Cramps are a BITCH!!

[Shell Beau]

:evilfrown:

[tjdee]

1. Yeah, and they get worse with age, I heard?

They have for me, and that blows.

I thought it would get better after I had a kid for some reason, nope.

Ugh.

*Passes the Advil*

[oregonjen]

4. They've gotten worse with age for me too

For my Mom, she said they went away after having children. So, I falsely thought they would go away for me too. Sadly, after having 2 children, they are worse. :(

[chickenscratching]

23. noooooooooo!

i've just started discovering this lovely little fact. since I hit 20, it's been hellish!! So I can expect, EVEN WORSE if I give birth?
:cry:

oh wicked abdomen!

[fortyfeetunder]

51. One possible solution

I take B complex vitamins, drink lots of water and get calcium in my diet. I can't remember the last time I had a cramp...but it's not often.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

52. They got better for me!!!

I used to get REAL sick, so sick I wished that someone would shoot me. Now 3 motrin (if I need to take them) are all I need to live a normal life.

[oregonjen]

2. I'm assuming pms?

If that is it, I agree! :hug:

[undeterred]

3. Have a pre-sacral neurectomy

and you'll never have cramps again. (It's a lot of trouble to go to, though.)

[Southsideirish]

5. A hot water bottle and a back rub help a lot.

[Catbird]

6. Biofeedback?

I had really bad cramps for years. Then I got into biofeedback, realized how how stressed out I tended to get, and learned to relax enough to move from prescription medicine (Tylenol 3 with codeine) to over-the-counter stuff for the cramps. I was surprised that the biofeedback worked so well, but it did. It was a general technique, not cramp specific.

If you haven't tried any relaxation techniques you might want to.

If you have tried them and they haven't helped you, you are allowed at least two free grumps and a snarl in response to this post.

And there's always menopause...

[Canadian Socialist]

8. Don't get me started on menopause

I'm what my MD delicately describes as "peri-menopausal". Which translates to all the joys (night sweats, dryness etc.) of menopause combined to still having my period. So... I have the lovely night sweats, intermixed with PMS, add in a dash of actual menstrual cramps (for at least 3 days). Oh, and did I mention how heavy and frequent the periods are? Then there are the pimples. There is only so much room on my face. I have wrinkles AND pimples. I haven't had pimples since I was 16! (over 30 years ago). I'm at the point where it's "pick one... fertile/not fertile!)/end of rant.

[katinmn]

9. dang! I hope things ease up on you soon

I can identify with some of what you are going through. To have all those symptoms would be a real pain in the butt.

:hug:

[Catbird]

10. Sorry about that

I didn't mean to be flippant about menopause. I've gotten there myself and realized that, while my mother had told me about menopause, neither she nor anyone else had mentioned perimenopause. Not that there is a lot you can do to prepare for it, but it was a bigger bump in the road than I was expecting.

You have my sympathy. Just remember you have a lot of company.

:) :)

PS: Even the spell check doesn't know about perimenopause!!

[Canadian Socialist]

13. I appreciate the sympathy and the company

but, damn it, I want drugs! Actually, when the night sweats were at their worst, I went to a local health store. They were very helpful. I took a course of plant estrogen, and it helped a great deal. Most of the time, I just deal. Sort of thinking, "this to shall pass", kinda thing. At least I'm healthy and living. At fifty, I still look 30ish. So, maybe this "free" universal health care is good for something. To be honest, if I was living down in the states, more than likely I wouldn't be alive. I've had several life-threatening operations over the years, and all for the cost of 0. Except for the taxes. But you're going to pay that anyways.

[RobbinsdaleDem]

14. Peri-menopause was hell.

For me, it lasted for years. Menopause is a breeze compared to peri-menopause. I hope you're through it soon.

[KitchenWitch]

15. OMG

Welcome to my world

I do not dare even leave the house for the first 3 days (near hemorrhaging - yes MD knows about it and we are trying stuff).

[REP]

17. I Had An Endometrial Ablation for That

I had menorrhagia to the point of anemia (I'll spare you a more graphic description than that). I had a hydro-thermal ablation (I'm nulliparous, so my uterus is too small for the newer NovaSure technique) and I've gone from having two periods a month to having some spotting every three months or so. An ablation is not a pleasant procedure - it is the burning away of the endometrium - but it does also treat small fibroids, plus makes future pregnancies impossible. It's an outpatient procedure, and I was able to return to normal activities in a day.

