Oh help - the absolute pain!!!

I am at a loss what is going on ...

Since having #3 in September 08 I got my period back in April and was, and still am b/feeding.

Well, since having it back, every single time I get it (and it arrived last night so today is first full day one) - I am in absolute agony.... without any exaggeration it truly feels like an hour into labour without the rest after each contraction. Lower stomach, excruciating in my hips and lower back .....

I have been taking Nurofen period pain Ibuprofen - but they dont even touch the sides. I am physically unable to do much but sit and moan - which sounds absolutely pathetic.

My periods have never been this bad.

Has anybody had this after having more children? IS it something I need to see a doctor about do you think? Seriously, I go back to work in 3 weeks and if it happens to arrive on one of my work days, there is physcially no way I would work.

I am doing heatpaks, gentle walking with the kids during the day (school holidays so they still need to get out and let off some steam :)).

I am really intersted to hear other peoples stories and advice on anything I can do short of knocking myself out with medication!!!! which really i cant do when b/f anyways:rolleyes::rolleyes:

This will sound stupid but try taking tums (the antacid). They are really good for stomach cramps & leg cramps as well. They don't work for everyone but it's worth a try. It could be worth a visit to your doctor if this has only started after giving birth.

My period got a lot heavier and more painful after I had DS1, Id never really had period pain before then, so Im dreading it coming back this time.

When it got really bad I used to take indocid, but you'd need a prescription for it, and I dont htink you can take it when breastfeeding ?

Gee hun, if that's not normal for you, then I would be off to see a gyno about it as there could be something going on in there that could need treatment.

mine were like that after dd, but i was vomitting too, i ended up in a&e on morphine! they recommended analgesics for future bouts of it... maybe ask a pharmacist?

Thanks so much for your replies :)

satya - firstly - WOW Brock is ONE! Tums hey - doesn't sound silly at all if others have tried and tested and it has worked!!

ray - yes, it is MUCh heavier - and my iron levels were really low after birth I was on supplements for 6 months - so I am worried as I feel very light headed and nauseous the first 2 days too.

Trillian - i think that is a good idea - i havent been to one since we have been here so about time i found a good one - having a pamper party tomorrow so can check with my friends then ;)

Boobaloo - that is how I felt last night - dry retching and dizzy and terrible pain :( I can udnerstand how you would end up at A & E!! What analgesics did they recommend for you?

Well, the worst has passed now - the first 12 hours lead in to it then the next 36 hours are hell, and then the next 2 days are fine with some panadol again pain wise, but still heavy.

Hmmmm have you thought about using a menstrual cup or cloth pads? A lot of women report a reduction in painful periods, no idea why, it's just one of those things.....

I have suffered with bad period pain since I first got my period and it sucks. Before I fell pregnant with DS my gyno suggested I had endometriosis - however I fell pregnant and then moved away and never had it investigated. I was told that it could either get better or worse after giving birth. Luckily for me AF settles for about 2yrs after bubs is born and then gradually gets worse.

The options I was given was to go on the Pill or put up with it???? As I said - they were going to do more investigating not sure if there would have been more options after this. I would def be going to see my dr to see if there was anything I could do to help. Before DS I was told I could take 2 Naprogestic and 2 panadol and this is how I used to get through my days - although I would quite often take the day off if I couldn't get out of bed. Naprogestic (as far as I know is not suitable for taking while BF as it can lead to bleeding in the newborn) Unfortunately being a mum you don't get that option anymore :rolleyes:

I have had some relief from using a progestrone cream, making sure I drink a lot of water, exercise in the weeks leading up to AF, staying away from fats and chocolate/caffine (hard at that time of the month I know) and using cloth pads and menstrual cups.

All the best - hope you find some relief

interesting that you both mentioned cloth pads or menstrual cups - and nope I havent thought or looked into either of those - suppose i am worried about the trustworthiness of them - but hey i use cloth on my boy - but are they still reliable for really heavy periods? Prob should post that in another thread ....

I'm not so much into choc - but crave salty things like potato chips! Caffeine for me is hard to stay away from with 3 kids and being busy busy busy ...

Will go to docs and get iron levels done again too and see what else I can do. It has gotten worse with each child, which is so unfair. And now that we arent having anymore it's crueler - i dont need to have a period anymore cos i dont need a cycle!!! :rofl:

thanks ladies ;)

SammiH - it does suck - I know just what you mean! And DH has had a vasectomy here so I don't even need the pill for BC -I wish we had the chance of trading our organs in when they aren't needed anymore.

As for the cloth thing - I use a cup and liners, although the pads are capable of working for heavy periods they are quite bulky so the cup is awesome!

I would go to a doctor just to make sure there's nothing actually wrong first.

I have used a menstrual cup since about 1999 and it definitely helps reduce cramps for me (it exerts mild suction meaning the uterus doesn't have to work so hard to get the lining and blood out). Maybe worth a try?

Also, if you're done having babies you could consider a Mirena coil? I just had mine taken out after 3 yars (to ttc). It's an interuterine coil which releases small amounts of synthetic hormone to prevent you growing a lining, thicken cervical mucus, and in some cases prevent ovulation. Lots of women have no periods at all with one fitted and the rest report substantially lighter less painful periods. Mine was 4-7 days of spotting every month, with the very occasional (7 a year maybe?) episodes of mild back pain. They last 5 years after which you get them changed or removed (if you decide to have another afterall ;)). Might be worth a look if you're going to be so ill for 2 days every month?

Bx

Sorry for my ignorance girls but i'm quite interested to hear what the cup is that you are talking about??? Don't think i've heard of it...

Jenni - there's a whole bunch of different menstrual cups out there. If you google 'menstrual cup labyrinth' you should find all the info you need. I use a lunette (lol, when I'm not pregnant or breastfeeding...which hasn't been for AGES!) personally.

Sorry to hijack your thread Sam :redface:

Haha no worries - I'm done - but why dont you use them when b/f - do you mean when you dont have a period or for some other reason?

Yeah no I just dont have my periods yet!