Dealing with bad cramps?

Or instead of Buscol, just grab some Buscopan over the counter.

Does anyone know any herbal pain relief tablets? Like, stuff that actually works reliably?

vividsailor7 said:When it comes to period cramps, instead of Ketoral, I’d highly recommend asking your doctor for a prescription for Spasmex or Buscopan.

Trust me, Spasmex does absolutely nothing for these kinds of pains—I've been there. You either have to be built differently, or you need to be dealing with kidney stones 😬 (which didn't even help me much, honestly). Personally, I stick to Knavon or Ketonal 100 at the bare minimum... though you definitely have to be careful so you don't totally wreck your stomach.

Spasmex worked for me. 🤷 It probably comes down to the individual; everyone’s got to find their own specific combination that actually does the trick.

Take me, for example. I can't touch Craving even if I wanted to. If I drink it, my stomach starts acting up so violently that I'd honestly rather just deal with the pain from drinking too much of something else than face those gastric cramps.

melloworca6 said:Spasmex worked for me. 🤷 It probably comes down to the individual; everyone’s got to find their own specific combination that actually does the trick.

Take me, for example. I can't touch Craving even if I wanted to. If I drink it, my stomach starts acting up so violently that I'd honestly rather just deal with the pain from drinking too much of something else than face those gastric cramps.

That’s exactly why I recommended Spasmex—to handle those stomach issues and the other side effects caused by NSAIDs.

Spasmex doesn't really do much for me, I guess. It’s just too weak. Probably depends on the person, though. My periods are brutal, especially ever since I had that laparotomy.

But, like, back before the surgery when I had that massive cyst, I’d get these sudden, horrific pain attacks whenever it would twist around. Every time I went to the ER, they’d just give me a Spasmex injection and that actually worked.

To be honest, Spasmex and those other antispasmodics aren't going to kill the pain entirely. They just relax the muscles and cut down on the cramping. I always pair them with an actual painkiller—usually Advil.

Then again, it probably just comes down to the individual. For some people, an Advil does the trick, while someone else could be swallowing Voltaren and still feeling everything.

🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Well, I'm back at square one. It’s always my stomach that gives me trouble, but lately, it's been my lower back—and man, it hurts—along with my hips and thighs. Honestly, it's exhausting. The only thing that really takes the edge off is taking 600 mg of Ibuprofen.

Jerry Young6 said:🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Well, I'm back at square one. It’s always my stomach that gives me trouble, but lately, it's been my lower back—and man, it hurts—along with my hips and thighs. Honestly, it's exhausting. The only thing that really takes the edge off is taking 600 mg of Ibuprofen.

1. Are you having any trouble urinating?
2. What’s the status of your bowel movements?
3. Do you have a fever?

vividsailor7 said:1. Are you having any trouble urinating?
2. What’s the status of your bowel movements?
3. Do you have a fever?

Basically, I find myself needing to go quite frequently, but I haven't noticed any other issues. My digestion is normal, and I don't have a fever.

Jerry Young6 said:Basically, I find myself needing to go quite frequently, but I haven't noticed any other issues. My digestion is normal, and I don't have a fever.

It wouldn't hurt at all to get a urinalysis and a full metabolic panel done.

vividsailor7 said:It wouldn't hurt at all to get a urinalysis and a full metabolic panel done.

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely get that taken care of!🙂

I finally found a way to deal with my period cramps, though it was a bit of a radical move.
I went to see my OB-GYN to get some pills to handle the cramping and lighten things up, and honestly, the birth control has been a total game changer.
The cramps are gone, I feel like a new person, and instead of dragging on for six or seven days, my cycle is down to just two and a half.
I realize not everyone will want to go the birth control route—especially if you aren't sexually active and don't see the point in messing with hormones just for a period—but if your cramps are absolutely brutal, I highly recommend it.
I’m specifically on Yaz, but obviously, any doctor will tailor the prescription based on your blood work and everything...

Being older means less pain, I suppose.
Though, I never had much to complain about—just an Advil and I was fine.

But I did have those horrific bouts when I was younger; I’d practically pass out. Nothing worked back then. Luckily, it only lasted a few hours on that first day.

Now, it still hurts occasionally. Usually just those first three days.
Actually, PMS is more of an issue for me than the period itself. Once it hits, I feel reborn. I get a sudden burst of energy.

vividsailor7 said:1. Are you having any trouble urinating?
2. What’s the status of your bowel movements?
3. Do you have a fever?

I also deal with these absolutely brutal menstrual cramps—but along with them, there's this intense pressure in my lower colon. My bowel movements are actually normal, I guess, but that pressure is just unbearable... I can't even tell if it's getting worse because of the cramps or if it's something else entirely. I noticed some other women here have mentioned similar things, so if anyone has any advice... I'd really appreciate it.

Raymond Morris2 said:I also deal with these absolutely brutal menstrual cramps—but along with them, there's this intense pressure in my lower colon. My bowel movements are actually normal, I guess, but that pressure is just unbearable... I can't even tell if it's getting worse because of the cramps or if it's something else entirely. I noticed some other women here have mentioned similar things, so if anyone has any advice... I'd really appreciate it.

You could try taking some Spasmex, but definitely run it by your doctor first. As for what the lady above mentioned, that sounds like it could be something else entirely.

I get dysmenorrhea pretty regularly, and it always ends with the exact same bout of diarrhea. Is there any actual reason to suspect they're linked? Like, is it even possible for my period cramps to be caused by gut issues?

Alex Thomas27 said:I get dysmenorrhea pretty regularly, and it always ends with the exact same bout of diarrhea. Is there any actual reason to suspect they're linked? Like, is it even possible for my period cramps to be caused by gut issues?

Look, let’s get the facts straight. The clinical definition of dysmenorrhea isn't just cramps; it includes those debilitating headaches, vomiting, and yes, the diarrhea too. Most often, the culprits are diet and psychological stress. It’s incredibly common—affecting roughly 60% of women out there.

If I don't make it through the rest of my shift 🙂 I got hit yesterday; my stomach and my lower back have been killing me for a week now. Yesterday was brutal, but today... I think I’m actually going to pass out. I can't even tell if it's my back, my stomach, or my head anymore—I honestly feel like even my eyelashes ache 🙂 I popped some Advil but it didn't do squat 🙂 though I guess that's just what happens when you have an IUD 🙂🙂
Hopefully my husband brought home something that actually works 😳

vividsailor7 said:Look, let’s get the facts straight. The clinical definition of dysmenorrhea isn't just cramps; it includes those debilitating headaches, vomiting, and yes, the diarrhea too. Most often, the culprits are diet and psychological stress. It’s incredibly common—affecting roughly 60% of women out there.

That first sentence was pretty much all you needed to say. Thanks for the heads-up.