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bizzymumma
I sense impending mayhem.
PeaNut 51,520
October 2002
Posts: 19,293
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Loc: Beautiful BC
 |  Posted: 11/27/2012 12:38:21 PM
I totally remember going through this as a teen, and now my DD15 is the same. Horrible cramps each month. She misses at least one day of school. I've told her to keep track of her cycle and take ibuprofin the day before she expects her period, but she doesn't always or can't always make that work.
What's the deal with that BC pill that eliminates your periods? She heard about it in school from a teacher and the teacher made it sound awesome.  Doesn't that really screw up your system to alter your hormones that much at that age? Not really a fan, haven't researched it yet, but heck what I wouldn't have given as a teen not to have to have a period!
We are also dealing with lactose intolerance cramps (her sensitivity seems to vary) and today she had a double-whammy. 
Any other suggestions? TIA. |
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Laurie
"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow."
Doug Firebaugh
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kmk1112
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 11,642
February 2001
Posts: 7,914
Layouts: 66
Loc: Ohio
 |  Posted: 11/27/2012 12:42:49 PM
Any BCP will probably reduce her cramps a lot. DD just went on it because she was having 10 day, super-heavy periods every two weeks and she is having much happier periods now.
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paigepea
I'm PEAchy Keen!
PeaNut 74,479
March 2003
Posts: 16,999
Layouts: 116
| Posted: 11/27/2012 12:46:12 PM
I went on it at 15 for cramps - it changed my life! Totally!
Now I'm on it and I stack it - never take a break = never have your period. It is fantastic. Do a search, it can reduce your risk of CERTAIN cancers (not the stacking, just being on it for 5 or 7 plus years I think, but the stacking is fantastic).
I would take her to the doc and let her talk about her options. There is no way that she should be missing school because her cramps are so bad, there is help!
Paige.
ETA: Ibuprofen never helped me, it wasn't strong enough. The strong pain meds came with their own sets of side effects which is why I switched to the pill. |
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peapermint
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 9,321
January 2001
Posts: 8,597
Layouts: 0
Loc: all up in your business
| Posted: 11/27/2012 12:51:43 PM
Ugh, poor girl When I was a teen I got cramps so bad I would throw up and sleep on the bathroom floor.
I'd say get out ahead of it with Advil or whatever works, and try the ThermaCare menstrual heating pads.
I wish going on BC had been an option when I was a teen. It doesn't have to be the Seasonale or whatever that is; any one is fine as was said. | |
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*Shannah*
Haven't you heard about the word?
PeaNut 242,768
January 2006
Posts: 6,008
Layouts: 2
Loc: Looking at the purple mountain majesties
 | Posted: 11/27/2012 12:54:41 PM
can she take aleve? that helps my cramps A LOT. I also started taking b/c when I was young, I had those awful cramps that made me go home. nothing worked until I took the pill. I'm 33 and I've been taking them since I was 16 with no issues. | |
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Dalai Mama
La Pea Boheme
PeaNut 49,641
September 2002
Posts: 24,171
Layouts: 85
Loc: Drunk on the lawn in a nuclear dawn
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peamac
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 340,335
October 2007
Posts: 5,560
Layouts: 1
Loc: Colorado
 | Posted: 11/27/2012 1:08:17 PM
DDs Dr said to take a few aleve each day for 3-4 days before her period starts. Chocolate, milk (calcium), and a banana (potassium) can help, too. |
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BethAnneM
Hermetically sealed for your protection
PeaNut 95,504
July 2003
Posts: 7,406
Layouts: 0
Loc: Cali Baby
 | Posted: 11/27/2012 1:16:24 PM
My DD went on BC pills at 16 for irregular and heavy periods with cramps. She was so happy she did. |
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2boysandwill
My turn to hit the PEAnata!!!
PeaNut 121,208
December 2003
Posts: 13,119
Layouts: 71
Loc: SCV, CA
| Posted: 11/27/2012 1:40:23 PM
will midol help with any of her pain? I like midol and have always suffered from sever cramping, cold sweats, fevers, etc associated with period. but midol made/makes me very constipated too...I had to choose the lesser of two evils and just double up on ibprofin.
I would also suggest the pill...
Yes, there is a pill out there that reduces your cycles from monthly to quarterly, every 3 to 4 months I think? Remember that pills are a type of hormone management. While the CONCEPT of having only 3-4 periods of year is fascinating...I can't imagine the number that process does to our hormones and ovaries. Ovaries are like little machines, they release an egg every month. but on this pill what happens to that process when you don't allow them to do that?
