female only (For Ladies Only) What to take for BAD cramps?

KarenB · March 6, 2005

Hi all. During my menses I get really bad cramps for 2 days. I've taken a combo (after checking w/several dr's) of 2 advil/2 tylenol every 4-6 hours & it's been the only thing to work. Now w/the band I'm worried that's too much advil. Dr. Martinez said occasional advil liquigels are fine, but I think my regimin (sp?) is more than occasional. I've been white-knuckling it for past 2 month & probably taking more advil than I should, even tho he says no evidence to support advil is bad, blah blah...I don't want to take any chances!

Any suggestions? Does anyone take anything natural or stronger...narcotics are an option for 2 days a month! I wanted to get suggestions first before asking my after-care nurse practitioner for a script, if necessary.

Thanks

Pacomomma · March 6, 2005

I suffered also. My doc said its ok as long as it is not excessive. I took 200mg of Advil. every 6 hours and it did take the edge off my cramps. pre-op I usd to take 800mg Motrin every 6 hours . So I think I am doing ok. I thought about taking the liquid Vicodin that was given to me post-op but I had to work. The Advil 200mg enabled me to work. I am also open to any other ideas .

HarleyNana · March 6, 2005

Not to make lite of your cramps, but I send mine to play golf...LOL, that was back during the day when I had that monthly pest.

princess_n_thep · March 6, 2005

I have always been told, and it seems to work, that swimming is the best cure for cramps. Head off to the nearest indoor pool and swim a couple laps, I bet you will feel better! I swear it works for me!

Bright · March 6, 2005

A walk definitely helps! I also take dissolvable paracetamol or solpadeine (that's a brand name, it's codeine & paracetamol and also dissolvable in water...)

live2canoe · March 6, 2005

Wine - lots and lots of wine!

Works best on a Friday or Saturday night when used in conjunction with the couch, a good DVD and a heating pad!

I'llsucceed · March 6, 2005

Wine - lots and lots of wine!
Works best on a Friday or Saturday night when used in conjunction with the couch, a good DVD and a heating pad!

TOOOOO Funny- I swear that was EXACTLY what I was going to say. LOL

It really works!!

KarenB · March 6, 2005

Thanks for the suggestions. The wine sounds divine, but not for work! Question to Bright--I've always read about Paracetamol in police/crime novels (my absolute favorite) that take place in England, Ireland, Scotland, but never knew what it was. Is it the same as what we call Tylenol? (acetaminophen)?

I LOVE having all you new friends from so many different places.

Karen

vinesqueen · March 6, 2005

Karen, I have started to use a Theramcare heat wrap. Stores generally keep them in the same area as the Pads, so they should be easy to find. Regular heating pads are nice, but they aren't very convienint, since you gotta plug 'em in.

When I don't use these heat wraps, I have to take 1/2 a hydrocodone because the pain is so bad.

Hope this helps!

shamrock · March 6, 2005

I'm not banded yet so I don't know if can you take Aleve (naprosyn)? Thats what a Dr I use to work for use to prescribe for cramps. I know that is what keeps me on my feet at work now. I'm a nurse and there are some days I am on my feet 8-10 hours straight on the run and these knees are hauling around a load on top of having a torn ACL in one and a torn medial ligiment in the other. Two aleve before I go in and alot of nights my knees are the last thing on my mind. There are alot of things in the news lately with several different medications. All I know is naprosyn has been around over 25 years an it works.

La_madam · March 6, 2005

I have started to use a Theramcare heat wrap.

I use the Therma Care heat wrps too, even at work under my clothes, I take liquid Tylenol and the 2 together seem to conquer my cramps.

blossom · March 6, 2005

The only thing that has EVER worked for my cramps is Aleve and a heating pad. I am still using the Aleve, I just can't get through that kind of pain with tylenol. I also tried the Advil liquid gels, but they did nothing for me either. My band is just gonna have to get used to Aleve for 2 days every month, LOL!!!

New Hope · March 6, 2005

I have to take Celebrex (very powerful RX NSAID) when my arthritis gets unbearable. My band surgeon recommended drinking a glass of Water first, taking the pill, then drinking another glass of water to flush it through your pouch. An endoscope (for other problems) last month showed all is well so far.

Bright · March 7, 2005

Hi Karen, in response to your PM re Paracetamol: It is a painkiller, very very common in europe and sold under various brand names - Panadol being the most well known - and Calpol for children! It has received bad press for a while here, because it is a very dangerous drug if overdosed on - ie many teenagers suffering from depression, on impulse, may OD on a packet of paracetamol, and can die a few days later - stomach pumping is not an option as the drug seriously damages the liver, and there have been many documented cases of regretful people, who attempted suicide, dying later in hospital from liver/kidney failure... It is also contained in a lot of flu and cold preparations - the manufacturers & health dept. in the EU have tried to raise awareness of double drugging on paracetamol - ie taking two pills, then a hot lemon drink containing paracetamol and then maybe a cough Syrup also containing the drug....! It is now sold in smaller packages, ie smaller amounts of pills in the blister packs - and people are only allowed to purchase one packet at a time....Well that's the bad press - used carefully, being aware of the dangers, paracetamol is a very safe drug in my opinion - it is very easy on the stomach (thus being safer for bandedkind!) and is definitely "my drug of choice"!!! I used to take Ibuprofin (and also give it to the children) but changed after my surgery as it isn't stomach lining friendly. I just read up on it on the internet for you, and I do believe that it's called acetaminophen in the USA,

here is a website that may help:

http://www.pharmweb.net/pwmirror/pwy/paracetamol/pharmwebpic.html

Advil & Aleve are NSAIDS - ie non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs, containing ibuprofin, and are an irritant to the stomach lining, so I would avoid them and use Tylenol - just my opinion!

Hope this answers your question - by the way - which crime authors do you like? I adore crime novels too - my faves all being American!!! Kathy Reichs, Linda Fairstein, Jonathan Kellerman, Tess Gerritsen and Patricia Cornwell! From the UK I love Ruth Rendell of course, and Elizabeth George..... sorry for going off topic guys!!!

Zoe · March 7, 2005

Going even further off-topic on crime fiction: PD James rules!! Don't forget our own (US) Dennis Lehane.

OK, back to cramps -- I still have some paracetemol left over from my band surgery (didn't realize it was acetominaphen) that works for moderate cramps but, alas, the only thing that works for me when things get really nasty is narcotics. Yes, Rush Limbaugh stuff. Vicodin, to start. Luckily this only strikes a couple of times a year... painkillers make me sleepy, groggy, and stupid. Well, more so than usual.