Dealing with bad cramps?

Personally, I take them with food because I’ve heard Voltaren (and Ketonal) can be rough on the stomach. Good grief—I only take them once a month. It’s not like I’m popping them every single day like candy. A couple of days of use isn't going to wreck my system...

Kate Foster12 said:Personally, I take them with food because I’ve heard Voltaren (and Ketonal) can be rough on the stomach. Good grief—I only take them once a month. It’s not like I’m popping them every single day like candy. A couple of days of use isn't going to wreck my system...

Oh, sure, "I get it,"🙄 right? People who have never felt actual pain love to talk—but I know a girl who’s basically dying from agony, yet refuses to "poison herself" with pills.🤦 And I'm talking about basic stuff, like Advil.🙄

So, here’s the deal for today 😁 she’s actually three whole weeks late because of some silly little cold she caught... I even popped an aspirin since I could grab one over the counter, but honestly? Total waste of time. Still, I’m keeping my chin up—it's going to be such a blast these next few days! 😁😁

Edward Murphy4 said:Oh, sure, "I get it,"🙄 right? People who have never felt actual pain love to talk—but I know a girl who’s basically dying from agony, yet refuses to "poison herself" with pills.🤦 And I'm talking about basic stuff, like Advil.🙄

I used to be one of those people who thought they could just power through anything, until I finally understood the true weight of real pain and what it actually feels like to experience those intense waves of suffering. Once I took that first pill, the idea of simply enduring the agony without help didn't even cross my mind anymore.
I suppose, as Kate Foster12 would say, it isn't exactly as if one is consuming them on a daily basis; taking just one or two tablets once a month shouldn't cause anyone any real harm.

John Lopez29 said:So, here’s the deal for today 😁 she’s actually three whole weeks late because of some silly little cold she caught... I even popped an aspirin since I could grab one over the counter, but honestly? Total waste of time. Still, I’m keeping my chin up—it's going to be such a blast these next few days! 😁😁

I suppose I should probably start making my way out, shouldn't I? 😲😲

Maybe she meant to say she took an aspirin since you can grab those over the counter without a prescription. 🤷

Personally, for my last few periods, I’ve been using Spasmenal—that's a antispasmodic for anyone who isn't clued in—and I'll tell you, antispasmodics work way better for me than standard painkillers. I used to pop a few pain relief pills a day and still end up with digestive issues because uterine cramps tend to trigger my gut cramps too. Now, I just take one antispasmodic and I'm fine.

The thing is, I used to use Bucol before, which is also an antispasmodic but comes in lozenge form and is much easier on the stomach than Spasmenal. My mom wouldn't let me get that without a script this time, so she got me Buscopan instead. But then I actually read the instructions for the Buscopan and realized it isn't for all types of cramps—it's specifically for gastrointestinal stuff like your stomach or intestines.

I mix Ibuprofen with Spasmex. Though I guess they don't even hand out Spasmex without a prescription anymore. 🙄

I know, just Buscopan. 😢

It’s a total pain in the ass if I can't tell someone heading over to Europe to pick up everything I've been regularly taking, only to find out suddenly that nothing is available without a prescription.

And here's another thing that's bothering me—I used to buy certain things for my cats (like Spasmex or Ketoral) and now I can't get them without a script either. The question is, would they honor a vet's prescription, or just tell me to head to a specialized veterinary pharmacy? Most of the meds used for animals are basically just human drugs anyway.

Even Spasmex doesn't do anything for me. 🤷 I took some Ketorol today and that was the only thing that provided any relief, though even then, it only lasts about two or three hours...

Nothing really works well enough to actually make me feel okay. Even this combo of Ibuprofen and Spasmex—which honestly makes me nauseous half the time 🙂—barely touches the pain. I’m kind of terrified to even think about what happens if I don't take pills, since they barely work even when I do.

I've talked to several different OB-GYNs now, and they all basically tell me the same thing: there's no real fix, unless I go on hormonal birth control to lighten things up. My periods are insanely heavy, full of cramps and flooding, so yeah, I basically just grit my teeth and suffer through the first two days, popping pills and praying it'll be over soon. 🤷

melloworca6 said:Maybe she meant to say she took an aspirin since you can grab those over the counter without a prescription. 🤷

Personally, for my last few periods, I’ve been using Spasmenal—that's a antispasmodic for anyone who isn't clued in—and I'll tell you, antispasmodics work way better for me than standard painkillers. I used to pop a few pain relief pills a day and still end up with digestive issues because uterine cramps tend to trigger my gut cramps too. Now, I just take one antispasmodic and I'm fine.

