Dealing with bad cramps?

I used to deal with these absolutely excruciating periods, the kind that would leave me completely unconscious—it was honestly terrifying, I can't even describe it properly... but ever since I had my baby, everything seems to have finally balanced out, and I haven't dealt with those awful pains once since then. The only thing that’s still somewhat noticeable is that they tend to be quite heavy...😢

Nicole Baker said:So, here I am again, hunched over my computer and twisting around trying to find some relief from this pain... this damn menstrual cycle is relentless... 😢 The pills tend to work pretty quickly and help settle things down, though I suppose the longer I rely on them, the more resistant my body becomes to the Ketoral. It’s probably not the most ideal long-term strategy either, given how heavy they are and the potential side effects they might carry... so... if anyone happens to have a suggestion for dealing with these absolutely BRUTAL and DEVASTATING pains in a somewhat healthier way, please feel free to leave it here... thanks.....

I actually managed to sort out that issue with Nimesulide. Because of some anemia, I had to get a blood transfusion about three years ago. While I was at the hospital, they stopped my cycle a few times because it wasn't good for me to lose any more blood while they were trying to replenish it. After I got discharged, they prescribed Yasmin to make sure my cycles didn't get too heavy again. For the first four months, I was literally screaming from the pain during my period; I was pacing around the house like a madwoman. Just to be clear, I never used to have pain like this before. It got so bad that no painkiller or tea helped one bit. I actually walked into a pharmacy in tears, explained everything to the pharmacist, and begged for anything just so I wouldn't lose my mind. She recommended Nimesulide. Within about ten minutes of taking it, the pain was gone and I slept like a baby. Aside from killing the pain, Nimesulide also helps with inflammation, almost like an antibiotic effect. Thankfully, I haven't had those issues in quite a while, but I always keep some Nimesulide on hand just in case. 🙂

Brandon Carter said:I actually managed to sort out that issue with Nimesulide. Because of some anemia, I had to get a blood transfusion about three years ago. While I was at the hospital, they stopped my cycle a few times because it wasn't good for me to lose any more blood while they were trying to replenish it. After I got discharged, they prescribed Yasmin to make sure my cycles didn't get too heavy again. For the first four months, I was literally screaming from the pain during my period; I was pacing around the house like a madwoman. Just to be clear, I never used to have pain like this before. It got so bad that no painkiller or tea helped one bit. I actually walked into a pharmacy in tears, explained everything to the pharmacist, and begged for anything just so I wouldn't lose my mind. She recommended Nimesulide. Within about ten minutes of taking it, the pain was gone and I slept like a baby. Aside from killing the pain, Nimesulide also helps with inflammation, almost like an antibiotic effect. Thankfully, I haven't had those issues in quite a while, but I always keep some Nimesulide on hand just in case. 🙂

Does anyone know how much Nimulid costs these days?

Morgan Hughes81 said:Does anyone know how much Nimulid costs these days?

Over here, it goes for about $3.00, or roughly 3 bucks.
There isn't much of a price gap between the liquid Nimulid you drink and the one that just melts in your mouth without any liquid at all. Honestly, the taste isn't even that bad.

Brandon Carter said:I actually managed to sort out that issue with Nimesulide. Because of some anemia, I had to get a blood transfusion about three years ago. While I was at the hospital, they stopped my cycle a few times because it wasn't good for me to lose any more blood while they were trying to replenish it. After I got discharged, they prescribed Yasmin to make sure my cycles didn't get too heavy again. For the first four months, I was literally screaming from the pain during my period; I was pacing around the house like a madwoman. Just to be clear, I never used to have pain like this before. It got so bad that no painkiller or tea helped one bit. I actually walked into a pharmacy in tears, explained everything to the pharmacist, and begged for anything just so I wouldn't lose my mind. She recommended Nimesulide. Within about ten minutes of taking it, the pain was gone and I slept like a baby. Aside from killing the pain, Nimesulide also helps with inflammation, almost like an antibiotic effect. Thankfully, I haven't had those issues in quite a while, but I always keep some Nimesulide on hand just in case. 🙂

