Problems Doing Mentrual Cycle

First off, you're not alone. I'm 41 and have had debilitating cramps all my life. I have gone through surgeries, acupuncture, working out, meditating, rekki healing, a holistic nutritionist...you name it, I've done it. My gyn and I have been through so much together!! In 2005 I had a uterine ablation hoping it might help a bit, it didn't but I did receive a wonderful side effect! An ablation is when they cauterize the lining of your uterus (making you sterile) and this eliminates the collection of tissue and blood so when my period comes around, I have no bleeding! I still get the cramps, but at least I don't have the mess to go with it :-)

I've come down to basically two options. 1- have a hysterectomy. Which I choose not to do. I'm basically just scared that if my uterus is removed, everything else will prolapse (shift positions) and then I'll have a bunch of other issues to deal with. 2- drugs and a great heating pad.

So, after all these years and all these attempts to eliminate the cramps and the headaches and the moodiness and downright bitchiness (bless my husband!!), nothing has helped me. BUT, this is not to say you have run out of options. I am a firm believer in alternative medicine. I do believe that acupuncture can and will work for some people. Heck, it may work for me for another sympton, just not for cramps. Who knows. I'm very open to these things because I know that the only thing that helps with my recently acquired back issues is a visit to the Chiropractor. I know that meditation helps with general stress and anxiety. I know that eating right and taking vitamins helps my immune system. etc.

It takes time, but look into other options. I'm not sure what you've tried already, but there are many many things to try before you give up. Sometimes being on the pill will cause headaches, espcially if it's a high dose. I have known a nurse for many years and she suffered from migraines for over 20 years. She was told to try acupuncture. She did. She had to go for about 8 months, but in the end, the migraines went away. She has been migraine free for over 10 years.

If the headaches persist, you need to talk to your doc about it. If he/she doesn't see the correllation between then and your period, then see a different doc. See someone who specializes in PMDD/PMS. You and I don't just have PMS. We're not just a little moody around that time of month. This is a medical condition that can often be treated. You need to get more out of your doc. And when you say you've seen your doc, do you mean your GYN? Because that's who you should also be seeing about this.

If you are anywhere near Silver Spring or Bowie, I can recommend a really good one. Let me know.

Good luck, I do understand the frustration of it and hope you find something to help.

J.

I would try Slow FE iron pills. I have endometriosis and fibroids, that helps my headaches due to heavy flow. My doctor gave me a steroid to take during the 1st few days of my cycle and it helps with the cramping due to inflamation. You need to get bloodwork done every six months to get your liver checked but I find that it is much better then other treatments Dr's suggested. Dr's are so quick to give hormones for therapy and I have been down that road many times and feel as though your trading one severe symptom for another. Hormones create other issues. See if your doctor will do a sonogram to see if there is a cyst possibly on the existing ovary. There may be something going on that requires medical treatment. Excederine Migrane works great but it has asprin in it and may cause you to be heavier while on your period. Good luck!

My friend has always had severe cramps -- to the point of nausea, headaches & missing work.
She had an ablation (sp?) done and it has helped.
It could be endometriosis or fibroids as well.

I've always had bad cramping with a heavy flow that got worse after having my kids. I also had my tubes tied, but also ended up getting an edometrial ablation due to cramping/bleeding. It was a pretty simple procedure and I now have just a couple days of spotting with ZERO cramping in place of what used to be my period. My friend had the pain/headache symptoms that you are describing and ended up having a hysterectomy after a long time of doctors telling her she was "healthy". She also feels great now after surgery. Hope you find a solution!

I agree with others that it sounds like something else is going on, like endometriosis or fibroids (or other things.) I had extreme pain with relatively low levels of endometriosis that went undiagnosed and untreated for more than a decade. So, just because one doctor doesn't see it doesn't mean it's not there. I would find a gynecologist who specializes in pain and disorders - mine does - Dr. Alice McKnight. She's just of I-395 in Alexandria, but from Tyson's it only take me 20+ minutes to get there. They take just about every insurance that exists, even Kaiser Select! ###-###-####. Even if it's just to inquire about the symptoms and pain.

She also is up on the latest ways to mitigate the pain to get you functional during the times you have the symptoms.

Good luck and be well!
~J

**sorry, just noticed you are in Delaware. So, I would call the office and ask for a referral. Check out their site at www.physiciansforwomen.net, and you can see her background. Maybe find another doc near you who has similar training in laproscopic procedures and menstrual problems/diseases.**

First off, have you spoken to your dr? You might want to find one who specializes in natural hormone replacement, as they have wonderful tests and natural hormone treatments made just for you.

I found that my periods are worse (cramping ect) if I eat fatty foods. Say, a hamburger or a doughnut can really mess me up. Try when you know you will be starting your period to eat fresh foods and see if that helps. Sugar may affect you as well.

My periods were much better when I watched what I ate, until I had an ectopic pregnancy and one of my tubes was removed. Now I have severe cramping and the other day I actually felt like I was in labor! It was the day I started my period and it was horrible.

Wish you the best,
S.