Question for the ladies. TMI

oX_Vanessa_Xo
oX_Vanessa_Xo Posts: 478
in Motivation and Support
How do you get through exercising when having cramps?

2 days now I've been so inactive (but did throw in a few walks) but I'm just like ugggghhhh

Im tired, I'm btchy, Im irritable, I'm sore.

Seems with every baby I had, one more AF symptom appeared, and before having kids I had no symptoms at all.

Replies

  • vixtris
    vixtris Posts: 688 Member
    pop a Tylenol, wait for it to kick in and go at it. I try not to over do myself though because I have gotten sick after working out while on tom.
  • CatShelton
    CatShelton Posts: 147 Member
    I just have to power through it. I get really bad cramps but running seems to help them for me. I just try to motivate myself by thinking about how much better I feel after its over. Hope you feel better soon.
  • oX_Vanessa_Xo
    oX_Vanessa_Xo Posts: 478
    pop a Tylenol, wait for it to kick in and go at it. I try not to over do myself though because I have gotten sick after working out while on tom.

    Pills don't do squat for me unless its a perc.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Midol
  • _Pseudonymous_
    _Pseudonymous_ Posts: 1,671 Member
    There are literally 100's of threads in reference to TOM on here where you can find a lot of terrific advice. Just go to the boards and do a search for TOM or Periods or what not and I'm sure you will find a helpful suggestion in there somewheres. :)
  • theCarlton
    theCarlton Posts: 1,344 Member
    Ibuprofen.
  • Galloping4God
    Galloping4God Posts: 46 Member
    I just have to power through it. I get really bad cramps but running seems to help them for me. I just try to motivate myself by thinking about how much better I feel after its over. Hope you feel better soon.

    Same for me. There have been times when I am doubled over while walking because I am cramping SO BAD, but by the end, I usually feel better.

    Also- great news- I've had bad cramps every month since I was 10 with my periods. Now that I've gotten my weight under control and exercise every day, I barely have cramps!! I started today (normally I'd be in pain with my knees pulled up to my chest) I took a 5 mile walk with my friend and didn't even know I started!! And pills don't do dittily for me, either. So I understand!! I hope you feel better and it'll be better next time!
  • BrendaaSue
    BrendaaSue Posts: 2
    I usually take like 3 Pamprin, drink tons and tons and tons of water, and then go to yoga. I love yoga because it's a satisfying workout, but still pretty mellow. Not to mention, being able to center myself eases the crazy-*****-mode & also helps me stay motivated/focused. :)
  • nayeliholmes
    nayeliholmes Posts: 12 Member
    I don't if they are bad cramps, but mine are sometimes so bad that I barely move and am almost in tears... probably from endo.

    Anyway I try to do exercises that don't aggravate them. Some exercises can even help alleviate cramps. Maybe do some weight lifting, walking around, stretches, etc.
  • vaquera19
    vaquera19 Posts: 14 Member
    This is why I've been on hormone-based birth control since I was 17 and have a Mirena IUD now. My cramps used to completely take me out of commission, and I've even had to have a family member come pick me up from the gym because I couldn't get out of the fetal position to drive. Oftentimes, birth control with hormones in it will lesson your symptoms. I went for the Mirena when I got married because I wanted something I didn't have to worry about every day, but it's been the best by far for preventing cramps (of course, it's also the most expensive up front as well). I do get a small cramp every now and then around "that time", but other than that, I more or less don't have to deal with it.
  • Some_Watery_Tart
    Some_Watery_Tart Posts: 2,250 Member
    OTC pain meds don't work for me either. I use a heating pad sometimes to take the edge off first. But really, you have to go deep down inside yourself and just die. Then go workout. Ugh! I try to stick with yoga and strength training on my really bad days.
  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
    This is why I've been on hormone-based birth control since I was 17 and have a Mirena IUD now. My cramps used to completely take me out of commission, and I've even had to have a family member come pick me up from the gym because I couldn't get out of the fetal position to drive. Oftentimes, birth control with hormones in it will lesson your symptoms. I went for the Mirena when I got married because I wanted something I didn't have to worry about every day, but it's been the best by far for preventing cramps (of course, it's also the most expensive up front as well). I do get a small cramp every now and then around "that time", but other than that, I more or less don't have to deal with it.
    I'm in a similar situation, but when I switched to the Mirena, my cramps that I had before the pill came back. They were to the point where I was missing work and curled up in a ball on my bed crying and screaming into a pillow. I talked to my doctor, and she put me on Hydrocodone for the pain. It helps some, but not too much. I may have to talk to her about upping my dosage, but the problem is that it knocks me out. Kinda defeats the purpose because then I still can't work. :ohwell:
  • hellraisedfire
    hellraisedfire Posts: 403 Member
    I take something called ketoralac. I'm on a paragard, and if I do ANY exercise when it's that time of the month, I throw up. fantastic right? my gyno said to use naproxen (totally useless), so my family doctor prescribed me these. I can take up to four a day, but one in the AM keeps me going for a day. :)
  • iulia_maddie
    iulia_maddie Posts: 2,780 Member
    Oh. This is not the kind of TMI I like.
  • hellraisedfire
    hellraisedfire Posts: 403 Member
    I take something called ketoralac. I'm on a paragard, and if I do ANY exercise when it's that time of the month, I throw up. fantastic right? my gyno said to use naproxen (totally useless), so my family doctor prescribed me these. I can take up to four a day, but one in the AM keeps me going for a day. :)

    also, I really hate to preach, but please get checked for clotting disorders with hormonal birth control. I got a DVT that almost killed me. :(
  • oX_Vanessa_Xo
    oX_Vanessa_Xo Posts: 478
    I dont think I need to worry about birth control anymore, I'm done having babies.

