trying to prepare myself

[imuhstarr.livejournal.com]

okay, so I realize there's something not right with my period, so I made myself a doctor's appointment, and it's in about two and a half weeks..I'd just like to hear what you all think I might hear, what my options might be. here's my scenario:

for about a year or so now, the first day of my period, I get severe cramps (I know that's not horribly wrong, but it's quite bothersome) and they cause me to throw up (that's the something wrong part)
I normally have the cramps the second day of my period, too, but just the first day is really bad and I normally throw up in the afternoon

I'm hoping it's nothing too major, and something that can be easily addressed (with some form of medication, and I'm prepared to go on HBC)

thanks so much

Comments

[melodic-lyrics.livejournal.com]

This sounds like it's in the range of "normal" for period type dealings - not pleasant by any stretch - but "normal". I had a friend who was much similar to you when we were growing up, and she was prescribed HBC to help control the cramps. They worked wonders for her, so hopefully they will do the same for you.

If you're not comfortable though, with HBC you can always ask your doctor for any alternatives.

[http://users.livejournal.com/retrospection_/]

when I got my period this was me as well. I even passed out once it hurt so bad. They put me on HBC and I've never looked back. And now its not even that bothersome

[paraxeni.livejournal.com]

There's a number of reasons it could be happening. You could be sensitive to the prostaglandins your body's sending out, nausea and vomiting are a common side-effect of that, or it could be something like endometriosis which causes heavy, painful periods. The first thing is most likely though. When your body sends the prostaglandins to your uterus to make it contract and shed the lining, to give you your period, the chemicals can affect other musculature such as the bowels, bladder and stomach. It's the same reason some people need to go to the toilet more often during their period. Sensitivity to these chemicals can also cause the severe cramping you mentioned.

BC might very well help with this. Good luck!

[queensugar.livejournal.com]

Not much time now, but I do actually agree with melodic_lyrics that this may very well actually be within the range of normal. It could be a sign of something like endometriosis, but it's actually not necessarily abnormal to have cramps that bad -- just yesterday, I had cramps so bad I was extremely nauseous, and I know I have no reproductive conditions or abnormalities.

Basically... it may be something like endometriosis. Or it may not be anything at all. That said, a doctor will very likely prescribe HBC.

[archangelbeth]

My cramps got worse and worse, when I was a teen, till I threw up from the pain... about a day or two before my 18th birthday, actually. I sent my mom out for ibuprofen -- I'd only recently discovered the stuff, and it worked on my pain way better than all the "natural" cruft my granola-hugging sire pushed on me.

Ever since, I've taken "Vitamin I" (Ibuprofen) for cramps. Even with them easing a lot, if I don't take it that first day, they start getting worse and making me queasy out of proportion to the pain.

Have you tried Advil/Ibuprofen? If not, and you're not allergic, I really recommend it!

[getsinyoureyes.livejournal.com]

This is how my periods are without HBC and no doctor I've ever talked to about my period has ever said anything about them being abnormal. Not to say that it's impossible that either of us have something amiss down there, but it's still possible that there's nothing physically wrong and we're just unlucky when it comes to cramps.

[applefaerie.livejournal.com]

Growing up, I remember my sister tossing her breakfast, lunch, and sometimes dinner because of her cramps the first day of her period. I, being an emetophobe, always dreaded that first day of her period. My period does not make me throw up, however my cramps, when not on HBC, cause me to go into real live actual shock, the medical definition of it. I have described this to doctors before, and one just gave me 800mg Ibuprofen for it. Which was like "Oh gee thanks, I hadn't tried taking a maximum dose before..." (I have taken 1600mg of Ibuprofen and had zippo happen. So, I just don't take it anymore as I don't put things in my body which don't work) . I do not respond to OTC pain killers, Tylenol, Advil, neither works. I have not tried Aleeve, simply because I don't have a lot of faith it'd work.

I know that from going on HBC, I no longer go into shock that first day of my period. Cramps are manageable and something I can handle without any pain killers at all (although I do have a ridiculously high tolerance for pain. Herniated a disk at work and kept working for another 3 hours until the rush slowed and I felt I was okay to leave the store that way. Yeah, I know.)
I am not sure how my sister fares these days regarding her cramps and whether or not she throws up from them. I know she is on HBC, and her myspace updates sometimes refer to her being crampy and QQ sad panda, but she hasn't said whether or not she continues to throw up from them.

I would say that it's likely normal that you do throw up from your cramps, however I would also say that it is likely that if you do go on HBC, you'll notice a change in the severity of your cramps or how they affect you and your body. It's up to you whether or not to go on them, and it's your right as a patient to not take a prescription your doctor gives you, and that goes for *every* sort of prescription (I used to work for a safe house for those with mental illnesses, and am versed enough in laws regarding medications), however if you are interested in not throwing up every time you get your period, you may wish to try HBC. You may not get the one which is right for YOU the first time around. I have been through 4 different varieties and finally have one which I do like.

[applefaerie.livejournal.com]

Also, to add: If you're interested in trying to control them with OTC pain killers, and you are someone who's aware of when exactly you will get your period, you can "pre-load" for anticipated pain. Pain killers work better the sooner you take them, and work best if they're in your system before the thing causing pain begins. It's why you will often have your dentist ask you to take Advil before coming in. And, as a chronic pain patient, I know that preventative medicating for pain keeps my symptoms and flare ups to a lesser level of owie than if I take my meds "just when I need them". I am not a doctor, but it's something you can ask your doctor about specifically when you go in for your appointment. Preventative medicating does not work nor is it indicated for all circumstances, but in some instances it's a life saver.

[oopsiedaisies7.livejournal.com]

When I went on HBC (for about 9 months, until I couldn't take the hormone-induced migraines any longer...), my cramps were insanely reduced. I might have had one or two small twinges every couple of months. It was *wonderful*.

Without HBC, my cramps on the first day of my period are awful. I've never thrown up from them, but I have definitely curled up around the toilet because they've made me so nauseous I *thought* I would throw up. I take 400mg of ibuprofen every 3 or 4 hours and that makes it so I can function. It definitely doesn't take them away completely, but it helps a whole lot.

[jae1202.livejournal.com]

I had the same problems before I went on HBC that you do now. Severe cramping, vomiting, I even passed out a couple of times- not at all functional. From the time I was 11 until college, then it got better, and my senior year of college it came back. The first doctor I saw didn't find anything "wrong" with me, and told me to take aspirin, and the second one put me on HBC and I've had happy periods ever since. And completely stable in terms of mood swings- my boyfriend doesn't even know when I'm on my period unless I tell him.

That being said, HBC will probably help you, but it may take trying a few kinds before you find the one that fits you best.

Good luck!