[bu's mama]

Hey mamas....<br><br>
I was hoping to get some more natural or homeopathic suggestions on how to relieve some of the pain from cramps.<br><br>
A little background...I've had awful cramps & side effects since I began getting my period. I mean doubled-up on the couch, vomitting, diarrhea, heavy bleeding (1 super-plus tampon soaked in about an hour, that is until I found the diva cup), super sore breasts in addition to migraines that are related to my cycle (along with other triggers). I would compare the pain to what I had when in labor until about 8 cm...I remember thinking this isn't so bad...just like my period. I also get awful leg cramps that feel as if I ran about 5 miles the day before.<br><br>
I was soooo happy to not get my period while pregnant & nursing & the periods were a little better when it first came back. However, they are now getting worse. I've been taking fish oil for about 8 months now & I think that helps, using heating pads & taking mega-doses of ibuprofen, which I dislike but is the only thing that really helps. I don't mind using a heating pad, but the pain comes back in 10-15 minutes after I take it off & I can't just stay on the couch & do this.<br><br>
Bless you if you've read this whole thing! Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Panserbjorne]

Magnesium is your best bet for this. I have used homeopathics successfully, but you really need a constitutional remedy. So, magnesium is a safe and necessary supplement. It is anti-spasmotic so it really eases the cramps. I used to have killer periods (same as you're describing, and labor was very similar!) but now I just take magnesium starting a week before I get it and I don't even feel it anymore. It's awesome. I'd highly recommend NaturalCalm. It's tasty and the mag. is completely bioavailable so you are getting everything you are taking. Good luck!

 

[cloak]

I'd recommend getting the book "Fertility Cycles and Nutrition." It is a great book for figuring out which vitamins and minerals you may want to supplement. Magnesium is definitely one suggested in the book so I 2nd what elisabeth said. The book also suggests a multi vitamin called Optivite which you can have your pharmacist order for you (it's OTC). It really does wonders for your cycles and cramps.

 

[stafl]

I'd recommend you find a doctor skilled with successfully treating women with severe abdominal cramps during menstruation. It sounds like you have some serious issue that won't go away by ignoring it.<br><br>
I have endometriosis. What you describe sounds terribly familiar to me. Besides the surgical removal of the endo by a specialist (not just any ob/gyn is skilled enough, most can make it worse), it helps me to take magnesium daily, and to limit the amount of sugar, wheat, dairy, and animal fat in my diet. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[bu's mama]

Thank you for the responses. I will look into the magnesium & I'm going to add that book to my reading list. I've been trying to educate myself more about this & take better care of myself and remove things that trigger more severe periods, like all the diet coke I used to drink <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"> .<br><br>
I've been trying to find a doctor but it's been almost as bad as finding a pediatrician. They've been dismissive, it's not that bad type of thing, or want me to take the pill, which I've done but I don't like the way it makes me feel.

 

[stafl]

My surgeon has an office in Manhatten, here's one of his websites<br><a href="http://www.womenssurgerygroup.com" target="_blank">www.womenssurgerygroup.com</a> I have heard he doesn't take insurance in New York, but he does here. He or his office staff might be able to point you in the right direction, I would trust any doctor they recommend and I'm not the sort to trust doctors at all. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/Rainbow.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rainbow peace">

 

[ramlita]

Acupucture is terrific for regulating hormonal cycles!<br>
I haven't suffered a day since I started seeing my acu...<br><br>
Cutting out dairy helps a lot of women, too.

 

[Isis]

You poor thing. I just came on here to post the same question. My periods have been awful since I first had them. They aren't heavy but my cramping, legs cramping, back stiff, etc. is terrible. I have cysts on my ovaries- so I don't think that helps. My Dr. put me on birth control pills- I really didn't want to take them but it's the only thing that helps my cramping. (that and other infertility issues)<br><br>
I'm gonna go out and get some magnesium today.<br><br>
I hope yours get better quickly!

 

[bu's mama]

Ok mamas, a little update if you're interested.<br><br>
I did go out & get some magnesium. I read some of the studies online & also am taking a B complex. I started taking both on about day 15 & got my period today. I still have sore breasts & some leg cramps but what a difference! Right now I don't know if it's a placebo effect but I'll take it regardless.<br><br>
I have the nutrition book ordered through ILL at my library so hopefully I'll be getting it soon. And the doctor search is still on.<br><br>
Thank you so much for the suggestions!