I would seriously consider the long term implications of being on that type of pill. boo...I know  | |
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WorkingClassDog
Rick Springfield Junkie
PeaNut 78,429
March 2003
Posts: 14,012
Layouts: 5
Loc: Mountain High Pea
| Posted: 11/27/2012 1:43:30 PM
My 16 year old took care of it herself. At her physical she told the doctor and the doctor put her on birth control (Depo shot every 3 months). Apparently they don't need my consent and by law dd didn't have to tell me either, which she wasn't hiding but it got done. |
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bethany1023
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 315,499
May 2007
Posts: 2,410
Layouts: 3
Loc: Midwest
 | Posted: 11/27/2012 1:44:28 PM
Another recommendation for Aleve here. I used to be stuck in the bathroom with TMI symptoms that my mom would then get upset at me for leaving school about. As she never had it that bad, it didn't occur to her why I would have so much trouble.
Talk to your doctor and discuss her choices. Get ahead of it with pain pills, drink tons of water but long term I'd say the pill will help. | |
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KRC11
PeaAddict
PeaNut 13,004
March 2001
Posts: 1,549
Layouts: 46
Loc: Texas
| Posted: 11/27/2012 1:45:10 PM
My dd went on BC at around 15 or 16 because of extreme cramping pain to the point of passing out. Best thing ever IMO. |
Karen C
Check out my blogs
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ilovebuble
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 539,539
January 2012
Posts: 2,478
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 11/27/2012 1:45:14 PM
Along with taking BC, a small electric heating pad can do wonders. Or take a large (clean) sock, fill it with dry rice, tie it off and heat it in the microwave for about 45 seconds and have your daughter hold it on her lower stomach or on her lower back. | |
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mightyme
AlienGreenPea
PeaNut 562,444
August 2012
Posts: 509
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 11/27/2012 1:51:19 PM
Advil always works. Plus a hot water bottle on her abdomen helps too. | |
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can_i_pea_2?
We are the Boys of Old Florida
PeaNut 190,429
February 2005
Posts: 10,617
Layouts: 5
Loc: Down Where the Old Gator Plays!
 | Posted: 11/27/2012 1:52:09 PM
Oh, I feel her pain. I was a teenager before Aleve became available over the counter, and all I had was a hot water bottle to keep down the pain. It was awful, and the only advice I got from my mother was "suck it up."
I went on the pill at 17, and never looked back. OMG, that was a miracle drug to me. The cramps were manageable, (no writhing in bed, throwing up), the bleeding lightened up, and for the first time I was on a regular cycle. I didn't skip periods, though (doubling up on pills), unless it was something important, like a vacation or something, and even then, it wasn't until my late 20's-early 30's.
I had to go off last year, at 41, due to blood pressure issues (hereditary), and the risk of blood clots. It sucks!!!! |
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spoonpea
PeaNut
PeaNut 175,983
November 2004
Posts: 165
Layouts: 0
Loc: Ohio
| Posted: 11/27/2012 1:56:51 PM
Sounds like my daughter at that age...horrible cramps to the point of vomiting and missing school. We tried 3 different BC pills and stacked them all. Nothing helped until she got an IUD. She never gets a period but every so often gets slight cramps when it should be that time of month. Dr. said no issue with not getting the cycle. It completely changed her life!! Go to the doctor and talk about options...and don't give up when/if something doesn't work.....there are more options.
Fran | |
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PierKiss
What if everything is an illusion & nothing exists
PeaNut 82,319
April 2003
Posts: 14,420
Layouts: 39
| Posted: 11/27/2012 2:00:58 PM
I would go ahead with putting her on the pill. When I was around 18, my periods changed and became extremely heavy and excruciating. I tried everything for a year. It got to the point where I would almost pass out from the pain, would throw up, and bleed all over everything. Absolutely horrid. I was taking like 8 Advil/day for 8-10 days trying to control the cramps. Finally my mom took me to the gyn for my first appointment, and she prescribed the pill. Orthotricyclin. Life changing!!! Periods were only 4 days long, not heavy, and I'd have maybe 1/2 day of mild cramps. Best thing ever!! No more missing college classes because of nature! Hooray!  |
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Zella
PeaFixture
PeaNut 434,965
August 2009
Posts: 3,323
Layouts: 5
Loc: Puget Sound
 | Posted: 11/27/2012 2:09:55 PM
I just advocated against BC on another thread, but here I will advocate for it. It has made a world of difference for my daughter (about to turn 21). In a year on a low-dose pill, she didn't have a period at all. When she has periods, she's out of commission for 2-3 days with the pain and nausea.
