Monthly Pains

K.,

I had painful periods like you are describing when I was your age and younger. Go to the doctor. You don't have to suffer. My doctor gave me pain meds that made the world of difference. As I got older my periods got heavier and heavier. I had very common fibroid tumors. When it got unbearable I had a hysterectomy, but I was almost 15 years older than you are now.

Visit your doc. No need to suffer.

acupuncture! This has worked for women for thousands of years, and go figure it still works today amidst the thousands of drug companies putting out meds. with side effects.
I see you are in No.Va. Feel free to contact me if you need a referral.
There are plenty of good practitioners near you.
You do not have to take "pills" to get your body back into balance.
L.

Sometimes period pain in unusual places can be a sign of endometriosis. Or it may just be your body's reaction to the hormones, etc. Regardless, your doctor should be able to explain what's going on and help with symptom control. Good luck!

Hello:

That kind of pain in those non-uterus areas is definitely not normal. You should see your doctor as soon as you can. If it is something serious you can get it nipped in the bud before it gets out of hand. Either way, don't give up trying to find out what the problem is. It could be endometriosis, which they can take care of with laproscopic surgery and go in and destroy those small areas that are reacting to the increase in estrogen. You don't have to suffer. My aunt, who never had children, had pain during her periods that would sometimes keep her from going to work. when whe was in her 40s she finally found a doctor who told her that if she wasn't planning on kids, she could just get a hysterectomy rather than continue to suffer, so she did. I'm not saying that is the solution for you, but it might be.

Anyway, good luck and get well!

B.

Try cornflakes and a heating pad. Cornflakes help with all of the different vitamins you need for tiredness and moodiness. The heating pad should help with the lower abdominal pain. I've never figured out what to do for it hurting (down there) like it's raw and open. One question though, how was your cycle before the babies. Well, maybe another question...how were the births of the children. Usually those that have easy births have it hardest when it comes to their cycle and vice versa.

What you're experiencing is not normal, but it's not uncommon either. :) It is a very valid reason to go to the doctor. There are plenty of non hormonal things doctors can do or point you towards. You shouldn't be this miserable with your periods.

When I read your post, I thought "that was me!" before I finally was referred to a doc that gave me back my life during my period. I do have endometriosis with very high pain. Other responses have address this and the possibility of fibroid tumors. The one thing I will say is that you should definitely go to your OB/GYN. If they tell you that it's "just bad cramps" and normal, go to a different doctor. I was told by one doc that I couldn't have endometriosis based on his exam, however, he was wrong and old school docs tend to think that unless they can feel adhesions that nothing exists.

I have had two laparoscopic outpatient surgeries which were so successful that I was pain-free for a couple years after. Also, my doctor uses different hormone treatments depending on my symptoms (they do change over time for me) and what's happening with my body (breakthrough bleeding, heavier periods, higher pain, etc.) There is a fabulous pain killer/anti-inflammatory called Ponstel that is used to really knock out the worst pain and other aches during your period. You start it the day before and it's really made me functional even during the phases when I otherwise would be in excruciating pain.

Since you are local, I would highly recommend my OB/GYN - she's in Alexandria but SO worth the slight drive. She's Dr. Alice McKnight, www.physiciansforwomen.net - ###-###-####. She was the first doctor who really listened when I explained my symptoms and how it affected (negatively) my life, and she did something about it. 11 years later she delivered our first child (Dec. 2009) - she specializes in gynecological issues and is a skilled surgeon. Her approach is thoughtful and neither overly aggressive or lazy. She follows up and is open to hearing how her patients are progressing. When my symptoms change, she wants to know, and she stands behind that statement. The nurses in the practice are also great that work with her.

