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Period pain + Freshers = disaster!!
Hi everyone,
This may not seem like a big deal but i'm quite worried....basically my period is due around the begginning of freshers and I always get really bad period pains. I usually take Ibuprofen which doesn't really work but I am a bit embarrassed to go to the doctor so I just put up with 2 days of pain a month.....but obviously if these days are in freshers week this isn't ideal for socialising.......a couple of problems/solutions....any ideas?
1. Can i drink whilst taking ibuprofen? I really need to take it in order to not be curled up in a ball in bed but I don't want to sacrifice drinknig.....not a big drinker but I feel that a bit of alcohol during freshers is pretty much a given in awkward social situations!
2. Does the pain killer the doctor prescribes (can't remember the name but there is one which loads of people seem to have...) actually work better than ibuprofen? Would it be a good idea to get a prescription before uni? (Also is that drug bad with alcohol?)
3. Should I ask to be put on the pill temporarily to stop my period coming during freshers? Or is this too drastic? I'm guessing the GP probs wouldn't be too keen.
Sorry this post is a bit muddled (quite late...!) but any help/experience would be greatly appreciated
x
This may not seem like a big deal but i'm quite worried....basically my period is due around the begginning of freshers and I always get really bad period pains. I usually take Ibuprofen which doesn't really work but I am a bit embarrassed to go to the doctor so I just put up with 2 days of pain a month.....but obviously if these days are in freshers week this isn't ideal for socialising.......a couple of problems/solutions....any ideas?
1. Can i drink whilst taking ibuprofen? I really need to take it in order to not be curled up in a ball in bed but I don't want to sacrifice drinknig.....not a big drinker but I feel that a bit of alcohol during freshers is pretty much a given in awkward social situations!
2. Does the pain killer the doctor prescribes (can't remember the name but there is one which loads of people seem to have...) actually work better than ibuprofen? Would it be a good idea to get a prescription before uni? (Also is that drug bad with alcohol?)
3. Should I ask to be put on the pill temporarily to stop my period coming during freshers? Or is this too drastic? I'm guessing the GP probs wouldn't be too keen.
Sorry this post is a bit muddled (quite late...!) but any help/experience would be greatly appreciated
x
Hey - I get really bad stomach pains too...and my back always feels like it's breaking!! The doctors' pain killer, for me, numbed me slightly but the base of the pain was always still there (especially on a bad day).
Also, you cannot drink with that pill - it weakens its affects and can make you dizzy., But you don't have to drink to have a good time. I don't drink at all and I have fun still. =) Hope this helps.
Also, you cannot drink with that pill - it weakens its affects and can make you dizzy., But you don't have to drink to have a good time. I don't drink at all and I have fun still. =) Hope this helps.
you can drink and take ibuprofen so far as i know, ive never had any problems and some people do it to not get a hangover
dont know about the painkillers
if you go to the doctor about the pill you might still bleed a little and/or you might still get some pain, it takes a while for some people to find one that suits them, and if you do go to the doctors tell him that you have really bad period pains and you dont want them to be disruptive at the start of uni rather than phrasing it that you just dont want your period so you can go out (ist no lying its just a better way of putting it and he should be alright with that) also if your leaving soon you might not be able to start until the end of your period which wouldnt work out right
dont know about the painkillers
if you go to the doctor about the pill you might still bleed a little and/or you might still get some pain, it takes a while for some people to find one that suits them, and if you do go to the doctors tell him that you have really bad period pains and you dont want them to be disruptive at the start of uni rather than phrasing it that you just dont want your period so you can go out (ist no lying its just a better way of putting it and he should be alright with that) also if your leaving soon you might not be able to start until the end of your period which wouldnt work out right
Working at Boots and selling OTC medicines, I know that you can take the standard painkillers (e.g. aspirin, ibuoprofen, paracetamol) as long as you only take the stated dose. If you take any more then you're going to put your liver/stomach under a lot of strain. So yes, take 2 ibuoprofen every 4 hours but nothing more.
The painkillers that the doctors prescribe probably won't be okay to take with alcohol, thats probably one of the reasons why it has to be prescribed. From people I know that take them, they say it helps, but some of them have said they get side effects like nausea. You shouldn't feel embarassed about period pains at all, the doctors (even me working at Boots!) have heard so much worse. Besides, every single girl has a period lols. Look forward to Paps!
I've been on the pill for 3 1/2 years now, and it's done wonders for my heavy bleeding and period pains (I'd be curled up for like 3 days in agony...!), however when you first take the pill it can make you bleed on and off for months before it settles. There's only a very small chance you won't have any irregular bleeding whatsoever - I had about 3 periods in my 1st month lol. It was great...!
