a "female" questions...so consider yourself warned lol

[mlejoy]

So...

I have my period...and every time I get it I have really REALLY bad cramps...for DAYS!

And I just feel miserable (can't sleep, can't eat, hurts to stand, hurts to lay down, hurts to sit...anyway, I'm sure most of you know what i mean)

I usually end up taking 600-800 milligrams (3-4 pills)of ibuprofen every 4-6 hours for days in a row. The bottle says do not exceed more than 6 in a 24 hour period (hehe no pun intended)...I usually end up taking around 18 in a day...because it's the only thing that helps.

Alright...so here is my question...1st...how bad do you think it is to take that many pills? (LOL..can't be all that bad if I've been doing it for the last 11 years or so right ?)

next question...The doctor tells me that she will write me a prescription for birth control pills, and that should help alleviate the cramps. Does anyone know if this really works? I don't want to go on something like birth control pills if they aren't going to help. Also, I don't want to trade one problem (the cramps) for another problem (like nausea or any other side effect of the pills). Anyway, the main question is...will the pills help with the cramps?

Any other remedies I can try? I've heard exercise more, stay away from caffeine, drink more water etc...

I can't deal with this for the next 25 years of my life!

[julbug3]

1St of all Emily,that many ibuprofen is not good for
your stomach.Don't they bother your stomach?

Birth control pills can cause blood clots,plus other
side effects,but some women don't even have any side
effect. F D A Requires Parmaceuticals Incorporations,
that they have to tell you,about any side effects
reported,but that doesn't mean you will have them.I
use to read every insert,and then i would be scared
to take the pills.

The heating pad helps or have you tried that?
I do have a remedy but i can't say what it is
and you probably wouldn't use it anyway,so i
guess i'm not much help...sorry

[mlejoy]

I know that many pills probably are bad for me, but they don't bother my stomach (yet)!

I've had a few friends who are on BCpills and they didn't really have any side effects...I guess I need to read up on it some to find out what is true and what isn't!

So what's this remedy you have that you can't say LOL?

Tell!

or email it to me

mlejoy@aol.com

[Mamie]

will probably help with the cramps or at least reduce them.

The pills that are available now have much fewer side effects than the ones I used to take. I'd consider trying them for a three month period as a trial.

I'd only be very concerned about taking them if there was a history of breast cancer in your family. Estrogen isn't good if true. A three month trial isn't enough to effect much else. There are "natural remedies" that might help.
Wild Yams for instance. It contains a natural progesterone. Some pills use a natural form of estrogen- estradiol not synthetic. I use a "natural" combination patch for some symptoms of perimenopause.

Do you have a gyneacologist or are we just talking about a "family doctor". Really severe cramps can be a sign of other problems eg endometriosis.

Well at least it's ibruprofen and not straight aspirin. That many of those could really do a number on you.

[jacobitedreamer]

Hi,

maybe you should try some herbal medicine, here is a list of things to help you:

shepherd's purse (bursa pastoris) diminishes the loss of blood and the pain

Calendula: You have to drink a tea made of the dried plant daily, about one week before your period starts

St.John's word and sage make a good tea, too.

Or try ginger and camomile.

If all these (and accupunture) do not help you, let me know, there are tons of herbs that could help you instead of pills...

[Rachel_E]

Hi Mlejoy, I can relate to your question! I used to be one of those girls who never even knew I had my period til I got that lovely surprise! No cramps, no nothing, it was fabulous. And so... I figured all those women who complained were just acting like babies and overexageraters. I know, I know... don't throw things at me yet! But then, about 2 or 3 years ago, I started having awful cramps. I only get them on my "heavy day" but sometimes I am in so much pain that I just cry about it, and that's NOT me. I also get very nauseous during that time and have thrown up a few times. So, I too, have been cotemplating going to that office that makes me feel all exposed (eeks) and discussing it w/ a gynecologist.

But first things first, go to a gynecologist. Don't leave this decision to your family doctor. Birth control pills are definitely one option. And a lose dose birth control pill is less likely to cause side effects and yet still have the desired effect. As far as the ibuprofin is concerned, that IS a relatively large amount of ibuprofin, and being that my licence would be on the line if I told you to go ahead and take them... I'd suggest that you consult a physician on that matter as well. In the same breath... that's about how much I take. And, chances are, that's what your physician may prescribe you.

Now onto herbs. I must stress this to all of you, just because something is "natural" does NOT mean that it is GOOD. Herb does not mean no side effects, no dangers. You forget that most drugs are made from some sort of plant. Cocaine comes from a plant, and yet I wouldn't prescribe that to anyone. Sure, you might think that's far fetched, but most people automatically think natural herb means good stuff. (My mother is one of these people.) Please PLEASE look closely at these before taking herbs. And don't rely on the bottle, for most of these are not FDA regulated and could potentially contain anything and everything. At the least, look them up in a legit drug handbook. The one I'd recommend is Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements. We carry this around in the hospital quite often. And always remember, if you ARE taking any herbs whatsoever, be sure to tell your physicians of that when they ask what meds or drugs you are currently taking. Most people forget that herbs count in this area, and you want to make sure everything your'e taking is compatible and will not harm your body.

Okay, phew... after that long sermon... my suggestion for you, mlejoy, is to go see your gyno and ask him/her
Cheers and take care,
Rachel

[mlejoy]

Rachel - Are you a doctor? nurse? just wondering. i'm a little wary of "natural" herbs and stuff too...i've heard a lot of things about them on the news lately...about their side effects and how they can interact with other drugs you may be taking and can cause horrible reactions.

Jacobitedreamer - no way I'd do accupuncture lol. That sounds worse than cramps (although I've heard it doesn't hurt when done right)

Mamie - no history of breast cancer in my family, but the thought of BC pills upping my risk for that is pretty scary. I defintely need to read up more on BC pills and find out what is fact and what is fiction. I have friends that are on them and they don't haven't had any problems or side effects from them.

And NO I did not discuss this with my gyno, just my normal doctor. I'm usually not all the comfortable at the gyno dressed in my little paper gown and all flustered about the whole thing. Sigh..I hate the gyno. HAAAAAAAATE IT! I guess I'll call today and make an appointment. I haven't been in a while, so I suppose it's time to go anyway.

Men have it so easy in life!