It doesn't cure cramping - I still have a cycle, I'm just not leaking - but the cramping isn't nearly as bad either. I still need narcotics, but I have cystic ovaries.

[KitchenWitch]

19. I will ask my GYN about that procedure

I have had two children (and I am done - been tempted to ask for the works to be removed).

[REP]

20. Ask About NovaSure

Since you're multiparous, you can take advantage of the state of the art! I wish it could have been used on me; NovaSure ablations take less time to do and have a smaller failure rate (if you're over 40, your failure rate is already lower; for some reason, those done on women under 40 fail within 5 years about 65%+ of the time).

Personally, I'm in favor of keeping the parts, but just modifying them a little! I've had a tubal ligation and an ablation, and I'll only have the ovary out of the cyst causes a torsion (in other words, if I have to).

[movie_girl99]

37. I'm having one of these next month

i too have a cyst on my ovary and have major cramps. I cant wait to have the surgery. I feel like a prisoner when aunt flow comes in..cant go to far from a bathroom if ya know what i mean.

[REP]

50. You Will LOVE It!

The first few hours after the procedure will suck, though, but even that passes pretty quickly ... or maybe it was just because I was just so damned happy it was done!

If you're not sterilized, be sure to follow your gyn's advice on BC - pregnancy is unlikely after an ablation, but possible, and a very bad thing.

Good luck!

[RevCheesehead]

7. If they're really, really bad -

be sure to get a check-up, and ask about endometriosis.

I found out the hard way, when a cyst in my ovary ruptured, and I ended up in the emergency room. They removed the ovary, fibroids, and a 5 cm. tumor. Three years later, I had elective surgery to remove more fibroids.

Since then, I've been on estrogen (the pill) to regulate hormones, and my periods have been lighter and far more manageable.

The OB/GYN said to me, "you must have had wicked cramps," and I said, "well, yeah, but who doesn't?"

[Shell Beau]

22. I have already considered that

because I had an ectopic pregnancy last year. My doc said that if it happens again, I'll have to have that tube removed and we will check for endometriosis. He said since OTC pain relievers take care of the pain and sex isn't painful, then we won't check it unless I have another ectopic. I don't have any STD's which could cause an ectopic and he said it could be a fluke but we will watch it.

[LeftyMom]

11. I know!

It's getting to the point that I'm wanting to have another kid just to get out of the monthly agony for a couple of years.

Well, at least I only have 15-20 more years of this shit to go. Lovely.

[warrens]

12. Particularly Goo-Goo Muck

And Bikini Girls with Machine Guns. Those are two bitchin songs.

[REP]

16. Drug Train! DRUG TRAIN!

I saw Elvis with your mother (and I liked it) on the Drug Train!

and Human Fly! Baby I don't care 'cause baby I don't scare/ I'm a reborn maggot using germ warfare.

[Bridget Burke]

31. The Mydolls opened for the Cramps in Houston....

Long ago at The Island. The Mydolls were Houston's own all-girl New Wave/Punk band.

[MissHoneychurch]

18. I am lucky enough to not have them

I take the pill. That helped a lot. But to tell the truth the cramps weren't too bad before I started taking the pill. I call myself lucky on that page.

[xultar]

21. Right now I'm taking Vicaprofen I have a heating pad and I'm

whining my ass off. MAKE IT STOP!!!!!!!!!!!

[chickenscratching]

24. oh, bless me, they are

oh dear, sorry to hear this. :hug: :toast:

[Shell Beau]

25. Why thanks!

As if the once a month visitor isn't enough, we have to be reminded by more than one way just in case we might forget! Cramps feel like someone has my stomach and is ringing it out like a wet rag!:o

[chickenscratching]

26. Oh, boy

that's just great, isn't it? Keep loaded on anything that makes you feel sane. Breathe, baby! BREATHE!!

[Bouncy Ball]

27. They're fuckers.

Drink some scotch, take some narcotic meds, curl up on a heating pad and start cussing.

Hey it worked for my mom.

[Shell Beau]

28. They woke me up at 3:00 this morning.

For some reason, things are more painful when I am half asleep. I was pissed off, took some aleve and tried to get back to sleep. Damn cramps!

[funkybutt]

29. I'm in the same boat. Wish I had a heating pad at work

I'm so uncomfortable. Wish I had some pain medication or muscle relaxors.

[Shell Beau]

30. What? No pain reliever?

I would die if I didn't have any pain reliever. I wouldn't be at work that is for sure. Get to the store now and get some relief!