I recommend taking your daughter to either a female pediatrician (because your daughter will probably be uncomfortable with this. . . and a woman is easier than a man) or a gyn. There should be absolutely no reason to do an internal exam (presuming your daughter isn't sexually active), but they will be more familiar with all the options available.
As for pain relief, if she knows her period is coming, dd needs to start taking ibuprofen a day or two before her flow begins, and she needs to take it around the clock through those first couple of days. If she can get ahead of the pain, rather than waiting until it is bad, she will get much better relief. And ibuprofen can actually decrease the flow as well as the cramps. But taking it on a schedule is really important.
Plus a dr could tell your dd if there is a better pain relief option for her.
Good luck! |
Trying to live each day for itself
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bizzymumma
I sense impending mayhem.
PeaNut 51,520
October 2002
Posts: 19,293
Layouts: 47
Loc: Beautiful BC
| Posted: 11/27/2012 2:15:59 PM
Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like a doctor's visit is in order.
DDs Dr said to take a few aleve each day for 3-4 days before her period starts.
We have Aleve (and Midol) and she has tried that, but I would not be comfortable with her taking that many NSAIDs on a regular basis. They can be damaging to your organs over the long term. I think I'd rather her be on BC to eliminate or reduce the cramps.
Ask her doctor for a prescription for Ponstan (mefenamic acid). It's an anti-inflamatory that works great for menstrual pain.
Thanks I'll ask about that too, maybe it's stronger/safer?
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Laurie
"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow."
Doug Firebaugh
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Justlulu
Garden Girl
PeaNut 232,474
November 2005
Posts: 5,948
Layouts: 685
Loc: Canada
| Posted: 11/27/2012 2:24:34 PM
I wish I'd known about Essential Oils years ago... I have a blood disorder and very painful periods. I'm able to not take pain pills for the first time in my life now that I apply oils to my abdomen when the cramps start.
I use a mix of oils, but a lot of people swear by Clary Sage essential oil for cramps.
I also use oils for my arthritis pains and it works wonders |
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EmilyDionne
PeaAddict
PeaNut 215,734
July 2005
Posts: 1,359
Layouts: 65
Loc: Okanagan, BC Canada
| Posted: 11/27/2012 3:57:28 PM
I hope you are also considering a trip to the health food store or vitamin store to find out what could help. |
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He**inWA
*Clever Pea Title Here*
PeaNut 220,816
August 2005
Posts: 8,903
Layouts: 2
Loc: Hidden under a pile of scrap!
| Posted: 11/27/2012 4:01:59 PM
I would also suggest the pill...
Yes, there is a pill out there that reduces your cycles from monthly to quarterly, every 3 to 4 months I think? Remember that pills are a type of hormone management. While the CONCEPT of having only 3-4 periods of year is fascinating...I can't imagine the number that process does to our hormones and ovaries. Ovaries are like little machines, they release an egg every month. but on this pill what happens to that process when you don't allow them to do that?
MMMM .... Ovulation is prevented by ALL birth control pills.
Having your period during the week of placebos is only the shedding of the uterine lining.
Just sayin' |
He**inWA
  
'Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell' -Edna St. Vincent Millay | |
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cbee
PeaAddict
PeaNut 383,986
July 2008
Posts: 1,046
Layouts: 18
Loc: Washington
 | Posted: 11/27/2012 4:23:23 PM
I was given the prescription form of aleve waaaayyyy back in the early days. I would definitely recommend a visit to the gynecologist and ask about this. It was a life saver. And she should have a good doctor anyway. |
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crimsoncat05
PeaFixture
PeaNut 273,602
August 2006
Posts: 3,298
Layouts: 99
Loc: Phoenix, AZ area
| Posted: 11/27/2012 4:31:18 PM
"Other Reasons to Take the Pill"
my opinion only, but I don't think there's any medical reason for women to *have* a period every month... it's just nature's way of saying, 'hey, you're not pregnant this month' (but then again, I'm one of those girls who would be doubled over in pain from cramps- not to mention the migraine headaches and PMS symptoms.) I would vote whole-heartedly for hormone regulation for your daughter, if the pain is that debilitating (and I know it can be). <---also note I did not call it 'birth control pills' because that's NOT the only thing they're good for!
edited to add this and to remove funky characters (bold emphasis mine): "Many don't realize that the period one has on OCs is not a REAL period; it's actually withdrawal bleeding. Withdrawal bleeding is NOT necessary to maintain gynecologic health.
