Severe stomach cramps before period

Hi
I was wondering if anyone can help me?

I am almost 42 now and for the past two months i have just started to suffer from the most dibilitating stomach cramps ever, normally a day or so before my period starts.

At first, it is like hunger pains, but it gets worse and worse until i can't walk, i feel so cold and i have goosebumps and have to go to bed. I lay there with the electric blanket on and heaps of blankets on my bed. I get shooting pains for hours and hours. I can't move and have to lie on my back. The whole experience lasts about 8 hours, until it eases. At my worst, i just cant do anything, let alone eat anything. The pain is so sore i end up crying.

I have tried paracetamol and and an anti inflam pill for period pains, but i think they were useless. The next morning i wake up fine and all is back to normal again. My actual period is pain free, but i am already dreading next month, as we will be on holidays too :(

I would be very interested in any suggestions on how to cope with this.