... prescribe pain meds.any advice
I have endometriosis and my periods kill me. what is the best thing for cramps. my doc doesn't?
Question posted by caitlin_zeigler1 on 5 May 2013
Last updated on 21 June 2013 by CMArvaLOVE4us
9 Answers
CMArvaLOVE4us
21 June 2013
Change doctors and educate yourself about the disease. I have a severe case and am sill trying to find the best method/route to take. I got the Mirena inserted about 6+ months ago after having a baby and I have had horri me periods that haven't stopped even for a day. This might b tmi but we are all adults here..it's not always a full blown menstrual cycle with red blood, but if it isn't that it's severe spotting that feels like I'm in my period either way. In miserable and need relief. Percocet seems to b the only thing that gives me any kind if relief... I will be getting a second opinion and hopefully not have to get everything scrapped out of my stomach, yet again... on a positive note, I was a able to have kids with such a severe case so any ladies struggling, keep trying. Good luck to all of ya. Support and love all around go a longggg way as well❤
happybrandee
9 May 2013
Honestly... I would find a new doctor! I had endo, and I remember how bad the pain is and I know that there is a point with some women with Endo where NOTHING over the counter will work and if your doctoe will not prescribe pain meds, then it is time to find a doctor who actually is a specialist in Endometriosis!
I had if for over 25 years and after I finally had 3 children and had multiple surgeries for it I had to have everything removed. But that took 2 surgeries! The first doctor assured me that removing my uterus and tubes that the pain would stop and it didn't then I found a new doctor who was actually a specialist in Endo he removed my ovaries and I have had no pain since and that was 16 years ago!! I am not saying that you need to have this done, I am just saying that you need to find a doctor who knows how to treat Endo pain and who can treat you better!
Good luck to you and I hope you feel better soon!
~~happybrandee~~
DzooBaby
6 May 2013
Your best options OTC are naproxen or ibuprofen. You should find a Dr who specializes in the treatment of endometriosis. An option of some kind of hormones like birth control pills, Depo-Provera or something of that sort can really help by decreasing the build up of uterine lining (which you have an abundance of in places other than the uterus) If you dont build up much lining, you wont have as much to shed and therefore will help your symptoms.
666rudra666
6 May 2013
Pregabalin is the best muscle relaxer with no side effects.
Sleepie
6 May 2013
Hi there
You definitely need a new Gynaecologist! Someone who knows more about treating Endo. Where I live it's not pain killers that the docs focus on, they focus on putting you on an appropriate birth control pill. It lowers your level of oestrogen.. Which in turn lowers the overall severity of your mestral cycle, including the cramps! Another great option is having a Mirena (might be spelt Mirena, pronounced mirayna) inserted in you. It's a type of loop that really lowers the severity. About 30% of woman actually stop getting a period at all - it's such a PLEASURE!! To my knowledge it doesn't affect your chance of having kids when you decide you want to - my sister fell preg 5 DAYS after having her's taken out! You can also go on a gentle 'pill' if the Mirena doesn't help entirely, which is what I do.
Now I get no periods and no terrible pms symptoms that come along with it - life is Good!! Before the Mirena I found that the 'pill' Triphasil (spelling? it was quite a while ago) really helped. I was on it for yrs, until we realised that it was the reason for my constant terrible nausea though. So just watch out for that (if you go that route) - I am very prone to nausea though!
I really hope you come right! I truly can sympathise! I just used to lie on my bed curled up in a ball crying because I couldn't bear the pain! I was still in high school. Then I went on the Triphasil which was a life-saver. Keep us posted? :)
endlessPred
6 May 2013
Hello. Read the other responses and they do not work, except for the gynecologist. Mydol was useless. Acetaminophen does not work. Opiates do not work. Alcohol is a very bad idea, of course.
Dr. Nordquist was a woman whom the doctors ignored about these cramps, called dysmenorrhea. She researched and came up with ibuprofen. It affects the P factor. Specifically to counter cramps was the goal and the solution.
I had endometriosis, fibroids tumors, tipped uterus, and the most powerful painful cramps. So did that physician. I give background so this is better understood. Some women get a crampy feeling. Some women get severe debilitating cramps. Often I was up day and night with knives cutting through me. Very heavy flows that lasted ten days.
Ibuprofen has to be taken properly in order to reduce the pain. If on birth control it will be easy to time. If not, start at first sign or first small cramps. Take 2: 600 or 1: 1,000 tablet at that time you start. And then every 4 to 6 hours until the worse is over according to the package. That is around the clock. If you get ahead of the pain, the period will go much smoother with less problems. If you fall behind it will take a day to catch up again. The idea is to keep a continuous level of ibuprofen in your system.
Should you not be able to take an NSAID or are on other types of NSAIDs then you may well take too much. Be sure to stop as soon as you are able. Your doctor can prescribe the right dose for you and will recommend a schedule.
FYI. I did not have a hysterectomy as I was able to be treated for the various conditions. Once I got it fogured out after a few months, life got much better. I wish the same for you and others who may deal with this every month. Karen
cowgirl keno
5 May 2013
I had endometriosis. I had a hysterectomy to fix it. But before the surgery, the best way to avoid the cramps was not to get constipated. Drink lots of water, and exercise. It can be awful, you have my sympathy.
kathyhanson
5 May 2013
Hi Caitlin,
Have you tried Midol or any of the other OTC acetaminophen/caffeine/pyrilamine compounds? Perhaps your doctor would consider a mild muscle relaxer for the cramps, such as flexeril. Hot baths help, too. When I was a teenager, I used to sleep in the tub for 2-3 days because my cramps were so bad. I hope you will find something to help with your cramps.
Kathy
kaismama
5 May 2013
Yes find a dr who knows how to treat women with it.
Related topics
peri-ds, endometriosis, pain, period, cramp
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