[funkybutt]

46. heh! no I meant prescription strength

this ibuprofen just isn't cutting it

[Shell Beau]

49. Whew! Was feeling really sorry for you!

Aleve works best for me.

[khashka]

32. Best thing ever for cramps?

Orgasms! Who needs Midol when you've got cunnilingus?

Khash.

[Shell Beau]

33. Yeah, great for me, not so great for husband.

You know kind of gross, if you know what I mean.

[khashka]

34. Girls always think that.

It really ain't that gross. Been there, done that, no prob :)

Khash.

[Shell Beau]

35. At that time of the month?

I wouldn't do it if I were my husband!

[khashka]

36. Yup, that time of the month.

Like I said - no big deal :)


Khash.

[SarahB]

43. You're right, it doesn't have to be a big deal.

+
= everything working out to everyone's satisfaction.

Just sayin'. :shrug:

[movie_girl99]

38. I'm with you

my husband is more than accommodating but there are some things i just would never ask him to do.

[Shell Beau]

39. Yeah, I couldn't and wouldn't ask him

to do that. I don't think he would say no, but I wouldn't do it if I were in his place. And I foresee a messy situation. I just think it is not the proper time for that, and frankly, it grosses me out thinking about it!

[movie_girl99]

42. right on ..but any other time....

i would never say no

[Shell Beau]

45. Of course! Why say no?

[swag]

40. Do the Hammerlock, you Turkeynecks.

[King Coal]

41. That's why you need to get your pap smeared often.

Some say getting your pap smeared will ease the cramps.

[Shell Beau]

44. Huh?

:shrug:

[MissMillie]

47. I'm sorry you're not feeling well

Do you mind a suggestion?

If you're not already working out regularly, try to add an exercise routine to your life. I find that my cramps aren't nearly as severe now that I'm working out regularly.

[Shell Beau]

48. Exercise is supposed to be

great for cramps, but I have so much else to do right now that it is hard to squeeze in the time. It has helped before though!:hi:

[libnnc]

53. Aleve, Thermacare, Haagen-Dazs

Take two Aleve
Put a Thermacare in your panties
Eat a pint of Haagen-Dazs

in that order :loveya:

[NMMNG]

54. Don't I know it

Aunt Flo popped in about 7 hours ago :grr:

[fleabert]

56. I swear I didn't read your post before I posted.

Aunt Flo, she has made quite a name for herself, hasn't she?

edit: grammar

[NMMNG]

58. Yes, she has

Although the euphemism that still cracks me up the most is "riding the cotton pony" :rofl:

[fleabert]

55. get some herbal stuff! 'Cramp Bark'- it's a tincture, and it is AMAZING.

i have really really really really really really

really

BAD

cramps, and this stuff is the only thing that works. :-) Just put a few drops in a glass of water or orange juice or whatever, drink up, and you are fine! Seriously, I can't reccommend it more strongly.

I get mine at Whole Foods, in the herbal section. You can even take it the day before you expect Aunt Flo, and never feel that first twinge. I am not so lucky as to be that predictable, so I have to deal with about an hour before I get relief, but it is so much better than Midol or any other meds out there. At one point, I was so immune to Midol that I was taking 8 at a time, three or four times a day. Cramp bark? normal dosage, twice a day, two years now, no resistance.

I googled it, just cause I now see everyone that has this problem, and want to pass the word on en mass:

MEDICINAL:
Cramp Bark is one of the best female regulators in the herb world. It is a uterine sedative, aiding in menstrual cramps, afterbirth, and postpartum pains. It helps to prevent miscarriage, as well as internal hemorrhaging. It is often used to treat muscle cramping and spasms, as well as heart palpitations. Use no more than two cups per day for three consecutive days, or it may cause nausea or skin rash.

GROWING:
Cramp Bark comes from the Highbush Cranberry, and can reach 13 feet in height. It prefers moist soils and full sun. It is native to Europe and Africa, but has been introduced to North America, and grows in a wide range of zones. It is a very pretty shrub, blooming with puffs of white flowers. The ripe red berries are rich in vitamin C, but are poisonous if uncooked.

http://www.allnatural.net/herbpages/cramp-bark.shtml

[SarahB]

57. Thank you!

I need to try something new. I'm at work at the moment feeling like doo-doo. I'm already on the pill to help it and I think I'm going to go with something that'll cut me down to 4 periods a year. It was never bad until a couple of years ago. Now 800-1000 mg of Motrin barely touch it. It's awful. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have never had that stupid IUD. Before that, I had easy periods. :grr: