Misoprostol and Pain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Wis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2023

For Abortion "I was 6 weeks and 4 days pregnant when I decided to end it. Day 1: My doctor gave me the first pill orally at 11:30 AM. By 5:15 PM, I inserted the other pills together vaginally. For well over 4 hours, I felt nothing. However, by 10:30 PM, the cramps started to gradually increase from level 3 to about 9. The pain lasted for 1 hour and 30 minutes. By 12:30 AM (Day 2), I went to the bathroom and suddenly, the products of pregnancy came out. After that, the pain decreased dramatically, and my pain level went down to 2. I suggest not worrying about looking because everything will appear bloody, so there's no need to be traumatized. I went to bed and slept for 2 hours and 30 minutes. At 3:30 AM, I woke up with minor pain that lasted for a maximum of 10 minutes. I went to the bathroom again, and more clots and blood came out. After that, my bleeding wasn't heavy, and my pain level went back to 2. On Day 3, I was still experiencing light bleeding. My stomach felt raw, but my body didn't feel as weak. I would suggest taking 4 days to recover. You can do it. Sending love and peace to whoever is reading this."

• Kfa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2023

For Abortion "I’m leaving this review because prior to my abortion, I sat here scaring myself for several days for nothing. I got my pills online because any Planned Parenthood or clinics in my area wanted $600 with financial aid. Aid access allows you to pay whatever you can, in my case $35. I took the first pill and I was nauseous with a little bit of a backache but okay. I could do whatever I needed to do. Took the second 4 pills 24 hours later. I did it at night over the weekend in case it was bad like some of these wild reviews. Within an hour or so of taking the second medication, I started bleeding and passing a few little clots but nothing major, and my pain was hardly any. I took 600 mg of ibuprofen about an hour before, but that is it. I was comfortable enough to fall asleep. I filled up my pad throughout the night and got up the next morning and passed one or two more little clots with some blood in the toilet the next morning. I was between 6-7 weeks."

• Anonymous
• July 15, 2021

For Abortion "I had my first pill at the clinic, took the second pill after 48 hrs. As soon as I swallowed, the pain started. Worst pain I have ever experienced. Lasted for 5 hours for me with throwing up, bleeding, and clotting. Used 6 maxi pads in all. After 5 hours, the pain is gone, just normal cramping for me but still bleeding. (I didn’t take in any pain relievers, 'cause I’m allergic). I don’t mean to scare anyone, but be prepared for the pain, and you will be fine. It’s 100% effective."

• Sam...
• November 19, 2019

For Abortion "Do not be scared by all of the horror stories. I used this misoprostol for a medical abortion at 6 weeks. I was warned about the pain that would accompany these pills. I didn't want to go under or have surgery if not necessary. Before taking the 4 pills buccally, I took 1 promethazine and 2 Aleve. 25 minutes later, I began cramping. It was BEARABLE. Comparable to heavy period cramps, maybe a little stronger. I used a heating pad for the first hour, which HELPED. I bled heavily for 3-5 days and had light flow for a week after. This medicine caused diarrhea soon after, but it resolved itself quickly. Take this on your day off at home when you don't have any other commitments if possible. Be sure to start taking pain medication EARLY to ensure it has kicked in by the time the pain begins. USE a heating pad even if you do not need one on your period. The pain/bleeding can be worse for a pregnancy that is farther along, but for an early termination, I would go the medical route without any doubt."

• Aan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2021

For Cervical Ripening "Was prescribed 4 to insert 6 hours prior to biopsy. So much pain. Tried to get them out an hour later but left one in. By the time I got to the gyn, I was barely able to walk, shaking, nauseated, cramps worse than anything I've ever experienced, etc. Gyn still couldn't get through my cervix and prescribed a narcotic to address the pain because it was that bad. Stay away if you're sensitive."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2019

For Labor Induction "Just a note for women reading these reviews... using this for an abortion in early pregnancy is VASTLY different than using it for a missed miscarriage further along. Which is why people think it’s a bad period at 6 weeks vs. feeling like natural labor. I was prescribed this to help me remove remaining tissue after a 13-week miscarriage. I had already passed the baby and placenta naturally but had remaining tissue. The ER sent me home with Cytotec and no meds. It was the worst pain of my life. It was worse than the miscarriage portion. The contractions went nonstop, so I didn’t have any time to properly breathe or regain control. I was shaking, sweating, moaning, and losing tons of blood. It was the worst experience. When I saw my OB that next week, he ended up telling me that it is like full-term labor at this point. Horrible!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2020

For Abortion "I was 6 weeks pregnant when I decided to have a medical abortion. I took the first tablet orally at the clinic, I had mild cramps (like period-type cramps) on and off for the remainder of that evening, but nothing unbearable. 24 hours after this, I took codeine and ibuprofen, which the clinic prescribed me to help with pain. I inserted 4 tablets internally while being at home, light cramps continued for the first 3 hours-still no bleeding. 4-5 hours in, my cramps became horrendous, I've never experienced pain like it, as well as feeling faint and sick. The bleeding started. I had contractions for around 4 hours. The following day, I felt sore and tender, but the cramps were nothing compared to the previous evening. The bleeding wasn’t overly heavy, and I noticed I bled more when sitting on the toilet rather than on the sanitary towel. Please, before you consider this, make sure you have somebody with you while going through it just in case."

