Comment from: ricannblkhunie, 25-34 FemalePublished: September 11
I have been getting my period since the age of nine. I have had bad cramps since I started. I vomit up to 5 times a day. I can't eat so I just vomit stomach acids. Even when my period is over my stomach is still sore from all the pain. Motrin used to be my best friend and would take away my pain, but my body started rejecting it and now I have nothing. I go through the pain each month trying to find something to help but I have yet to find my magic remedy or pill. Using a heating pad sometimes helps but I have to be sweating from it in order for my body to completely relax to feel better. I miss days from work and no one seems to understand the pain is unbearable!
Comment from: kokomo19, 25-34 Female (Caregiver)Published: September 11
I have gotten horrible cramps for the last 6-7 years or so. I get really sweaty, diarrhea nausea, they go down my legs, and I pretty much just lay or crouch in pain. I call in sick all the time because I can't get up. I've tried hot baths, showers, heating pads, every pain killer that is out there, and several prescription pain killers. Motrin 800 doesn't prevent the cramps, but it's the only one that has made them less severe for me. I've tried several birth control pills, which always help, but then the side effects I get from them are sometimes not any better than the cramps!
Comment from: stressisa4letterword, 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: August 05
I will take two ibuprofen (not Midol or Tylenol) when I first get the familiar symptoms just before my period (gassy, bloated, kind of a diarrhea-type feeling). If it's bad enough, I'll supplement it with one of those other over-the-counter PMS medications containing ibuprofen and an antihistamine instead of acetaminophen and caffeine, which is less effective and can make you agitated and restless. The medication needs to have some form of diuretic in it to reduce the bloated, gassiness feelings.
I recommend that you wear comfortable pajamas, lie on your back with a pillow under your knees and one between your knees. Drink an herbal tea designed for PMS (you can find them at your local health food store). Place a heat pack on your uterus. Read a book, draw, watch TV, surf the Internet or sleep. Calming music, fresh clean sheets and the ambiance of a fan also help. Tell everyone not to disturb you for the next few hours.
I have had success taking magnesium (you also need calcium to release the magnesium from your cells - but be careful not to take too much calcium or you'll use up all the magnesium). The pain gradually got less and after about three months I had almost no pain. Some people also recommend omega 3 (not 6).
Comment from: Painful, 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: September 25
I have had my period since the age of 13. The day I started, I had cramps. I have tried using Advil, Motrin, Vicodin, heating pads, walking, and lying down. I still continue to have bad cramps, headaches, mood swings and heavy bleeding. My doctor has even tried many forms of birth control pills, but nothing seems to help the pain. I feel like the older that I get, the worse the pain gets.
Comment from: Porchia, 19-24 Female (Patient)Published: September 25
I am a 21-year-old young lady and have been getting cramps since my first period. I get migraines, which make me aware that I'm about to start, and the cramping lasts for three days. The only thing I find helpful is staying on top of it. It's not fun, but I take pills at least a day before my scheduled cycle and drink warm or hot drinks to soothe my muscles. I also use a heating pad and try to relax as much as possible.
Published: September 25
I'm currently in South Korea where drug usage is nonexistent. For my cramps, I usually use herbal meditation to calm me down, and relax my muscles. A heating pad, hot tea and a good book seems to do the trick.
Comment from: ginger, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: September 11
I found that if I take Advil three to four days prior to my period that my periods are less painful. I also suffered from bad PMS, tender breast, sadness, anger, you name it. My vision was even off if you know what I mean. I started taking a multi vitamin with calcium and magnesium and within a couple of months I was no longer suffering from the PMS. I haven't had any symptoms for over a year now, so please start taking your vitamins. I take Advil before period and take 2 every 4 to 5 hours the first 2 days of my period to keep the pain tolerable. Not fun, but some relief.
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I have been getting my period since the age of nine. I have had bad cramps since I started. I vomit up to 5 times a day. I can't eat so I just vomit stomach acids. Even when my period is over my stomach is still sore from all the pain. Motrin used to be my best friend and would take away my pain, but my body started rejecting it and now I have nothing. I go through the pain each month trying to find something to help but I have yet to find my magic remedy or pill. Using a heating pad sometimes helps but I have to be sweating from it in order for my body to completely relax to feel better. I miss days from work and no one seems to understand the pain is unbearable!