Question for all the women out there

So, I got my first period after my surgery. I normally have REALLY bad cramps and have to practically overdose myself on Ibuprofen to keep them at a tolerable level (they don't usually completely go away). This time is different though, b/c I'm only 11 days post surgery on that part of my body, so it hurts MUCH more than it usually does. I've tried Ibuprofen, and I've even tried the Hydrocodone that my doctor gave me after surgery, but nothing is working.

I have one of those cherry pit heating packs, and that helps some but not a lot. Last night I ended up overheating myself by using it and made myself sick. lol

What are some things you do to help with cramps? Can you give me any suggestions? Luckily my cramps only last 2-3 days, not the entire week of my period, but they still suck. ANY tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

Hot pad , hot water bottle , try the heat wrap deals.... Some hot tea ( there are specific ones for cramps that IMHO help greatly)

Originally Posted by sharky

Some hot tea ( there are specific ones for cramps that IMHO help greatly)

Click to expand...

I was drinking some raspberry tea last night (might have been part of the reason I overheated haha). I didn't know they made tea for cramps, I'll have to look into that. Do you know where I might find it? Is it specialty, like I'd have to go to Whole Foods or something, or could I get it at Target or the grocery store (our grocery store carries almost anything)? Thanks!!

I don't know if it gives immediate relief, but magnesium supplements really helped me. It's best to get a calcium/magnesium/vitamin D combo (you need the calcium and vit D anyway!), they work better together.

I would check with my doctor about a prescription. There are a lot of good non-narcotic pain medications available that may be more effective for you than ibuprofen.

I use a heating pad. Drinking camomile tea helps too.

I've picked up at drugstore/target those stick on heat patches-they have one for that part of our bodies where it works the best!

Originally Posted by kara_leigh

I was drinking some raspberry tea last night (might have been part of the reason I overheated haha). I didn't know they made tea for cramps, I'll have to look into that. Do you know where I might find it? Is it specialty, like I'd have to go to Whole Foods or something, or could I get it at Target or the grocery store (our grocery store carries almost anything)? Thanks!!

Click to expand...

Red raspberry leaves (not the flavoring) and marshmallow root are both good for easing cramps. The marshmallow root is especially soothing for mucous membranes, so is useful for post-op; inflamed internal organs; it does act as a natural diuretic. It is great for post-dental work pain, bladder & kidney problems; my daughter found it helpful for post-gall bladder surgery problems. The red raspberry leaf tea is the main ingredient in "Pregnancy Tea" and is sold almost everywhere, including Target & WalMart, in the pharmacy section. There are other teas, such as CrampBark; Lady's Purse, etc., but they are not as easy to find and I have the best results with RR and Marshmallow Root.
.... I use the capsules for convenience - I take 4 capsules at first, then 2 every 2-4 hrs, or as needed. The red raspberry is also good for diarrhea cramps & also runny stools (also for nausea & vomiting) - I kept the capsules on hand at the restaurant where I worked, and the guys also took it as much as the ladies
Sending mega prayers and vibes for healing

Peppermint tea, deep breathing and a heating pad. Usually 600-800mg of ibuprofen is enough to make things tolerable for me. I get back cramps a lot with mine.

I thought raspberry tea causes the uterus to contract, so was an old wives solution for jump-starting labor? I remember almost freaking out because I was drinking it every day before I found out I was pregnant.

Mine cramps get soo out of hand that my OBGYN gives me a prescription for them (I have PCOS, so it can be miserable sometimes). I would definitely ask your doctor if "Ponstel" might be helpful to you! It requies a prescription, but it definitely helps! Also, try to stay away from salty foods that can make bloating worse.

(I'm also a big fan of hot tea, heating pads, and chick flicks when nothing else works )

Aleve works wonders for me when it comes to ANY kind of pain. Hope you feel better soon doll, doesn't sound fun at all.

