Attack of the Cramps (Help?)

[letyourselfgo]

I am having those nasty cramps that come for some of us during PMS.....but worse than usual.

I've tried Aleve, Motrin, a heating pad, and Raspberry Tea. Nothing is working and I'm feeling especially rotten.

Any other ideas? I need to be able to keep going until the end of the work day, and this pain is distracting me.

TIA

[turtle1120]

Maybe they're gas pains and you just need to fart? LOL. Sorry couldn't help it because of the other post.

Bad cramps suck and there's usually nothing to do other than suffer through them (for me at least). I've noticed that something like Midol usually works better than a simple pain reliever.

[lookingup]

Sometimes nothing works for me. When it gets too bad, I usually just try to take a nap (if I'm home) and hope that it's not hurting when I wake up. Sorry hun.

[udscoobychick]

I've heard that exercise actually helps relieve them, so maybe do a few situps? Although, I'm sure that idea is thoroughly unappealing right now.

[formerlyak]

This is going to sound odd, but try putting a super cold wash cloth on your forehead. It has something to do with your body feeling cold faster than pain, so you start to focus on that instead of on the cramps and then you are able to better relax.

It works for migraines, too -- unfortunately had to use this method when I was first pg with ds and couldn't take any of my regular migraine meds.

[heavenly]

Has it gotten worse over the time for you?

[dakotadangerdog]

Jun 25, 2012 16:14:13 GMT -5 turtle1120 said:

I've noticed that something like Midol usually works better than a simple pain reliever.

Midol is the same thing as Aleve.

[explorer2001]

Have you tried a muscle relaxant? I used to have super bad back spasms that was my only hope.

[mandimija]

I thought Midol had a muscle relaxer in it as well as caffeine. *shrugs*

I second the exercise thing. It will be a bitch for about the first five to ten minutes. Then, you'll start to get some serious relief. Baths with Epsom salts help me too.

[turtle1120]

Jun 25, 2012 16:42:37 GMT -5 mandimija said:

I thought Midol had a muscle relaxer in it as well as caffeine. *shrugs*
I second the exercise thing. It will be a bitch for about the first five to ten minutes. Then, you'll start to get some serious relief. Baths with Epsom salts help me too.

I was under the impression that Midol had more in it than Aleve (like PP said caffeine and other things). It seems to work for me when Ibuprofen or another pain reliever alone doesn't cut it.

[dakotadangerdog]

OKay Here's what Wikipedia has to say, apparently only one of the many versions is the same as aleve (naproxen)

The "Midol Complete" formulation consists of:

Acetaminophen 500 mg (Pain Reliever)
Caffeine 60 mg (Stimulant)
Pyrilamine Maleate 15 mg (Antihistamine)

The "Extended Relief" formulation consists of:

Naproxen Sodium 220 mg (NSAID, Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer)

The "Teen" formulation consists of:

Acetaminophen 500 mg (Pain Reliever)
Pamabrom 25 mg (Diuretic)

The "Liquid Gels" formulation consists of:

Ibuprofen 200 mg (Pain Reliever)

The "PM" formulation consists of:

Acetaminophen 500 mg (Pain Reliever)
Diphenhydramine citrate 38 mg (Sedative antihistamine)

[dakotadangerdog]

I've literally had cramps once in my life so I don't know anything about Midol lol. My vagina hurts really badwhen I get my period though if that makes you feel any better. That doesn't make for easy tampon usage.

[trafficgirl]

Jun 25, 2012 17:00:14 GMT -5 dakotadangerdog said:

OKay Here's what Wikipedia has to say, apparently only one of the many versions is the same as aleve (naproxen)

The "Midol Complete" formulation consists of:

Acetaminophen 500 mg (Pain Reliever)
Caffeine 60 mg (Stimulant)
Pyrilamine Maleate 15 mg (Antihistamine)

...

The "PM" formulation consists of:

Acetaminophen 500 mg (Pain Reliever)
Diphenhydramine citrate 38 mg (Sedative antihistamine)

::hijack::

What's with the antihistamine? Do people get particularly sneezy or congested when they have their periods? Color me confused. Or dumb. Probably the latter.

[explorer2001]

Jun 25, 2012 17:12:54 GMT -5 trafficgirl said:

Jun 25, 2012 17:00:14 GMT -5 dakotadangerdog said:

OKay Here's what Wikipedia has to say, apparently only one of the many versions is the same as aleve (naproxen)

The "Midol Complete" formulation consists of:

Acetaminophen 500 mg (Pain Reliever)
Caffeine 60 mg (Stimulant)
Pyrilamine Maleate 15 mg (Antihistamine)

...

The "PM" formulation consists of:

Acetaminophen 500 mg (Pain Reliever)
Diphenhydramine citrate 38 mg (Sedative antihistamine)

::hijack::

What's with the antihistamine? Do people get particularly sneezy or congested when they have their periods? Color me confused. Or dumb. Probably the latter.

It's in there as a sedative. That antihistamine typically makes people drowsy, hence being in the PM formula and only the PM formula.

[letyourselfgo]

I'm back. I couldn't check the site on my work computer where I'm signed in.....but could on my phone.....but couldn't log in. So I read the posts, but couldn't respond until break.

I tried the wet washcloth! It worked! Oh thank you formerlyak. I'm still having those cramps, but they are much less intense.

I am allergic to the Pyrilamine Maleate in Midol Complete. It's supposed to work as a diuretic, some women get the water weight going during PMS.

[BookLover]

Sorry you've been in misery. I say take a bottle of alcohol and lay down and drink your pain away. When I get them, I can't move, so I just lay still.

This may sound gross, but whatever, when I hurt so much. I take a book to the bathroom and just sit on the pot. I don't know why, but sitting there helps.

I never recommend midol to anyone since it's a diuretic, it screws up my stomach.

[trafficgirl]

Jun 25, 2012 17:19:51 GMT -5 explorer2001 said:

Jun 25, 2012 17:12:54 GMT -5 trafficgirl said:

::hijack::

What's with the antihistamine? Do people get particularly sneezy or congested when they have their periods? Color me confused. Or dumb. Probably the latter.

It's in there as a sedative. That antihistamine typically makes people drowsy, hence being in the PM formula and only the PM formula.

But it's in the Midol Complete formula too, so is that intended to be taken only at night?

[letyourselfgo]

Different Antihistimine.

[trafficgirl]

Jun 25, 2012 17:40:15 GMT -5 letyourselfgo said:

Different Antihistimine.

So then what is the other antihistimine (the Midol Complete one) in there for? I don't know if anyone knows, but this whole discussion has made me very curious.

Sorry for totally veering off course here.

[marigoldgirl]

I don't care want is in the Midol. It is the only thing that helps when I have cramps.