HENthusiastic Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 I wonder if anybody can offer any advice or information to help my OH. She has always suffered with really bad period pain, but the last few months have become ridiculous. Last month she got in such a state with the pain that she was virtually hyperventelating, clammy, green looking and tingly. This month, the pain wasn't too bad, but then came on really suddenly and really bad. About ten minutes after that started she got up to go to the toilet and her head was fuzzy, like when you have stood up too quickly, she said everything looked blue. She went to the toilet and when she came out she fainted. There was no real warning that it was going to happen. Shes got a bump on the side of her head the size of an egg. Has anybody got any experience of this kind of thing? Or any words of wisdom? Shes been taking Solpadol which have been prescribed by her GP. She says used to help with the pain, but doesn't seem to be helping now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 I cant help as I am no expert at all, but I know that's not right and she needs checking it out with her Doctor and maybe insist on seeing the Gynae team at the hospital. ?? bless her I bet that was horrible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 She needs to go back to the GP and tell them the pain killers no longer work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Palmer Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Endometriosis? My sister suffered with painful and heavy periods and just got on with it , for years. Eventually saw Dr and was referred and found to have severe endometriosis, which had caused large amounts of scarring on various organs. She had a full hysterectomy and much of the scarring removed by laser and has been fine since. Also, I worked with a girl (about 20ish) some years ago. She started having terrible stomach cramps, passing out etc and was in and out of hospital for weeks of tests, before they finally diagnosed endometriosis. Once they knew what it was, they were able to do something to alleviate the pain she was in. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 It sounds like endometriosis to me. I've suffered for a few years as does my sister. I used to faint, get dizzy, have unbearable pain, all the symptoms you've described. I was refered to the Gynae team at the local hospital. They gave me a Moriva Coil, and this has stopped my monthly period. They wouldn't do anything more drastic for me ie. hysterectomy because of my age. Although I have had a few problems with the coil, they haven't been as bad as the monthly suffering with my periods. Hope your OH gets sorted, it really is a miserable condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Palmer Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 My sister was in her mid 30s and as she and her husband had decided well before that, that they didn't want children, a hysterectomy was the obvious choice and an easy decision to make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Painful periods are just the worst!!! My doctor put me on transenamic (?) acid and mefenamic (?) acid - not too sure how you spell either! They are supposed to reduce blood flow and therefore reduce the cramping. Doc also prescribed co-codamol which was great. Even though ive just had my daughter my periods are still heavy & painful but not as bad as they used to be. I hope that is of some help but your wife really does need to see her GP ASAP. As a supportive OH I presume you always have chocolate on hand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Poor K. Back to the GP with her NOW! No one should have to bear that kind of pain or faint because of their periods in this day and age. I was bullied by Mostin and other omleteers into going to my GP (have a read back through the Mooncup thread - it was the nicest kind of bullying!) and have more or less got sorted out now - it took a little while but has been well worth it. Transexamic acid worked well for a while but gets less effective and I have a Mirena coil now which gradually seems to be settling everything. This needs investigating. It sounds like there is more to it than simple cramps so please get it checked out and ask for a referral to the gynae. Hugs from me, and chocolate and may I prescribe a large Scotch (or whatever her favourite tipple is) if she feels up to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 I would wonder about Endometriosis too. I would ask to be referred by the doctor if it was me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 oh poor lamb I get bad period pains, but nothing like this. does she have low blood pressure, I knew someone who had low blood pressure and they used to faint every month give OH a hug from me, hope she is feeling better soon cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Poor Karina. She does need to see a gynaecologist from the sounds of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Agree with others. Sorry if it sounds like we are ganging up on her but it's obviously more than period pains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 It's not ganging up, Plum, it's supportive nagging. OH's phrase! I needed it to get me moving to see my GP, now I am paying it forward to K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 Thanks so much for all your advice and concern. We are definitely going to get her back to the G.P.'s. Its helpful to get all your feedback first though. Makes us feel more sure that she needs to make sure she is taken seriously. She's been fobbed off in