Ive never had any, hand on heart thats the truth

all my friends just cuddle up with hot water bottles and painkillers

I had my cramps of death yesterday. They were so bad the couch was permanently glued to my butt because I just couldnt move. I only get bad cramps one day out of my period. I watch what I eat a lot because too full of a tummy makes it worse for me so Ill eat light stuff like apple sauce and I recently got hooked on those Whips yogurts by Yoplait (it doesnt have that gross texture which is why I dont eat yogurt). I also limit my caffeine for the day too, I noticed that if I drink a lot of coffee, soda and iced tea on the days my cramps are bad they will get worse. Not to mention I down 5 Ibuprofen in the morning and another 5 right before I eat my dinner. If I take anything less than that I can barely battle a slight headache let alone full blown cramps and I dont have insurance so seeing dr is out of the question.

I dont know if this would help either but I always liked getting my belly rubbed too. Thankfully BF is pretty understanding of the fact that one day out of the month he has to lightly rub my belly or else he wont eat because I wont get off the couch or eat if my belly doesnt feel better. He will use his finger tips and just rub circles or up and down and side to side on my belly, I call them 'dreamies' cuz they always put me to sleep. LOL

I don't have any advice other than what's already been mentioned, but your post just brought back memories from my post-surgery periods many, many years ago. They were totally incapacating, complete with vomiting, so I just wanted to send some vibes that you will be feeling better soon.

Originally Posted by 3CatsN1Dog

I had my cramps of death yesterday. They were so bad the couch was permanently glued to my butt because I just couldnt move. I only get bad cramps one day out of my period. I watch what I eat a lot because too full of a tummy makes it worse for me so Ill eat light stuff like apple sauce and I recently got hooked on those Whips yogurts by Yoplait (it doesnt have that gross texture which is why I dont eat yogurt). I also limit my caffeine for the day too, I noticed that if I drink a lot of coffee, soda and iced tea on the days my cramps are bad they will get worse. Not to mention I down 5 Ibuprofen in the morning and another 5 right before I eat my dinner. If I take anything less than that I can barely battle a slight headache let alone full blown cramps and I dont have insurance so seeing dr is out of the question.

I dont know if this would help either but I always liked getting my belly rubbed too. Thankfully BF is pretty understanding of the fact that one day out of the month he has to lightly rub my belly or else he wont eat because I wont get off the couch or eat if my belly doesnt feel better. He will use his finger tips and just rub circles or up and down and side to side on my belly, I call them 'dreamies' cuz they always put me to sleep. LOL

Click to expand...

Even taking 4 Ibuprofen every 4 hours doesn't really help much. I got yelled at by my doctor for that one, but what am I supposed to do otherwise?? I can't function in that much pain. *sigh* Even the Hydrocodone wasn't working last night. I just sat curled in pretty much the fetal position on the sofa with a heating pad and Nora until I was tired enough to go to sleep.

I have absolutely no appetite when I have bad cramps, so bloating from food usually isn't much of a problem. I had to force myself to eat something with the Hydrocodone yesterday, and I finally ate something when my blood sugar started to drop way down.

I like my husband to do that with his hands also. We call it "the finger thing." LOL He does it on my back, though. He rubbed my lower back for me last night and it actually did help a lot.

I see my OB/GYN for a post op visit on Friday, so I'll talk to her about what I can do for the cramps. Hopefully she'll help.

Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

Peppermint tea, deep breathing and a heating pad. Usually 600-800mg of ibuprofen is enough to make things tolerable for me. I get back cramps a lot with mine.

I thought raspberry tea causes the uterus to contract, so was an old wives solution for jump-starting labor? I remember almost freaking out because I was drinking it every day before I found out I was pregnant.

Click to expand...

I remember reading that in a herbal book a few months ago. But would contractions be good for the cramps, though?

I drink Red Zinger tea, available in grocery stores; about $2.49 for 20 bags. I believ eit has raspberry leaves in it. For daily drinks (not cramps, etc.), I put 2 bags in a glass with ice water, and let it steep. Refreshing, and I swear it helps with sinus problems, too, though hot probably would be better for that. Also, you can find many brands of raspberry tea in grocery stores.