• Nan...
• February 4, 2020

For Abortion "I was 5 weeks, from what I heard, I thought it’d be a manageable experience for me, since my normal periods are on the extra painful side. This was easily THE most agonizing experience of my entire life. Not two minutes after I swallowed the pills that sat in my cheeks, intense pain started. I became hot/cold/sweaty, almost passed out walking from the bathroom to the bedroom. Ibuprofen didn’t work for pain, and neither did my leftover pain medication from a previous surgery, nothing worked. The pain was almost paralyzing because moving made it intensify, and my neck and lower back were twitching rather than shaking. I could feel the pain contracting, and the two seconds of relief I’d be out of breath from the tension. It’s been four months, and my back/neck still twitch when I’m laying down. I’ll never do this again, I know it differs from woman to woman, but this was a rough experience for me, to say the least."

• Iri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2023

For Abortion "I am 33, and this was my first time using the abortion pills. I want to give an honest account for ladies to prepare for the same scenario. I took the first tablet at 3 pm on Thursday. I had zero side effects and was able to carry on with my usual routine. I inserted the 4 Misoprostol exactly 24 hours later at 3 pm on Friday (I took pain relief 10 minutes before this). I lay down on the bed and waited for them to take effect. At 3:30 pm, I started to feel mild cramps. At 4 pm, these turned to moderate cramps. At 4:30 pm, I vomited 4 times and had diarrhea, then the cramps suddenly became very painful. I sat on the toilet for 90 minutes in a lot of pain, with very heavy breathing, before I felt a sudden woosh, which was the sac passing at 6 pm. I ate a banana at 6:20 pm and took the final two oral tablets with mild cramps for the rest of the day. The entire process was over within 3 hours, with only 90 minutes of bad pain, so it was absolutely doable and worth it."

• L1a...
• January 24, 2020

For Abortion "I terminated my pregnancy at 5 weeks. I took 2 pills at the clinic, and the nurse then inserted 4 more vaginally. About 3 hours passed before there was any bleeding or cramping. For about 5 hours, the cramps were so intense and, quite honestly, draining. I sat with a hot water bottle and didn’t leave the toilet for the whole time. The pain was so bad it was excruciating, but the next day I felt absolutely fine physically, and the bleeding was just like a normal period."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2020

For Abortion "I took these tablets today at home as advised by the clinic. I was expecting very moderate pain akin to period pain - I was so wrong. I had about three hours of utter agony, shaking with pain, vomiting, and having to bite down on something to stop me from shouting every time the cramps came on (every two minutes). I think the clinics should really keep people in to monitor them, as I have never been in so much pain in my life. Had I known it would be so painful, I would have opted for surgical, as this method without the proper pain relief is just not acceptable."

• Iam...
• August 8, 2019

For Abortion "I took my medication vaginally with mild discomfort. I think sitting upright and allowing your body to dispel was its way of saying it needs to be relieved through passing if you are in agony, which I was by the third hour. - Get a hot water bottle - Have someone present if possible - Have hot chocolate - Have Ibuprofen and do not exceed stated dose - If in doubt about the level of pain, try to use the toilet and see if symptoms resist - Buy TENA LADY pads, not period pads as this type of product acts like a really big sponge and is good for the environment :) Major note: I am from the UK and the medication is prescribed under our National Health Service (NHS), which allows patients to claim free medication. I wish any girls and women out there the best of luck to you. This isn't easy, and I hope this really helps. I am that girl xoxo."

• imo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2021

For Abortion "I was about 8 weeks. I took the first oral pill on the Monday. This was absolutely fine, there was no pain or bleeding. Twenty-four hours after, on the Tuesday, I inserted the misoprostol vaginally, I then took two ibuprofen. I waited, lying down, and in about half an hour, I started to feel cramping. In the next half an hour, the cramping got extremely painful. I threw up once, and I then took 4 codeine and lay in bed. The pain eased about half an hour after taking the codeine. About half an hour later, I started bleeding very, very heavily. I went to the toilet, and I felt two clots pass, I was quite certain it was the pregnancy. Although I had already felt the pregnancy pass, 4 hours later, I inserted the two leftover misoprostol in my gum and let them dissolve. I swallowed what didn’t dissolve half an hour later. The pain was like normal period cramping for the rest of it. I am now not pregnant. You can do this, girls, I promise x."

• Pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2020

For Abortion "I took the first pill in the office of Planned Parenthood. Had mild pressure in my lower stomach for hours. The next day, which was 24 hours, I put the last four pills in my mouth. Within minutes, pain hit me that was worse than cramps. The pain meds barely worked, the only thing that saved me was the nausea medicine, which put me to sleep. Here it is day 2, and I am having severe cramps because the ibuprofen isn’t working. I have never felt contractions, but I definitely feel like that’s what I’m having. If the pain doesn’t ease up by tomorrow, I’m going to the ER! Needless to say, my experience has been horrible, and I pray whoever is reading this doesn’t experience this at all. By the way, the heating pad worked yesterday, but today it’s a no!"

• Ukg...
• January 16, 2021

For Abortion "Just under 9 weeks pregnant and took the pills, and I took codeine and pain relievers in anticipation of the pain. I then had intense cramps and passed some membranes, followed by extreme pain where I passed the sac. I spent another 3 hours in constant pain: unable to sit down, crying, breathing heavily. Took as many codeines as I was prescribed, and eventually I called the clinic, and they advised me to call an ambulance. My husband drives me, screaming and crying in the car to the hospital. I’m able to show them photos of what I passed hours earlier, which was the sac and membranes, but I’m in so much pain my heart rate is 160 bpm, I cannot talk, I cannot lay down to be examined. I have morphine, and it makes no difference! She even inserted a cannula into my arm, and I didn’t even feel it. Eventually, they examine me and find there are clots and membranes blocking the cervix, and he removed it. It was the worst experience of my life. I have had 3 sections and 3 miscarriages problems, and nothing was like this."

• emm...
• December 10, 2017

For Abortion "Just to make you all aware. I took the abortion pill on a Tuesday, and it started working 3 hours later, where I was clotting a bit and a lot of blood. I was in pain for about 3 hours, then all settled. The next day, I had a bit more clotting, then all was okay. Two days after my abortion, I started getting really bad pains and a fever, so I went to doctors, and they told me the abortion was incomplete and I had to go straight to A&E, where they just gave me antibiotics and went in for the scan. I had an infection, so that is why I was in so much pain 3 days after. During this time, I was clotting more, it was the most horrible thing I have ever had to go through. So because this complication happened to me, I think having the pill abortion really is not safe at all. It made me very ill."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2023

For Abortion "I do want to say they did their job, so 10/10 on that part. I was about 11 weeks when I took the first pill of misoprostol. I took it at about 9:30 pm, and there was absolutely no pain. A little spotting, but nothing serious. The second pill I took about 4 hours later, and I inserted 4 vaginally. I should’ve taken pain pills beforehand, but I hadn’t eaten, so I was afraid to throw up. At first, about 3-4 hours went by, and I felt nothing. I was thinking about taking a second dose, but I ended up falling asleep. Then, around 3 am, I woke up in excruciating pain. I couldn’t lay in any position and get comfortable. I was panting all over my room, then tried to take pain meds and threw it up 5 minutes later. I was told some years back I had something called endometriosis, so I don't know if that has something to do with it, but I didn’t think my case was severe, being that I have a son. I’m on day 2 and still in really bad pain, but it’s getting better. Don’t be like me, take pain meds!"

• bub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2022

For Abortion "When I read this page, I was waiting for the pills. I promised I would write a review because I know how you must feel right now. So let me reassure you, YOU WILL BE OK. You are going through a lot, and you are very, very brave. ❤ I took Mifepristone, and nothing happened after. I followed instructions and waited. I vaginally inserted the Misoprostol pill at 5 pm because I didn't want the pain to affect my work. About 11 pm, I started to see a bit of blood coming out. It started to hurt like a bad period (I would say 6-7 out of 10, but nothing compared to IUD/IUS insertion or cervix infection from rough sex, promise). It continuously hurt throughout the whole night, and I needed a hot water bottle to feel better. Yes, it hurt. But nothing you cannot handle. During the night (about 3-4 am), I felt like I had period blood coming out (WEAR PADS!) and went to the bathroom. Palm-size clogged blood came out. I continued to bleed like a period and stopped after 2-3 weeks. You can do it!"