The thing is, I used to use Bucol before, which is also an antispasmodic but comes in lozenge form and is much easier on the stomach than Spasmenal. My mom wouldn't let me get that without a script this time, so she got me Buscopan instead. But then I actually read the instructions for the Buscopan and realized it isn't for all types of cramps—it's specifically for gastrointestinal stuff like your stomach or intestines.

I was actually just about to ask if anyone else has had any experience with it, because my mom mentioned she used to take it during her period... I thought I might give it a try, though I’m always a little hesitant to experiment when the pain is truly overwhelming.😢

melloworca6 said:Maybe she meant to say she took an aspirin since you can grab those over the counter without a prescription. 🤷

Personally, for my last few periods, I’ve been using Spasmenal—that's a antispasmodic for anyone who isn't clued in—and I'll tell you, antispasmodics work way better for me than standard painkillers. I used to pop a few pain relief pills a day and still end up with digestive issues because uterine cramps tend to trigger my gut cramps too. Now, I just take one antispasmodic and I'm fine.

The thing is, I used to use Bucol before, which is also an antispasmodic but comes in lozenge form and is much easier on the stomach than Spasmenal. My mom wouldn't let me get that without a script this time, so she got me Buscopan instead. But then I actually read the instructions for the Buscopan and realized it isn't for all types of cramps—it's specifically for gastrointestinal stuff like your stomach or intestines.

Yeah, I read that too, but I think I just foolishly assumed the pharmacist at the drugstore definitely knew exactly what they were recommending to me.🤷

copperraven53 said:I mix Ibuprofen with Spasmex. Though I guess they don't even hand out Spasmex without a prescription anymore. 🙄

Of course they don't....
☕

copperraven53 said:Nothing really works well enough to actually make me feel okay. Even this combo of Ibuprofen and Spasmex—which honestly makes me nauseous half the time 🙂—barely touches the pain. I’m kind of terrified to even think about what happens if I don't take pills, since they barely work even when I do.

I've talked to several different OB-GYNs now, and they all basically tell me the same thing: there's no real fix, unless I go on hormonal birth control to lighten things up. My periods are insanely heavy, full of cramps and flooding, so yeah, I basically just grit my teeth and suffer through the first two days, popping pills and praying it'll be over soon. 🤷

How does Ibuprofen affect you? It gives me chronic headaches and dizziness. I took it once and experienced such terrible side effects that my own doctor advised me to stop taking it entirely, as it clearly doesn't agree with my system.

Kyle Lee4 said:How does Ibuprofen affect you? It gives me chronic headaches and dizziness. I took it once and experienced such terrible side effects that my own doctor advised me to stop taking it entirely, as it clearly doesn't agree with my system.

Look, I take it, even though it totally wrecks my stomach and makes me nauseous. But honestly, my period cramps are way worse, so I suck it up and take it anyway. 🤷

I’ve tried all sorts of stuff over the years—Voltaren, Ketoral, herbal teas for cramps—but nothing really hits the spot completely. Ibuprofen dulls the pain enough that I use it, even if I'm still getting absolutely crushed by pain on day one. 🙂

One thing I've noticed during my cycle is that I get these insane cramps and pressure all over my pelvis, and while that's happening, the flow is super light. Then suddenly everything just lets go, and once that happens, the pain eases up a bit. So, I usually toss in some Spasmex on that first day since it's a spasmolytic and helps relax the cramps.

Thomas Roberts9 said:I was actually just about to ask if anyone else has had any experience with it, because my mom mentioned she used to take it during her period... I thought I might give it a try, though I’m always a little hesitant to experiment when the pain is truly overwhelming.😢

Yeah, I read that too, but I think I just foolishly assumed the pharmacist at the drugstore definitely knew exactly what they were recommending to me.🤷

Of course they don't....
☕

For me, it was a total game changer.

Since I can't touch ibuprofen or anything like that—my stomach is already a disaster zone, and if I take those things, my stomach hurts way worse than my actual cramps—I have to stick to what works. Paracetamol is useless on day one; I end up popping them like candy because they're too weak, but at least they don't wreck my stomach. Then I happened to notice the Spasmex instructions say it's fine to take during your period. I tried it once, and honestly, those tablets are great for me. I'll just take one Spasmex, and maybe one paracetamol if the pain gets absolutely insane, and then I'm good.

What really got to me was how, besides the uterine cramps, I also get these massive intestinal spasms. It makes my whole midsection ache and I'm running to the bathroom every thirty minutes. Using this at least keeps that to a minimum.