When you've been on it for a long time, however, it can do wonders for the pain and the heaviest. So, perhaps don't do this for Freshers but consider it for the near future? Seriously just go have a chat with your doctor.
Btw, have you ever tried Feminax? It has a painkiller in it caused naproxen which is used for period pains. However you cannot drink alcohol whilst taking it, so consider whether you'll be able to take that during Freshers or not. If you're willing to give up a few nights not drinking to try to help the pain, just go to a pharmacy and it'll be behind the counter. If you're on any other medication though, check with the pharmacist you can take naproxen.
Good luck!
The painkillers that the doctors prescribe probably won't be okay to take with alcohol, thats probably one of the reasons why it has to be prescribed. From people I know that take them, they say it helps, but some of them have said they get side effects like nausea. You shouldn't feel embarassed about period pains at all, the doctors (even me working at Boots!) have heard so much worse. Besides, every single girl has a period lols. Look forward to Paps!
I've been on the pill for 3 1/2 years now, and it's done wonders for my heavy bleeding and period pains (I'd be curled up for like 3 days in agony...!), however when you first take the pill it can make you bleed on and off for months before it settles. There's only a very small chance you won't have any irregular bleeding whatsoever - I had about 3 periods in my 1st month lol. It was great...!
When you've been on it for a long time, however, it can do wonders for the pain and the heaviest. So, perhaps don't do this for Freshers but consider it for the near future? Seriously just go have a chat with your doctor
.Btw, have you ever tried Feminax? It has a painkiller in it caused naproxen which is used for period pains. However you cannot drink alcohol whilst taking it, so consider whether you'll be able to take that during Freshers or not. If you're willing to give up a few nights not drinking to try to help the pain, just go to a pharmacy and it'll be behind the counter. If you're on any other medication though, check with the pharmacist you can take naproxen.
Good luck!
(edited 13 years ago)
try taking the ibuprofen as soon as you start to feel the pain coming. and while i know you shouldnt i usually say if the first two dont work, try another two. but i havent had to do that in ages since i discovered the little trick of taking the pain killers when i feel the pain is about to start rather than when it has already started
Alcohol will probably numb the pain.
why are you embarrassed to see the doctor about it? Trust me, as someone who comes from a family of doctors, if you knew how much they've seen, period pain would induce about as much embarrassment as a cold.
elmsuperlady said the painkillers can have side effects like nausea, and i thought id point out that if you buy the over the counter kind (like feminax) they can too so dont take it for the first time just before you go out incase you end up feeling even worse, it sounds obvious but i made that mistake
I'm the same OP 
Mine's due around my freshers week as well. Sigh.
Mine's due around my freshers week as well. Sigh.
elmsuperlady
Working at Boots and selling OTC medicines, I know that you can take the standard painkillers (e.g. aspirin, ibuoprofen, paracetamol) as long as you only take the stated dose. If you take any more then you're going to put your liver/stomach under a lot of strain. So yes, take 2 ibuoprofen every 4 hours but nothing more.
The painkillers that the doctors prescribe probably won't be okay to take with alcohol, thats probably one of the reasons why it has to be prescribed. From people I know that take them, they say it helps, but some of them have said they get side effects like nausea. You shouldn't feel embarassed about period pains at all, the doctors (even me working at Boots!) have heard so much worse. Besides, every single girl has a period lols. Look forward to Paps!
I've been on the pill for 3 1/2 years now, and it's done wonders for my heavy bleeding and period pains (I'd be curled up for like 3 days in agony...!), however when you first take the pill it can make you bleed on and off for months before it settles. There's only a very small chance you won't have any irregular bleeding whatsoever - I had about 3 periods in my 1st month lol. It was great...!
When you've been on it for a long time, however, it can do wonders for the pain and the heaviest. So, perhaps don't do this for Freshers but consider it for the near future? Seriously just go have a chat with your doctor.
Btw, have you ever tried Feminax? It has a painkiller in it caused naproxen which is used for period pains. However you cannot drink alcohol whilst taking it, so consider whether you'll be able to take that during Freshers or not. If you're willing to give up a few nights not drinking to try to help the pain, just go to a pharmacy and it'll be behind the counter. If you're on any other medication though, check with the pharmacist you can take naproxen.
Good luck!
The painkillers that the doctors prescribe probably won't be okay to take with alcohol, thats probably one of the reasons why it has to be prescribed. From people I know that take them, they say it helps, but some of them have said they get side effects like nausea. You shouldn't feel embarassed about period pains at all, the doctors (even me working at Boots!) have heard so much worse. Besides, every single girl has a period lols. Look forward to Paps!
I've been on the pill for 3 1/2 years now, and it's done wonders for my heavy bleeding and period pains (I'd be curled up for like 3 days in agony...!), however when you first take the pill it can make you bleed on and off for months before it settles. There's only a very small chance you won't have any irregular bleeding whatsoever - I had about 3 periods in my 1st month lol. It was great...!