• Ang...
• November 17, 2021

For Abortion "I unfortunately had to go through a medical abortion on 2 occasions. The first time I was 6 weeks exactly, I had been very scared after reading some scary reviews, but the experience for me was absolutely fine, and I didn't get bad pain or any of the other common side effects. The second time I was exactly 5 weeks, and again it was absolutely fine that time too. I did notice that the bleeding was heavier with my 6-week abortion than at 5 weeks. With the 6-week abortion, I passed a recognizable sac, but nothing recognizable with the one at 5 weeks. I felt a little sick initially after taking misoprostol, but this soon passed. I know everyone's experience will be different, but not everyone has a really bad time. I did take 2 ginger root tablets 30 mins beforehand to help with nausea, so that probably helped."

• Bec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2021

For Abortion "Put pills in at 10:30 pm. Got in the shower. Was bleeding lightly by 11:30 pm. Went to sleep. Woke up about 3 am and started passing everything around 3:30 am. Light bleeding and a few clots when I push, but nothing crazy. Pain was minimal, 1.5/10, however, today my back has been hurting pretty bad. But that’s it."

• Ann...
• June 11, 2023

For Abortion "As in many others mentioned, I was very fearful and anxious about taking this medication due to horror stories online. On day 1, I took the first pill at the clinic. They repeated that there is no turning back at this point. No side effects at all. After 24 hours, I took the 4 pills by putting them in my cheeks, then swallowed the rest. I was concerned as my medication did not really melt. I began to experience heavier cramping than periods. Then the cramping disappeared for 1 hour. I got concerned as no bleeding started. 2 hours in, the cramping returned and intensified. I went to the bathroom, the bleeding had started but not heavily. Suddenly, the nausea worsened, and I threw up repeatedly for 10 minutes. The pain intensified to 10/10 with what seemed to be contractions for 1 hour. I passed a few large clots and liquid, then pain subsided after this, but it lasted for one hour. The bleeding was quite strong afterwards, which was to be expected. More painful than expected, but no regrets at all."

• flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2022

For Abortion "Don't listen to bad reviews! I was super scared to take the pill because of how painful everyone else said it was. I took the second set of pills (inserted all 4 vaginally) at 8:30 pm and the pain was light at first about an hour later. I wouldn't even say that the cramps themselves were what made it bad, just the fact that it was consistent, heavy cramping for 4-5 hours straight. I would definitely make sure you have a heating pad and someone there to rub your back because at a certain point it gets pretty painful. It's definitely not a walk in the park, but the pain is manageable. I found it a lot less painful when I was standing up/leaning over the bed (sitting/laying down made it so much worse for me), but that could just be me. Either way, don't freak out. Remember, it's only temporary. You can do it!"

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2021

For Abortion "I had just missed my period. 5 days late, and I took the test. The very next day I got the pills because I knew I couldn't keep the baby. Two doses of Misoprostol - one under my tongue and one had to be inserted vaginally. I took the pills on a Friday with the impression that everything would pass by Monday so I could go back to work as per norm. I started having cramps within 3-4 hours, but they were manageable with Aleve and a hot water bottle. It is now 1 week since I've taken those pills, and the bleeding has not stopped. The cramps and bleeding got even worse within the last 3 days, I can hardly manage, and I definitely can't function at work. NEVER AGAIN! THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST PAINFUL AND TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE, both emotionally and physically. I just can't wait for it to be over."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2022

For Labor Induction "I was prescribed the drug to assist with a failed miscarriage at 6 weeks instead of a D&C. I was discharged and told it would be just like a period, with no information leaflet on side effects or what to expect. I was in for a shock. After taking the 4 pills at once orally, as directed at 11 a.m., within 30 minutes, I was cramping like a bad period. By 12:30 p.m., I was in agony, so I took Panadeine Forte for pain, which didn’t help at all. By 1 p.m., I was extremely nauseous, faint, and in excruciating pain. I was crippled, lying on the floor of the shower, unsure if I was going to vomit or pass out, and wanted the heat from the shower to help with the pain. Honestly, I thought I was going to die, the pain was relentless, with what felt like massive waves of contractions less than a minute apart, with no relief. I was unable to call for assistance as I couldn’t get up off the floor for 2 hours. I eventually was able to crawl to the phone and was taken by ambulance to the emergency department for pain management."

• rai...
• June 27, 2019

For Abortion "I took misoprostol for an abortion. I was about 5 weeks pregnant. I was first given Mifeprex and took misoprostol 24 hours later. About an hour later, I began to bleed. I didn't feel any pain, just little cramping. About 2 hours later, I felt a drop come down and went to the bathroom. I believe I was passing the pregnancy. I saw two clots, not too big. I bled some more, and the pain was not at all bad. Now it's about 2 days after misoprostol, and I started feeling the worst pain ever! I was very scared because I thought the pregnancy had passed already, and I could be having an infection. The pain felt like someone was stabbing you, stopping, then stabbing you multiple times! It didn't feel like menstrual cramps at all. I would say it could be like contractions (I'm not sure because I never had kids)."