the past before, but her current G.P. is better and has checked her out for thyroid problems because aparently that can muck around with cycles and her dad has that, but that was all okay. It sounds like maybe she needs to go back asking to be checked out for endometriosis. Shes tucked up on the sofa next to me right now under a fluffy blanket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Could be any of the above or fibroids benign growths in womb which can cause the above. I dont know how old your OH is. Fiboids tend to shrink after menopause. Fainting of any type needs investigation. Like Yp awaiting Mirena coil myself - so maybe an option. She is lucky to have an understanding partner. Also Ponstan is good as it relaxes smooth muscle and uterine muscle this type. I cannot recall if you have children as endometriosis can caus infertility if in certain areas of female reproduction tract. Good luck - definite forum mega nag - but we are right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitbag Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Sorry to hear she is not well, period pains are horrible! I can sympathasise, period pains have made me faint and throw up before. Luckily it was just a phase. I would get her to the GP ASAP though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Forgot fibroids, they can twist causing sharp pains and fainting. I've had those too (I've had just about everything) and they can be treated or removed relatively easily. Can you get an appointment for tomorrow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Poor K, definitely needs to get it sorted! GP should do blood tests to exclude thyroid problems as the cause and ensure she is not becoming anaemic. It would also be worth having a pelvic ultrasound to see what may be causing this, ie endometriosis or fibroids (although I agree with the above, it does sound more like endometriosis). I was also putting up with awful periods until the 'nagging' on here (and my OHs concern) sent me to the GP. Best thing I ever did! There is no need to put up with problems in this day and age Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Only just read this Hen, poor Karina . I can highly recommend mefanamic acid. Without it, I would have to have 3 days off work every month. I take it the second my period starts, or sometimes even begin a few days before if my period is late and I know it's going to be a real humdinger. I've done the turning green with the pain, and it's just so bad . I put up with it for years until I got a new FEMALE GP who was horrified with my symtoms. Her words were "Good grief, there is no reason in this day and age why a woman should be in pain once a month!). She was furious I had been left to suffer by my previous doctor. There is also tranexamic acid if periods are really heavy too, but mine are just really painful and normal-heavy. I also take Syndol (available over the counter) alongside the mefanamic acid, as it has codeine and a muscle relaxant in it, so it stops the really painful spasms. Then there's the usual hot wheat bag and dairy milk on stand by . Give my love to K. I hope the worst passes soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 I too suffer from painful periods & passed out in my English A level many years ago. Things got better after I went on the pill, but even now I get the most awful griping pain that only Feminax will sort. Heat works too - they do some hot patches in Boots which are a godsend. Strangely I get a days bad pain & feeling generally horrid about a day before my period starts too. Mefanamic acid didn't do it for me as it upset my tummy horrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Painful periods are just the worst!!! My doctor put me on transenamic (?) acid and mefenamic (?) acid - not too sure how you spell either! They are supposed to reduce blood flow and therefore reduce the cramping. Doc also prescribed co-codamol which was great. Was talking about Mefenamic Acid(ponstan) today anti inflammatory and used for moderate bone pain too...great drug..used for menstrual pain too as you say Buscopan etc is good too I think go to GP as the treatment offered isnt working she should have been examined too? Scan?? Hope she feels better, as Grandmother would say The curse..so true Good luck, make her an appointment , you do it and take her..... indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Mefanamic acid didn't do it for me as it upset my tummy horrible. It does upset my stomach too sometimes, but it's the lesser of two evils Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Oh poor K, heavy, painful periods are the pits. As Snowy has already said get the Doc to do a full blood count to. I fainted through anemia once because of my heavy periods and had to be put on iron tablets for a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Me too Claire. Iron soon sorted me out though and the heavy losses have been sorted in other ways thank goodness. Blimey we get some grief, us girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Mefanamic acid didn't do it for me as it upset my tummy horrible. It does upset my stomach too sometimes, but it's the lesser of two evils I should add that I get an upset tum during my period anyhow, but NA gave me awful high up burning cramps I also have an on/off problem with gall stones, & IBS, so I am sure it all added up to NA not being the drug for me,although I know others who have used it for years with great success. If they ever stop making Feminax I will be in all sorts of trouble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...