Pain relief

AlyssaDarby13

I get terrible cramps. I'm not sure if it's at all related to the PCOS, or if it's because of my adenomyosis. Either way, I am in need of ideas for pain relief. My doctor stopped prescribing my pain meds (I was on 7.5mg of hydrocodone) and I'm not very happy about it. Because I have Mirena (removing it is not an option right now), my "periods" are coming every 2-5 days now (aka-almost constant) and within the last week, the cramping has become a daily occurrence, and I am at a loss.

I use hot rice packs and heating pads like crazy, but that leaves me bedridden. Any other suggestions for pain relief?

KnitOrMiss

My BFF told me about some new maxipads that have heat and/or cold built in - like the icy hot stuff, but in a maxi pad. She doesn't have much success with meds, so that helps. Salon Pas patches are AWESOME for back/front cramps. Wearing snug (super snug) stuff, and tampons, really helps reduce the amount of cramping, even if the snug stuff is an underneath layer. Taking 800 mg of ibuprofen, 2 hours later 1000 mg acetominophen, 2 hours later repeat ibuprofen, 2 hours later repeat acetominophen, etc. is the equivalent of Rx pain meds like what you had before. Using Pamprin or Midol as part of the acetominophen really helps, too. Staying away from the things you tend to crave worst at that time of month - i.e. sugar, etc., can really help too, because it can flare pain. I know the endometriosis can be absolute hell, but Inositol **might** help reduce some of that, since the flares are partially hormonally driven. Also, if the pain is located in your back and stuff, at TINS unit (similar to the lesser intensity one on the market from Icy Hot right now) would probably be helpful for non-narcotic pain relief. I use a combination of these things every time... (HUGS) Also, if it won't make your PCOS worse, you might see about adding a birth control pill, since you obviously are not looking to get pregnant, as an added hormone pill might balance you out some and cease some of the pain/cycles. I had to go up a bit in pill strength, but the current one stops my cycles altogether (I might have some breakthrough stuff once every few months during super stressful times or when I took a pill a few hours late), but the relief has been well worth having to add a blood pressure pill due to the side effect of the BCP.... Just some of what I have/am going through myself.

EDITED to add, BFF said the cramp heating pad things are by ThermaCare...

AlyssaDarby13

Thanks. I'll look into these things.

macchiatto

I've bought the disposable heating pads that you can attach to your skin or clothes. They work REALLY well. Usually the first day or two I would have such bad cramps that I would also be bedridden with electric heating pads but with these I can stick them on and go. They last for 8 hrs IIRC.

Premsyn and Midol help me, too, but I'm guessing that might not be enough for you.

KnitOrMiss

Update us on progress when you can!

AlyssaDarby13

I've been cycling the ibuprofen/acetaminophen on my bad days, and it definitely takes the edge off. I am on a fixed income, so I haven't been able to afford the heat patches yet. But, I remembered I'd used them before. Back when they were new. I think they worked well.
Otherwise, because of my body pain I don't get out much anyway.

Will be seeing my GP on the 21st and will be asking him for a referral to a pain management specialist. I knew I needed one for my generalized chronic body pain, but as it turns out, the gynecologist's NP said I'd need one for my cramps, too. Hopefully I can get in soon.

KnitOrMiss

*crossing my fingers* for you to find some comfort and relief soon.

countesscharleyangel

Midol really helps me, exercise helps, and try doing the child's pose (yoga), it helps me. I was told that it helps the blood clots to drop, which is what's causing the cramping. You get your period so often, did you ask your doc if you have a fibroid or anything on your uterus?

AlyssaDarby13

I have adenomyosis, which is one reason why he suggested the Mirena. We're going to reassess when I go in for my 6 month checkup next month.

chardh

I use that thing called a magic bag (essentially rice or grains in cloth) that I can heat in the microwave and put it on my stomach and lower as I struggle with bad pain and cramping, otherwise drinking water and sometimes peppermint tea helps. Hope you feel better. I did try Maca Powder for it but its not that cheap. It took away some of the pain and heavy bleeding but I don't know that I would recommend it as it personally threw my cycle way out of whack and made it longer then it normally is.