Extreme Menstrual Pain.. I cannot take it anymore.

Hi, My name is Jordan. I am only 20 years old, and for 7 years I have had the worst pain during my periods. Over time, it got worse and worse, to the point now where I can't even comprehend what is going on with my body. I have tried several birth controls, all failing to help. Midol nor Pamprin helps anymore. Heat doesn't help, and sex only makes it worse.

I have been to the doctors about the radiating pain from my abdomen down to my feet. Every nerve and muscle is tight and aches to the point where I can't walk. My back muscles are tight and sore to the touch, not to mention the awful, awful pains that radiating through my abdomen and down to my vaginal area. I had a trans-vaginal ultrasound down a few months ago, but the radiologist said that everything was completely normal. They ended up putting me, once again, on a new bc that would supposedly help the pain. But none of the medications I was given helped.

I'm here now, asking for answers. I seriously cannot handle this pain anymore. You know that the pain is not normal and very severe, when a once healthy 20 year old would be willing to have a complete hysterectomy just so she can live her life and not be plagued with such awful pain.

I thought it was Endometriosis. I had all the symptoms, and with pain so severe, I figured that they would be able to find the extra tissue that comes with the disease. But they have yet to see anything abnormal. I'm not overreacting, I'm not crazy. I know that something is seriously wrong, and I want it figured out.

Has anyone else had this sort of pain? Any diagnosis? Answers?

I'm scared to make another doctors appointment, because I'm more than sure they'll just brush it off and put me on birth control.

Please... I need something...

Have you gone to a gynecologist and not just a regular GP?

I had this. Even after IB, i would be crying in fetal position. Many doctors told me, it could be nothing or something. I had an ultra sound last week that confirmed everything was good down there. Birth control does help with pain ( takes a few months to work) and docs. can give out better pain meds for those few days. If the bleeding is not a large amount, it probably is not endometriosis.

I used to have periods like that when I was younger. When I got pregnant with my son I found out I had fibroids. Lots of them. Those would be seen on ultrasound thoughThey can do exploratory surgery to see what is up. Sometimes too we produce too much of one hormone and it causes a lot of pain. I know one of my cousins takes prescription strength Naproxin.

It could be fibroids, or it could be endometriosis. Either way, as your family doctor to get you a referral to a specialist - you shouldn't be in that much pain. See link removed for more information on endometriosis.

I feel for you. Yes, I suggest you get a specialist if you don't already have one. You are young. You'll want to have someone to turn to and who knows your history as you go.

Since I was young, I had severe pain and irregular periods. When I was in high school, and in my early twenties, it was to the point of having to take days off school or work. Like you mentioned, I literally sometimes could not walk.

I went through every possible test. Nothing. From ultrasounds, to blood tests, to even allergy tests. Yes, apparently some allergies can contribute to this sort of thing in some people! Who would have known. But I am allergic to nothing.

I tried various birth controls. It actually made it worse for me, not to mention, I found out that birth control pills does not work for me as birth control. Yes, for some women birth control pills do not work as birth control!

So in my mid twenties or so I went totally off all forms of birth control. All. My body has liked this. I will never, ever, subject my body to that again. I'm not saying this is for everybody, but for me, it made a huge difference. My periods regulated. The pain is not as severe. This may have been part of my body naturally adjusting as I got older too.

Ok, but now for my tips for what to do in the interim of finding out what is exactly the case for you. Sometimes there is something wrong. But I do think, and my doctor has said this to me, some of us just have a much rougher time with our menstrual cycles and it's not a sign of disease. It is simply how our bodies are. We can do things to help it, but my point is, sometimes there really isn't an underlying big issue. It's just our bodies. My mother has a history of this, and her mother. Same thing in your family?

*Exercise regularly. I mean, be a nazi about it. The key isn't how hard you work out, in regards to this, but regularly. At least 3-4 times a week.

*Keep track of your periods. And what is going on. Use a special calendar for this. Keep track of all relevant info to do with this issue. Know as much about your body and what makes it better, what makes it worse, as you can. This is good stuff to bring to your doctor too. Be a proactive patient. And don't be afraid to ask or go in to the point of obnoxiousness. You know your body. You aren't making it up.

*Cut out tobacco. Weed. Caffeine. Cut back on sugar. Eat healthy. Especially eat clean leading up to, and during, your period. But all the time is even better. Don't even drink tea during your period. No caffeine. Almost no sugar or junk. This really helps! Resist the urge to eat ice cream.

*Take your medicine, what ever your drug of choice (tylenol, ibuprofen, whatever) before your period even comes. Start the day before. Keep it constant.

*Swim. This more than anything has helped me keep my sanity. Even if it's just bobbing up and down in the water, it helps so much. Same goes for baths. But resist the urge to sit in hot tubs or use hot water.

*Try to relax. Try not to stress about this. I know, it's not always easy. But you are doing all you can do. Your paps would have ruled out cervical cancer, which is a big deal. Allow yourself to be babied, baby yourself, during the times you need it. Try to find that things that make you laugh and relax. Watching funny shows helps me, with someone great. Laughing helps relax the muscles. And it keeps your mind off and helps keep you in a positive light.

*Try to sleep lots. Again, I know this can be difficult. But it helps.

Well this post has gotten so long. And I'm sure there are more, I'm just not thinking of right now. But hopefully some of it helps you. And also to know, for some of us who have gone through this, nothing horrible came of it.

A friend of mine had this problem, and she literally was taken to the emergency room 2 times a month - once at ovulation time, and once at her period. That bad. Eventually she was diagnosed with endometriosis. She was told to go on birth control pills or have a baby. The bc pills did help for her, and lol she was only 19 so she was not ready to have a baby.

She later had kids and that took care of it.

In the meantime, try taking some things like Evening Primrose or Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules. I found out late in the game that my body was missing something and by eating fish the week of my period then it was less severe. And I believe the capsules help even more. You might try going to a naturopathic gynecologist to see if they suggest anything like that.

That being said, it might also be helpful for you to go to a chronic pain clinic so that they can teach you some coping mechanisms for getting through the pain. Meditation and relaxation exercises might help to make things a bit more bearable.

Oh, and be sure to keep a log of your pain, the dates and when it happens, how bad it is from one to ten, and where you are in relation to your menstrual cycle at that time.

^ That is what they told me too. Have a baby that will fix it.

^Not fair. lol. Biology pushes us to have kids.

I would suggest taking up Qigong for improving your overall mind and body health.

EDIT: Sorry. I realized you already tried what I suggested.

Did anyone sugges Polycystic ovary syndrome? (PCOS) I was diagnosed with this (eventually), after two years of scans and various tests. The only symptoms I used to get is extreme cramp when my period finally showed up and heavy bloodflow, along with nausea. I'm pretty sure you may have tried everything over the counter but feminax express works brilliantly on me. Give it a go?