    Ill just get off my butt and do it! No pain no gain! Errrr no loss...
  • michellechawner
    michellechawner Posts: 892
    I have been doubled over in pain with cramps... and I at least walk.

    Pop IBU 800mg and I do ok. Some months are worse than others. Considering the only working out I do is yoga and walking (due to medical reasons I can't lift any heavy weights and do vigorous activity, I know, it really sucks. I'm trying to build up to it though, with my dr's permission.)

    Pill or no pill, I still have horrible cramps, that's why I'm on the pill so I can plan which days I will have it so I know it's coming. Usually only 2 days I'm really lethargic. The other days are manageable. At least walk, if you do nothing else. Then you'll feel you accomplished something at least :)
  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    Midol, compression garment, tylenol.
  • oX_Vanessa_Xo
    oX_Vanessa_Xo Posts: 478
    I have been doubled over in pain with cramps... and I at least walk.

    Pop IBU 800mg and I do ok. Some months are worse than others. Considering the only working out I do is yoga and walking (due to medical reasons I can't lift any heavy weights and do vigorous activity, I know, it really sucks. I'm trying to build up to it though, with my dr's permission.)

    Pill or no pill, I still have horrible cramps, that's why I'm on the pill so I can plan which days I will have it so I know it's coming. Usually only 2 days I'm really lethargic. The other days are manageable. At least walk, if you do nothing else. Then you'll feel you accomplished something at least :)

    Putting the baby in the Quinny freestyle (big heavy stroller) and going for a long walk right now ;)
  • janelle1993
    janelle1993 Posts: 128
    After starting, you should feel some pain subside every few minutes, since exercise actually reduces cramps. Whenever I'm feeling really crampy I like to power walk because that helps me. But popping some midol 15 minutes should really help if it's really bad.
  • VoodooLuLu
    VoodooLuLu Posts: 636 Member
    I work through it
  • e_is_for_erin
    e_is_for_erin Posts: 83 Member
    I'm having the exact same problem at the moment!! I'm cramping so bad I don't feel like doing anything! But I know I just need to take some ibuprofen or Tylenol and just power through it.
  • ThatDamnRobyn
    ThatDamnRobyn Posts: 47 Member
    I usually power through them. If it's a particularly bad month, I might have cramps and pain through my butt and back thighs and terrible fatigue, so I'll skip that day and just listen to my body. I normally work out in one way or another every day, so skipping a day is no big deal.
  • oX_Vanessa_Xo
    oX_Vanessa_Xo Posts: 478
    I'm having the exact same problem at the moment!! I'm cramping so bad I don't feel like doing anything! But I know I just need to take some ibuprofen or Tylenol and just power through it.


    Mmmmmm Daryl


    Anyways, ibuprofen, tylenol, advil, midol..., nothing works!

    But I knew that if I just sit around feeling sorry for myself, soon I'm gonna start complaining about how fat I am... id rather tell myself how good I'm doing! So I went for a walk for an hour ;)
  • Korben234
    Korben234 Posts: 7
    Vanessa: how did you get that weightloss chart/banner?
  • oX_Vanessa_Xo
    oX_Vanessa_Xo Posts: 478
    Vanessa: how did you get that weightloss chart/banner?

    Google
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    OP, I also had no symptoms before kids.. seems like as I had children, cramps got worse. Five months ago, my periods were painful.. TOM just arrived for me and I didn't really even know it was coming cause I had no symptoms whatsoever. I've been working out atleast 5-6x and all days of my period since Jan. I definitely contribute getting off my butt and working out to my success.

    My tip is simple, just get it done. I don't take any painkillers/relievers.. once you get the blood flowing, you'll feel great. Listen to music, focus on your breathing (and sweating) during your workout and I'm sure it will get your mind off of TOM.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    pop a Tylenol, wait for it to kick in and go at it. I try not to over do myself though because I have gotten sick after working out while on tom.

    Pills don't do squat for me unless its a perc.

    :laugh: Sorry to laugh but this made me giggle.
    There are literally 100's of threads in reference to TOM on here where you can find a lot of terrific advice. Just go to the boards and do a search for TOM or Periods or what not and I'm sure you will find a helpful suggestion in there somewheres. :)

    Have you used the search function on here? It's horrid.. OP would be here for weeks going through all the results. I hope MFP fixes the search someday :laugh:

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