I find that a soak in a hot bathtub helps with cramps. I have a large uterine fibroid, and, the past 6 months or so, I massage the area while lying flat on my back. I massage for about 15 minutes a day. I've found that I have no cramping with my period. Don't know if would help, and also, surgery was mentioned. Be careful with massaging, if it's near the surgical area, though. I wouldn't.

Kara Leigh, have you tried going on the Pill, the lowest possible dosage? When I was younger, the dr. prescribed it, and the cramps went away, my flow was a LOT lighter, and on time. I used to get EXCRUCIATING cramps. I would also lose so much blood, I would start to go into shock--Mom had to walk me around the house to keep me from passing out. She said my face was white, and my lips were blue (cyanotic). I actually have fainted from the pain, only to come to, and vomit. Fun.

Recently, my uterus, after many years of basically behaving itself, has decided to do the very heavy bleeding again, though I don't get faint, etc. any more--just weak and a bit light-headed. Two months ago, I took my first ever sick day for my period. I had to lay down, with my feet elevated. I read that Motrin is supposed to staunch a lot of the heavy flow, so I'll try that the next time this happens (it didn't last month).

Originally Posted by MargeCat

Kara Leigh, have you tried going on the Pill, the lowest possible dosage? When I was younger, the dr. prescribed it, and the cramps went away, my flow was a LOT lighter, and on time. I used to get EXCRUCIATING cramps. I would also lose so much blood, I would start to go into shock--Mom had to walk me around the house to keep me from passing out. She said my face was white, and my lips were blue (cyanotic). I actually have fainted from the pain, only to come to, and vomit. Fun.

Recently, my uterus, after many years of basically behaving itself, has decided to do the very heavy bleeding again, though I don't get faint, etc. any more--just weak and a bit light-headed. Two months ago, I took my first ever sick day for my period. I had to lay down, with my feet elevated. I read that Motrin is supposed to staunch a lot of the heavy flow, so I'll try that the next time this happens (it didn't last month).

Click to expand...

We've been TTC baby #2 for 10 years, so I really don't want to go on any type of birth control. I was on the pill for about a year b/c of some other medication I was on, and it made me horribly sick and didn't really seem to do much for my cramps or heavy bleeding...other than cause breakthrough bleeding so I bled almost all month long. Not fun. *sigh* My body hates me, I swear. It's in mutiny.

I have really heavy bleeding also, but luckily only for the first 2-3 days (same as the bad cramps) and I also get faint, along with anemic. I've had to take so many days off of work b/c of my periods, it's unreal.

I've heard that fibroids can be really painful. Sorry you have to deal with something like that!

Originally Posted by kara_leigh

I was drinking some raspberry tea last night (might have been part of the reason I overheated haha). I didn't know they made tea for cramps, I'll have to look into that. Do you know where I might find it? Is it specialty, like I'd have to go to Whole Foods or something, or could I get it at Target or the grocery store (our grocery store carries almost anything)? Thanks!!

Click to expand...

Health food or supplement store

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

I would definitely ask your doctor if "Ponstel" might be helpful to you! It requies a prescription, but it definitely helps!

Click to expand...

So I asked my doctor today if she had any suggestions for easing the pain, and she asked if I had ever tried this. I mentioned that you have suggested it, so she called in a prescription for it to my pharmacy.

At just before 5 I get a call from her medical assistant saying that my doctor called it in, but it was a *bit* pricey and suggested that I call around to see if anywhere else would be any cheaper. I didn't ask her how much a *bit* pricey was, but instead called my pharmacy.

How much is a *bit* pricey in my doctor's eye??



400 freaking dollars!!!!



Not meaning to pry, but does it cost you this much?!? I doubt even the cheapest pharmacies on the planet would be able to lower the cost to an affordable range. *CHOKE* I about dropped the phone when the pharmacist told me that. Yikes.

My husband told me I can stay blasted drunk for two days instead.

Originally Posted by kara_leigh

My husband told me I can stay blasted drunk for two days instead.

Click to expand...

I was just going to suggest vodka.. But really, if you are so sick you can't work anyway, why not get a bit tipsy? It works!