Horrible pms, what will help?

[kalicokats]

Two weeks before af arrived I had horrible pms symptoms. The *****iness is so bad I can't even stand to be around me. Then the cramps started about a week ahead of time. Now af is finally here and I am in so much pain and I am still *****y! Does anything help with this or should I just call my dr on monday? What do you think she would tell me to do?

Kathy
3 dc
4 m/c
1500mg Metformin
prenatal vitamin

[Gen224]

For the pain, take a pain reliever!! You can take up to 800mg advil (ibuprofen) every 3-4 hours w/o problems--if you get a rx for ibuprofen, it's 600 or 800 mg pills anyhow, and the dose is every 3-4 hours. Or try some naproxen sodium--I'd do 3 or 4 OTC pills. My naprox. rx used to be 500 mg pills (2 per dose, 2 times per day), so I don't have a problem taking an equivalent in OTC pills.

As far as what's causing it--my guess is that your doc will suspect endometriosis. It causes *extreme* pain and it doesn't quit during the actual cycle's arrival. Short of endoscopic surgery, most docs will rx bcps to control the symptoms and pain.

If for some reason you *know* you don't have endo, take heart--cramping is the #1 indication of ovulation. <weak smile> So if it's not endo, you're just ovulating, and that's the key to getting pg, which most cysters have struggles with to begin with. :shock:

HTH and hope you feel better soon! :)

[sweetsunshine72]

It won't help much this cycle, I don't think, but try taking evening primrose oil. It really helps w/ PMS, and I believe it's an Omega-3 oil, too.

Other than that, all I can offer is *hugs*, and use a heating pad....

Good luck! 8)

[jennipooh]

My step daugher has horrific PMS, and she just started last month on evening primrose oil...it has made such a difference!! I highly recommend it!

[OrangeDaisy]

I recommend trying Mucinex (Mucinex DM) in combo with a pain killer. When I had a bronchial infection, I discovered by accident that Mucinex made my cramps less painful. There has actually been a study on this drug for cramps. The theory is that it may thin the lining of the uterus just like it thins mucus.

Be careful about taking such high doses of Ibuprofen or Naproxen for long periods of time. I've done the same thing - taken 800 mg of Ibuprofen every 4 hours for 2- 3 days every month for years, but I've been sternly warned by my doctors that I am taking way too high a dose, and it may cause kidney problems or stomach bleeding. The Rx dosage is 400 mg every 4 hours or 600 mg every 6 hours or 800 mg every 8 hours. I'm trying to cut back, but I have horrific cramps.

Naproxen has the same issues. The recommended starting dose is 550 mg of naproxen sodium followed by 550 mg every 12 hours or 275 mg every 6 to 8 hours as required. The initial total daily dose should not exceed 1375 mg of naproxen sodium. Thereafter, the total daily dose should not exceed 1100 mg of naproxen sodium.

People that take NSAIDS, both OTC and prescription, have been shown to have a higher incidence of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. This may just be in people who already have heart disease, but we should all remember to be careful.

It is very discouraging to think we've come so far with so many diseases, and we can't cure a women's monthly cramps!

[tammyd]

just some questions on the evening primrose...anything i need to know as far as what i need to look for when buying it-brand,dosage,etc??? when and how do i take it???