If that's the case, I have my doubts about whether you can actually get it over the counter here in the States. Standard stuff like Voltaren or Ketoral usually requires a prescription regardless of how long you've been using them, so I can't imagine something like this would be any different...☕

So, back when I was over at Dr. Miller's office and asked if she could recommend anything for these cramps because they were just twisting me inside out, she basically told me there isn't any real cure for it at all, and that my best bet was just to go pick up some Advil... she didn't really offer anything else more substantial, which is honestly so frustrating...

Thomas Roberts9 said:If that's the case, I have my doubts about whether you can actually get it over the counter here in the States. Standard stuff like Voltaren or Ketoral usually requires a prescription regardless of how long you've been using them, so I can't imagine something like this would be any different...☕

I’m not entirely sure if you need a prescription for it, but you can pick it up at any local pharmacy around town. I actually did my own digging into inflammation relief while looking up side effects and recommended daily dosages. That’s just how I roll—I always check the fine print and everything else listed on the label before I even think about taking something. It’s better to be safe than sorry, I guess.

Morgan Hughes81 said:So, back when I was over at Dr. Miller's office and asked if she could recommend anything for these cramps because they were just twisting me inside out, she basically told me there isn't any real cure for it at all, and that my best bet was just to go pick up some Advil... she didn't really offer anything else more substantial, which is honestly so frustrating...

Are you serious????
That’s quite a lot to deal with... next time you see your primary care doctor, please do tell them that you need something specifically for pain management. If they happen to ask—though they probably won't—you might suggest mentioning that your period is coming up soon; since you have to schedule appointments ahead of time with an OBGYN, you likely won't be able to get a prescription in time. My own family doctor didn't ask me anything, but when I went in to get a referral for something else, I mentioned how absolutely agonizing my cramps are and how I'm practically rolling around on the floor in pain, asking if there was any pill that actually works fast. She ended up prescribing me some ibuprofen granules. They're alright, I suppose, though I still prefer Ketoral, even if it takes two whole hours to finally kick in.😢 😢

Or, perhaps next time, you could just tell your gynecologist that you already tried the Advil and it did absolutely nothing, and maybe then she might feel inclined to prescribe something a bit more potent.

In pain again today. I took two Voltaren tablets this morning and felt better for maybe fifteen minutes before it all came rushing back. Now I’m just lying here feeling like I might pass out. Currently on my laptop looking for alternatives to these pills. Anyone know anything? 😢

If you ask me, these whole recipe restrictions for pain meds are a joke. Stronger painkillers are what people actually need; these new rules haven't accomplished anything except making doctor's offices more crowded and forcing patients to argue with physicians just to get a damn prescription.

And besides, who can actually tell my intentions when I show up begging for a script? Am I there because I'm in genuine agony, or am I just someone looking for a little pill fix? In my opinion, they’ve made a bigger mess of things with this policy. Now most people are just getting hooked on a handful of weaker pills instead of being able to take one effective dose.

It’s a single prescription that I’ve been riding for about six months now, and honestly, I’ve burned through three boxes of these pills just to stay ahead of it. They’re running low soon, so I’ll be grabbing a refill; my GP is already well aware that I rely on these horse-strength anti-inflammatories to deal with my monthly cycle. I highly doubt anyone would go around pumping such heavy-duty postoperative-style combat grenades into their system just for the hell of it. 😬

I pick up Voltaren in the States—I’m not crazy enough to get into an argument over a single tube of ointment once a year. 🙄