Some women falsely believe that without a period, blood or other toxins may begin to build up. Although some claim that it's unnatural or harmful to manipulate a woman's monthly cycle by completely stopping her period, in reality, women are already controlling their menstrual cycles just by using birth control pills. Given that few women naturally have a 28-day menstrual cycle, pill use automatically directs a woman's cycle to be 28 days.
The "period" that occurs during 21 or 28-day combination birth control packs has no medical function other than reassuring a woman that she is not pregnant. In women who do not desire to or can't become pregnant, there is no physiological requirement for an actual menstrual period or for a monthly withdrawal bleed (that occurs with hormonal contraceptives). Doctors have long-realized that OCs can be used to prevent a period or to produce a desired cycle length. For decades, doctors have been advising women on how to properly use 21/28-day regimen birth control pills to manipulate monthly cycles and to skip periods."
this info is from the following website: Contraception info at About.com
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"Accepting anything without question is the antithesis of critical thinking and education. ~wren*walk, 8/20/12"
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Kelpea
In a HapPea Place
PeaNut 176,832
November 2004
Posts: 12,226
Layouts: 2
Loc: gone to chemo with BethAnne
| Posted: 11/27/2012 4:36:03 PM
I would definitely recommend a visit to the gynecologist and ask about this. It was a life saver. And she should have a good doctor anyway.
Actually, and interestingly enough, the medical world is changing their opinion on when a teen should see a gynecologist for the first time; our youngish PA just told DD and I they don't need to see her until she's sexually active. Caeley was relieved, lol. She's so not looking forward to those exams!
She too suffered from the most debilitating cramps and long periods EVER. At our PA's suggestion she went on a low-dose BC pill. She's feeling great! No missed school, no pain, and she's got a light period now and can get through her very physical days on her cheer squads without embarrassmnent. And her skin is gorgeous, too. That's her new pic in my siggie. She's fifteen. |
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bizzymumma
I sense impending mayhem.
PeaNut 51,520
October 2002
Posts: 19,293
Layouts: 47
Loc: Beautiful BC
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Compwalla
Pastafarian Pea
PeaNut 11,942
March 2001
Posts: 19,839
Layouts: 39
Loc: Vacaville, CA
| Posted: 11/27/2012 5:09:29 PM
There are long term benefits to ovulating less and having fewer periods. It is more natural to ovulate less because human women evolved to reproduce early and often, suppressing ovulation for long periods of pregnancy and nursing. Birth control pills simulate this and relieve so much pain and suffering if the cramps are really bad that I think it would be cruel not to talk to talk to a doctor about it. Hope you find something that works because bad cramps are simply awful. |
Virginia
I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires. --Susan B. Anthony
Blog link - Dryer Lint
Aprons and More | |
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peamac
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 340,335
October 2007
Posts: 5,560
Layouts: 1
Loc: Colorado
| Posted: 11/27/2012 5:42:11 PM
DDs Dr said to take a few aleve each day for 3-4 days before her period starts.
We have Aleve (and Midol) and she has tried that, but I would not be comfortable with her taking that many NSAIDs on a regular basis. They can be damaging to your organs over the long term. I think I'd rather her be on BC to eliminate or reduce the cramps.
I thought that too, but another dr (ob/gyn) suggested the same thing and said there shouldn't be any problems with that much. I was on the bc pill when I was first married, and boy, did it make me cranky! I'd hate for DD to have the same effect, but i'm sure they've changed a bit in 20+ years. |
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bizzymumma
I sense impending mayhem.
PeaNut 51,520
October 2002
Posts: 19,293
Layouts: 47
Loc: Beautiful BC
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Nicole in TX
The Peas did what we do and went insane over it
PeaNut 16,696
June 2001
Posts: 18,168
Layouts: 65
Loc: Not so obvious
 | Posted: 11/27/2012 6:31:37 PM
Please take her to the doctor and get her on the pill. Honestly, if you have never had debilitating cramps you just don't understand how Advil does not solve your problem. |
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meridon
PeaAddict
PeaNut 419,133
April 2009
Posts: 1,091
Layouts: 0
Loc: in the deep South
| Posted: 11/27/2012 7:28:49 PM
She needs to go to a gyn and get it checked out. I had debilitating cramps like that for years, but my mom died when I was young, so my dad was clueless and would just give me Advil. Turns out I had endometriosis and fibroids and by the time I was diagnosed, it had already caused major infertility issues. Aleve didn't work, Midol didn't work, etc. I've taken the pill continuously for years and that's the only relief I get--just not having a period. |
"Patience is knowing it will happen and giving it time to."---Rodney White
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*KAS*
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 408,684
January 2009
Posts: 6,743
Layouts: 0
Loc: Georgia girl
| Posted: 11/27/2012 7:39:53 PM
When I was a teen I got cramps so bad I would throw up and sleep on the bathroom floor.