When you've been on it for a long time, however, it can do wonders for the pain and the heaviest. So, perhaps don't do this for Freshers but consider it for the near future? Seriously just go have a chat with your doctor
.Btw, have you ever tried Feminax? It has a painkiller in it caused naproxen which is used for period pains. However you cannot drink alcohol whilst taking it, so consider whether you'll be able to take that during Freshers or not. If you're willing to give up a few nights not drinking to try to help the pain, just go to a pharmacy and it'll be behind the counter. If you're on any other medication though, check with the pharmacist you can take naproxen.
Good luck!
Pretty much everything I was going to say (I work on Healthcare at Boots too!)
I'd add that ibuprofen is a good painkiller for period pains as it lessens cramping, but if it's not really reaching the pain then you can take paracetamol along with it. This is what I have to do sometimes - 2 ibuprofen and 2 paracetamol tablets, it works an absolute treat when I've been in agony.
Also, you'll find naproxen in Feminax Ultra, not the standard Feminax you'll see on the shelf. BUT ask for the chemists' own version as it'll be cheaper.
As for prescribed painkillers, well I don't know what different painkillers they'd prescribe apart from stronger dose versions of the one you'll find at the pharmacy. The absolute strongest painkiller we can sell without prescription is dihydrocodeine, which is branded as Paramol.
(edited 13 years ago)
porn induced coma
try taking the ibuprofen as soon as you start to feel the pain coming. and while i know you shouldnt i usually say if the first two dont work, try another two. but i havent had to do that in ages since i discovered the little trick of taking the pain killers when i feel the pain is about to start rather than when it has already started
Don't do this.
2 ibuprofen, then if they aren't working, 2 tablets containing a different painkiller, like paracetamol. You won't risk damaging yourself this way.
My secret is Feminax Ultra- it contains an anti imflammatory (naproxen) which helps with cramping.
I also take paracetamol too (as you can mix and match without boxing up your liver).
I would avoid drinking alcohol as you don't want to damage your liver or get a GI bleed.
I find that if I drink heavily enough I feel no pain at all, but I would not honestly advise this method. Freshers week is an entire week after all...so 2 days out won't be the worst thing. If you want to explain yourself just say you are finishing off a course of antibiotics as opening discussing your menstrual status is a little weird as an opening line!
I also take paracetamol too (as you can mix and match without boxing up your liver).
I would avoid drinking alcohol as you don't want to damage your liver or get a GI bleed.
I find that if I drink heavily enough I feel no pain at all, but I would not honestly advise this method. Freshers week is an entire week after all...so 2 days out won't be the worst thing. If you want to explain yourself just say you are finishing off a course of antibiotics as opening discussing your menstrual status is a little weird as an opening line!
Anonymous
Hi everyone,
This may not seem like a big deal but i'm quite worried....basically my period is due around the begginning of freshers and I always get really bad period pains. I usually take Ibuprofen which doesn't really work but I am a bit embarrassed to go to the doctor so I just put up with 2 days of pain a month.....but obviously if these days are in freshers week this isn't ideal for socialising.......a couple of problems/solutions....any ideas?
1. Can i drink whilst taking ibuprofen? I really need to take it in order to not be curled up in a ball in bed but I don't want to sacrifice drinknig.....not a big drinker but I feel that a bit of alcohol during freshers is pretty much a given in awkward social situations!
2. Does the pain killer the doctor prescribes (can't remember the name but there is one which loads of people seem to have...) actually work better than ibuprofen? Would it be a good idea to get a prescription before uni? (Also is that drug bad with alcohol?)
3. Should I ask to be put on the pill temporarily to stop my period coming during freshers? Or is this too drastic? I'm guessing the GP probs wouldn't be too keen.
Sorry this post is a bit muddled (quite late...!) but any help/experience would be greatly appreciated
x
This may not seem like a big deal but i'm quite worried....basically my period is due around the begginning of freshers and I always get really bad period pains. I usually take Ibuprofen which doesn't really work but I am a bit embarrassed to go to the doctor so I just put up with 2 days of pain a month.....but obviously if these days are in freshers week this isn't ideal for socialising.......a couple of problems/solutions....any ideas?
1. Can i drink whilst taking ibuprofen? I really need to take it in order to not be curled up in a ball in bed but I don't want to sacrifice drinknig.....not a big drinker but I feel that a bit of alcohol during freshers is pretty much a given in awkward social situations!
2. Does the pain killer the doctor prescribes (can't remember the name but there is one which loads of people seem to have...) actually work better than ibuprofen? Would it be a good idea to get a prescription before uni? (Also is that drug bad with alcohol?)
