Do these period pains sound normal?

15% Normal
15 Comments

Okay, here goes: (I'm 18, and they have been normal until 6 months ago)
Every month for the last 5 months I have had crippling period pains. They last for 6-8 hours after my period starts and I am either writhing in pain or bend doubled, shaking.
I first get diarrhea, and feel like I constantly need the bathroom very badly, even though I don't. I then vomit, dehydrate and pass out because of the pain. I get dizzy, can't think straight and fall over a lot.
Both Paracetamol and Ibuprofen have no effect. The only thing that works is either naproxen (250mg is enough just to take the edge off, 500 will knock me out)
and Codeine puts me to sleep so I can't feel it.
I am very healthy, eat a lot of home-cooked vegetable rich food, get plenty of iron and do regular exercise.
My doctors tell me that this is fine, but they have done no tests whatsoever. I am consider illegal narcotics to take the pain away, because the Codeine and Naproxen do not always work.
This just can't be normal...can it?

Voting Results
15% Normal
Based on 27 votes (4 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 15 )
  • kittakatz
    9 years ago

    Hi, first of all I am sorry you are having such bad pain, I have passed out and vomited from my period before and it's not pleasant. As far as the diarrhea goes it actually is somewhat normal, prostaglandins are the chemicals that tell your uterus to expel its lining, and if you are making enough of them, they can make their way to the bowel which contracts thereby expelling. I think you should certainly see a doctor about the amount of pain you are in, if your doctor tells you it is fine then I suggest seeking another opinion, and maybe getting some blood tests done. For now I suggest making a calendar of your cycle so you can be prepared for when it will happen. Take pain medications first thing the day of your period, before you start feeling any pain. Also movement, of any kind (I prefer just standing and rocking when I am in an incredible amount of pain), is the most helpful thing you can do, even though it feels like the last thing you want to do. I start a heating pad the day before my period sometimes as well. The trick is to be preventative about the pain management. I went on birth control and found that my period pains got much better, I suggest trying that as well. Best of luck

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • Aroura77
      9 years ago

      Thankyou, I have an appointment for tomorrow.
      Unfortunately, heating pads, or anything hot or with pressure on my abdomen just makes me vomit instantly. I've never been a fan of the whole water bottle thing :)
      yeah, I find doing crunches about a week before usually makes it a little better :D

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    I didn't realise Inza was not available over the counter where you live, but I'm sure the painkillers your doctor gave you will work. I say its the smart thing to do because whether you actually need birth control right now or not, at some point in your life you probably will need it, and hormonal BC takes atleast 3 months to start working nicely with your body. I'm sorry to hear you had an allergic reaction with the pill, but there are MANY different kinds of BC pills available and I'm sure you won't react badly to every single one of them. Its also a good thing to be on the pill because it has a lot of 'off label' benefits such as a reduced risk of ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer and your statement about retaining each and every mature egg inside the ovary when 'going period free' is incorrect, I'm afraid. The pill doesn't inhibit ovulation by means of preventing an exsisting egg being released, but actually provents the production of a certain chemical in the brain that stimulates the production and release of the egg. Eggs aren't made in bulk and released every month, each egg is developed every month and then released. While you're on the pill, you don't have enough chemicals in the brain to tell the ovaries to actually make an egg. If you don't ovulate while on birth control you don't have a period anyway. The only reason you bleed once a month is because you basically miss 7 days of pills. Oh yes and if you don't have a gyneacologist I'm sure where you live you have access to free clinics, the kind that supply birth control and other birth related stuff for free. They will do gyneacological check ups and be able to further help your problem, instead of just dulling it with pain killers.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • Aroura77
      9 years ago

      Each egg is developed (matured) every month and then released, but no eggs are made when a woman is alive, she is born with a finite number of eggs. As said before, if those eggs are not matured and used by the time a person would have otherwise hit menopause, we do not know what will happen due to lack of evidence. I am not willing to let my ovaries play guinea pig to oral contraceptives. Another note is that in most cases there is an increase in blood clotting factor, and as I suffer from low blood pressure, this could be a real risk for me. Sorry, I know this seems like the obvious thing to do for you, but I do not feel comfortable ingesting strong hormones into my body, especially after my, admittedly short but scarily convincing experience with them.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    First of all, why the hell would you consider using illegal drugs to help with period pain? There are quite a few more medicinal options out there that can help other than those you mentioned. Try taking 2 adcodols and 1 inza, its a combination of codeine and an anti inflammatory and it really helps with that kind of pain. Secondly, are you on birth control? Because if you're 18, you should be. Not just because its the safe and smart thing to do but because with all the benefits of birth control, who wouldn't want to be on it? You should visit your doctor or gyneacologist and INSIST on them doing a physical exam, tests, and whatever else is nessecary because if you've never experienced pain and this is a new thing for you, that raises some concern. Speak to your doctor or gynea about going on the pill, because almost all kinds of birth control pills will help with period related problems. They reduce the production of a chemical in the body that stimulates uterine contractions, which is what causes period pain. They also reduce your amount of flow and regulate your period and even if you experience pain after using the pill you can skip the "period week" altogether and actually go period free. You have a lot of options other than illegal drugs.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Aroura77
      9 years ago