Ugh, me too. 
I am on BCP for them, and it helped me tremendously.
The only other thing that usually worked for me was 4 aleve, heat on my belly, and a 15 minute nap. If I didn't get a few minutes sleep it's like the Aleve never kicked in. I used to go out to my car and sleep during my lunch hour at work until I got on the pill and they weren't as severe. Not because I was tired, it was just the only way the Aleve worked. (no other advil type pills worked for me). |
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KELLI
Had to delete my old account, but I've been here since July 2006! | |
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FLA SummerBaby
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 290,599
January 2007
Posts: 2,919
Layouts: 0
Loc: Sunny FLA
| Posted: 11/27/2012 7:40:31 PM
Boy do I understand what you are dealing with. I always have suffered with extreme PMS symtoms and unfortunately passed that on to my DD. She is 16.5 now and we started her on BC about 6 months ago and what a difference.
Before BC she tried Aleve, Motrin, Midol and at least 2 different prescriptions (including an anti-inflammatory usually prescribed for arthritis!) Anyhow she would have unpredictable periods and would miss at least 1 day of school. She would have nausea, severe cramping, fainting and throwing up. I totally sympathized with her and sought medical advice and help. We tried enough different things with only limited success that her pediatrician said we should try BC when she was 16.
What an improvement-- she feels human again. She can count on her cycles and adjust them a week or so when there is something special going on (like the week she was away at summer camp) and she doesn't want to be cramping, etc. She still has minor symptoms but nothing like what she experienced prior to BC.
Wishing you and your DD luck in getting the right treatment for her. But I wholeheartedly suggest asking about BC pill.
~~ Lisa ~~ | |
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mightyme
AlienGreenPea
PeaNut 562,444
August 2012
Posts: 509
Layouts: 2
| Posted: 11/27/2012 8:44:04 PM
I forgot to add. Search B vitamins. My mom's friends mom is a nurse and said it helps. Take them daily. | |
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BoSoxBeth
Working for SHALOM
PeaNut 44,871
August 2002
Posts: 17,101
Layouts: 8
| Posted: 11/27/2012 11:02:01 PM
Make sure you buy/have a heating pad for her to put on her belly during cramp episodes. It does help somewhat. | |
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Eddie-n-Harley
BucketHead
PeaNut 167,693
September 2004
Posts: 553
Layouts: 64
| Posted: 11/27/2012 11:21:49 PM
I haven't read all of the replies, but I wanted to offer this:
Regular ibuprofen tablets (solids) do.not.work for me. Never have. But advil liqui-gels? Those were a revelation! I can practically feel the minute that the ibuprofen hits my blood stream. So if she's been taking tabs, try the liquigel and see if it helps. (Try not to take them on an empty stomach.)
You might also want to ask her doctor if she can take a higher dosage than is on the bottle. 400mg (2 pills) doesn't touch most of my pain, but 600mg usually works. (But that might just be because I am not skinny.)
ETA: I don't mean to undermine or contradict any of the other advice. (Especially the asking about a BCP, because I know many women who get relief that way.) Just wanted to offer the liquigel suggestion as a more immediate thing you could try. | |
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Mewcat
AncestralPea
PeaNut 465,849
April 2010
Posts: 4,739
Layouts: 0
Loc: Southern, CA
| Posted: 11/27/2012 11:23:35 PM
Calcium and dairy products help with cramping. I know you said that she is lactose intolerant though. Could she try eating more calcium enriched foods? Such as nuts and oranges.
I also found that when I was more active even now that it helped to alleviate my cramps.
I use Naproxen it's a 12 hour pain killer when they get really bad.
Vitamin and health food stores as another poster suggested offer other options such as teas, supplements, and lotions that she can apply to her stomach to help.
I also agree that she should talk to a doctor about this. |
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reneelcla
BucketHead
PeaNut 278,786
October 2006
Posts: 698
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/27/2012 11:30:24 PM
I did BC pills beginning @ 15 too because of severe cramps that caused me miss school. It changed my life. | |
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