3. Should I ask to be put on the pill temporarily to stop my period coming during freshers? Or is this too drastic? I'm guessing the GP probs wouldn't be too keen.
Sorry this post is a bit muddled (quite late...!) but any help/experience would be greatly appreciated
x
Go to the Doctor, I did, don't get embarrassed, loads of people suffer from bad pain and go to the doctor and you could always go see a female doctor.
When I went on the pill i'm sure mine was pretty much normal straight away and it did lower period pain. But a few years before I was going to get my period on holiday so the doctor gave me tablets (maybe the pill i cant remember lol) to stop it whilst I was away.
So go to the doctor and say your looking for some contraception that will help with your period pain in the long term but now your off ot uni and your going to be on for your first week and you don't want the pain to stop you doing anything.
just go asap
x
There is a tablet available on prescription to delay bleeding, it's called norethisterone you could ask your doctor, it wouldn't be too late to start. It a very common request with GPs so I wouldn't be embarrassed. Or to but norethisterone go to Boots.com > prescriptions direct > period management service, they will ask you questions, you will be asssesed and then able to purchase as long as it is suitable for you. It would be too late to think about the pill now, but I would recommend it long term as it will help with the pain and bleeding (I used to be in agony for 2 days and unable to walk, now I hardly even notice I have it!).
Otherwise, you could take ibuprofen AND co-codamol (both available in a pharmacy) to help with the pain. You would still be able to drink, but may feel a little drowsy due to the codeine. I wouldn't recommend Feminax Ultra (naproxen) as it could make you nauseaus (poss try in future!). Another possibility would be nurofen plus/cuprofen plus - they contain ibuprofen and codeine if you want to forget about the paracetamol (if ur gonna be drinking a lot - think of your liver...)
I would also advise you to purchase a heat pad that you can stick to you clothes/skin as these help majorly with cramps and pain due to period.
If you need and other help just ask! I'll be more than happy to help!
Hth's - btw I'm a Pharmacy Tech
Otherwise, you could take ibuprofen AND co-codamol (both available in a pharmacy) to help with the pain. You would still be able to drink, but may feel a little drowsy due to the codeine. I wouldn't recommend Feminax Ultra (naproxen) as it could make you nauseaus (poss try in future!). Another possibility would be nurofen plus/cuprofen plus - they contain ibuprofen and codeine if you want to forget about the paracetamol (if ur gonna be drinking a lot - think of your liver...)
I would also advise you to purchase a heat pad that you can stick to you clothes/skin as these help majorly with cramps and pain due to period.
If you need and other help just ask! I'll be more than happy to help!
Hth's - btw I'm a Pharmacy Tech
Firstly, I'd recommend you just going to your doctor and explaining the problem. That way they can deside whether it's best to prescribe mefenamic acid (for period pains, it's an anti-inflammatory), or Norethisterone which delays your period. They may suggest for you to come back in future when things aren't so urgent and discuss taking the pill (even if you don't need it for contraceptive reasons, it does wonders for periods in most people). Remember to explain to the doctor about drinking alcohol.
As for the whole taking alcohol and drugs like ibuprofen, personally I would stay well clear. Most guidelines say drinking your daily alcohol intake whilst on paracetamol/ibuprofen is fine, but you have to remember that for women that intake is only 2-3 units. You could easily go over that by having 1 or 2 drinks. Ibuprofen has risks of side effects such as causing stomach ulcers and taking it with alcohol increases that risk significantly. It'll also give significant strain on your liver, which if you're going to be drinking a lot for the first time isn't advisable.
Just as a tip, ibuprofen works much better when taken as a regular medicine, like 3 times daily. After a few doses it will work significantly better that to begin with. Also, take the first dose as soon as you feel pain and if that doesn't help, take paracetamol 2 hours later. Just remember that you can only take 3 doses of ibuprofen in 24 hours (6 tablets) and only 4 doses of paracetamol (8 tablets).
As for the whole taking alcohol and drugs like ibuprofen, personally I would stay well clear. Most guidelines say drinking your daily alcohol intake whilst on paracetamol/ibuprofen is fine, but you have to remember that for women that intake is only 2-3 units. You could easily go over that by having 1 or 2 drinks. Ibuprofen has risks of side effects such as causing stomach ulcers and taking it with alcohol increases that risk significantly. It'll also give significant strain on your liver, which if you're going to be drinking a lot for the first time isn't advisable.
Just as a tip, ibuprofen works much better when taken as a regular medicine, like 3 times daily. After a few doses it will work significantly better that to begin with. Also, take the first dose as soon as you feel pain and if that doesn't help, take paracetamol 2 hours later. Just remember that you can only take 3 doses of ibuprofen in 24 hours (6 tablets) and only 4 doses of paracetamol (8 tablets).
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