Nicholas Morris6 said:I got my first period when I was 12—and man, it was brutal. Honestly, every single month after that just got progressively worse. I’m talking about feeling like I was actually dying. My principal used to drive me straight to the ER every 28 days just so they could hook me up to an IV and give me some shots... and honestly? Nothing ever really worked. Ketoral, Voltaren, you name it—they’d dull the edges a bit, but they never actually fixed anything. My whole life basically revolved around counting down the days until my next cycle, and the panic would set in every time a new month rolled around. Things were slightly more manageable once I started on birth control pills—which was great at the time, though obviously, those aren't exactly "healthy" either. Then I had my baby at 23... everything was fine for about six months postpartum, and then—bam—the pain came back with a vengeance. It wasn't just "drive me to the ER for an injection" anymore; I was literally passing out in the emergency room. Eventually, on my gynecologist's recommendation, I went with a Mirena IUD. Since then? Not only is the pain gone, but the periods themselves have vanished. Seriously, anyone who has been through the absolute hell I went through with my cycles can understand what a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel like a completely different person. I don't spend my days dreading the next one, wondering if it'll kill me, or praying someone is home to call 911. I don't know how old you guys are, and look, I'm not here to preach or tell anyone what to do—I just wanted to share my experience. I'm 36 now, and I can finally say I'm living like a "normal" woman.

I feel for you completely 🙏. In my case, I had my first period at ten 😢. Quite early, wouldn't you say? By fourteen, I had to undergo surgery for ovarian cysts. 🙄 Now, my cycles are frequently irregular. Sometimes I go three months without a period, only to be completely bedridden by the pain once it finally arrives. Ketoral doesn't even touch the pain anymore; my only real relief comes from a Voltaren injection.
Two different gynecologists told me things might get easier after childbirth, but I have heard that many times before and find it hard to believe. One doctor even suggested, based on an ultrasound, that I might struggle to conceive. 🙄
I have been on birth control for a year now, and I can only say that it has completely disrupted my cycle. 🤷

melloworca6 said:If you ask me, these whole recipe restrictions for pain meds are a joke. Stronger painkillers are what people actually need; these new rules haven't accomplished anything except making doctor's offices more crowded and forcing patients to argue with physicians just to get a damn prescription.

And besides, who can actually tell my intentions when I show up begging for a script? Am I there because I'm in genuine agony, or am I just someone looking for a little pill fix? In my opinion, they’ve made a bigger mess of things with this policy. Now most people are just getting hooked on a handful of weaker pills instead of being able to take one effective dose.

So much of our healthcare system (and the country in general, really) is just one giant cluster****.☕

Thomas Roberts9 said:Are you serious????
That’s quite a lot to deal with... next time you see your primary care doctor, please do tell them that you need something specifically for pain management. If they happen to ask—though they probably won't—you might suggest mentioning that your period is coming up soon; since you have to schedule appointments ahead of time with an OBGYN, you likely won't be able to get a prescription in time. My own family doctor didn't ask me anything, but when I went in to get a referral for something else, I mentioned how absolutely agonizing my cramps are and how I'm practically rolling around on the floor in pain, asking if there was any pill that actually works fast. She ended up prescribing me some ibuprofen granules. They're alright, I suppose, though I still prefer Ketoral, even if it takes two whole hours to finally kick in.😢 😢

Or, perhaps next time, you could just tell your gynecologist that you already tried the Advil and it did absolutely nothing, and maybe then she might feel inclined to prescribe something a bit more potent.

Yeah, a few other women have told me the same thing, you know how it is, some people deal with it and others don't, and apparently, if your uterus is tilted slightly like mine is, then when all that blood flow starts pumping, it just creates this extra pressure that leads to those intense pains. But I still don't get it, because when I asked her, she was just like, "Well, if everything is normal and your tests are clear, why would you be in pain?" and that was it... that was the only answer I got. And then she suggested that Neofen stuff, so now I’m sitting here popping four or five pills a day and still waiting an eternity for them to actually take effect. The worst part is that on the first day, I can barely even manage to swallow a pill because I spend the entire day stuck in the bathroom, and lately, the pain has been so bad I’ve actually been throwing up. My grandma even tried giving me some of her back pain meds, but those were even worse for me...

My gynecologist mentioned that women with a uterus tilted to the right tend to have more painful periods—didn't bother explaining the science behind it, and honestly, I didn't ask either, since mine isn't tilted that way.

I just have a natural predisposition for painful cycles. Yay. ☕

For me, the secret sauce is combining a lemon balm body wash with using a menstrual cup. It makes the cramps so minimal—honestly, sometimes I don't feel them at all. I haven't touched a single painkiller since I switched to this routine, and that’s saying something because,

I know it might not be a magic fix for everyone, but it worked wonders for me. Before this, I was basically popping Ketorolac Forte like they were candy whenever my period hit.

Morgan Hughes81 said:Yeah, a few other women have told me the same thing, you know how it is, some people deal with it and others don't, and apparently, if your uterus is tilted slightly like mine is, then when all that blood flow starts pumping, it just creates this extra pressure that leads to those intense pains. But I still don't get it, because when I asked her, she was just like, "Well, if everything is normal and your tests are clear, why would you be in pain?" and that was it... that was the only answer I got. And then she suggested that Neofen stuff, so now I’m sitting here popping four or five pills a day and still waiting an eternity for them to actually take effect. The worst part is that on the first day, I can barely even manage to swallow a pill because I spend the entire day stuck in the bathroom, and lately, the pain has been so bad I’ve actually been throwing up. My grandma even tried giving me some of her back pain meds, but those were even worse for me...

I suppose taking four or five Neofen is still better than popping one or two Ketoral or Brufen pills, isn't it?
Well, alright then... she is a doctor, so I suppose she must know best. ☕

I am telling you—just head straight to your primary care physician and ask for something for the pain... it seems like luck just isn't on your side with that gynecologist of yours.

Thomas Roberts9 said:I suppose taking four or five Neofen is still better than popping one or two Ketoral or Brufen pills, isn't it?
Well, alright then... she is a doctor, so I suppose she must know best. ☕

I am telling you—just head straight to your primary care physician and ask for something for the pain... it seems like luck just isn't on your side with that gynecologist of yours.

I don't get their logic either, but fine. They’ll consciously put a patient at risk just to avoid writing a referral or a prescription. Personally, I’d just walk away; people like that don't even deserve the title of "doctor."

They don't need to be coddled. That’s exactly why they act this way—because most people just back down because they don't want to be rude.

melloworca6 said:I don't get their logic either, but fine. They’ll consciously put a patient at risk just to avoid writing a referral or a prescription. Personally, I’d just walk away; people like that don't even deserve the title of "doctor."

They don't need to be coddled. That’s exactly why they act this way—because most people just back down because they don't want to be rude.

Honestly, everyone acts so polite, as if a patient won't end up suffering because they didn't get the specific medication they actually need! It's just absurd.
I stopped by the pharmacy the other day looking for Ketoral. I've used it for years, but the woman behind the counter told me she couldn't give it to me without a prescription. I tried explaining that I'm heading out on a trip and desperately need it since my pain levels are unbearable, especially since my doctor is out of town in another state. Unfortunately, not through any fault of her own, she couldn't do anything else except offer me Neofen or Buscopan. I already know Neofen doesn't work for me, so I ended up taking the Buscopan. Good grief, the amount of money $7.75 I wasted on it... it wasn't even worth it. And Ketoral costs a full $4.00!!!! So instead of getting the one thing I've relied on for years, I'm forced to pay double for something that does absolutely nothing for me... but no! Apparently, Ketoral might "irritate the stomach" too much! 😲😲😲 I mean, how are you supposed to stay calm when someone tells you that you just have to endure agonizing pain because, heaven forbid, a little pill might be slightly hard on your stomach lining? It's ridiculous... what kind of system did we build? 👎👎👎