Severe Menstrual Cramps

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ForeverCrohns

ForeverCrohns

Joined
Aug 3, 2012
Messages
335
Hello Girls

I have very severe menstrual cramps where I reach the point of passing out or vomiting.

I used to take Naproxen which is NSAID and a big no for Crohn's but it is the only thing that seems to work.. Then my GI told me not to use it as it can cause ulcers and to use Tylenol

I tried Acetaminophens but they don't work at all I even tried a very strong form of it which is Percocet and it didn't work!

Can you help me.. any advise would be appreciated!
 
Hey ForeverCrohns! I had the same issue with my periods. The pain was always really bad and made me throw up a lot. Only thing that helped me was going on birth control. Many women take it to control their periods rather than a contraceptive. In my opinion the contraceptive is just a plus. Currently I take Junel so I don't have to deal with having a period at all but I used to take Ortho Cyclen and Ortho Tri Cyclen after that (my doctor switched me to the lower dose years ago but I didn't notice a difference between the two). Talk to your doctor about it if possible. :)
 
I too have had really bad ones although I usually didn't throw up. One time was bad enough my folks took me into the ER on Christmas. Birth control did help me some, but I was also given tylenol 3 for the bad ones. Agree that a gyno wouldn't be a bad idea just in case. Take care.
 
Hiya!
I was exactly the same from age 14!
There is a med which is an NSAID specially formulated for painful periods. It's called Ponstan Forte (UK) and the active ingredient is mefenamic acid (generic)
Like Ibuprofen etc, this med needs constant monitoring with an IBD, but may be suitable if all other NSAIDS haven't been tolerated.
Talk to your gynae about it but also inform your gastro if you decide to take it.
xxx
 
I was going to mention endometriosis, as well! It's a really common condition (estimated up to 10% of the female population) and even more so in women with Crohn's. In most cases, it's not a big deal at all - and usually just treated with birth control.

I used to be on birth control and my periods were normal, only mildly uncomfortable. I stopped taking it when I lost medical insurance a couple years ago, and they steadily got more painful. I'm back on birth control now, and it seems to be helping! My gynecologist has suggested endometriosis, so if the symptoms persist I'll be looking more into it.

I hope things get better soon!
 
Last edited:
My daughter has no Dx as of yet. She has the Severe Menstrual Cramps and uses Perkoset (sp?) to help. It takes the edge off the pain but that's about it.

Ponstan Forte is marketed in the USA as Ponstel. I'll have to ask her gyno about it. She was given birth control pills but decided she didn't want to use them due to the risk.

NSAIDS can thin your blood. Can Ponstan Forte/Ponstel thin your blood? People who are already on blood thinners have to be careful taking any type of anti-inflammatory medication because it can cause their blood to become even thinner and therefore, they can bleed out quicker. Just wondering....
 
Yes like the clotting I have had this for years and years and I was so bad I was put on BCP at the age of 13 and still on it today at the age of 38.
I used to pass out with the pain and my periods were so heavy,

But I do have endometriosis and PCOS so who knws where they end and the Crohns start.
 
I'm on Coumadin now waiting how my next period is going to be .. So afraid .. I have Percocet that's the only thing I can use and it doesn't work aaaa ..
 
When I started having Crohns symptoms I thought it was endometriosis, but wasn't. I was forced to go on birth control cause it was bad like that too, and extremely heavy. I'd always miss a full week of school every single month until I opted for home school.

I have been on Lo Loestrin FE birth control pills for the last year, and my period completely disappeared. No blood, or even spotting, no cramps, nothing. However, there are risks with blood clots with BC and that can be reason for worry.

If you haven't been on BC before, just a warning, the first month or two makes you feel really nauseous and horrible, but it does go away eventually, and is worth the wait.
 
I'm afraid with the new changes now that I'm taking blood thinners it's going to be very heavy .. I hope not I will know within these days :D
 
I have had this problem since I first started my period when I was 14 but it went away when they put me on birth control. This past year I tried many different pills and hormone combinations but they either made me super emotional(crying ALL the time) or made me extremely moody and paranoid - so I stopped taking them. Now my cramps have been really bad and my Gyno suggested I may have Adnometriosis, which is similar to Endometriosis but the only treatment for Adnometriosis is to go on hormones. I have also been told by my GI to only take Tylenol - since I am already on a daily NSAID, Lialda. Tylenol does not really help much and I actually just got prescribed Naproxen but have not taken it yet. I am due in about a week so I will try it once to see how I tolerate it - hopefully it goes well! I wish you luck on finding relief from your cramps.:hug:
 
Anyway I think because of my anemia my period is late .. For the first time I am glad because I am so not looking forward to strong period with the caumadin :ywow:
 

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