      And to be honest, I'm not happy about taking the strong prescribed painkillers either, far less so than I would be marijuana because they are processed, concentrated chemicals, specifically designed to alter your biological chemistry, whereas the main risks with marijuana consumption are:
      A leading to other, stronger substances, usually from peer pressure or situation. (I assure you this will lead to no stronger drug use, and to be honest, what was prescribed to me was far stronger than marijuana anyway)
      Bronchitis. (this is the risk you get when you smoke anything, upon which I do not plan)
      Anxiety (well, I am already fairly anxious even just about the prospect of what is coming in a few weeks)
      Reduced sexual appetite (While menstruating? I don't think so...)
      Stunted growth in children (I stopped growing 4 years ago)
      However, the side effects of naproxen are:
      stomach ache/indigstion(experienced)
      headaches(experienced)
      wheezing/shortness of breath(experienced)
      pulmonary arrhythmia
      nausia/vomiting(experienced)
      tunnel vision (experienced)
      brain swelling
      colonic cysts
      'vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds'-odd one that
      blindness
      fainting (experienced)
      comas/seizures
      and here's what surprised me:
      no blood pressure
      no breathing
      no pulse
      It's a horrible drug, and I think I would prefer to try marijuana because it just seems far less dangerous because of a lack of processing. I'll give the NSAIDs another couple of months, but if they still don't work afterwords I'm going for the marijuana. I don't want to be in pain anymore.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
    • Aroura77
      9 years ago

      neither adocol nor inza are available over the counter in the UK, the active ingredient in Inza is naproxen, which is available over the counter only as feminax ultra, which is expensive, and seems to be working less and less for me.
      No, I am not on birth control, and I don't see why I should be because I'm 18. :/ Why is it the 'smart thing to do'? I was on a type of birth pill and had a severe allergic reaction, and I don't see why I should be taking strong hormones on a regular basis. I don't have a gynecologist, and I don't think I know anyone who does, but I'll look into it.
      You mean oxytocin right?
      I had my blood tested a while ago because I had suspected low potassium, and my oxytocin levels were normal, but this was a couple of years ago, so I will have that tested again.
      If a woman goes 'period free', then she retains the immature egg in her ovaries. What happens to the eggs stored up once she is suppose to go through menopause...we have no idea because 'the pill' has not been around long enough to test it. No thanks, I'd rather take marijuana, I'm sure it'll be better for my body than that.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    The pill has been around since the 1960's so we've had a good few decades of women taking them to study the effects it has and it hasn't shown any negative effects on the ovaries whatsoever :) women who use the pill for years who stop eventually, do go into menopause at sometime in their life but I understand your hang ups on using the pill, there are a lot of risks aswell and yes, blood clotting is a risk, mostly for overweight people, people with previous blood clotting disorders or heart disease, high blood pressure etc. I guess I'm just one of those people who appreciates medicine instead of focusing on all the risks because for me the benefits of the pill out weigh the risks by far. I don't have anything against marijuana so you don't have to tell me there are no risks to using it, I know its a perfectly safe and natural remedy for many things such as stress, pain and nausea. It probably is way less harmful than most medicines today but it is unfortunately illegal so it might not be as easy for you to obtain as normal medication.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Aroura77
    9 years ago

    Okay, I went to the doctor and he gave me strong painkillers and said it was normal. Although he said 'you must take them with food', and didn't seem to understand that I just vomit it back up again...I think I'll take them as soon as it starts :)
    I also took a pregnancy test-negative *phew*
    well, I'm satisfied until next month :)

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Aroura77
    9 years ago

    AAAAH! one thing just dawned on me...
    I am sexually active (boyfriend, long term relationship e.c.t.) ...and my appetite has increased a LOT lately, and I have put on a little weight...
    ........
    I'm gonna go see the doctor T.T

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Incomplet
    9 years ago

    Quick disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, but I have studied a far bit of biology.

    Have you considered that you might have endometriosis?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Aroura77
      9 years ago

      But now I have :)
      ...that sounds horrible! D: I'm gonna go see a doctor tomorrow!

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
    • Aroura77
      9 years ago

      ...no

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • KURO&SHIRO
    9 years ago

    It differs from every female. I have no pain whatsoever when I have my period, while some women are like you. I am sorry that you are having to go through this, but if you are very worried, I would consider going to see your doctor because the Internet can't really help you more than an experienced doctor can.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • RoseIsabella
    9 years ago

    Please go see a doctor about these "period pains" of yours.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0