hey sorry you’re having a hard time! A TENS unit was the best purchase I ever made in terms of endo pain. I can’t take pain medication due to allergy so I manage my pain with a TENS unit and plug in heat pad (saves trips to the kettle for endless hot water bottles.) I would seriously recommend a TENS tho - I think mine was about 25 quid on amazon and it’s been amazing; I can walk around with it on so it allows me to function a bit more. It takes a bit of getting used to but in my experience it’s been so worth it. Best of luck xx

[CutsieM in reply to joniblue]

Thank you! Unfortunately I’ve also got a tens machine which I’ve had for years now - got mine off Amazon too! At the beginning it was really useful (about two years ago) but it doesn’t work for my pain anymore much to my disappointment! It’s so tough because I’ve tried almost everything - just feeling like nothing will ever help me get relief. Thanks for your suggestion though.

It could be because it’s not very good (I’m not sure!) do you know what yours is called?