Monthly curse so debilitating

OCS_Fan

codemonkey wrote: »

Definitely go to your doctor as there are things that can be done to make this more bearable. Don't be embarrassed - they've seen and heard it all before.

This is going to sound weird, but one of the things that really helped my pain was switching from tampons to a menstrual cup. You'll probably need to still use towels and empty it frequently, but for some unknown reason, when I wear a cup I get fewer cramps and it feels cleaner than a tampon. Its also moneysaving and better for the environment.

I've never heard of this Codemonkey. I will investigate. Do they sell them on the high street?

OCS_Fan

terra_ferma wrote: »

Agree, and heavy periods are not like a medical condition, unless the doctor finds a specific cause.
Personally I have a problem when people look for a diagnosis by listing a few symptoms, not when it's a matter of giving pointers re. over the counter supplements (or 'ask your doctor about xyz').

I use this forum a lot anyway and was just looking for advice really as it's not really something I feel I want to talk to colleagues or friends about. I considered posting on Health but the threads on there are generally less medical and more beauty. I am spending £10 a month on sanitary protection too!

Thank you Terra ferma for the links. I will investigate as sometimes at work I'm in a situation where I cannot go to the bathroom when I need to. It's not practical either hence me describing my situation as debilitating.

OCS_Fan

Lily-Rose wrote: »

Periods really are VILE aren't they?! I have very strong painkillers for the chronic illness that I have, and so I don't get much bad period pain now, but I still get a rather heavy flow.

I had horrific periods from age 13 when I started them, to age 18, when I started the pill. From aged 18 to mid 30s, I was on the pill, and then the doctor stopped letting me have it as I was 4 stone overweight at the time and my blood pressure was a bit high.

Cue the monstrous periods again.

I frequently had one day a month off work, and struggled to exist sometimes; so much pain and suffering. Why DO they have to be so vile?!

Then about 4-5 years after, I was diagnosed with the chronic illness I have now, (at around early 40s,) and I started having strong painkillers, and these stopped the bad period pain. (Thankfully!)

Even so, as I said, they are still very heavy at times, and I get so annoyed at having to wipe constantly, and worry about messing the flippin' chair and car seat, and about leakages when I'm walking and about, and it getting on the mattress on the bed. (Nice subject eh?!) :rotfl:

Seriously, with each month that passes, I cuss a bit more, and think when on EARTH are these EVER going to stop?! I am FIFTY !!!!!!!

You have my sympathy BIG TIME O.P.! I can only suggest going on the pill, or some nurofen plus, or strong codeine tablets (if the doc will give you some.)

I am somewhat reassured that others have a similar problem. Of course, I wish you didn't. Apart from the headaches, I don't get very painful cramping pain but my stomach is very upset during the heavy days. I feel nauseous and have diarrhoea. The clotting worries me. I am hoping the doc can give me tablets that slows down the flow. I may have to consider going back on the pill or have a coil fitted. I used to be on microgynon - the mini pill never suited me. Periods at 50! :eek: I was really hoping they would stop soon.

OCS_Fan

THAnK YOU All :beer:!!!!:T

I'm so grateful for all your responses. Some fantastic advice. I felt as if it was just my problem that I just have to get on with. I WILL be ringing for an appointment on Monday. I will let you know what he says. I started to reply to everyone in turn but I better go to bed now but I have read every reply and take in board every suggestion experience.

Thanks so much.

Savvy_Sue

Get over the embarrassment - see a female GP if that would help and your surgery has one. There are various potential reasons for the heavy bleeding, and there should be a treatment as well!

Lily-Rose_3

OCS_Fan wrote: »

THAnK YOU All :beer:!!!!:T

I'm so grateful for all your responses. Some fantastic advice. I felt as if it was just my problem that I just have to get on with. I WILL be ringing for an appointment on Monday. I will let you know what he says. I started to reply to everyone in turn but I better go to bed now but I have read every reply and take in board every suggestion experience.

Thanks so much.

Good for you babe. Glad you feel a bit better now.

Lily-Rose_3

OCS_Fan wrote: »

I am somewhat reassured that others have a similar problem. Of course, I wish you didn't. Apart from the headaches, I don't get very painful cramping pain but my stomach is very upset during the heavy days. I feel nauseous and have diarrhoea. The clotting worries me. I am hoping the doc can give me tablets that slows down the flow. I may have to consider going back on the pill or have a coil fitted. I used to be on microgynon - the mini pill never suited me. Periods at 50! :eek: I was really hoping they would stop soon.

:rotfl: LOLOLOLOL!!! ME TOO! I always thought - foolishly - that they would stop by 44 to 45 ish.

Silly me.

Seriously, it's not funny, sorry.

Also, I forgot to say that I also have headaches along with my periods. Some manageable and some unbearable: bordering migraine.

Some months, maybe 4 or 5 out of every 12. I will have a whole DAY that is stolen from me, (so 5 lost days a year IYSWIM,) as I just have to lie in bed in a darkened room, as my migraine is that bad! Nothing on earth shifts it.

thistledome

codemonkey wrote: »

This is going to sound weird, but one of the things that really helped my pain was switching from tampons to a menstrual cup. You'll probably need to still use towels and empty it frequently, but for some unknown reason, when I wear a cup I get fewer cramps and it feels cleaner than a tampon. Its also moneysaving and better for the environment.

I second this.

I used to use a large Lunette menstrual cup and I got a minimum of 4-6 hours on a heavy day when a super plus tampon lasted for about an hour to an hour and a half max. before it leaked.

Lunette is just one brand (and IMHO the best) but there are others. They take a bit of getting used to for some people, but once you've got the knack they're an absolute god-send.

You can buy them online. I think some Boots and health food shops stock the Mooncup, but I personally prefer the shape and design of other brands.

As for money saving, mine cost just under £20 and they last for years. You can use it if you think you might be about to come on without wasting any money or product, unlike a tampon.

This probably doesn't bother other people but I used to hate having to take my bag into the toilet or rustle around for tampons, thus making it obvious when in company. With a cup you just pop it in before you go out.

I wish I'd tried them when I was young. I wouldn't have spent so much time confined to the house or feeling panicked if I had to go out and there was no toilet close by.

Worry_Wart

I take cerazette progesterone only pill, and as you take it every day, it stops your periods completely. I've not had a period now for years, except for a couple of months when I lost my packs and didn't have a chance to get new ones. I have no sore boobs, no bleeding, and it feels as if my womb just doesn't exist. I'll happily take this pill until I hit the menopause in 10 - 15 years.After years of the combined pill and all its side effects, I'm so happy to find this one instead, and it's much safer. No risk of deep vein thrombosis or high blood pressure.

OCS_Fan

Some months, maybe 4 or 5 out of every 12. I will have a whole DAY that is stolen from me, (so 5 lost days a year IYSWIM,) as I just have to lie in bed in a darkened room, as my migraine is that bad! Nothing on earth shifts it.

This is exactly the same as me. If the headache takes hold, then I have to spend the day in bed in a darkened room and sleep. Thankfully yesterday's headache, which prompted me starting this thread, did not turn into one of those mega ones.:T