 

[vermontana]

bu's mama: It sounds like what you're describing is dysmennorhea--excruciatingly painful, cramping menstruation. Like others suggested, magnesium is important, so is calcium. Make sure you're getting enough. Dairy is not the best source of calcium, seaweeds are great, sesame seeds, raspberry leaf, nettles and comfrey are good too.<br>
When you are having your moon, and shortly before, I'd recommend using cramp bark tincture.

 

[PikkuMyy]

I was also going to recommend magnesium but another natural remedy is the herb "yarrow". Make a HOT HOT HOT bath and put several handfuls of dried yarrow in it to soak while the tub fills. Within a few minutes, your cramps should be gone, and they don't come back - at least not full force - after you get out of the bath.

 

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

I would try evening primrose oil in place of fish oil. Fish oil is great, but evening primrose oil has a direct effect on your hormones. I would also try not using anything that you insert into your vagina, don't know why, but the minute I stoped using tampons my horrible periods stopped. It was truly amazing!! Definately the magnesium and rasberry leaf as well. And definately the cramp bark root during.

 

[bu's mama]

Thanks for the additional info mamas. I've been trying to take care of this is in better &/or more natural ways. I've always been conflicted about tampons...pads were always sooo messy because the flow is so heavy but I don't like the idea of that chlorine bleached product up in my vagina. I've been using the Diva since February or march & am really pleased with it. I'm taking the fish oil to also help combat depression (I've had major chronic depression for a long time) so I have to look more into the primrose oil. Also any additional on the cramp bark would be appreciated. I've never heard of this before. Off to google!

 

[bobica]

i take the evening primrose oil, flax seed oil & added salmon oil to that regimen. I just heard about the magnesium & i'm definitely going to add it. AF got waaaay worse after the birth of dd & i developed "mittleschmertz" (horribly painful ovluation) too. ugh. I totally 2nd acupuncture!!!

 

[Starr]

I have the same thing. I just now started taking a multi vitamin but will look into magnesium pills as well. My cramps are so terrible the only thing that helps is a ncie full tub of HOT water. I sometimes take 3 baths a day whn its really bad. Is there a certain title to a dr. who would be able to diagnose or treat this. I know I have endo, long story short at 14 they found it growing on my appendix. I see a family dr. but is there a certain type of dr. I should be looking for?

 

[vermontana]

Cramp bark is an anti-spasmodic herb--actually the bark of a tree. It is high in valerianicacid(just like valerian), which helps to relax the uterine muscles. It is also somwhat astringent,so can help with the excess bleeding that sometimes accompanies major cramping. You can make a tea by decocting the roots (1 tbs per quart of water)--simmer gently, covered for fifteen to twenty minutes--drink throughout the day, or you can use the tincture, one teaspoon three times a day. If you make the tea, you might want to add some ginger for flavor, plus ginger is really great for uterine/pelvic issues, and helps to "carry" the medicine of other herbs to your reproductive organs.<br>
Another thing that might help is massaging your abdomen with either ginger-infused oil or ginger ess.oil drops in olive oil, or pennyroyal ess. oil diluted in olive oil. Use sm amounts of essential oil, and do not use internally!

 

[OakBerry]

I second the magnesium. I had terrible cramps and heavy bleeding, and terrible mood swings/depression/pms with my cycles. I started taking a calcium and magnesium supplement twice a day along with my multi and vitamin c. I have seen a big difference already!<br><br>
When you mentioned leg cramps the first thing I thought of was Mag.<br>
I always crave dairy during pms. Now that I am talking the calcium/mag I don't. I guess I really needed it.<br><br>
Some of your symptoms do sound like endometriosis.

 

[HaveWool~Will Felt]

Maybe lay off using your Diva Cup and use only cloth pads for a few cycles....journal to see if you notice a difference.<br><br>
Just a thought.

 

[pickle it]

I never had cramps as bad as you're describing, or the other severe symptoms, but I did have very strong painful cramps, with nausea, especially in my teens. It sounds strange, but the only thing that ever made a big difference with the pain was an orgasm. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/bag.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Bag">: