Horrible AF's

[crunchy_mommy]

Maybe this should go in Fertility or something, I don't know...

Anyway, before DS was born AF was horrendously painful & I would have to take 20 ibuprofen a day just to function. When AF returned after DS was born, it was so much better and I didn't even need meds, but it's gotten a whole lot worse again over the last year or so and now I cannot do a thing for the first day or two of each cycle (although I'm not taking meds still). It's not just the pain now, although it is painful... it's everything else, I feel nauseous (even threw up this time around) and um... gassy & diarrhea, sorry for TMI... and shaky and weak... just all around miserable. Is this normal?????? What the heck am I supposed to do? I can't even nurse DS except the bare minimum (gritting my teeth or crying the whole time), I can't work, I have to lay in bed for ~24 hours, and even the few days before have trouble doing normal activities (and that's not saying much because I'm already not doing much at other times of the month due to other issues)...

*sigh* I feel like I posted something like this before and probably got some good ideas but apparently forgot them all or something... or maybe I just imagined that...

[SilverMoon010]

I don't have much advice for you but wanted to tell you the same thing has happened to me.  My cycle has changed so much since after having my son three years ago.  Some months are worse than others but I now have mild cramping about 2 weeks before AF even comes and she comes and the cramps become unbearable. I'm lucky I get one good day out the month anymore without freakin cramps~!  I sometimes get that weak feeling you're talking about (along with the other nasty things you mentioned) Plus, I now have to use Ultra tampons (TMI, sorry) for the first two days, when before I was fine with the Super+.  I just take Motrin which normally helps with the cramping, but otherwise, I deal with it somehow.

Maybe you should talk to your OB/GYN.  I think after having a baby everything changes so much, so that I do think is normal.  But maybe there are some other things you can do to lessen all your pain somehow.  I hope someone posts with some good advice for you.

[Bellabaz]

Before having my kids, my af was horrible. I would take 7 IB profrens a a time to DULL the pain, not even take it away. It felt like myy insides were coming out. Since having kids its gotten way better.

however, pre-kids, my friends mom gave me cells salts. She used a pendulum to see which ones I needed ( i can't remember what this is called this technique). anyway once I started with them, if I timed it right, usually taking the salts a couple of days before the start of af and through to day 5 or so ( I bleed for 7-9 days on avg) then no cramps, nausea gone, fatigued way better, migrains disappeared. Just wanted to throw that out there.

ETA: Also consider seeing a physiotherapist specializing in sexology for the cramping. I have had massive problems with the muscle in my abdominal and pelvis areas involuntarily cramping and I started going to the sexologist (by recc of my gyno) and the results are amazing. FTR, I was having massive issues with pain during intercourse but I have noticed difference in other circumstances too.