A couple things you can do in the meantime:
~Avoid caffeine and salty things a couple days ahead and during your period
~Frontload on anti-inflammatories (up to 800mg of motrin) starting 12-24 hours prior to your period, then take that dose every 4-6 hours as needed - the key is to stay AHEAD of the pain, so take the meds even if the pain isn't back to the highest levels
~be as gentle to yourself as you can. Using the larger muscles in our body (thighs, trunk, etc.) can make the symptoms worse. Ask for help with the kids during that time, put your feet up (literally) as often as possible, and rest if at all possible when you feel the need.
~Moist heat on the aching areas (inner thighs, lower back, buttocks) is often very therapeutic. I have the microwaveable seed filled bags that you can mist, or a simple heating pad (on low or medium) will help, too.
~laying on your side with a pillow between your legs to support your body (like when you were pregnant) is sometimes helpful for a while
~Restorative yoga poses (such as supported bound ankle - if you're not a yogi, don't worry, just find out how to do it from someone who knows - it makes you feel really good and alleviates some of the aches and also helps you to relax)

The support of my husband is also key - as when I deal with this I simply sometimes cannot function. He's known me for 15 years, and I've had this the entire time. If your partner is open to learning, a good doctor can help explain in layman's terms what happens and why it's so debilitating, and how they can help you. The mental side goes a long way to helping me deal with the chronic nature of this disease.

One last thing, endometriosis (if that is what you have) is manageable but not curable (yet.) Most women go an average of 8 years without being correctly diagnosed. It requires a proactive doc and educated patient to find a successful balance. I am proof that the balance does exist, so encourage you to seek out a good doctor who listens AND acts to make you feel better each and every month.

Sorry for the long reply, feel free to contact me and if you would prefer to talk on the phone I'm open to that, just send me your #. I also live in Vienna and am 36 with a 7 month old.

Be well, and best wishes,
J

Updated

I can relate! Since the very first time I got my period, I had similar symptoms, which increased as my clock-work regular period grew nearer: mild cramping two weeks before my actual period began and again 3 days before it began, then numbness/dull ache in my thighs so that I walked as little as possible or walked in cowboy-type stance, constant nausea, painful tenderness in my breasts and crippling cramps during the week-long period. I was guaranteed to either stay home a few days every month or stay in the nurses office.

I had been changing my diet (no red meats, citrus juices, little to no sugar and salt); I'd tried herbal pills, eating cranberries, heating pads, chamomile tea, and every usual pain reliever pill (which I usually vomited back up). I started to think I might have fibroids, and went to see my gynecologist, who prescribed naproxen (not sure what the non-generic name is), which helped immensely. However, after a couple years of the that, the effectiveness started to lessen, so my ob/gyn upped the dosage, which worked for a little while, and then stopped. So, I started taking the naproxen along with iron and sometimes an Aleve. I went back to my ob/gyn, who recommended birth control, which I finally agreed to take despite my reservations. So, far, it's been keeping things under control and has the added benefit of having shortened my period to 3 days, thank God!!

For a while, I had no support system because my female friends and family initially thought I was exaggerating or just over-sensitive to pain. I know birth control hasn't worked for you, but I just wanted to let you know: you're not alone out there. You definitely should see your doctor, and as others have said, if he/she dismisses your concerns get as many different opinions as you can.

denise may well be onto something. i had similar pains when i was moving into peri-menopause, although you are awfully young for that. i would try light medication (tylenol for the aches, st john's wort for the mood stuff) and try to manage the symptoms as best you can. gentle stretching, maybe some yoga, warm bubble baths, and being kind to yourself during your periods too. you're at what is probably the most active, stressful, exciting, busy time of your life. but by all means, see a doctor if you continue to suffer like this. i'd start with a homeopath.
khairete
S.

You might be starting menopause early. Either way, you should have this checked to make sure it's not something else wrong....

Get to your Dr. and tell them what is going on and see what they think.

Take care and good luck.

I would go to the doctor... it sounds like there is some kind of nerve damage, and if it happens around the time your period comes, the fact that us women get a little bloated and swollen could be contributing to something pushing against a nerve. This is way more than period pains. It could also be related to pelvic inflammatory disorder. Don't put yourself through anymore torture, go get checked out before you have a permenant problem on your hands. FEEL BETTER and best wishes :)