PERIOD PAIN... HELP !!!!!

SimoneBee12

moyer566 wrote: »

SimoneBee12 wrote: »

ETA: Both those pain killers are over the counter, by the way.

Tylenol with codeine is not over the counter

It is in Australia, Canada and from what I could see the UK but I can't confirm that. I never mentioned the American brand name Tylenol, I said paracetamol and acetaminophen (which are the same). You have to ask the pharmacist for it, but you don't need a prescription.

brendak76

Fay84Vegan wrote: »

HELP!! Any help & advice about how I can improve my period pains? I'm Vegan & Gluten Free. Since cutting out gluten last year my periods have become awful (they have always been bad), they now are not only painful but I often suffer with dizziness, nausea, sickness & diarreah too!
I started taking L Glutamine & Slippery Elm tablets 8-9 weeks ago to help heal my digestion from the damage the gluten has done.
Herbal teas do NOTHING for me!
I eat Whole Foods all day everyday!
I have some painkiller tablets from the doctors but sometimes they don't work at all.
I went off the pill 6 years ago and I am not planning on taking it again!
Has anyone else had painful periods?
Have you improved them?
How?
Please Help... I don't know what else to try?

My situation is a bit extreme but I struggled for a decade with painful cramps for at least 10-12 days a month that were so bad I could not function. I tried everything in the book herbal, drugs, and everything in between and saw many doctors. By the end even narcotics would not touch the pain. Since I was done having kids I ended up having a partial hysterectomy a year and a half ago. It was the best decision ever. I have my life back. There was nothing ever medically diagnosable. My dr said that some women in my case are super sensitive to hormones and my uterus was tilted super far backwards which made things worse. Definitely not the solution for everyone but it was the right one for me.

hutchin88

My painful periods stopped when I started getting enough protein, B vitamins and calcium. In my 20's I began doing protein shakes and taking vitamin supplements. It totally changed my cycle, for the good.

I would look first to nutrient deficiencies, and try to boost your protein and other nutrients. If you are vegan, you may be very low in iron, as well.

snovej

Sounds a lot like endometriosis to me. I was diagnosed a few years ago and a laparoscopy confirmed it. Endo can also cause issues similar to IBS, as well as increase your chances of celiac disease. I also have issues with gluten and found that the "endo diet" helps a lot, which is similar to being a gluten-free vegan, but also there are some other foods that should be avoided like refined sugar and soy products. It's weird you are experiencing worse periods without gluten though, as I am the opposite. I did have excruciating pains on top of my normal endo pains, and it turned out to be a massive endometrioma (cyst on the ovary). In short, definitely visit your ob/gyn!

Fay84Vegan

snovej wrote: »

Sounds a lot like endometriosis to me. I was diagnosed a few years ago and a laparoscopy confirmed it. Endo can also cause issues similar to IBS, as well as increase your chances of celiac disease. I also have issues with gluten and found that the "endo diet" helps a lot, which is similar to being a gluten-free vegan, but also there are some other foods that should be avoided like refined sugar and soy products. It's weird you are experiencing worse periods without gluten though, as I am the opposite. I did have excruciating pains on top of my normal endo pains, and it turned out to be a massive endometrioma (cyst on the ovary). In short, definitely visit your ob/gyn!

Wow, well I'm glad you seem to have gotten things sorted.

Thanks for the information

Fay84Vegan

brendak76 wrote: »

Fay84Vegan wrote: »

HELP!! Any help & advice about how I can improve my period pains? I'm Vegan & Gluten Free. Since cutting out gluten last year my periods have become awful (they have always been bad), they now are not only painful but I often suffer with dizziness, nausea, sickness & diarreah too!
I started taking L Glutamine & Slippery Elm tablets 8-9 weeks ago to help heal my digestion from the damage the gluten has done.
Herbal teas do NOTHING for me!
I eat Whole Foods all day everyday!
I have some painkiller tablets from the doctors but sometimes they don't work at all.
I went off the pill 6 years ago and I am not planning on taking it again!
Has anyone else had painful periods?
Have you improved them?
How?
Please Help... I don't know what else to try?

My situation is a bit extreme but I struggled for a decade with painful cramps for at least 10-12 days a month that were so bad I could not function. I tried everything in the book herbal, drugs, and everything in between and saw many doctors. By the end even narcotics would not touch the pain. Since I was done having kids I ended up having a partial hysterectomy a year and a half ago. It was the best decision ever. I have my life back. There was nothing ever medically diagnosable. My dr said that some women in my case are super sensitive to hormones and my uterus was tilted super far backwards which made things worse. Definitely not the solution for everyone but it was the right one for me.

Thank you for your message, I'm glad you over came the pain & that your life is better for it now.

TrinityR05

Peppermint Tea
Pamprin
Multivitamins daily
Heat Patches
Lots of rest
Mostly Gluten Free diet
Hardly eat any processed foods, stick to lean meats, eggs, veggies, fruits, rice, beans, etc.
And, one thing I really noticed that helped is when I started eating a protein bar every day, now periods are not so painful. I'm not sure why...I thought maybe because of the soy in it, but not sure. Or maybe it is because I'm getting enough protein.

All doctors ever wanted to do was put me on birth control, but at 39 years old, I felt that would not be a good decision, so I tried to listen to my body and try different things to see what worked. I still get pain, but no where near as bad as it used to be.

lorika1977

Fay84Vegan wrote: »

HELP!! Any help & advice about how I can improve my period pains? I'm Vegan & Gluten Free. Since cutting out gluten last year my periods have become awful (they have always been bad), they now are not only painful but I often suffer with dizziness, nausea, sickness & diarreah too!
I started taking L Glutamine & Slippery Elm tablets 8-9 weeks ago to help heal my digestion from the damage the gluten has done.
Herbal teas do NOTHING for me!
I eat Whole Foods all day everyday!
I have some painkiller tablets from the doctors but sometimes they don't work at all.
I went off the pill 6 years ago and I am not planning on taking it again!
Has anyone else had painful periods?
Have you improved them?
How?
Please Help... I don't know what else to try?

I recently visited a naturopath for similar symptoms. First, she ordered a full battery of hormonal checks for me. Different than your regular blood check. She found I have very low progesterone and high DHEA (a weak male hormone) that typically indicates Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This is what gives me painful cycle, pre-diabetes, weight gain, mood swings and depression. I now take progesterone, cinnamon, chromium, B vitamins and (specifically for PCOS) a supplement call DCI that makes the whole difference in the worlds. I would recommend seeing a naturist, research PCOS and ask to be tested. My traditional MD never offered a hormone check, only when I was pregnant. I had to go the alternative route to find out what is going on. Good luck!!!

jodyboras

Try to stay away from sugar and caffeine right before your period. You may notice a difference, it's worth a try.

MaggotPig

Looking at your diary, your diet isn't what I'd call balanced or varied - maybe that's contributing to your digestive issues?

racheln2017

Well, I had the same problem... and then I got put on the pill. It has done wonders, but you said you won't go back on it. Any reason why?

iWillGetCrowSomeday

If so, what causes it?

Identifying the problem is important & so is finding out the cause in the first place..!

Painful periods run in my family but I am not one to pass it off as 'genetic', there must be a reason & prevention..?

There's no identifiable cause for endometriosis, unfortunately, and it can be genetic. It's commonly associated with PCOS too. Both are usually managed with oral contraceptives.

Fay84Vegan

I recently visited a naturopath for similar symptoms. First, she ordered a full battery of hormonal checks for me. Different than your regular blood check. She found I have very low progesterone and high DHEA (a weak male hormone) that typically indicates Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This is what gives me painful cycle, pre-diabetes, weight gain, mood swings and depression. I now take progesterone, cinnamon, chromium, B vitamins and (specifically for PCOS) a supplement call DCI that makes the whole difference in the worlds. I would recommend seeing a naturist, research PCOS and ask to be tested. My traditional MD never offered a hormone check, only when I was pregnant. I had to go the alternative route to find out what is going on. Good luck!!!
[/quote]

Thank You !!

Mistapholeezkat

Just had a polyp removed, OBGYN is thinking my endometriosis is back (had it 20 odd years ago). After kids I was on the pill for many years and then about 3 years ago I stopped taking the pill. But now, my periods got so bad again I was just put back on them. I wasn't suppose to have my period this month due to being on the pill continuously but, alas, it is here....wondering if it had to do with the D and C that I had last week. In any case...not sure whole foods diet will help with your issue...definetly should see a dr. I am going to try Yoga and stretching for I hear that helps with cramping and endo. Good luck!

JoRocka

sunglasses_and_ocean_waves wrote: »

Jesus get a second opinion from a real doctor instead of talking to strangers on the internet if you're in that much pain. I'm not unsympathetic. My cancer med has caused a 3 month long period. I cannot stand it. But I've gone to specialists because it's kinda important.

Don't take weird stuff people you don't know tell you to take. See another doctor.

nods nods nods nods nods nods nods

go see a real doctor.
go get a second opinion if you aren't getting the help you need.

sadiebrawl

IsaackGMOON wrote: »

I'm far from a woman, but did you go gluten free for celiac's or another medical condition?

WHO CARES

sadiebrawl

Might be a worth a shot to find a non traditional doctor (I think someone mentioned a few posts up). I've always had pretty bad pains with ovulation, but ibuprofen (about 6 of them) helps with that. You're only 31, but I did notice myself around 35 my periods got MUCH heavier and crampy, I just figured it had to do with age. This is a great thread. thank you!