That sounds like a great plan. I will certainly give it a shot next time, provided I can actually manage to track down a prescription for Spazmex ☕.
Thanks 😍

copperraven53 said:Nothing really works well enough to actually make me feel okay. Even this combo of Ibuprofen and Spasmex—which honestly makes me nauseous half the time 🙂—barely touches the pain. I’m kind of terrified to even think about what happens if I don't take pills, since they barely work even when I do.

I've talked to several different OB-GYNs now, and they all basically tell me the same thing: there's no real fix, unless I go on hormonal birth control to lighten things up. My periods are insanely heavy, full of cramps and flooding, so yeah, I basically just grit my teeth and suffer through the first two days, popping pills and praying it'll be over soon. 🤷

You basically lose consciousness 😁 and end up spending those two days in a complete fog. 👋

I deal with the exact same amounts of pain. I tried Spasmex because my mom had some from an old prescription her doctor gave her ages ago, but honestly, it helps about as much as Advil or Aleve used to—back before they required a script. Now, damn it, everything does.

Jason Morgan said:You basically lose consciousness 😁 and end up spending those two days in a complete fog. 👋

I deal with the exact same amounts of pain. I tried Spasmex because my mom had some from an old prescription her doctor gave her ages ago, but honestly, it helps about as much as Advil or Aleve used to—back before they required a script. Now, damn it, everything does.

I’ve never touched those things, even when I was dealing with pain that felt absolutely unbearable.
I’m done with them for good.
It’s just heartbreaking to see how many young women are popping all these chemical substances every single month. Maybe it helps in the moment, maybe it relaxes the muscles or whatever, but it’s wrecking your liver and everything else; your body is really struggling to deal with it all.

And what's even sadder is that doctors—especially gynecologists—seem to have zero advice to offer other than just prescribing some toxic junk from the pharmacy... yuck.

There are plenty of natural ways to handle this. One of them actually worked for me. Long live nature! 😍😍😍

Sean Jones8 said:I’ve never touched those things, even when I was dealing with pain that felt absolutely unbearable.
I’m done with them for good.
It’s just heartbreaking to see how many young women are popping all these chemical substances every single month. Maybe it helps in the moment, maybe it relaxes the muscles or whatever, but it’s wrecking your liver and everything else; your body is really struggling to deal with it all.

And what's even sadder is that doctors—especially gynecologists—seem to have zero advice to offer other than just prescribing some toxic junk from the pharmacy... yuck.

There are plenty of natural ways to handle this. One of them actually worked for me. Long live nature! 😍😍😍

Good for you, seriously. Some of us deal with pain so intense we can't even function at all on those days.

Since you're so worried about our health, you could have actually mentioned what helped you instead of just rambling and lecturing everyone.

melloworca6 said:Good for you, seriously. Some of us deal with pain so intense we can't even function at all on those days.

Since you're so worried about our health, you could have actually mentioned what helped you instead of just rambling and lecturing everyone.

Look, you could have just asked nicely instead of acting like a total jerk. You go around telling people they're full of it on basically every single thread—I guess that's your whole personality.

And don't act like pharmaceuticals are the only way to handle this. People managed just fine before all these fancy modern names existed.

Though, judging by that attitude, you must be having a rough month yourself.

☕

melloworca6 said:For me, it was a total game changer.

Since I can't touch ibuprofen or anything like that—my stomach is already a disaster zone, and if I take those things, my stomach hurts way worse than my actual cramps—I have to stick to what works. Paracetamol is useless on day one; I end up popping them like candy because they're too weak, but at least they don't wreck my stomach. Then I happened to notice the Spasmex instructions say it's fine to take during your period. I tried it once, and honestly, those tablets are great for me. I'll just take one Spasmex, and maybe one paracetamol if the pain gets absolutely insane, and then I'm good.

What really got to me was how, besides the uterine cramps, I also get these massive intestinal spasms. It makes my whole midsection ache and I'm running to the bathroom every thirty minutes. Using this at least keeps that to a minimum.

Same here. On the first day of my period, I definitely deal with digestive issues too. I guess those cramps probably trigger it all.🙄

copperraven53 said:Same here. On the first day of my period, I definitely deal with digestive issues too. I guess those cramps probably trigger it all.🙄

Preach!😠 Most of the time I don't even get "classic" cramps—it's mostly this stuff instead. Anyone actually found a way to deal with it?🙄 For me, it kicks in during PMS...and just sticks around until the bleeding starts.😢